Food and Drink on the English Riviera

Eating out on the English Riviera, South Devon’s beautiful bay, will guarantee you some memorable gastronomic experiences. Named England’s Seafood Coast, you can enjoy the day’s catch on tables both grand and homely across Torbay. Local chefs make the most of the abundance of fresh produce, locally grown on our fertile red soil. And we’ve got some award-winning locally made ale and wine to wash it all down too. It’s not all about blowing big bucks either; there are eateries to suit all taste buds and virtually every budget.

Dining in Devon

Head to Torquay and you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding something to eat. If you want to push the boat out, try the Michelin-starred Elephant Restaurant, which has its own farm in Churston supplying the freshest, best local ingredients. Or enjoy gastro pub food cooked simply at The Cary Arms Inn at Babbacombe Beach. Their daily menu makes the most of seasonal availability with dishes including Lyme Bay lobster and prime Devon beef. 

For an international flavour, there’s selection of Mexican, Indian, Chinese, and Thai restaurants or get into the Latin fever at Las Iguana’s in Torquay’s plush Abbey Sands area. And no trip to Torbay would be complete without sampling some fish and chips (with a view of the sea of course!) We’ve got plenty of excellent chippies across the Bay. Try Rockfish Brixham, Rockfish Torquay or Hanbury’s Fish and Chips in Babbacombe, where you’ll find a little extra twist is applied to this seaside holiday favourite.

Celebrity chefs on the English Riviera

With the abundance of fresh local seafood and other high-quality ingredients, it’s little wonder that the English Riviera and South Devon are a destination of choice for top-class and celebrity chefs. Torquay’s Elephant Restaurant is the base for celeb chef and Michelin-star holder Simon Hulstone. And fishy guru Mitch Tonks has a strong presence on England’s Seafood Coast. Try the catch of the day at his Rockfish Torquay. Watch the boats bringing in tomorrow’s lunch at Rockfish Brixham, which is right on the fish market. Or pop across to Dartmouth to sample fine seafood dining at his Seahorse restaurant.

Not far away you’ll also find Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines at Lympstone Manor, just across the Exe. Our venture into the wilds of Dartmoor to sample the delicious menu and stunning setting of Gidleigh Park. Head chef Michael Wignall has earned not one, but two Michelin stars for his creative, precise approach.

Pubs & Bars

If there’s one thing that really makes a holiday special, it’s discovering a really good pub or bar! A good pub or bar is at the heart of a great British holiday. Fortunately, in Devon we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to top-quality pubs and bars, many with stunning sea and harbour views.

Whether you’re looking for a proper ‘olde worlde’ traditional independent pub such as the Blue Anchor in Brixham or a buzzing bar like Soho that’s a non-stop party into the small hours. Across Torbay, Torquay, Babbacombe, Paignton and Brixham there are over 100 pubs and bars to choose from!

Local Devon produce

The English Riviera is famous for its seafood, and fish and shellfish from Brixham end up in top kitchens all over the world. Many of our restaurants serve up the freshest catch of the day, which can be matched with great local wine from neighbouring Sharpham Vineyard.

We are also blessed to have two fantastic local drinks suppliers. Many of the pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants across the English Riviera choose to serve either Bays Brewery or Hunts Cider. Knowing that it is freshly prepared within a couple of miles makes it all the more tasty!

The farm shops at Occombe and Churston provide the best in delicious seasonal local produce.

With so many fine restaurants to choose from, you’ll need to spend more than a day or two here to sample them all. Search our site for high quality accommodation, from luxury spa hotels to cosy country cottages.