Restaurants in Southwest England
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Riverford Field Kitchen
At this futuristic farm bistro vegetables are plucked to order from the fields in front of you and the meats are organic and locally sourced. Eating is a convivial affair – diners sit at trestle tables and platters laden with food are passed around. Rich flavours and imaginative treatments might include marinated, grilled Moroccan lamb and British veg transformed by cumin or saffron. Planning laws require you to book, and take a free tour of the fields. The farm is 3 miles west of Totnes.
reviewed
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Rising Sun
It's only a quick walk uphill from the touristy Lynmouth seafront, but this thatched pub is a world away from pasties-from-a-bag. Head chef Paul Sage has turned this into the town's most enticing eatery, making maximum use of the meat, seafood and game on his doorstep – try the lobster for an absolute treat. The building itself has plenty of smugglers' character, with higgledy-piggledy floors and hefty beams.
reviewed
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Reeve's
This surprisingly swanky restaurant dishes up Dunster's best food in an attractive dining room full of fairy lights and stripped-wood floors. Its dishes are complex and satisfying: think delicate stacks of monkfish, venison marinated in port and juniper or Exmouth scallops in chive butter.
reviewed
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Provedore
Cool continental cafe serving Falmouth's best coffee and tapas.
reviewed
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Print Room
This charismatic brasserie exudes Parisian chic, from the black and white tiled floors to the burnished wooden booths. Gallic-influenced dishes include twice-baked Gruyere soufflé and a deeply decadent rich chocolate mousse. Or try that most excellent French tradition: the plat du jour, including wine, for only £8.
reviewed
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Pinky Murphy's Café
Cafes don't come much quirkier than this oddbod establishment, where mismatching crockery is a virtue and seating ranges from tie-dyed beanbags to patched-up sofas. Ciabattas, panini and generous platters are washed down with Pinky's Cream Tease, mugs of Horlicks and fresh-brewed smoothies.
reviewed
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Pear Tree
Full of mouth-watering aromas, this delectable deli is packed with gourmet picnic supplies. Spinach and feta pie, homemade soups and a wealth of local cheeses are coupled with irresistible cakes and puddings.
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Paxton & Whitfield
Renowned fromagerie that specialises in locally made cheeses.
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One
Sloping floors, slanting beams and fake pony-hide chairs surround you in this chic eatery, located above the Haunch of Venison pub. The menu is equally eclectic, featuring mustard-rubbed pork chops, duck mousse with red onion marmalade and, yes: a haunch of venison (with garlic mash).
reviewed
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Olive Shed
Another popular place for waterside eating, serving mainly tapas and Med food in a bright and attractive setting.
reviewed
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Oliver's
There's nothing remotely fancy about the decor at this new French-style bistro – it's plain pine meets plain white walls – but here simplicity is definitely a virtue. The food is classic, unfussy and impeccably presented, with the emphasis placed on essential flavours rather than cheffy flourishes. It's particularly strong on seafood.
reviewed
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Marlborough Tavern
Bath certainly isn't short on gastropubs, but the Marlborough is still very much top of the class. It's half cosy boozer, half contemporary bistro, with big wooden tables, deep seats, and a crackling fire on winter nights. Chef Richard Knighting previously worked in Michelin-starred restaurants, and it shows: his menu is a mix of heart-warming classics and cheffy showiness, and rarely fails to hit the mark.
reviewed
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Luttrell Arms
In medieval times this glorious old coaching inn was the guest house of the Abbots of Cleeve. Huge flagstones, heavy armchairs and faded tapestries dot the lounge – a perfect fit for the hearty bar food. The beamed rooms (B&B) might be too olde-worlde for some.
reviewed
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Loft
Great new tip hidden away in a fisherman's net loft just behind the Sloop Craft Centre. The dining room's set out attic-style under A-frame beams, and window tables peep out over St Ives slate rooftops. Solid seafood, locally sourced meat, Cornish game, delivered with a minimum of fuss or frills: lovely.
reviewed
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Lizard Pasty Shop
Looking for Cornwall's best pasties? Head for Ann Muller's shop, attached to her house near Lizard Point. The recipes are 100% authentic and the ingredients are 100% Cornish – little wonder Rick Stein's given them his seal of approval.
reviewed
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Lewis' Tea Rooms
Top-class teas (including many rare estate varieties) are the order of the day at this delightful tearoom, but it's worth leaving room for the Welsh rarebits and crumbly cakes, too. It's charmingly frilly and floral, and it opens late for suppers in summer.
reviewed
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Kota
Not what you'd expect to find in the rural Lizard: an adventurous fusion restaurant run by a chef with Malay, Maori and Chinese roots. Hunkering under the hefty beams of an old mill on Porthleven's harbour, Jude Kereama's restaurant serves some of Cornwall's most exotic flavours, with Szechuan, Thai and Malaysian spices all finding their way into the mix. There's a two-course menu on offer for £14 from 5.30pm to 7pm. Well worth the trip.
reviewed
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King of Prussia
The king of Fowey's many pubs takes its name from the local 'free trader' John Carter, and makes a superior spot for a quayside pint or a quick crab sandwich.
reviewed
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Indaba on the Beach
The former Three Mackerel has recently been snapped up by the folk behind Indaba Fish in Truro. It offers the same upmarket seafood menu from mussels to full-blown lobster platters, with the added benefit of a top-drawer position on the rocks above Swanpool.
reviewed
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Hudson Steakhouse
Steak, steak and more steak is this place's raison d'être. Top-quality cuts take in everything from porterhouse to prime fillet, all sourced from a Staffordshire farmers' co-op.
reviewed
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Honey Pot
Another wonderfully friendly Penzance cafe, opposite the Acorn Arts Centre. It's a popular spot for afternoon tea and cake, but also turns out tempting fare such as jacket potatoes and homemade homity pies. Naturally, nearly everything's made on site and locally sourced, and the big glass windows keep it sunny and light-filled.
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Hix Oyster & Fish House
Expect sweeping views of the Cobb and dazzling food at this super-stylish open-plan cabin. Ink-cooked spelt comes with Devon squid, scallops with black pudding, and steak with scrumpy-fried onions. Perhaps start by slurping some oysters: Brownsea Island or Falmouth molluscs come at £2.25 to £3.50 a pop.
reviewed
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Harbour Inn
Stone walls, wooden settles, a harbourside beer garden and the best pub grub in town.
reviewed
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Halzephron Inn
Hugger-mugger inn balanced on the cliffs above Gunwalloe. Forget fancy furnishings and designer food – this is a proper old Cornish local, full of old-time charm, with proper ales, filling food and a homely atmosphere.
reviewed
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Green
The contented chatter of Sherborne's food fans lends this restaurant a vibrant air, while creative flavour combos keep taste buds tingling: pheasant breast is teamed with mulled wine, local scallops are paired with blood-orange butter. On Friday and Saturday there's a sumptuous set dinner (2/3 courses £32/37).
reviewed