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
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 Blue Ball has had a refurb on the menu and interior, and offers a fab setting with a well thought out menu for all. Continue reading Review: The Blue Ball Inn, Sandygate, Exeter
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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!
