There’s nowhere better to enjoy seafood plucked fresh from the ocean, than with a view to the sea where it was caught. A county where fish goes from line to plate in a matter of hours, the West Country lures gastronomes to its tables from far and wide. Here are our top ten coastal restaurants in Devon to enjoy the ocean’s bounty with the sea in sight.
1. River Exe Café, Exe Estuary
Best for: Pushing the boat out.
For sea-view dining with a difference, hop on a boat to a barge restaurant afloat in the middle of the sparkling Exe estuary. Dress for the weather and dine inside or out. But while you can’t guarantee rain or shine, you can rest assured there’ll be the freshest oysters, mussels and catch of the day on the menu. If you’ve worked up an appetite in the sea air, tuck into one of the famous sharing platters teamed with wine from a local vineyard. Seasonal opening from 1 April – 30 September; dogs welcome, too.
2. The Winking Prawn, Salcombe
Best for: Beachside seafood in your swimsuit.
Handpicked local crab sandwich, fresh lobster or a full Fruits de Mer platter? Sitting next to North Sands in Salcombe, you can roll up to this shabby-chic beach restaurant with your swimsuit on and sand between your toes, yet tuck into seafood dishes worthy of your glad rags. From buffet breakfasts to delicious dinners, it’s a dog-friendly, family-friendly, beachside foodie gem. Definitely one of the most authentic places for seafood on the Devon coast.
3. The Boathouse, Instow
Best for: Top deck dining on the ocean’s bounty.
Watch the day boats bob past the golden sands at the confluence of the Taw and Torridge rivers, and dine on the freshest local fish and seafood on deck. Whether you kick back in the Beach Bar or bag a table on the top deck, feast on sublime views alongside menus showcasing the ocean’s bounty and the finest local produce from North Devon. Nestled beside the sandy shores of the dog-friendly Instow beach, your four-legged friends are welcome, too.
4. Mickey’s Beach, Exmouth
Best for: Sociable seaside dining.
Keen to create a legacy for social, stylish dining beside the sea, local celeb chef Michael Caines opened the doors to his namesake, Mickeys Beach, on the edge of Exmouth’s vast golden beach. Casual, dog-friendly and serving up everything from nibbles and cocktails to local seafood, roasts and even midnight pizzas, we’d say he’s well and truly achieved his dream. Whether the sun’s shining and you’re basking on the deck, or you’re hunkering from storms watching the beach drama from behind panoramic windows, the food, vibes and views are fantastic.
5. Venus, Bigbury-on-Sea
Best for: Eco-friendly picnics and family days at the beach.
Hot on its local, organic food and green credentials, Venus brings an environmentally-friendly twist to family days out at the beach. There are plant-based options, sustainable seafood and burgers made from grass-fed beef, all of which come wrapped in compostable packaging to enjoy with your toes in the sand. Bigbury-on-Sea is a wonderfully scenic destination, with a beautiful beach and plenty of places to stay.
6. The Oyster Shack, Bigbury
Best for: Cracking seafood in a quirky venue.
Serving Devon’s finest seafood in a unique setting, the Oyster Shack is a fun and laid-back foodie institution that warrants a pitstop for any seafood lover visiting Devon. Follow your nose down the River Avon’s tidal road to this rustic shack that once housed an oyster farm, and sample finger-licking molluscs hand-picked straight from the river just half a mile away.
7. Rockfish, Brixham
Best for: Good value, sustainable seafood in a family-friendly venue.
Feast on succulent seafood delivered daily by Brixham’s fishermen, in a family-friendly, dog-friendly venue overlooking the harbour. Choose from a daily-changing menu of just-caught fish, overlooking the boats that flip their catch from the line to the kitchen, so it lands on your plate within hours of being plucked from the ocean.
8. The Seahorse, Dartmouth
Best for: Mediterranean flavours in a sophisticated setting.
Slap bang on the River Dart, The Seahorse showcases the world-class seafood delivered twice daily from the day boats at Brixham. The simplicity of grilling the freshest fish over a charcoal grill has long been a winner at this Dartmouth eatery, teamed with Mediterranean flavours and a stylish dining setting. What with the well-known Mitch Tonks at the helm, an intimate bar and private dining options, it’s little wonder that The Seahorse has been on the list of the top UK restaurants for over a decade.
9. Beach House, South Milton Sands
Best for: Simple seafood a pebble’s throw from the sand.
As its name suggests, the laidback Beach House café is bang on the beach, boasting a side order of stunning sea views. Come in with the sand still between your toes and chow down a breakfast butty, or a simple seafood dinner made with the finest local ingredients. On a blustery day you can cosy up inside with a hearty bowl of seafood linguine, and when the sun shines opt for Salcombe crab, fresh fish specials and fine wine al fresco as the sun goes down. Stay nearby in coastal Thurlestone.
10. The Elephant, Torquay
Best for: Michelin-starred dining.
Boasting some of the best views in the bucket-and-spade town of Torquay, The Elephant by Simon Hulstone was the first restaurant in Torquay to be awarded a Michelin star and the only one to retain it. Family-friendly and flaunting a casual and vibrant ambience, it’s the best value Michelin-starred lunch available, making use of lots of produce from the restaurant’s own farm and a few foraged ingredients, too.
Book a beach cottage in Devon and enjoy sea-view dining in the West Country
Worked up an appetite for some finger-licking seafood by the beach in Devon? Check out our collection of coastal holiday cottages in Devon.
