Dining Devon | Food & Drink Blog

ESCAPE WITH US 🔊 30 seconds of your time... to DISCOVER The Maltsters Arms, Tuckenhay, South Devon. 🍽 Part culinary legend, 🏞 part hidden riverside escape, @the_maltsters_tuckenhay is the sort of place that feels full of stories before the first drink even arrives. 🚗 Just 5 miles outside Totnes, sitting a top the estuary, you'll find this iconic pub restaurant with rooms. Once run by Keith Floyd and set on a tidal inlet of the River Dart, it has that perfect mix of character, history and atmosphere - now paired with beautifully refurbished interiors, cosy rooms and spaces that still feel wonderfully welcoming and a fresh talented team at the helm. 🛌 We stayed in the Floyd room overlooking the water and ate so well, from the nduja fritter and crab-lobster bisque to the meltingly tender short rib and one of the best Caesar salads I have ever seen, let alone devoured. 🏞 It is the kind of place that gives you a sense of escape and ease - somewhere to settle in, eat brilliantly and watch the river and nature drift by, whatever the weather. 💤 What a 24hr retreat we enjoyed, with plenty of hustle and bustle within 10-15 mins reach, if you want it. AD Invite #SouthDevon #Food #Riverside #BedAndBreakfast #Pub k

Greetings to all our new followers! Hello from Chris, Lauren and Sue, the bods behind the page. Dining Devon is a food blog that celebrates Devon’s food scene. We write about restaurants, cafes, pubs, local producers, festivals and everything that makes this part of the world a true hub for great eating and drinking. Started by Chris in 2011, a cheese and burger enthusiast (and his friend Polly), the blog has been running for well over a decade. They started it out of frustration with TripAdvisor and a love for Devon food culture. Lauren keeps everything running smoothly as our editor. She’s a SW hospitality judge, English wine lover and social media whiz who’s been recognised as one of Exeter’s 100 Most Influential Women Sue brings her fire and baking skills to the team. She’s a double South West Home Cook of the Year winner, SW hospitality and produce judge, barbecue expert and BBQ Mag contributor. Dining Devon is fuelled on passion and love for everything Devon food & drink. We’re always looking to feature new places and events, so if you’ve got something delicious happening in Devon or send us a DM or email [email protected] Follow our food adventures at diningdevon.com, also on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. #hello #diningdevon #foodanddrink #followme #Devon #food #drink #localproduce #blogger #foodblogger #bbq #cheese #englishwone #introducing #EatingOut #eateateat

Dessert of dreams... If I could just pop in for dessert at @therockfishuk , and eat this tarte tatin...I would. That may sound odd, given their focus is on fish and seafood, but they've got this bad boy down to a T. This pud is worth the 20 min wait - warm and glowing, with soft apples and yielding curves. Sticky with caramel, and sweet in that slow, buttery way that clings to every tender slice. Beneath, the pastry is the perfect supporting act - golden, crisp, and delicately cracking under your spoon, soaking up just enough syrup to taste luxurious without ever turning heavy. With a scoop of cool, creamy Magagascan vanilla gelato and boom💥... it all turns silkier still, melting into the caramel and bringing that gorgeous contrast of warm-and-cold, soft-and-crisp in every mouthful. Dreaming of my next dessert date...🍏🧈🥧 #dessertdate #appletartetatin #tartetatin #Rockfish #dessert

New Sauces & Seasonings from @smkduk 🔥🔥🔥 We're big fans of local chef @cheftimgolder - well known for his fantastic smoked meats & his homemade sauces. A new chapter for Tim - you'll find him at Crossed Anchors Brewing @crossedanchorsbrewing near Exeter Quayside smoking your favourite bbq meats. Usually serving food Thursday & Friday 5pm - 8.30pm & Saturday 3pm - 8.30pm. You can also find some of his sauces @dartsfarm If you need your fix of 'proper bbq' & great beer, well worth a visit. #burgers #exeter #getsmkd #bbq #smoked [gifted]

Summer Season at The Harbour Hotel Sidmouth 🌞 📍@sidmouthharbourhotel Sue recently went along to the start of the season party celebrating the opening of the Terrace and the first tasting of the new sharing platters. Local, seasonal produce, great selection of cheeses and fresh coastal seafood. Terrace Sharing Platters Classic English Ploughmans Coastal Seafood Platter Mediterranean Summer Platter Garden Vegetables Perfect for sharing, delicious wines for sipping, relaxed outdoor dining and of course not forgetting those views from the Terrace! All we need now is the sunshine 🌞 @lymebaywine #harbourhotelsidmouth #sharingplatter #sidmouth #devon #summer [Invite]

Steak, Frites and a Brilliant Night Out: Brothers Exeter Last week, my friend Faye and I had the loveliest start to an evening. A pre-theatre dinner (well, pre-RAMM Lates, which counts) at Brothers Exeter in the Guildhall Shopping Centre. We’d been invited in to try the menu, and what a treat it turned out to be. Brothers is the brainchild of two actual brothers, Kosta and Vlad, who have one of those brilliant origin stories. They came from the medical field, pivoted into coffee around six years ago, and built their own bean roasting and supply company (No. 1 Coffee), starting out in Okehampton. Now they’ve brought their next chapter to Exeter, and the concept is gloriously simple: steak and frites, done well. We kicked things off with small plates, and I’d strongly recommend you do the same. The halloumi with hot honey and chilli was sticky, golden and just the right amount of punchy; the kind of thing you find yourself eating faster than intended. The pesto croutons with parmesan were dangerous in the best possible way. Think bruschetta’s more indulgent cousin: all crispy bread and cloud-like parmesan. We nearly didn’t make it to the mains. But the mains.. I went for the surf and turf, sirloin upgraded with king prawns, and the steak was cooked perfectly. Medium rare, meltingly soft. Faye had the 24-hour brined roast half chicken, and it was a revelation: moist, melt-in-the-mouth and full of flavour. Both came with unlimited frites and your choice of peppercorn or chimichurri sauce, and I can confirm the peppercorn was excellent. What makes Brothers a great Exeter find is the care that goes into the sourcing. The bread comes from Exmouth, produce from Goosemoor, and you can taste the difference that kind of local commitment makes. This is a kitchen that knows where its ingredients come from, and it shows on the plate. 👉 Open Wednesday to Saturday, breakfast lunch and dinner 📍 Guildhall Shopping Centre, EX4 3HP 🍽️ Small plates from £6, £20 mains, great value for the quality they offer A brilliant indie business, we are lucky to have them! We were invited to dine as guests of brothers Exeter, as always opinions all my own! #invited #exeter

We had the honour of 'partying' with award-winning local legends @lolulis_fire_and_fish earlier this week, gathering to celebrate #ukbbqweek and take part in the @thebbqmag live stream. Darren Grice and his wife Philippa cooked Monkfish, Sea Bass and John Dory to absolute perfection including oysters and fresh scallops cooked in Darren's own 'Cowboy Butter'. It was a delight meeting Darren and Philippa, who run a Pan-Asian restaurant and oyster bar Lucky Fish @lolulisluckyfish in #Exmouth with a specialism in charcoal-cooked fish (although the charcoal cooking is for events and pop-ups, charcoal at the shop is paused at the moment due to a neighbour complaining 😢) — and an equal delight to 'meat' up with @salami_steve_topsham again, who brought stunning @goodgametopsham produce to create a truly divine charcuterie board. All accompanied by @sue_stoneman very own @kamadojoeuk baked focaccia and @nickhookphoto glorious sticky ribs from @dartsfarmbutchers . The diversity of #BBQ cooking never ceases to amaze me. For dessert Sue baked a Cider Cake, and Harry absolutely smashed a Kamodo creme caramel which unfortunately came to a sticky diversion downwards. Thankfully not all of it, so I got some too :) Thank you Harry and Nick, we had a blast! So did @panko_the_sausage_dog 🐕 #ukbbqweek #bbqmagazine

📢🍽🐟 New Blog alert Lauren popped into the newly opened Rockfish Sidmouth and found their guaranteed fresh fish and comforting dessert plates that really deliver. Unlimited chips you say? Bonus! It’s a spot that already feels at home on the regency seafront. Here’s what she ate – and why she’ll be back. Link in bio! 🔗 [AD Invited] #Rockfish #Sidmouth #Fish #Seafood

📢🌿 This Spring marks the beginning of a new chapter at @heron_farm vineyard, as a local family steps into custodianship of the much-loved vineyard, kitchen and events destination, near Honiton, Devon. “Taking over the farm this spring, we are building on everything that already makes Heron Farm special: the kitchen, the beautiful vineyard, orchards and kitchen garden, and the inspiring surrounding landscape. We have plans to gently expand over time to create a place where people can eat, explore and restore. We’re building on Heron Farm’s established reputation, you’ll start to see new experiences across the farm, from outdoor dining and creative workshops to wellness spaces and family-focused activities. Our vision for Heron Farm is to grow it carefully and invite more people to enjoy it. We’ve been very lucky to inherit a fantastic team so we’re excited for the season ahead.” Nikki and her husband Toby bring a shared passion for food & wine, design and a love of the outside to Heron Farm. Nikki’s background is in the commercial side of the wine and hospitality industry, while Toby is a trained architect whose practical skills are already proving invaluable across the farm – from maintenance projects to hands-on work in the kitchen garden. Together, they were drawn to Heron Farm for its unique blend of food, land and community. 👀 Visit & Follow Along Heron Farm is open for breakfast, brunch and lunch, with evening dining, wellness classes, workshops and events launching throughout the year. Guests are invited to visit, relax and become part of the evolving story, so look out for more details as the year unfolds. ℹ️ More info in images 5, 6 and 7 due to Insta text limits #News #Vineyard #Restaurant #EastDevon #NewChapter

What an absolutely excellent meal from start to finish at @the_maltsters_tuckenhay . [AD Invited] Further to our reel, here's a focus on the food... This wasn’t a menu with just one or two stand‑out plates - everything was lip‑smackingly good. Confident British cooking with smart global influences (Spanish, French, Asian), all kept focused and beautifully balanced by chef Dan. The variety was brilliant… choosing was genuinely blimmin’ hard. 🍽 What we ate... Small plates: 🦞 Lobster and crab bisque, rouille, brioche croutopn 🥩 Tempura fried belly of pork, sriracha, wasabi mayo 🥓 Nduja fritter, herb mayonnaise 🫑 Blistered padron peppers, truffle honey, sunflower seeds Mains: 🥩 Anchovy marinated lamb rump, green and white asparagus, gorgonzola, hazelnut, brown butter, balsamic rosso 🥩 12 hour braised short rib, coffee and date molasses ketchup, manchego, pickled guindilla peppers 🥗 Sides of fries and Caesar salad Dessert: 🍰 Basque cheesecake, hazelnut praline, 35% chocolate ℹ️ More info: The nduja fritter was crisp outside, molten and velvety within, with that warming nduja kick. Padrón peppers were lifted even further by honey sweetness and sunflower seed crunch. The crab & lobster bisque was pure comfort - deep, savoury, intensely shellfish‑rich, with perfect viscosity, alongside beautifully tender tempura pork. My 12‑hour braised short rib was pull‑apart tender, richer than it first looked, with the coffee & date molasses ketchup adding real depth and a raisin‑like tang, cut through perfectly by pickled guindilla peppers. The lamb rump was a cuddle on a plate - tender, comforting, rich yet balanced, and one of those dishes that makes you pause and savour every bite. Even the sides impressed: fries were spot on, and the Caesar salad was no afterthought - generous, properly dressed, loaded with cheese and anchovies, and honestly one of the surprise highlights. We finished with Basque cheesecake, rich and indulgent, and the only dish where we could even think of a tweak - which says everything about the rest of the meal. Full info on our stay is on the blog, 🔗Link in bio. #pub #cuisine #dinner #riverside #visitsouthdevon

Lauren recently visited the new @therockfishuk in Sidmouth, now open in the former Drill Hall at the far end of the seafront after a 7 year long project. [AD PR Invite] We've long been fans of Rockfish and met @mitchseafood and the various teams over the years, and are delighted for him with this opening. You still get that familiar Rockfish focus on fresh, properly sourced fish, but the building gives it a whole new feel, despite it's minimal waterside views (compared to other venues) It is light and airy with high ceilings, beautiful curves, nods to the sea, an open kitchen, exposed brick walls and tiled features that make it feel a bit like a coastal market hall. Despite the scale, it doesn’t feel cavernous at all - it’s warm, relaxed and becomes buzzing as it fills. The kind of place that works just as well for a quick lunch as it does for a long, chatty supper. There’s a genuinely convivial atmosphere here, and it suits Sidmouth beautifully and adds new life into this historical building. #Sidmouth #Rockfish #Seafood #Seaside #FreshFish

(AD) It’s not an early April Fools but have you heard that one of Exeter’s best loved family run independent restaurants is opening in the evenings from today? Brothers, sitting next to the back entrance of Marks & Spencers in Goldsmith Square in the Guildhall, is introducing an evening menu to compliment their daytime food offering, and lucky old us got a sneaky preview to see first what’s on offer. Who? What? Where? This independent restaurant has it’s beginnings in Okehampton where they already have a smashing reputation. Exeter is their second location, and it’s already building up a strong reputation for stunning burgers and hearty food made from scratch (there are no microwaves in their kitchen I am assured). Success in Okehampton led to a second location at the kiosk in Exeter's Guildhall Shopping Centre, which has become a focal point for brunch, lunch, and specialty Steak Pop-up nights. We sampled some of their starters, mains and desserts. Beautiful rump steaks (change to sirloin for £6 surcharge), 24 hour brined chicken, griddled lamb served with a chimichurri and UNLIMITED FRITES. Their focus on local ingredients shows off the best produce Devon has, including some of the best meats too. Their Biscoff Cheesecake was an absolute eyeopener and is a must for something a wee bit indulgent. For us, a few things stood out. The seasoned 24 hour brined half chicken, it melted off the bone. These are limited to 20 portions each evening, so once they’re gone, they’re gone, the precisely cooked rump and that cheesecake. Damn. Address: Kiosk 2, The Guildhall Shopping Centre, High St, Exeter EX4 3HP Telephone: +44 7852 501844 Website: / #ExeterFood #devonfood #newmenu #pr