Best restaurants in Devon

A family-run affair, The Loft is a popular haunt for sunny Sidmouth holidaymakers thanks to its crowd-pleasing all-day menu that’s replete with Mediterranean accents. On sunnier days, try and nab a table on the sought-after roof garden to enjoy loaded antipasti platters, whole local crab, pizzas and more.

A thatched 13th-century inn along the foothills of Exmoor might be the last place you’d expect to find a Michelin-starred kitchen, but that’s exactly what chef Mark Dodson has achieved at this hidden Devon gem. Dodson was once the head chef of iconic three Michelin-starred The Waterside Inn, and his cooking has only improved with time. 

This 17th century inn is full of warmth and surprisingly home to 250 wines and more than 200 whiskeys. As for the food, expect homely, well-executed dishes destined to send you into a food coma, including beef and ale pie with horseradish mash, smoked haddock tartlets, and a selection of over 50 different Devonian cheeses. 

This Michelin-starred Georgian pile from chef Michael Caines should be on every Devon visitors ‘to dine’ list. Come for the gorgeous surrounds and stay for a masterful modern British menu which thrills at every turn. Lympstone Manor also has its very own vineyards, which you can tour before sampling some of the sparkling wine made from the grapes.

One of the most highly decorated gastropubs in the country, The Cornish Arms is not, in fact, in Cornwall. That's good news for Devonites, who can toddle over to Tavistock and nab a table to enjoy chef John Hooker's magnificent cooking, which stays faithful to bold, generous British pub classics, on a foundation of outstanding Devon produce.

The Pig’s menu is underpinned by produce from its three walled kitchen gardens, alongside Devon cheeses, locally sourced fresh fish and meat from local butchers. This all results in a delicious, well thought out menu. It's worth staying overnight so you can enjoy the restaurant, and a room in the stupendous hotel.

Prepare to have your preconceptions of disappointing hotel food torn apart by Gidleigh Park, a Devon hideaway that’s unashamedly English and serves a menu of seasonal, beautifully refined dishes that are masterful in their simplicity. Charming and staunchly old-school, this is classic, luxury dining at its very best.

Owned by Clare Lattin and Tom Hill of the excellent Ducksoup in London, Emilia brings pleasing Italian osteria vibes to Salcombe, with lovely rustic interiors and a menu of easy-going seasonal plates, like gorgonzola with sweet pickled plums and classic pasta dishes. 

You can tick ‘dining on a floating barge’ off your bucket list with the charmingly quirky River Exe Cafe. Accessed by water taxi, the menu here champions local produce, naturally including plenty of fresh fish and whole seafood from nearby Brixham. We recommend sampling the sharing platters with a glass of something cold and white.

Vegetables, well sourced and perfectly cooked, are the stars of the show here, with meat and fish acting as mere support acts. We also love the pretty interiors, which feature flowers hanging from the ceiling, as well as the communality of the whole experience, as the whole room is served at the same time. 

From the team behind excellent Emilia in Ashburton, Le Vin Perdu effortlessly blends French sophistication with local, seasonal produce. Thoughtful cooking, a cracking wine list and bags of charm, this is the sort of neighbourhood win bar and bistro that has us looking up Newton Abbot property prices.

One of a few fantastic restaurants in Dartmouth, Andria takes Devon's world-class seafood and elevates it with eclectic influences from all over Europe. Try torched Brixham cod with smoked butter sauce and caviar for size, although Andria also has lots of excellent vegan and vegetarian options among the small plates too. The set tasting menu is the way to go for first time visitors. 

Glebe House started its life as a well-loved bed and breakfast, which was then bought by the owner's son when it was time to sell. Now run by son, Hugo, and wife, Olive, Glebe is pitched as an English agroturismo with a farm-to-table kitchen combining Italian inspiration with British produce.

With glorious views of the Exmouth seafront, Ocean is a do-it-all all-day spot that is just as good for a celebratory evening meal as it is for an quick breakfast before you head out into the sea. We love hanging out on The Deck - Ocean's first floor panoramic terrace with sea views - but Ocean has lots more to keep you (and potentially your kids) entertained, including bowling, arcade, soft-play and an outdoor bar.

Fish is king at this bright and cheerful waterfront restaurant, with the kitchen often cooking seafood caught that same day. Chef patron Mitch Tonks is one of the UK's foremost seafood chefs - a natural successor to Rick Stein - and alongside the fresh fish, expect an extensive wine list and great value set lunch menus. 

That rare Michelin-starred restaurant that welcomes children with open arms, The Elephant is an informal seaside restaurant overlooking the gorgeous Torquay harbour. Expect an ever-changing menu underpinned by British seasonality and produce from the restaurant’s own Brixham farm, cooked by a master craftsman in Simon Hulstone. 

Exclusively serving tasting menus, Acleaf’s selection of hi-spec dishes brought to life with local produce fit right in with the luxe surrounds of country manor house Boringdon Hall. Head chef Scott Paton has scooped numerous awards over the years, so you kow you're in great hands here. Great for weekend getaways with your partner or a pal.

MasterChef: The Professionals finalist Jamie Rogers is the brains behind this upscale modern European eatery in Kingsbridge, where guests can choose between a wide spectrum of seasonal tasting menus, some of which are astoundingly good value. Expect intriguing, yet well executed dishes designed to wow guests.