Zephyr Burgers in Plymouth is a must-visit for burger enthusiasts, known for its high-quality, LA-inspired smash burgers crafted from premium British beef. Founded in 2017 by Oz and Sheena, the restaurant has garnered numerous accolades, including National Burger Chef of the Year. The inviting atmosphere and concise menu further enhance the experience. Continue reading Zephyr Burgers: The Best Burgers in Devon (or the UK?)
The Maltsters Arms, the historic riverside inn nestled on the banks of the River Dart, has been propelled back into the national spotlight after securing a prestigious double accolade from the AA Continue reading Tuckenhay’s Maltsters Arms Secures Double AA Recognition for Food and Accommodation
Discover why Crave is Exeter Quay’s most exciting independent eatery. From award-winning local produce to an exciting and innovative menu – read our full review of Sameer Shetty’s standout restaurant. Continue reading Is Crave really that independent gem Exeter has been waiting for?
The Rolle Quay Inn in Barnstaple blends rich history with modern warmth. Under new management, it offers cozy dining, community events, and delectable comfort food, proving to be a vibrant hub for locals and visitors alike. Continue reading Discover The Rolle Quay Inn: A Historic Barnstaple Pub
Britain’s finally embracing staycations, and Exeter’s a hidden gem. Hotel Indigo stands out with its stylish vibe and dog-friendly policy, making your pup feel like a VIP. The food’s delicious, the staff’s friendly, and the views are stunning. It’s a chill spot for a city break with your furry friend! Continue reading Dog-Friendly Hotel Indigo in Exeter: A Perfect Getaway
(AD) There’s something quite fascinating about naming a place after an ancient, almost mythical paradise, especially when the reality is a former restaurant that sat empty for two years. It’s a bold choice but apt given who owns it. But then, boldness is pretty much a survival trait in the hospitality world, particularly in a city like Exeter where places come and go. What’s heartening … Continue reading Arcadia by Utopian, Northernhay Place in Exeter
Some condiments shout for attention; BFK Chipotle Aioli doesn’t need to. It knows what it is. It’s smoky, creamy, and just spicy enough. It delivers without fanfare, just quiet delicious confidence. This is one of my absolute favourite condiments, produced by Beer Factory and Kitchen based just outside of Exeter at Half Moon village. As you can see from the photo, I have already used … Continue reading BFK Chipotle Aioli: The Perfect Blend of Smoky and Creamy (product review)
The Boutport Café in Barnstaple blends modern café culture with traditional charm, offering locally sourced food in a cozy setting. Run by award-winning chef Alex, it is highly praised for its friendly atmosphere and reasonable prices. The café is also dog-friendly and specializes in hearty breakfasts, sandwiches, and delicious sweets. Continue reading The Boutport Café: A Perfect Spot for Breakfast, Lunch and Dog Lovers
The team behind Swim (Lyme Regis), Rise Café Bar (West Bay), and Rise Market & Bakery (Bridport) are thrilled to announce the grand opening of their latest venture, Heydays, located at Unit 1 Sideshore, Exmouth, where Mickey’s previously operated. The new restaurant is set to open its doors in early December. Richard Cooper, Nikki Craven, Andy Briggs, and Kyle Clarke are the creative minds behind … Continue reading Introducing new restaurant ‘Heydays’ to Exmouth seafront
{AD} The largest town in the Dartmoor National Park is Ashburton, it sits at the southeastern end, not too far away from Totnes and Buckfastleigh. Apart from being the location of the prestigious Ashburton Cookery School and the final residence of renowned poet and novelist Stevie Smith. It is also the home to The Old Exeter Inn. This pub celebrates British cuisine, especially the classic pie. … Continue reading Review: The Old Exeter Inn, Ashburton
{gifted} Since the blog started, we’ve never had the opportunity to review and sample a bespoke cake, until now.
I can’t start to tell you how excited I was to drop in and collect the cake, I also got to meet the owner and cake queen Kris for a quick chat, hearing about her journey to where she is today as the owner of this fledgling company.
The Cake Corner creates bespoke custom cakes for all sorts of celebrations. Baby showers, weddings, birthdays. Unlike a lot of cake makers, Kris has a price list on her website. This makes budgeting for an event a breeze because the prices are listed.
I had a lot of flexibility and choice with flavours. I opted for a Biscoff Sponge with a salted caramel filling and mocha ganache. The buttercream was Kris’s own vanilla buttercream.
Originally from Ireland she moved around a lot as her husband is ex-services, whom she met whilst he was stationed in Ireland (also side note he has his own food based Instagram account (blake_tastes) Food runs through the family!. They finally settled down in Exeter.
Baking was always an important hobby. Once Kris had her two daughters, she enjoyed making their birthday cakes. Her friends encouraged her to. They recognized her natural talent and passion for baking. That is just what she did by starting The Cake Corner.
{AD/Invite} The village of Oakford lies at the intersection between Exmoor and the hilly valleys of Mid Devon, where the geographical echoes of moorland can be seen in the luscious forests and the steep hills that surround it. This part of Devon is topographically quite exciting. If you’re travelling from Exeter then you’ll pass through Tiverton, heading towards signs for Minehead and then a left, … Continue reading The Red Lion Hotel, Oakford
A few weeks back I received an Instragram message from an account with videos showing a knife being deftly plunged into almighty cheesecakes and photos of these cloud-like desserts set upon a rustic wooden counter, and greaseproof paper – they lured me in, they caught my attention. This was a ‘Basque Burnt cheesecake’ and the account belonged to @kikodevon, something I’d personally never tried but … Continue reading Savour Epicurean Joy: Discovering Kiko’s Irresistible Basque Cheesecakes in Totnes
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
(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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
Penthouse Cocktails have really nailed the experience of creating delicious cocktails at home. The instructions are crystal clear, the YouTube videos are genius and cater for all Continue reading REVIEW: Living the high life: the Penthouse Cocktails DIY cocktail box
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
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
A few miles from Coombe Martin with it’s famous rockpools and beaches, sits The Sandy Cove Hotel, majestically perched on a cliff overlooking the Bristol Channel high above the dramatic North Devon coastline – Dining Devon was up in North Devon for a foodie marathon, and our first night’s dining was here at The Sandy Cove Hotel. The Seacliff Restaurant provides a fine dining experience, … Continue reading REVIEW: The Seacliff Restaurant, Sandy Cove Hotel, Ilfracombe
July has been a busy old month. In between sweltering in heat, and being rained on we’ve been out and about. July 19th saw many restrictions being lifted, including the requirement for face masks and compulsory table service in restaurants/pubs. Slowly, it seems, people are starting to venture out with more confidence. But there is still a long way to go. Many places are still … Continue reading July Highlights – brunch at the Manor, fill your cakehole, fire feast days & more!
May has been a bit wet and wild. It is safe to say that it has been the wettest on record, but one thing that has been keeping our spirits high has been some of the events and places we’ve visited this month. May 17th saw many businesses reopening their indoor areas, and others opening for the first time since January. Newly opened Mickey’s Beach … Continue reading May highlights: Mickey’s Beach, Boston Tea Party, Ben’s Farm Shop and more!
Cover photo credit at the end of the blog post Huntsham Pop-up Hotel is back! Available to stay between 21ST MAY – 21ST JUNE with their fantastic food offering too with special guest chefs each weekend! Tiverton lies within reach of the dramatic North Devon coast, the rolling majesty of Dartmoor and the fossil laden cliffs of South & East Devon. Being in the middle, … Continue reading REVIEW: The Milkshed Kitchen at Huntsham Court, near Tiverton (new dates for 2021)
In the grand scheme of things, Dining Devon is a blog filled with a variety of places. From restaurants with Michelin Stars and RAC Rosettes, to places that you might never have thought of going to. For me, some of the best places I have eaten have been pubs – especially pubs with a good local following serving wholesome, well-cooked food that won’t break the … Continue reading REVIEW: The Red Lion, Broadclyst
The Lord Nelson is one of the many pubs that I remember from my childhood growing up near Topsham in the eighties and nineties. There used to be, at one point in history, forty two separate pubs in Topsham. Over the years this number has declined to a handful; the legendary ‘Topsham Ten’ is much less than it used to be. One of the remaining … Continue reading REVIEW: The Goose & Gander Kitchen at The Lord Nelson Inn, Topsham.
In our penultimate Life in Lockdown interview, we speak to Bjorn Moen, Head Chef of the Commodore Hotel in Instow. It is strange to think that the UK went into lockdown in March, nearly six months ago. Yet the effect was profound and has had lasting repercussions. The Commodore Hotel lies in North Devon and is popular with tourists and locals alike. A locally sourced … Continue reading Life in Lockdown: Bjorn Moen, Head Chef of The Commodore Hotel in Instow
As the country emerges from three months in lockdown, we ask some of Devon’s hospitality and food producers, what life has been like. In our fourth mini interview, we chat to Mike and Leanne Welsh, founders and owners of M Welsh Catering Services. Mike and Leanne Welsh are the owners of a multi-award winning wedding catering company based just outside of Exeter. We first met … Continue reading Life in Lockdown: M Welsh Catering Services
For many of us, the lockdown has eased and there is some feeling that the world is returning to ‘normal’ – whatever that was. Throughout the UK, people are emerging slowly from three months of isolation; some are coming out but there are others who still have to be very careful. Lockdown has seen many businesses, especially hospitality, across the country adapt to a new … Continue reading Review: Stir Crazy Cocktail Box & Masterclass #ad
As the country starts emerging from three months in lockdown, we ask some of Devon’s hospitality and food producers, what life has been like. In our third mini interview, we chat to Russ & Gemma Wakeham, founders and owners of Two Drifters Rum Distillery in Exeter. Two Drifters Distillery produces award-winning rum from their HQ near Exeter Airport. We first met Two Drifters at the … Continue reading Life in Lockdown: Two Drifters Distillery
As the country starts emerging from three months in lockdown, we ask some of Devon’s hospitality and food producers, what life has been like. The second mini interview of this series, we chat with General Manager, Luke Fearon. The Bearslake Inn is a surrounded by the wild hills of West Dartmoor. Close enough to the Cornish border, the hills of Bodmin Moor can be seen … Continue reading Life in Lockdown: The Bearslake Inn
I want to say that Caffe Rojano is tucked away, down the winding streets of Padstow. But when it comes to Padstow in general, most of it is winding and many of it’s great eateries are tucked away down cosy streets which you have to breathe in to squeeze down (I do anyway!). This little town sits on the River Camel estuary, a safe harbour … Continue reading Caffe Rojano has now re-opened! Paul and Emma Ainsworth raise the bar with an excellent menu.
The pun in the title relies on you knowing that Pho is actually pronounced ‘fuh’, but the English tend to pronounce it like ‘foe’, a fact I didn’t realise until I had actually been to Pho Restaurant in Queen St, Exeter. I’ve been a little quiet on the blog recently due to the busy-ness of life, but I am still orchestrating things in the background … Continue reading Casual Dining in Exeter: Perfect ‘Pho’ the cold weather!
