The following is an up-to-date list of all our favourite places to eat and drink in the South Hams.
Some you can walk or cycle to, others involve a little drive, and a few in particular are best visited by boat! Please enjoy, and don’t forget to mention that Wellies and Waves sent you!
Within 5 - 15 minutes away…..
The Millbrook Inn, Southpool
This is probably our favourite pub, not only because it is picture post card pretty and serves incredible dishes with a killer wine list, but if you can visit it by boat on a warm evening with spring high tides, the sense of fun amongst the flotilla of boats that descend on the pub from Salcombe is a joy to behold. BEST FOR: Evening escapades up Southpool creek.
The Crabshell Inn, Kingsbridge
This is a fun and vibrant waterside bar and restaurant that serves a variety of good quality food and drinks. Perfect on a sunny afternoon as they have plenty of outdoor table space overlooking Kingsbridge estuary. BEST FOR: Atmosphere, sitting and eating outside.
The Crab Shed, Salcombe
This is an excellent little seafood restaurant situated by the slipway in Batson Creek. Serving really great seafood dishes of high quality, including a lot of Salcombe’s famous crab on the menu obviously! BEST FOR: Seafood done properly, affordable wines.
The Beach House, South Milton
A cracking foodie shack in a killer location. A great place to visit at any time of year, there is something special about being crammed into a wooden hut on the beach and eating delicious food. BEST FOR: Grilled seafood and chilled rose in the sunshine.
Hope Cove House, Inner Hope
A fabulous little hotel restaurant with a unique charm and really friendly service. The food is excellent and really well priced. This place is a true gem. BEST FOR: Rewarding dinner in the afterglow of a memorable beach day.
Wild Artichokes, Kingsbridge
If you fancy something a little bit daring check out the amazing Wild Artichokes, who offer feasting nights with incredible food, sharing tables, and a really convivial atmosphere. BEST FOR: Something special and out of the ordinary.
South Sands Hotel, Salcombe
Don’t be put off by the fact it’s a hotel, this is a great restaurant with a lovely little bar, and far more relaxed than you may think. Fear not if you arrive with a sandy labrador, it will be as welcomed as it’s owner! BEST FOR: Dog friendly bar and restaurant, a perfect end to walking the Bolthead loop.
The Braai Guy, Salcombe
Hugely popular last year when across the estuary at Port Waterhouse, now we are super happy that Tom has moved to Salcombe! Unique atmosphere and cookibg, plus they do really great cocktails! BEST FOR: Fun atmosphere, craft beer, amazing pulled pork.
The Village Inn, Thurlestone
A great pit stop for a pint after a dog walk, which sometimes turns into lunch or supper when you see everybody eating lovely plates of food around you! BEST FOR: Great pub food, lovely small sun-soaked terrace for a beer.
Mahar Bharat, Kingsbridge
Probably an unusual choice to have on here, but this place is unusually good! With fantastic friendly staff, amazing food, it’s always a fun night. Great for takeaway deliveries as well. BEST FOR: First class Indian that will put a smile on your face.
Oceans Restaurant, Bolberry
Positioned on the clifftop next to the magnificent coastal path, this is a lovely place to have lunch or supper after a stunning walk. BEST FOR: Sunday lunch after a long dog walk.
The Cove, Hope Cove
A lively bar and restaurant with multiple personalities! The top deck is great for cocktails and watching live sport, the ground floor is more restauranty, and they often have live bands playing. BEST FOR: Lively atmosphere, great food, craft ales, live music.
The Sloop Inn, Bantham
A welcome pub that is just as nice in winter next to the log fire as it is in summer when packed out with visitors. Solid pub grub with a nice local atmosphere. BEST FOR: Solid pub grub, post Bantham beach refreshments.
The Cricket Inn, Beesands
A really well-run establishment with an impeccable record for serving high quality food with amazing staff and service. The dish of the day is always first class. BEST FOR: Worth driving to even if you’re not there for a walk or anything else.
Outside, Bantham
A truly unique place that is a lot more than just a cafe. There is also a skatepark, and they do lots of community events, arts and craft classes etc. Definitely worth a visit if you’re heading to Bantham. BEST FOR: A unique and delightfully laid back vibe.
Gastrobus, Bantham
Beach food at it’s best by the people who have been doing it a very long time. Not cheap but high quality burgers, pizzas, and other treats. BEST FOR: Amazing snacks a stone’s throw from the beach.
Heron Valley, Loddiswell
A great little shop and cafe with really lovely things to shop for (Weaver Green is based here) and also eat and drink. Beautifully presented outside terrace and a nice little walk for dogs. BEST FOR: A bit of present shopping and a light lunch.
and slightly further afield…..
The Oyster Shack, Bigbury
A very well-known restaurant that does incredible fruits de mer. Well worth a visit, especially at low-tide as you can drive along the river road which is beautiful and a lot quicker. BEST FOR: Crab and lobster cooked to perfection.
The Tower Inn, Slapton
Quite a rough diamond, but well-worth seeking out. The sort of pub you come across by accident and then have the best night and make lots of new friends. BEST FOR: Outdoor BBQs, beer, and cheer.
The Seahorse, Dartmouth
The fact that this is Nathan Outlaw’s favourite restaurant tells you everything you need to know, this is a sublime fish restaurant doing simple things very very well. BEST FOR: Incredible fish restaurant.
The Journey’s End Inn, Ringmore
A pub that makes the walk to Ayrmer cove and back all the more special. Very un-gastro, this a proper pub with proper portions. Lovely outdoor seating area and cracking Sunday lunch. BEST FOR: No holds barred Sunday roast, Ayrmer cove.
The Hairy Barista, Totnes
Totnes has some great places to eat and drink, and this is one of the best. Beautiful decor that really makes you go ‘wow!’ when you walk in, followed by fantatstic coffee, cakes, and especially good smoothies! BEST FOR: Great coffee, great staff, a very cool place.
Emilia, Ashburton
Our favourite restaurant in the UK, period. What these guys have done to create a little corner of Italy in Ashburton is just incredible. Everything about this place is perfect, and the food…..well you’ll need to try it! BEST FOR: Understated and authentic Italian osteria that is truly one of the greatest dining experiences you can imagine.
Schoolhouse, Mothercombe
From the same people behind Beachhouse, this is an ispired, mainly outdoorsy style cafe that really hits the mark. Great food and nice design touches. BEST FOR: Brunch or lunch combined with a trip to Mothercombe on a warm sunny day.
Riverford Field Kitchen, Buckfastleigh
A real surprise. From the people behind Riverford organic meat and veg, this is their amazing dining room, where you arrive at set times for a three course extravaganza. Really delicious food which has all travelled no more than a tractor journey to get to your plate. BEST FOR: Lovely setting with inside and outside seating, a unique experience.
Sandridge Barton, Stoke Gabriel
This is the new location for Sharpham Wines, and it is a stunning setting. Just up the road from Stoke Gabriel, there are some fantastic local wines to try, with a collaborative restaurant bought to you by talented crew of Circa from Exeter. BEST FOR: A wineing and dining experience to savour.
Rugglestone Inn, Widecombe in the Moor
You can see Dartmoor in the distance from most places in the South Hams.. Sometimes, especially in the winter months, when you fancy a walk that keeps going and going, then there is no better place to be, and a nice way to break up a journey on the way home from Devon. BEST FOR: A beautiful Dartmoor pub full of charm, with delicious and hearty meals that will warm you on the coldest days.
If you only go to one restaurant in Devon, go to Emilia. “It is a love song, a paean to rich, hearty rural bliss”
William Sitwell, The Telegraph
