Dartmouth - Eating and Drinking
In Dartmouth Town
There are almost too many pubs to mention. The first one on the walk into town
is the Dartmouth Arms where you can spill out onto the quayside of Bayards cove to watch the water traffic.
A little further along is the cosy, ancient Cherub (good steaks), though the Seven Stars claims to be even older.
Overlooking the inner harbour, the Royal Castle Hotel is vibrant and popular, and at the far end of town
The Floating Bridge overlooking the upper ferry is another place to sit and watch the busy River Dart.
Dartmouth is blessed with many fine restaurants, with an emphasis on local produce, and (not surprisingly) seafood.
The New Angel is the best known and has a great reputation, (remember to book well in advance), but
The Seahorse
has been particularly recommended by our guests, and the owner has now opened
Rockfish, a quality fish and chip shop. Others which have been have been singled out for praise include
RB’s,
Taylors and
Kendricks. We like
Sails restaurant, above the Dartmouth Yacht club, which has fantastic views
over the river from its bay window. The nearest restaurant to the Pottery is the recently opened
The Dartmouth Apprentice
in the dramatic setting of an old church which is training up local unemployed for the catering trade.
Aside from an evening meal in these top class restaurants, everyone should try the popular
Cafe Alf Resco,
offering a fantastic atmosphere and possibly the best breakfasts in the world. For a quality meal afloat, take a water taxi to the
Resnova in the middle of the harbour (try a table in the wheelbouse!)
There are, of course, a number of good fish and chip shops, the Taj Mahal and the Khrua Thai.
Local producers
The emphasis on local produce is shared by many of the pubs and restaurants in the area. One business which
is becoming a national brand is Riverford near Totnes, known for its Organic meat and vegetables – try lunch
at their
Field Kitchen.
If you are interested in wine,
Sharpham Estate, which lies just down-river from Totnes, is one of the UK's
few producers of wine, as well as well known local cheeses. Another interesting vineyard is
Old Walls in
the Teign Valley, which specialises in sparkling wines and offers comprehensive tours and tasting sessions.
For a taste of something hotter, drop in to the
South Devon Chilli Farm.
Eating out around Dartmouth
We can personally recommend the Normandy Arms in nearby Blackawton, a really cosy
gastro pub. If you are sailing or motoring upriver, try the
Anchorstone Café at Dittisham with a great view
across the widest point in the river, or the barbecue at the
Maltsters at Tuckenhay on Bow creek (if the tides are right).
The Venus Cafe restaurant at Blackpool beach offers simple but excellent evening menu during July and August,
allowing the kids to enjoy the sea between courses!
There are, of course, many good restaurants in other South Hams towns, such as the ever-popular
Rumour in Totnes.
