A Foodie’s Guide To Devon

With its endless miles of coastline and abundance of green spaces, the Devon landscape acts as a natural larder for chefs – hence why the county has such an impressive food offering. Dotted around its pretty villages and beach towns, you’ll find plenty of great places to eat and drink, from waterside eateries to traditional pubs and quirky cafes. Here, Hugo Guest, owner and chef of guest house and restaurant Glebe House, shares a foodie guide to his hometown. Read on to discover some of the best restaurants and bars in Devon, across Dartmouth, Exeter, Totnes and more.

A Foodie’s Guide To Devon

Hugo Guest and his family

Hugo Guest

Growing up in Glebe, an old Georgian vicarage in East Devonshire, Hugo learnt the tricks of the trade watching his parents run a homely B&B. He went on to spend some time travelling around Italy with his wife Olive, where he became inspired by agrotourismos: working farms with accommodation and small restaurants. After spending some time as a chef in prestigious London restaurants, he returned to Devon to transform Glebe into a kind of English agrotourismo. Glebe House has its own vegetable garden, which grows produce for the farm-to-table restaurant, as well as a small number of bedrooms.

Best Restaurants & Bars In Devon: Hugo Guest’s Pick

The Seahorse Restaurant, Dartmouth 

This feels like one of the great dining rooms of the UK, set in a dreamy location overlooking the harbour. The food transports me to some of my favourite spots in Italy. Luckily, it’s the other side of Devon to us, otherwise I’d be there every day.

5 S Embankment, Dartmouth TQ6 9BH, seahorserestaurant.co.uk

Finn Coffee and Studio, Colyton

Good vibes, excellent coffee and a real social hub where you’re likely to bump into someone you know and have a good old natter. The coffee shop is adjoined to a flexible event space where we enjoy yoga with Ella and the owner George’s photography studio and gallery. 

Unit 5 Umbourne Bridge, Dolphin St, Colyton EX24 6LU, finn-studio.com

Castlewood Vineyard, Axminster

Head here for a tour and wine tasting at the cellar doors. The owner, Rob Corbett, is a wonderful host and an extremely knowledgeable and charming producer. The views from his vineyard at Musbury Castle are arguably some of the best in the South West. A very special spot with very special wine to pair.

Castlewood Farm, Axminster EX13 8SS, castlewoodvineyard.co.uk

Glebe House

The Hour Glass Pub, Exeter 

In my opinion, this is the best boozer in Exeter, with a serious food offering from David Knapman who heads up the kitchen there – an extremely talented chef who honed his skills in some of the best restaurants in the world. Simple food elevated to the sublime. 

21 Melbourne St, Exeter EX2 4AU, hourglassexeter.co.uk

The Bull Inn, Totnes 

A charming organic pub owned by the Riverford group nestled in the heart of Totnes. Great atmosphere, strong sustainability ethos and food that’s rustic, tasty and generous.

102 High St, Rotherfold, Totnes TQ9 5SN, bullinntotnes.co.uk

Pea Green Boat Restaurant, Sidmouth

Get a whole fish to share (think Brill or Terbot), cooked to perfection with skinny fries, right on the waterfront. A really lovely, considered wine list. Chris, the owner, is a great host. 

The Esplanade, Sidmouth EX10 8BB, thepeagreenboat.com

Food at Glebe House

Fountainhead Pub, Branscombe 

This is a classic British pub that hasn’t changed with the times. Inglenook fireplaces, real beer and the most perfect watering hole along the south west coast path. The crab sandwich and a pint of Brannoc is the one to go for.

Fountain Head House, Branscombe, Street, Seaton EX12 3BG, fountainheadinn.com

Crankhouse, Exeter

A small independent coffee roaster and cafe – enjoy watching the coffee being roasted while sampling their delicious coffees.

Basement, 130 Fore St, Exeter EX4 3JQ, crankhousecoffee.co.uk

Pullo, Exeter

A great selection of wines, ciders and a lovely deli counter stocking some of the UK’s most delicious farmhouse cheeses.

137 Fore St, Exeter EX4 3AN, pullo.shop