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

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

April Highlights – burgers, birthdays, brownies, brunch and more!

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!

February & March Highlights – New Openings, Eating Out & Devon Drinks

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

January highlights – fishtastic feasts, Sunday roast, alcohol free spirit and Vietnamese hugs in a bowl

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

October & November Highlights – New Openings in Exeter, North Devon Adventures & more

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

The Botanist Exeter

Exe-tra Exe-tra! News from New World as new site in Exeter is confirmed.

Fresh off the press, award-winning pub and bar operator New World Trading Company has announced another new location for the botanical-pub brand The Botanist, following on from its recent confirmation of a new site in Ipswich. The newest location will be in Queen St Dining, a part of the Guildhall Shopping centre in Exeter, Devon and will be the operator’s 2nd South Coast opening of … Continue reading Exe-tra Exe-tra! News from New World as new site in Exeter is confirmed.

Sticky post

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

Alfresco April – Dining & Drinks Outside from 12th April

“Alfresco April’ (and May) is nearly here! If all goes to plan with the roadmap, from 12th April, outdoor hospitality will be able to open serving food or drinks. This is great for those who are itching to venture out locally or further afield (and who’ve waited patiently after the ‘stay-at-home’ rule lifts on 29th March), hungry to enjoy some edible delights or liquid refreshment … Continue reading Alfresco April – Dining & Drinks Outside from 12th April

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 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.

Eat Out To Help Out – Participating Venues in Devon

EAT OUT TO HELP OUT – SEPTEMBER UPDATE: We are still having hits on this post so we have updated it. Some Devon eateries are continuing their own version of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme discount*, please see individual Facebook pages for further details – list below: During September: The Lighter Inn, The Quay, Topsham The Stand Off Exeter Pink Moon, Exeter Franco … Continue reading Eat Out To Help Out – Participating Venues in Devon

New restaurant review: Pieminister, Queen St, Exeter

This was written before the recent pandemic. I do hope you can enjoy it and remember to give Pieminister a visit after the lockdown has finished! Queen St in Exeter is one of the main thoroughfares that leads straight to the heart of the city, it is a veritable culinary avenue being home to local foodie legends such as The Exploding Bakery, Pink Moon Cafe … Continue reading New restaurant review: Pieminister, Queen St, Exeter

Casual Dining in Exeter: Perfect ‘Pho’ the cold weather!

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!