A Region Made for Food Lovers
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The South West of England is more than just a beautiful holiday destination; it’s one of the UK’s most exciting regions for food and drink. Stretching from the dramatic cliffs of Cornwall through the countryside of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset, and to the cities of Bristol, Bath, and Exeter, the South West is a region where food, drink, and landscape are deeply linked. It’s a region that produces some of the country’s finest seafood, meat, dairy, and cider, and it celebrates these ingredients with a vast array of dining and drinking options.
Whether you want a pub lunch after a long walk, a plate of freshly caught crab overlooking a harbour, a slice of cake in a village tearoom, or a multi-course tasting menu in a Michelin-starred restaurant, the South West has it all. Food here tells a story: of fishermen landing their daily catch, farmers tending herds, and chefs who know how to source and make the most of local produce.
The sheer variety of food and drink in the South West means there’s something for everyone, whatever your budget or style. Traditional pubs, farm shops, cafés, fine dining restaurants, and street food markets all have their place. With numerous food festivals, vineyard tours, cider tastings, and cookery schools, the region invites visitors not just to eat but to immerse themselves in and enjoy the local culinary culture.
So where should you eat and drink on your visit? Let’s explore the types of places you’ll find across this delicious part of England.
Traditional Pubs and Inns: The Heart of the South West
The pub is something of a British institution, and nowhere does it better than in the South West. In this region, pubs aren’t just somewhere to grab a pint: they’re social hubs, often in historic buildings, and some of the best places to eat delicious yet straightforward meals made with local produce.
Country Pubs
Think thatched roofs and flower-filled gardens. Step inside and you’re met with low beams, flagstone floors, and a log fire crackling in the grate. Menus often feature local lamb or beef, pies with rich gravies, and classic roast dinners on Sundays. Many country pubs take pride in sourcing meat and vegetables from nearby farms, thereby creating a farm-to-fork experience.
Coastal Inns
Head to the coast and the picture shifts to seaside inns with views of the harbour or the open sea. In Cornwall, you might sip a pint of beer with fishing boats just outside the window, while in Dorset, you can watch the sun set over the Jurassic Coast. Fresh fish and chips, crab sandwiches, and bowls of mussels are staples on coastal pub menus and, we suggest, best washed down by local cider.
Gastro Pubs
In recent years, the South West has also seen a rise in the gastro pub. These places blend the relaxed atmosphere of a pub with the ambition of a restaurant kitchen. Expect dishes like slow-cooked pork belly with apple cider jus, or vegetarian plates made with foraged herbs and seasonal produce. They’re a great option if you want a relaxed evening with food that goes a little beyond the classics.
Pubs also shine when it comes to drinks. The South West is cider country, and many pubs offer local scrumpy alongside real ales from regional breweries. Some even have their own microbrewery attached, letting you taste beer brewed on the premises.
Pub Etiquette
Pubs are at the heart of social life in the South West, but if you’re not used to them, the way they work can feel a little different from restaurants or bars elsewhere. Here are a few tips to help you fit right in:
Order at the Bar – Unlike many restaurants, table service isn’t the norm in traditional pubs. Head up to the bar to order drinks (and often food too), then carry them back to your table.
Take Your Turn – Going out together? It’s common to buy drinks in “rounds.” Everyone takes a turn paying for a round, rather than buying individually each time.
Mind the Locals – Many rural and coastal pubs are community hubs. Be friendly, patient, and don’t be afraid to strike up a chat with the locals – they generally don’t bite.
Dogs and Boots – The South West is a walker’s delight, and plenty of pubs welcome muddy boots and well-behaved dogs. Just double-check the signs at the entrance.
Standard Hours – Many pubs open from around 11 am until 11 pm, Monday to Saturday, and 12 noon until 10.30 pm on Sundays. In rural areas, pubs may close in the afternoon (around 3–5.30 pm) before reopening in the evening. Food is often served at set times, typically from 12:00 to 2:30 pm for lunch and from 6:00 to 9:00 pm for dinner. Unlike France or Spain, we Brits tend to eat earlier in the evening.
Respect Last Orders – When the bell rings for “last orders,” it’s your signal to head to the bar for a final drink before closing.
Fine Dining in the South West
The South West may be famous for its pasties, cream teas, and pub lunches, but it also has a well-earned reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting fine dining destinations. Across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset, as well as in the cities, you’ll find restaurants that rival anything in London, many of them Michelin-starred or highly awarded.
What makes fine dining in the South West so special is the emphasis on local, seasonal produce. Chefs here work closely with fishermen, farmers, and foragers to create menus that reflect the local landscape. Tasting menus often feature fresh seafood, grass-fed meats, heritage vegetables, and local cheeses, with presentations that are as impressive as the flavours. In coastal restaurants, you might enjoy oysters and lobster served with sea herbs gathered from nearby shores, while country house dining rooms highlight venison, game, and vegetables straight from the kitchen garden.
The atmosphere of South West fine dining varies widely. Some restaurants are situated in grand country houses or luxury hotels, offering elegant surroundings and attentive service, making them perfect for special occasions. Others are perched on the coast, with panoramic sea views that make a meal feel like an experience in itself.
Fine dining venues in the South West of England for an ultimate foodie treat!
Bovey Castle, Nr Bovey Tracy, Devon – A country house hotel. The Western Grill holds 3 AA Rosettes. https://www.boveycastle.com/
Gidleigh Park, Chagford, Devon – A Tudor-style country house offering modern British cuisine and holding 1 Michelin Star and multiple AA Rosettes. https://gidleigh.co.uk/
The Masons Arms, Knowstone, Devon – A thatched inn on the edge of Exmoor, renowned for its seasonal, modern British menus. https://www.masonsarmsdevon.co.uk/
Lympstone Manor, Exmouth, Devon – A stunning country house restaurant offering refined fine dining in an elegant rural setting. https://lympstonemanor.co.uk/
The Elephant, Torquay, Devon – A Michelin-starred restaurant tucked away in Torquay, delivering high-end contemporary cuisine. https://www.elephantrestaurant.co.uk/
Paul Ainsworth at No.6, Padstow, Cornwall – A celebrated Michelin-starred fine dining eatery known for showcasing Cornish ingredients. https://paul-ainsworth.co.uk/number6/
Àclèaf at Boringdon Hall, Plymouth – A Michelin-listed restaurant offering sophisticated cooking in a historic manor-house environment. https://www.acleaf.co.uk/
Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen and Outlaw’s New Road, Port Isaac, Cornwall – Two distinguished seafood venues, both earning Michelin recognition. https://outlaws.co.uk/restaurants/fish-kitchen/ & https://outlaws.co.uk/restaurants/new-road/
Crocadon, St Mellion, Cornwall – A Michelin-listed restaurant celebrated for its modern cuisine and sustainability credentials. https://www.crocadon.farm/
Cafés in the South West
The South West has a café for every mood and moment, whether you’re after a frothy cappuccino in a busy city, a slice of homemade cake in a rural village, or a cream tea overlooking the sea. They’re not just pit stops; cafés in this part of England are woven into the fabric of daily life and holiday culture.
Coffee Culture
In cities, the café and coffee scene has blossomed into a vibrant and creative phenomenon. The South West of England has its fair share of chains, such as Costa and Starbucks. Still, we recommend trying the independent roasters and baristas, which compete with bold flavours and stylish interiors, ranging from converted warehouses to minimalist coffee bars. Expect everything from single-origin flat whites to sourdough toasties and vegan cakes, making these cafés popular with students, freelancers, and food lovers alike.
Cafés
You won’t be short of choice along the coasts of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset: cafés are often just steps from the beach. Many specialise in English breakfasts (perfect after a heavy night), pasties, locally caught crab sandwiches, or classic cream teas. Further inland, traditional tearooms offer a gentler pace. You may find floral china, generous slices of homemade cake, and, more or less everywhere you go, the famous cream tea.
Because the South West is such a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, cafés double as refuelling stations for swimmers, walkers and cyclists. They’re usually OK with muddy boots and bikes propped outside, and the best offer soups, bacon rolls, sausage rolls and pasties to keep you going!
Garden Centres: If it’s a rainy day, and let’s be honest, the South West does get its fair share, garden centres have become something of a destination in their own right. Gone are the days when they were simply somewhere to pick up compost or a tray of geraniums. Today’s garden centres are part shopping experience, part family outing, and part gardening.
Almost all have their own café or restaurant, and many go far beyond tea and toast. Homemade soups, locally sourced lunches, homemade cakes, and in some cases even full carveries or afternoon teas. They’re great places to while away a few hours, with large tables, steaming mugs of tea, and often excellent home baking.
Farm Shops in the South West
Farm shops have become a cornerstone of the South West’s food and drink scene, and for good reason. They connect visitors directly with the land, offering an authentic taste of local life. What started as simple stalls selling surplus eggs or fruit (we remember strawberries, raspberries, and scrumpy cider) has evolved into thriving businesses that celebrate the best produce the region has to offer.
What You’ll Find: Most farm shops are brimming with fresh fruit and vegetables, free-range meats, local cheeses, ciders, and home-baked goods. Many also stock jars of chutneys, jams, and honey, often produced just a few miles away. Because the South West is such a rich farming region, the shelves reflect what’s in season: strawberries in summer, root vegetables in winter, apples and cider in autumn.
More Than Just Shops
More than Just Shops: Rather like garden centres, farm shops have become destinations for holidaymakers and locals in their own right. Many feature onsite cafés or restaurants, serving English breakfasts, lunches, and cakes made with the produce sold next door. Some offer play areas, pick-your-own fields, cookery schools, or food halls that rival small supermarkets. They’re an excellent place to stop for a meal and stock up on supplies while supporting local farms.
Why Visit?
- Authenticity – You’re buying directly from the people who grow or produce the food.
- Sustainability – Reduced food miles, seasonal produce, and support for local suppliers.
- Unique Finds – From locally made sourdough loaves to farmhouse cider or handmade fudge, farm shops are full of edible delights.
- Community – Many farm shops are family-run and offer a warm, personal welcome that adds to the overall experience.
Our top tip – eat before you shop. We promise that it will save you £££’s
Street Food in the South West
The South West isn’t just about restaurants, pubs, and tearooms; in the major resorts, towns and cities, it has a growing street food culture that brings together creativity, convenience, and plenty of flavour. From beachside kiosks serving hot pasties straight from the oven to colourful vans dishing up global flavours at markets and festivals, the region has adopted a casual, on-the-go approach to eating.
Fish and Chips in the South West
Few things are more British than a paper-wrapped parcel of fish and chips, eaten outside, hot, fresh and straight from the wrapper, and the South West does them exceptionally well. A traditional portion usually comes with salt and vinegar, mushy peas, or curry sauce on the side, and may include a pickled onion or gherkin. Other credible options include battered sausage and chips or fishcake and chips. Equally delicious!
Beware of the Seagulls!
Seagulls can, quite frankly, be a bit of a pain in the South West. While you might imagine them swooping gracefully over the sea in search of fish, many have discovered a far easier buffet: your lunch. Fish and chips, pasties, and ice creams are all fair game, and the gulls of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset have perfected the art of daylight robbery. They must get together and swap tips.
It often starts innocently enough — you unwrap your parcel of chips on the beach, the vinegar wafting through the sea air, and suddenly you notice a small crowd gathering. Not other tourists, but a posse of seagulls, eyeing you with the intensity of a hawk. One minute they’re perched casually on a lamppost; the next, they’re dive-bombing like feathered fighter jets. Before you know it, your cod is gone, snatched in mid-air, and you’re left holding nothing but a greasy wrapper and not much pride.
Ice creams aren’t safe either. The gulls seem to know that nothing is funnier (for them, at least) than swiping a Mr Whippy straight from a cone, preferably in front of horrified children. They don’t even care if it’s 99 Flake or not — all’s fair in love, war, and seagull snack raids.
The golden rule? Don’t feed the seagulls! Not only does it encourage them, but it turns a cheeky opportunist into a full-blown menace. Think of them as feathered food critics with terrible manners: if you give them one chip today, tomorrow they’ll bring their cousins, their aunties, and possibly half the colony.
So, if you want to enjoy your fish and chips in peace, here are some survival tips:
- Find a sheltered spot — walls, doorways, or under a café canopy work best.
- Guard your food like a medieval knight with a sacred relic.
- Keep ice cream cones at head height (unless you enjoy slapstick comedy).
- And above all, don’t be fooled by the “cute chick” routine — those fluffy little ones are just apprentices-in-training.
Seagulls may be the South West’s most notorious “foodies,” but with a bit of caution (and a dash of humour), you’ll keep your lunch to yourself and avoid becoming the star of their next raid.
Kiosks by the Coast
Along Cornwall, Devon, and Dorset’s coasts, small kiosks are a holiday staple. These colourfully painted huts often serve local favourites, such as crab sandwiches, seafood like fresh mussels or whelks, fish and chips, or freshly baked pasties. Some specialise in ice cream made from local clotted cream, while others sell barista coffee and cakes to walkers tackling the South West Coast Path. They’re simple, affordable, and often come with the best “restaurant view” you’ll ever find, the sea right at your feet.
Food Vans and Trailers
The South West has also seen a boom in food vans, with everything from wood-fired pizza trailers and artisan burger trucks to vegan street food stalls popping up at markets, events and campsites. Farmers’ markets in towns like Totnes, Frome, and Bridport often feature a rotating cast of vans serving everything from falafel to pulled pork. Many vans champion local produce, for example, using meat from nearby farms or fish landed just down the coast.
Festivals and Pop-Ups
Food festivals across the South West are another hotspot for street food. Here, vans and pop-up stalls line village greens and harboursides, giving you the chance to try small plates, sample craft drinks, or discover something new. Summer music and arts festivals, too, often feature some of the region’s best street food traders, creating a buzzing atmosphere that mixes entertainment with dining.
Porthleven Food Festival – Cornwall
Harbourside foodie heaven with music and street food. ≈ May
Christchurch Food & Wine Festival – Dorset
International food market and demos. ≈ May
St Ives Food & Drink Festival – Cornwall
Food, music, and demos right on Porthminster Beach. ≈ May
Flavour Fest – Plymouth, Devon
South West’s largest free food festival. ≈ May/June
Newquay Food Festival – Cornwall
Beachside food traders, live music, and family events. ≈ June
Rock Oyster Festival – Cornwall
Michelin-star chefs, oysters, and live music. ≈ July
South West Sardine Festival – Brixham, Devon
Celebrates Brixham’s sardine fishing heritage. ≈ Aug
Love Local Food Festival – Exeter, Devon
Showcasing Devon’s best producers. ≈ Aug
Bovey Festival – Food. Drink. Craft. – Bovey Tracey, Devon
Local food, drink, and artisan craft stalls. ≈ Sept
Ottery Food & Families Festival – East Devon
Free, family-friendly celebration of local food. ≈ Sept
Taste East Devon Festival – East Devon
Week-long programme of foodie events. ≈ Sep
Penzance Food Festival – Penlee Park, Cornwall
Sustainable food, chef demos, artisan stalls. ≈ Sep
Truro Food Festival – Cornwall
Cornwall’s biggest food festival. ≈ Sep
England’s Seafood Feast – English Riviera, Devon
Seafood menus, classes, and events. ≈ Sep/Oct
Powderham Food Festival – Powderham Castle, Devon
Local produce in a historic castle setting. ≈ Oct
eat: Bodmin – Cornwall
18 October 2025 – Street-style local food market.
A Taste of the South West: 10 (or 11) Things You Can’t Miss
- Cornish Pasty – Hand-crimped pastry with beef, potato, swede, and onion — the ultimate portable meal.
- Clotted Cream & Cream Tea – Scones piled high with cream and jam (cream first in Devon, jam first in Cornwall!).
- West Country Cider – From traditional farmhouse scrumpy to modern craft blends, Somerset and Devon are cider country.
- Cheddar Cheese – World-famous, cave-matured cheese from the Somerset village of Cheddar.
- Fresh Seafood – Crab, mussels, scallops, and line-caught fish from Brixham, Newlyn, and Padstow.
- Real Ale & Craft Beer – Local breweries and pub microbreweries serve hoppy IPAs, porters, and traditional bitters.
- English Sparkling Wine – Award-winning fizz from vineyards in Dorset, Cornwall, and Devon.
- Artisan Gin – Distilleries using local botanicals like heather, seaweed, and orchard fruits.
- Somerset Apple Juice & Soft Drinks – Orchard-fresh, non-alcoholic alternatives to cider.
- Homemade Cakes & Bakes – From farmhouse fruitcake to slices of Victoria sponge in a comfortable café tearoom.
- Fish & Chips – Freshly fried, still in the wrapper with plenty of salt & vinegar!
Top Tips for Foodie Visitors to the South West
- Book Ahead for Fine Dining – Michelin-starred restaurants and country house dining rooms are popular year-round, and in summer they often sell out weeks in advance. Reserve early if you’ve got your eye on a special meal.
- Time Your Pub Meals – Unlike some countries, pubs don’t always serve food all day. Lunch is usually 12–2.30pm and dinner 6–9pm. Plan around those times (or check ahead), as the kitchen may otherwise be closed otherwise.
- Know Your Cream Tea Etiquette – In Devon, it’s cream first, jam second (every time for us). In Cornwall, it’s jam first, cream second. Both are delicious. Sampling both “styles” is part of the fun, sometimes eliciting comment from the locals.
- Check Opening Hours in Rural Areas – Country pubs and cafés may close in the afternoon (around 3–5:30 pm) before reopening for the evening. Cities, larger towns, and busy visitor spots tend to stay open longer hours.
- Don’t Stress About Tipping in Pubs – For drinks at the bar, tipping isn’t expected. If you’ve had a meal with table service, leave about 10% unless service is already included.
- Expect Muddy Boots and Dogs – Many pubs, cafés, and farm shops welcome walkers and four-legged friends.
- Farm Shops and Garden Centres Are Destinations – They’re not just for plants and produce. Many have excellent cafés, bakeries, or even carveries, making them great stops on rainy days.
- Try the Festivals – Food festivals are everywhere in the South West, especially in spring and summer. They’re the best way to sample local produce (and music), from Cornish oysters to Devon cider, all in one place.
- Support Local Producers – Buying from farm shops, markets, or street food vans isn’t just tasty — it supports local families and keeps the food culture thriving.
- Bring Your Appetite – With so much variety, from pasties and seafood to Michelin tasting menus, you’ll want to sample a bit of everything. Pack loose clothing and don’t skip dessert!
Conclusion
From pasties on the harbour to Michelin-starred feasts, the South West of England is a true foodie’s paradise. Come hungry, explore widely, and taste the region’s story in every bite!
Over to you … have you recently travelled to South West England? What worked for you? What advice would you give to others? Please leave your comments below or join in the discussion in our Facebook Group.
New to South West England or returning after a while? Start with our ‘Travel Basics’ – quick guides packed with tips to help you plan your trip.
