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
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
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
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
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
Family-run Darts Farm, based just outside Exeter, is officially launching its brand new restaurant, The Farm Table, and its new Terrace Bar on Friday 15th July 2022, adding yet more reasons to visit this award-winning destination that celebrates local food and drink. Initially, The Farm Table will serve up lunches and dinners from Friday to Sunday, using the best farm produce, cooked over fire and … Continue reading Darts Farm Launches New Farm Table Restaurant and Terrace Bar
Founders Sarah and Geoff Yates wanted to create an alternative to alcohol without compromising taste or experience and Sea Arch was born. As well as using natural botanicals, Sarah and Geoff are passionate about the environment too and use recycled cardboard for boxes and solvent free paint on the bottles. We wanted to know how Sea Arch came about so Sue asked Sarah some questions … Continue reading 10 Questions with Sea Arch Alcohol Free Spirits
All the B’s this month! April was blimmin birthday-burger-brownie-brunch-filled. The sun has been out putting us all in a good mood for food. We’ve had great interactions on our socials when we’ve shared this months outings. Now you know where’ we’ve been… where’s your favourite brunch, lunch, dinner stop? Do tell… Read on for: Knights Farm Shop, Ottery St Mary Love Brownies, Okehampton Meat59, Exeter … Continue reading April Highlights – burgers, birthdays, brownies, brunch and more!
As well as getting out and about visiting foodie places, we’re lucky in that we also get sent local produce to try. Let me introduce you to Sea Arch – an award winning non-alcoholic gin, made locally here in Devon. I was recently #gifted some items to try and wanted to share more about this award winning product and its origins. You may have already … Continue reading Review – Sea Arch Alcohol Free Drinks and Cocktails
Can you believe that this time last year, they were just letting us out to spend time in groups of 6, and hospitality businesses were either closed or offering takeaways only? Alfresco April was incoming and so many businesses were diversifying constantly to keep going. It’s not over yet; rules may have now been fully lifted all round and we’re enjoying the lighter evenings but … Continue reading February & March Highlights – New Openings, Eating Out & Devon Drinks
The looongest month of the year has come to an end; with a rather damp end to 2021, at least the last few weeks have blessed us with dry days and many a sunrise and sunset! With the C word still lurking, businesses are still working hard to make their customers feel comfortable enough to go out, visit them, eat in or takeaway. Don’t forget that many wonderful Devon businesses still deliver too, so you can get your dose of Devon food and drink without leaving the house if you need. Continue reading January highlights – fishtastic feasts, Sunday roast, alcohol free spirit and Vietnamese hugs in a bowl
Rockfish’s slogan is Tomorrow’s Fish are Still in the Sea, but what if those fish can be on your dish 24 hours later, from the South West coast to your kitchen – fintastic! Thanks to the team at Rockfish, I was offered a complimentary (#gifted) press preview of their new Seafood at Home delivery which is launching at 6am on Wednesday 5th January 2022. The … Continue reading Review – Seafood at Home delivery by Rockfish
October flew by with only a few outings, and whilst we weren’t prepared for it, a busy November swiftly filled our diaries and tummies with delights. So here’s a buffet of two months mouthwatering munching and sipping… North Devon Adventures New Coast Kitchen, Croyde Early October, Lauren ventured to North Devon for a friends birthday dinner and headed to New Coast Kitchen. A group of … Continue reading October & November Highlights – New Openings in Exeter, North Devon Adventures & more
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
What a roundup we have for you this month, August was actually quieter on the eating out front; we all had various commitments with work, summer holidays and also judging for various awards in the South West. The month ran away so we didn’t publish any highlights then, so have included a couple along with this month’s sumptuous September foodie adventures. So from baking on … Continue reading August & September Highlights
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!
