The best fine dining and Michelin-star restaurants in Devon
Posted by Rebecca Jackson on Sep 26, 2019Our fine dining guide to Devon
Holidays are all about spending time with loved ones, exploring new destinations and indulging in delicious food and drink. We know there’s nothing better than discovering new and exciting restaurants on your travels. That’s why we’ve hand selected a list of the best fine dining restaurants in Devon, so all you have to do is turn up, tuck in and have your taste buds tantalised.
The Seahorse
Style of Food: Seafood and Shellfish | Focus of the Menu: Fish, Meat and Shellfish
Awards: Top 100 in the National Restaurant Awards, Top Restaurant in Observer Food Monthly Awards and Good Food Guide Best Seafood Restaurant in the UK
Run by Head Chef Mitch Tonks, The Seahorse specialises in beautifully cooked local seafood and shellfish. The separate wine bar is a lovely place to start the evening with a drink, and the fantastic private dining room is perfect for celebrations.
Location: Dartmouth
Website: www.seahorserestaurant.co.uk
Our Nearest Properties: Phoenix House and Blue Moorings – Approx. 500 metres
Lympstone Manor
Style of Food: Modern British | Focus of the Menu: Meat, Fish and Vegetarian
Awards: One Michelin Star
The beautiful fine dining rooms at Lympstone Manor provide a truly exceptional backdrop to Michael Caines’ incredible modern British cuisine. Recently recommended by The Telegraph, the stunning restaurant utilises high-quality local produce, resulting in a menu that's fresh, seasonal, original and exciting.
Location: Exmouth
Website: www.lympstonemanor.co.uk
The Elephant
Style of Food: British | Focus of the Menu: Meat, Fish and Vegetarian
Awards: One Michelin Star
Overlooking the beautiful Torbay Harbour, this informal restaurant aims to use locally grown and reared ingredients at their very best. With a delicious à la carte menu as well as incredible tasting menus, you’ll experience a true taste of the South West at The Elephant.
Location: Torquay
Website: www.elephantrestaurant.co.uk
Our Nearest Properties: Phoenix House and Blue Moorings – Approx. 22 miles
Gidleigh Park
Style of Food: Modern British | Focus of the Menu: Meat, Fish and Vegetarian
Awards: One Michelin Star, Three AA Rosettes
Run by Executive Chef Chris Simpson, this internationally renowned restaurant is elegant and intimate. Serving lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, you’ll be spoilt for choice by the decadent tasting and à la carte menus.
Location: Chagford
Website: www.gidleigh.co.uk
Our Nearest Properties: Overcombe and Beachfront – Approx. 41 miles
Thomas Carr @ The Olive Room
Style of Food: British and Seafood | Focus of the Menu: Fish, Shellfish and Vegetarian
Awards: One Michelin Star, Three AA Rosettes
With an emphasis on ultra-fresh local seafood, this relaxed and unpretentious restaurant makes the most of the abundance of seasonal ingredients in North Devon. Run by an experienced local chef who trained under Nathan Outlaw, the main aim of The Olive Room is to exceed the expectations of every customer.
Location: Ilfracombe
Website: www.thomascarrchef.co.uk
The Masons Arms
Style of Food: British and French | Focus of the Menu: Meat, Fish and Vegetarian
Awards: One Michelin Star
Sitting on the edge of Exmoor, this picturesque, thatched 13th Century Inn boasts exceptional local cuisine coupled with incredibly friendly service. Run by a husband and wife team, this cosy pub is still the much-loved village local.
Location: Knowstone
Website: www.masonsarmsdevon.co.uk
The Riverford Field Kitchen
Style of Food: Organic and Seasonal | Focus of the Menu: Vegetarian
Set in the heart of Riverford Farm, this organic restaurant serves seasonal dishes with vegetables, fruits and herbs picked daily from their farm and field kitchen garden. Although grass-reared meat and sustainable fish sometimes feature, delicious, organic vegetables are always the star of the meal.
Location: Buckfastleigh
Website: www.fieldkitchen.riverford.co.uk
Our Nearest Properties: Phoenix House and Blue Moorings – Approx. 16 miles
The Oyster Shack
Style of Food: British | Focus of the Menu: Seafood and Shellfish
Awards: One AA Rosette
Characterful and informal, The Oyster Shack’s motto is ‘local and sustainably caught seafood, cooked to perfection’. With a menu hand crafted daily, based on what’s been landed locally and what’s in season, you’ll be astounded by the quality of the seafood and shellfish on offer.
Location: Bigbury-on-Sea
Website: www.oystershack.co.uk
Our Nearest Properties: Overcombe and Beachfront – Approx. 3.5 miles
The Pig at Combe
Style of Food: British | Focus of the Menu: Meat, Fish and Vegetarian
Awards: Two AA Rosettes
The menu at The Pig is inspired by their three walled kitchen gardens, coupled with locally sourced fresh fish, Devonshire cheese and meat from the local butchers. From hand picked white crab pasta to Devonshire seared duck breast, you’ll love the incredibly delicious local menu.
Website: www.thepighotel.com/at-combe/
For something a little further afield
Don't miss our related guides on the best fine dining and Michelin-star restaurants in Somerset, Dorset and Cornwall.
Posted by Rebecca Jackson
Rebecca is the real foodie of the marketing team. When she’s not spending her weekends at the spa, she’ll be booking her next cookery masterclass or writing a round-up of the best seafood restaurants in the South West.