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REVIEW: La Mar, Exmouth Marina

A couple of weeks ago we dropped into Exmouth’s newest fine dining restaurant. La Mar opened on Christmas Day 2023 after an extensive renovation and face-lift to what had previously been the function room of its sister business, The Beach pub next door. The space has blossomed into a fine dining restaurant with a panoramic scenes inviting natural light through big windows and treating diners … Continue reading REVIEW: La Mar, Exmouth Marina

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REVIEW: Hotel Du Vin, Exeter (Bistro Du Vin)

(AD/ PR Visit) Hotel Du Vin own a number of boutique lifestyle hotels across the UK, 29 to be exact. They are towards the upper end of the spectrum when it comes to hotels in expectations, price and what you get and likewise the restaurants are aimed towards that upper price point ‘Serving classical French dishes with a modern British twist’. Its been open a … Continue reading REVIEW: Hotel Du Vin, Exeter (Bistro Du Vin)

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Devon pubs, cafés and farm shops with free play facilities to entertain the kids

We’re on the cusp of half term! We’ve done a round up of Devon pubs, cafés and farm shops with complimentary play facilities to entertain the kids. Happy kids, happy parents right? If you have a favourite that’s not on the list, let us know! Continue reading Devon pubs, cafés and farm shops with free play facilities to entertain the kids

REVIEW: The Point, Exmouth Marina

The Point is a multiple award-winning restaurant that sits on Exmouth Marina, looking over what used to be Exmouth Docks in years past, and the mouth of the mighty River Exe. Nestled amongst the tasteful and modern surroundings of the residential properties which replaced the dockside, this restaurant is situated in part of Devon with a rotunda of views across the beautiful Exe Estuary, which … Continue reading REVIEW: The Point, Exmouth Marina

REVIEW: The Lord Nelson Pub & Kitchen, Topsham

It is reassuring that there are still outstanding pubs in Exeter and the surrounding areas. Anyone with an interest in the hospitality industry, much like myself, is deeply concerned about the increasing closure of pubs in the UK. This trend can be attributed to the impact of the economy, the cost of living crisis, and shifts in public habits. The statistics surrounding pub closures evoke … Continue reading REVIEW: The Lord Nelson Pub & Kitchen, Topsham

Dinner & Stay at Mercure Hotel, Paignton

I recently enjoyed dinner and an overnight stay at the newly opened Mercure Paignton with my husband and son. This was a #invited experience, thanks to their PR company, following the opening of this £30 million new build. The Hotel The hotel is well placed across the road from Paignton seafront with views of the pier and in walking distance to plenty of seaside fun … Continue reading Dinner & Stay at Mercure Hotel, Paignton

Rockfish Sidmouth restaurant design goes to planning

Following a challenging few years for the hospitality industry, Rockfish, the pioneering seafood restaurant group founded by Mitch Tonks, has now submitted finalised design plans for their Sidmouth restaurant in the historic former Drill Hall, which now incorporates the adjacent toilet block. The successful restaurant group has also entered the design stages for their other two upcoming restaurant openings in Topsham and Salcombe. For the … Continue reading Rockfish Sidmouth restaurant design goes to planning

Taste East Devon Announces Events for 2023 Food Festival

We’re delighted to share this press release as our very own Lauren Heath has been part of the organising team for Taste East Devon this year! With just two months to go, find out more about this delicious 16 day food and drink festival across East Devon. Taste East Devon Announces Exciting New Events for 2023 Food Festival 9th – 24th September Taste East Devon, one of the region’s most popular … Continue reading Taste East Devon Announces Events for 2023 Food Festival

10 Questions with Andy & Chef Al Morgan from The City Gate Hotel, in Exeter

We recently had a cracking meal (read our feature here) at The City Gate, a hotel & gastropub in Exeter which recently introduced a smashing new menu. The City Gate Hotel stands above many other brewery-owned pubs due to its unwavering commitment to utilizing local and British ingredients, ensuring a fresh and authentic dining experience. Its beer garden is one of the nicest in Exeter … Continue reading 10 Questions with Andy & Chef Al Morgan from The City Gate Hotel, in Exeter

March / April Highlights

The last two months have been a busy time with lots of exciting opportunities to meet, eat and shout about the fabulous food in our area. This Highlight post is a little different as we have a little section at the end ‘In Other News’ which will flesh out with foodie events and goings on around the county along with a round-up of what we’ve … Continue reading March / April Highlights

The City Gate Hotel, Iron Bridge, Exeter

Nestled on the historic city wall, The City Gate Hotel sits on the junction of North Street and The Iron Bridge which crosses the valley below it.  Owned by Young’s pubs (who also own another Exeter favourite, The Double Locks) their new menu that came out recently is flavoursome and local-centric. If you have never been before, now is a perfect time to try it … Continue reading The City Gate Hotel, Iron Bridge, Exeter

An exterior shot of a Dartmoor pub with whitewashed walls in the mist

REVIEW: Eversfield Organic at the Dartmoor Inn, Merrivale

If you’re heading from Exeter, Dartmoor is deceptively close – as the crow flies it’s five miles to the east border of Dartmoor National Park from Ide. You can head down the M5, along to Bovey Tracey as many do – up across past Haytor along the B3387 and down to Widdicome-on-the-moor, but as most locals know, this can get busy with day trippers and … Continue reading REVIEW: Eversfield Organic at the Dartmoor Inn, Merrivale

January & February Highlights – New Thai Opening, Learn to Cook, Meaty Merrivale and more

The first highlight post of the year has arrived. It’s so genuinely exciting to see so many businesses opening their doors during such a difficult economic time. Here in Devon, we are spoilt for choice with some of the best producers, restaurants and pubs you’re likely to find. It’s a bold statement but we believe it’s true! This month is a good reminder of how … Continue reading January & February Highlights – New Thai Opening, Learn to Cook, Meaty Merrivale and more

Lucy Gosling’s ‘fantastic four’ – a guide to eating out in Plymouth

Ed. Before we get too Christmassy I really want to share this article that I’ve had simmering for a little while (sorry Lucy!). A few months ago I met Lucy Gosling (@lucygosling) at an event in Exeter. Based in Plymouth, she knows some fantastic spots for foodies, and I managed to tap into some of her top places to eat by asking her to kindly … Continue reading Lucy Gosling’s ‘fantastic four’ – a guide to eating out in Plymouth

REVIEW: The View, Courtyard Hotel, Sandy Park

If you’ve been travelling past Sandy Park, or the M5 junction 30, you might have noticed a tall modern looking building has sprung up in recent years. This new hotel is The Courtyard and is part of the Merriott family; and right at the top is The View restaurant and bar. Open 6pm – 10pm daily, seven days a week, could this be a new … Continue reading REVIEW: The View, Courtyard Hotel, Sandy Park

August Highlights – new openings, transformations, pop ups and parties

Au revoir August! It’s been a scorching month, not just the weather but across the county we’ve been filling our boots with some blooming lovely lunches and raising a glass or two to some of the fantastic independent producers and restaurants who call our county home. Even though the hot weather is due to ease, the heat hasn’t eased for thousands of small hospitality businesses … Continue reading August Highlights – new openings, transformations, pop ups and parties

June/July Highlights

We like to pack lots of content into our highlights for you to nibble on and as it is, we have quite the feast for you to munch through in this post. Whilst our inconsistent, weird weather seems to vary between baking hot, baking hot & humid or freezing cold, what has been consistent is the high high standards our dining scene in Devon always … Continue reading June/July Highlights

10 Questions with Penthouse Cocktails

Dining Devon loves a good cocktail. Often it’s one of us who are quick to scan their eyes across to the cocktail section of any good drinks menu, so when Penthouse Cocktails approached us to work with them to spread the word, we jumped at the opportunity. Run by husband and wife team, Jonny and Meg, Penthouse Cocktails has just launched their incredible Cocktail Box … Continue reading 10 Questions with Penthouse Cocktails

Discover Delicious Devon Food and Drink Experiences to Delight Everyone

Love getting ‘hands-on’ in the kitchen, always dreamt of distilling your own spirits or are you intrigued by the art of fermentation, winemaking or rum blending?  What better way to learn than through meeting the experts.  Here’s Food Drink Devon’s round-up of some of the best foodie experiences the region has to offer.  Food Drink Devon is one of the county’s leading food and drink organisations with … Continue reading Discover Delicious Devon Food and Drink Experiences to Delight Everyone

Leading culinary competition returns

Entries are open for South West Chef of the Year 2022 A fantastic opportunity awaits the talented chefs and home cooks of the South West with the much-anticipated return of South West Chef of the Year.  After a two-year enforced break, due to the pandemic, the judges of this prestigious competition are once again searching for the finest culinary talent in the region. Established 19 … Continue reading Leading culinary competition returns