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With an abundance of top-quality ingredients, it’s small wonder that there are so many excellent and award-winning restaurants in Devon. More and more top chefs are setting up shop in Devon, inspired by the quality of the raw materials they can work with, to create truly memorable meals. Michael Caines, one of the UK’s best-respected chefs, is behind Michael Caines at The Coach House in North Devon, and we have a a number of Michelin-starred restaurants in Devon. There’s also a clutch of very popular celebrity chef restaurants around Plymouth and South Devon. But it’s not just about fine-dining and top end restaurants (though we do those very well). In Devon’s villages, towns and cities you’ll also find laid-back restaurants, pop-up restaurants, celebration restaurants, restaurants in pubs, restaurants overlooking beaches … and even a restaurant on a beach (at Barricane Beach near Woolacombe).

Seafood restaurants

Of course, Devon is known for its beautifully fresh fish and shellfish, which means that some of the UK’s best seafood restaurants can be found here too. If your idea of foodie heaven is sweet, tender, just-cooked scallops, a meaty mackerel or the very best fish and chips – then Devon’s the place for you.

Speciality restaurants

We may have lots of lovely traditional restaurants and pubs here in Devon, but most speciality cuisines can be found here too. The abundance of excellent vegetables means that there are some really good places to eat if you’re vegan, vegetarian or just trying to be lean and green – try River Cottage near Axminster. And then of course we have restaurants that serve Indian, Thai, Mexican, Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese, Nepalese, Portuguese, Moroccan, fusion … and quite possibly a few more besides.

Here is a picture of myself foraging in some woodlands on the outskirts of Plymouth Devon for some wild garlic, this wild leave is incredible with such strong flavours packing a real punch. this ingredient is super versatile and with a very short season get out there and pick some, this grows in abundance so any local woodlands you will be sure to find some. Below I have mentioned a wild garlic pesto recipe which is fantastic, drizzled over some homemade pizzas, or partnered with some grilled chicken or roasted lamb. Please give it a go and enjoy!!

80 grams wild garlic leave washed and dried.
20 grams sesame seeds.
zest of 1 lemon.
150ml pomice oil.
Generous pinch of salt.

Blend all ingredients in a small blender until coarse, if you would rather have a smoother paste keep blending until you have your preferred consistency.