June Highlights – English Wine Week, Burgers, Breakfasts, Getting ‘Cosy’ & more!

June has flown by, maybe because we’ve been out and about munching our way through Devon as usual, oh and drinking too! With English Wine Week mid-June we couldn’t help but get involved supping on local Devon wines. We got ‘cosy’ with small plates and cocktails in plymouth and also enjoyed some scrumptious baked delights from a little kitchen with a big heart….. Dining Out … Continue reading June Highlights – English Wine Week, Burgers, Breakfasts, Getting ‘Cosy’ & more!

Devon’s The Exploding Bakery to launch Summer Series of chef takeovers

Exeter’s cult café The Exploding Bakery announce their Summer Series of chef takeovers, with a stellar line up of local and London chefs to host feast of seasonal celebrations this summer. Co-founders Tom Oxford and Oliver Coysh have invited some of their favourite restaurants, cooks and chefs to take to the pass for one night only, beginning with Owen Barratt of Monty’s Deli on 25th … Continue reading Devon’s The Exploding Bakery to launch Summer Series of chef takeovers

Devon Gin Directory

World Gin Day is in June, so what better excuse could there be to put together a simple list (in alphabetical order) of Devon gin distilleries for you to be able to support a local businesses when purchasing your next gin, on World Gin Day, or any other day for that matter. Many of the businesses below are award winning and family owned and can … Continue reading Devon Gin Directory

May highlights: Mickey’s Beach, Boston Tea Party, Ben’s Farm Shop and 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!

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

April Highlights – Food Kits, New Openings, Alfresco April, Foraging, Donut Porn and more

Wow, April has come and gone and what a difference a year makes!

We’ve decided to do more of a highlights/newsletter style blog post rather than a blog fully focussed on one visit or event – we hope you enjoy it.

We’re looking forward to munching our way through May! Continue reading April Highlights – Food Kits, New Openings, Alfresco April, Foraging, Donut Porn and more

GUEST POST: Support a local charity and boost your food business.

Hungry Minds is looking for food partners to provide paid-for healthy meals to local families. In the last 12 months we have seen an extraordinary level of support from local cafes, restaurants and food providers for local children and families who have been affected, not only by COVID-19, but also by the government’s failure to provide them with meals during half-term. It is very clear … Continue reading GUEST POST: Support a local charity and boost your food business.

RECIPE: A twist on Pancake Day – American Style Pancakes – by Sue Stoneman

Pancake Day is fast approaching, which also means that Spring is on its way as is Easter! Yippee for the longer, lighter days and warmer weather. This year, Pancake Day falls on Tuesday 16th February. It is always the day before Ash Wednesday which is the first day of Lent.  It’s the day when traditionally you would eat up rich foods such as milk, sugar … Continue reading RECIPE: A twist on Pancake Day – American Style Pancakes – by Sue Stoneman

Dining Devon wins Best Independent UK Food Blog 2020

We’re delighted to have won an award from LUXLife Magazine for the 2nd year in a row! Merry Christmas to all our readers, and wishing you a restful time whatever it means to you during these tough times. Continue reading Dining Devon wins Best Independent UK Food Blog 2020

Dinner Review: Rockbeare Manor – Limited Time ‘Dine, Stay and Unwind’

As we know, 2020 has certainly been a year of strain and challenges in the hospitality industry but in turn many venues have shown great resilience and innovation; one such venue has been Rockbeare Manor – so don’t miss their limited time ‘Dine, Stay and Unwind’ Continue reading Dinner Review: Rockbeare Manor – Limited Time ‘Dine, Stay and Unwind’

REVIEW: The Milkshed Kitchen at Huntsham Court, near Tiverton (new dates for 2021)

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)

REVIEW: The Red Lion, Broadclyst

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

Alder Vineyard Cheese Charcuterie platter

Café & Vineyard Tour: Alder Vineyard – by Lauren Heath

Alder Vineyard has recently expanded its facilities with a spacious ‘Kitchen’ café and local produce shop – it’s worth a visit for coffee and cake, charcuterie and cheese platters paired with their wines, or a vineyard tour. Continue reading Café & Vineyard Tour: Alder Vineyard – by Lauren Heath

REVIEW: The Goose & Gander Kitchen at The Lord Nelson Inn, Topsham.

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.

Life in Lockdown: Bjorn Moen, Head Chef of The Commodore Hotel in Instow

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

Life in Lockdown: M Welsh Catering Services

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

Review: Stir Crazy Cocktail Box & Masterclass #ad

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

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. 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

Life in Lockdown: The Bearslake Inn

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

Get fired up for UK BBQ Week – by Sue Stoneman

UK BBQ Week 4th – 12th July 2020 If you haven’t had the time to dust off your BBQ during lockdown and cook outside when the sun was shining, then the folks over at UKBBQWEEK have lots of hints, tips, reviews of equipment and recipes (some of mine) up on their website that might inspire you to get your fire lit and your tongs clicking! … Continue reading Get fired up for UK BBQ Week – by Sue Stoneman