Shannon
03 October 2019
Looking for inspiration on where to eat in North Devon? You’re certainly in the right place. We’ve collated our local knowledge to bring you the low-down on the best eateries in the area.
Whether you’re in search of the best Sunday carvery, the mightiest burger or the most dog-friendly restaurants, you’ll find what you’ve been looking for here…
🍔 Best for a burger
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Custom House is an incredible place for a burger because, well, it’s customisable. Build your dream burger with an array of delicious toppings, including mozzarella sticks, mac’n’cheese balls or frickles (fun to say, fun to eat!) Not only are the burgers phenomenal, their famous homemade nachos and sizzling tacos set the bar high too.
Another North Devon favourite is the Pig on the Hill, where quality dining meets country pub for a fantastic atmosphere for all the family. The tempting burgers range from chicken to haddock to beef, while The ‘Pig’ burger goes all out with pulled pork and bacon on top of a beef patty!
Insider's tip: The owners of Pig on the Hill also run a fantastic festival called Pigstock during May!
We’d also recommend:
Find a place to stay in Barnstaple or Bideford.
🍗 Best for a Sunday roast
Having only recently undergone a massive renovation, this is a wonderful spot for Sunday lunch offering up a three-course sharing menu of hearty locally sourced, seasonal foods. During the rest of the week, take your pick between the traditional pub grub and the fine dining restaurant.
Fun fact: The owners of this fine establishment are the founders of social media sensation, Bebo!
As featured in our Best Sunday lunch in Devon guide, The Pier House is a great all-round choice for a Sunday carvery. Situated right beside the sea, the views are spectacular and create the ideal ambience to indulge in a plate piled high with roasted delights.
We’d also recommend:
Find a place to stay in Bideford or Westward Ho!.
👨👩👧👦 Best for families
A lovely café situated along the Tarka Trail, Fremington Quay is the perfect place to stop on a long walk or cycle ride. In the sunshine, sit outside and gaze over the water, or head inside and indulge in all your favourite pub meals, as well as a generous slice of homemade cake. This is a real family favourite for all ages.
This pub serves up great quality pub grub, with a weekly specials board where you’ll find something a little different from the classic sandwiches, ploughman’s, burgers and nachos selection. The outdoor dining space, football goals and outside play area make this ideal for families.
We’d also recommend:
Find a place to stay in Barnstaple or Bideford.
🍽️ Best for fine dining
This quaint restaurant hidden in a little lane in Bideford does not disappoint. Its seasonal menus change weekly and are always full of flavour and little surprises that really make each meal. From the freshly baked bread roll and soup starter to the finesse of each dish, you can taste the love, care and passion that’s gone into each plate. It’s the perfect place for a grown-up treat!
Insider's tip: It also offers a tasting menu on certain Sundays throughout the year for £60 per person!
Chef Noel Corston, a local surfer, and his wife run this hidden gem in Woolacombe. With only 10 seats at the chef’s table from Wednesday to Saturday, this is a very exclusive setting where you can watch the food magic happen right before your eyes. It’s an educational food experience where you’ll learn about each item’s journey to your plate, as well as how it’s been cooked to create the array of mouth-watering meals in front of you.
We’d also recommend:
Find a place to stay nearby in Bideford or Woolacombe.
🍕 Best for pizza
This newly opened restaurant, Depot, serves up fantastic wood-fired pizza in industrial-style interiors. Its menu is packed with favourites for adults and kids made from locally sourced ingredients, including flavoursome wood-fired tacos and all-you-can-eat wraps. And with a spacious outdoor seating area, you can dine alfresco when the weather is fine.
Appledore’s Flame Factory is a great place to grab a takeaway or sit in for some fresh pizza. It also serves up a fine selection of flame-grilled burgers and rare breed Clovelly longhorn steaks if you’re not in the mood for pizza!
We’d also recommend:
Find a place to stay nearby in Ilfracombe or Appledore.
🐶 Best for dogs
A stroll on the dog-friendly beach of Instow is an enjoyable experience at all times of year, and a visit to the Instow Arms pairs perfectly with your plans. Its eclectic menu means that there’s something for all the family, and it boasts beautiful views over the beach. Take your pick from light bites to all-out platters and enjoy your meal with your four-legged friend by your side.
The perfect place to grab a bite to eat after a long walk around Heddon’s Mouth with your four-legged friend is the Hunter’s Inn. Take your pick of indoor or outdoor seating, surrounded by beautiful greenery, and get ready for a feast. On Sundays, the roast dinners are superb while in the week, the menu promises an array of wholesome foods to refuel you after an adventure.
We’d also recommend:
Find a place to stay nearby in Instow or Exmoor.
This list could go on for days, but we’ll stop there. Why not plan a foodie tour of North Devon as part of your next Devon holiday? We’d love to hear about which ones are your favourites!
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.