20 best vegan places to eat in Devon

Perhaps you’re a fledgeling flexitarian or a permanently plant-based person – either way, you can’t deny that vegan diets are more popular than ever. Gone are the days of scrambling your own tofu or milking your own almonds; there’s never been more choice when it comes to eating out and Devon is no different.

Exeter is well-known for its vegan restaurants and cafes, including Herbies, the Plant Café/Deli and Rabbit Vegan Café, but what if you want to venture further afield?

Maybe you’re taking a road trip to explore a new part of Devon, planning a holiday from ‘up country’ or just want to be a tourist in your own town – we’ve picked our top 20 vegan places to eat in Devon, so you’ll never be too far away from a delicious plant-based treat. 

See places to eat in North Devon

See places to eat in South Devon

North Devon

1. Bull & Bear/Custom House, Barnstaple

Proof that even the most committed carnivores can soften, these former temples of meat have now diversified into plant-based produce. Sports bar Bull & Bear serves the tongue-in-cheek ‘Bandwagon Burger’ plus a jackfruit burger and ‘nugg life’ vegan nuggets. Custom House’s famous build-a-burger menu now includes soya burgers, vegan buns, plant-based mayo and jackfruit-topped chips amongst the mountain of options.

Owned by the same person (so we’ve counted them as one place), both are a great option if you want to please a crowd, with classic American dishes on the menu and plenty of gluten-free offerings, too.

2. The Riverside, Braunton

A favourite with North Devon vegans, The Riverside has a dedicated menu for those who like their food without a face. It boasts a whopping 11 options, such as risottos, Buddha bowls and curries, and not a falafel sandwich in sight!

Next to the river in Braunton (if you couldn’t already tell from the name), The Riverside is great for a sunny lunch before a long walk along the nearby beach at Saunton.

Looking for more coastal inspiration? Here are our favourite beaches in North Devon.

3. Flame Factory, Appledore

Who doesn’t like pizza?! Flame Factory serves traditionally wood-fired pizzas on Appledore’s picturesque quayside. The menu includes a couple of plant-based options with vegan cheese also on offer. Eat in or take the pizza out onto the quay to dine while the sun goes down over the estuary.

Your carnivorous companions won’t be disappointed either – Flame Factory also specialises in Clovelly Longhorn steaks. Gluten-free pizzas are also on the menu, cooked in a separate zone to avoid cross-contamination, and the best news is...they’re massive.

4. Café Collective, Bideford

Serving arguably the best coffee in Bideford, if not the whole of North Devon, Café Collective is also the place to go for delicious lunches and slabs of cake. After you’ve recovered from the hike up Bideford’s High Street, take in the quirky décor while dining on a full English breakfast, warm salad or homemade cake. Dogs are welcome, too.

Café Collective also makes a great pit-stop on the Tarka Trail – just park up your bikes, cross the river and head up the hill.

5. Johns of Instow/Appledore

With two premises either side of the River Torridge, Johns is a must-visit for stocking up your picnic hamper with its mouth-watering deli goods. Vegans can choose from ‘sausage’ rolls, sandwiches and cakes or sit in the on-site cafe and tuck into salad plates or smashed avo on toast.

Why not get the Appledore to Instow ferry across the river at high tide and visit them both?!

6. Wild Thyme, Braunton

With more of a traditional ‘health food’ vibe, Wild Thyme attracts local nutritionally savvy surfers and artists – and for good reason. Refuel post-surf with a green juice while you dine on a vegan all-day breakfast or try something else from the internationally inspired menu.

If you’re planning a big bash, Wild Thyme also caters for events.

Visiting Braunton? Here’s what else the locals recommend seeing and doing.

7. Squires, Braunton

When you go vegan, you know that the days of popping to the chippy are behind you. But not anymore – Squires has its own vegan menu with dishes including vegan burgers with dairy-free cheese, and vegan curry and chips.

Plus, the new ‘click and collect’ app means no more queuing – so you can take your chips for a picnic on nearby Braunton Burrows.

8. The Waterside, Chivenor

Italian food and a vegan diet don’t tend to go hand-in-hand, but you’ll be surprised after visiting The Waterside. The ever-changing ‘Off Piste’ menu usually has one vegan addition, plus the café’s range of plant-based cakes is probably the largest in North Devon. It’s also worth visiting just to check out the huge wave-inspired wall painting which adds to the chilled-out vibe.

Make a beeline for The Waterside on a day out on the Tarka Trail; it runs right past the café, and there are even bike racks to park your wheels.

Here’s our complete guide to exploring the Tarka Trail.

9. Barricane Beach Cafe, Woolacombe

Ask any local about the one thing you have to do on a trip to North Devon and it’s likely they’ll recommend curry on Barricane Beach. The smaller bay, just round the coast from Woolacombe’s larger and more popular beach, is home to a café serving Sri Lankan curries from Easter until September – as long as it’s not raining. Vegans can try a plate of veg curry, dal, slaw, rice and poppadums.

Get there early, though – it’s not uncommon for there to be a queue when they start serving at 5pm. Bring your own blankets and booze and tuck in as the sun disappears behind the horizon.

Thinking of visiting Woolacombe? Aside from curry on the beach, here’s what else you can get up to.

10. Grassroots Vegetarian Café, Ilfracombe

This 100% vegetarian café in Ilfracombe also has a strong vegan and gluten-free offering, with veggie sausage sandwiches, hummus and pine nut paninis as well as ever-changing specials to choose from, plus soya milk for super-frothy hot chocolates and cappuccinos.

Keep an eye out for the café’s Bistro Nights, which include three delicious cruelty-free courses. Make sure you bring your own booze!

South Devon

1. Samphire Brasserie, Plymouth

Originally a vegetarian restaurant, Samphire became 100% vegan back in 2015 and so is an absolute must-visit for a delicious meal. The junk food menu includes mouth-watering dishes like vegan Big Macs, ‘duck’ and hoisin dirty fries, and mac and cheese – so you won’t leave hungry!

Samphire also offers Plymouth’s first and only vegan food delivery service; perfect if you want a proper takeaway experience.

Wondering what else to do in Plymouth? Here are our top five things you can’t leave without trying.

2. The Kind Grind, Torquay

Another 100% vegan restaurant (South Devonians are truly spoilt for choice), The Kind Grind also has a strong eco-friendly focus. It’s the place to visit for lunches, including paninis and street food boxes, although you’re bound to be tempted by the coffee, cake and milkshakes, too.

You can support the local Torquay community here by taking part in the café’s ‘pay it forward’ scheme or by donating to the food bank-style ‘pantry’; they really do put the ‘kind’ in Kind Grind.

3. Imperial Garden, Plymouth

If you’re looking for an authentic Chinese meal like you remember when you used to eat meat, look no further. Imperial Garden has an impressively large range of Cantonese and Szechuan dishes with meat substitutes and tofu featuring heavily on the menu.

You can dine in at the restaurant or order takeout and, with dishes including vegan chicken in sweet and sour sauce, and spicy salt tofu, you needn’t miss out on a classic Chinese feast.

4. Bianca e Massimo, Totnes

Italian food is usually a minefield for vegans, with even vegetarian dishes usually rich in eggs, cheese and cream. However, Bianca e Massimo, a 100% vegetarian and vegan restaurant, serves up plant-based dishes that bring the Mediterranean to the English Riviera. 

The restaurant’s intimate setting only adds to the atmosphere, but it’s definitely advisable to book beforehand – this place is extremely popular with Totnes residents and it’s easy to see why.

Planning a trip to Totnes? Here’s our local’s guide to the town.

5. The Curious Kitchen, Brixham

While not 100% plant-based, this Brixham café has a strong focus on offering exciting and abundant vegan dishes. As well as brunches and lunches, it serves probably the best-named salads in Devon – ‘hummus where the heart is’ and ‘slaw and order’ are just two wonderful examples.

Choose coconut or oat milk in your coffee, or opt for a turmeric latte for ultimate health points. Keep your eyes peeled for supper clubs, too, where you can BYOB and tuck into a delicious tasting menu.

6. Green Leaf Café, Torquay

A firm favourite with Torquay locals, this tucked-away cafe has a crowd-pleasing menu, whether you’re an omnivore, vegan or coeliac. Plant-based options include green pea falafel wraps, black bean quesadillas and chickpea burgers with vegan coleslaw.

This is a great option if you’ve got little ones in tow, too – they can choose something delicious from the adorable ‘little leaves’ menu.

7. The Riverford Field Kitchen, Buckfastleigh

From the same people behind the popular Riverford veg boxes, this café naturally specialises in plant-based dishes that make its organic, locally grown, seasonal vegetables the star of the show. It offers a unique dining experience where you sit on long tables and share generous platters of food.

In order to prevent waste, the chefs only cook for how many are dining, so advance booking is truly essential.

8. Willow, Totnes

While many modern vegan restaurants are making taste-alike meat dishes from unusual ingredients, you won’t find much seitan, jackfruit or banana blossom at Willow. Instead, it focuses on traditionally vegetarian and vegan fare made from whole grains, nuts, seeds and, of course, vegetables. Popular menu options include curried flans, Ghanaian casseroles and raw salads.

The courtyard garden is a great place to sit out on a sunny day and kids will love the play corner. Just make sure you bring cash with you as it doesn’t take cards.

9. Harbour House Café, Kingsbridge

Blink and you might miss this tucked-away café, located in a yoga and arts centre in Kingsbridge. Unsurprisingly, this 100% vegetarian café has a big focus on wellbeing. Its tranquil atmosphere is the perfect setting for coffee, cake and lunches which you can enjoy overlooking the art gallery or sat in the courtyard garden.

While you’re there, why not take a look around the art gallery or take a yoga, tai chi or Pilates class?

10. The Wild Fig Deli and Café, Totnes

Totnes boasts another great vegan place to eat just down the high street from Willow. The Wild Fig’s café offers plenty of vegan options including raw cakes and vegan tarts, while the deli has a delicious range of salad boxes to take away, plus lots of local produce.

We’d recommend visiting for the all-day brunch, where you can choose from things like cashew-creamed garlic mushrooms and waffles with blueberries and bananas. Gluten-free diets are well catered for here, too.

By now your mouth must be watering, so it’s only a matter of time before you check out at least one of these delicious vegan cafes or restaurants in Devon. You’ll probably need somewhere comfy and cosy to doze off that food coma too – here’s our full collection of handpicked holiday cottages in Devon.