Eating Out
The restaurants listed below with an * are considered to be some of the best available in the local area. We have included most of these restaurants because they are known to us personally and are where we would choose to eat ourselves. Some are included because they are strongly recommended by other guests. Advance reservations are strongly recommended at weekends and during the summer months.
We would urge you to leave your reviews in the Guest Book for others to read..
We have tried to be as accurate as possible and any comments are generally the product of our personal experiences at these restaurants. We do not claim infallibility!
In case you don’t get to the end of this list, we would especially recommend the last entry if you fancy an excursion onto Dartmoor.
# Indicates: also recommended for a takeaway.
* Amici’s – Italian
29 Torwood Street, Torquay TQ1 1ED 01803 201770
Beautifully decorated, nice looking restaurant, with excellent young staff who understand about good service. We find the food from the menu is perfectly acceptable but the specials are generally really good and so are a better bet. They offer all the pasta dishes as small portions for those with a little appetite. Reasonably priced and with a lovely buzz.
* Eltons Piano Bar
4 Torwood Street, TQ1 1EB 01803 390729
A bar just down the road from us; serves great cocktails, always has a great party atmosphere and the most talented of pianists - they will play anything of your choice! They serve tapas but we’d recommend this venue for the vibe rather than the grub.
* Ottos
8 Vaughan Rd, Torquay TQ2 5EQ
A great spot for coffee or breakfast and wood fired pizzas in the evenings, despite a frustrating requirement to queue for a table even just for a coffee, it's worth it for the view and ambiance.
* # Jungjaow Thai Restaurant
39-41 Torwood Street TQ1 1DZ
01803 213631
Recently relocated to larger premises due to its popularity and serving wonderful Thai cuisine. Delicious Massaman curry and Pad Thai, which you can see being prepared in the open kitchen in the centre of the restaurant. Very reliable takeaway service.
* The Thatched Tavern – Gastro pub
(Maidencombe) Steep Hill Maidencombe TQ1 4TS
01803 372140
www.thethatchedtaverndevon.co.uk
A multi award winning pub, not least the national pub and bar awards' 'Best pub in Devon 2022'. Excellent food, in a tastefully refurbished restaurant or in the lovely garden and very close to Maidencombe beach for the post-meal stroll.
* Ephesus
16 Strand, Torquay TQ1 2AA
01803 294466
Located next to the clocktower and a short walk away, this restaurant has quickly gathered a very strong following amongst locals. The Greek and Turkish cuisine is tasty and varied and very well presented. The staff are enthusiastic and friendly, and the owner is welcoming and very eager to please. Lamb Kleftiko is truly amazing!!!
* Offshore – Café/Bar
13 Vaughan Parade Torquay TQ2 5EG
01803 292108
A very popular bar café and restaurant with a lovely harbour setting. Very chilled venue with live music most nights. The food quality is dependable, with outside dining when weather permits.
* The Yacht
18-19 Victoria Parade, Torquay TQ1 2BB
01803 935576
A new restaurant and cocktail bar overlooking the harbour which has been very expensively refurbished which is evident from the lavish internal decoration and finishing. The cocktails are great and breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner is served.
* Ollie's
34-36 Torwood Street, TQ1 1EB
01803 297 177
A contemporary steak restaurant serving quality beef from a Devon herd, and with a fabulous wine list. What's more it’s only a short stroll from us.
* The Drum – Pub food
Cockington Village TQ2 6XA8
01803 690264 www.vintageinn.co.uk/thedruminncockington
Recently refurbished, this pub is owned by Vintage Inns so it's pub fayre and to a good standard. It has a great location in the very heart of Cockington which is well worth exploring whilst here and an ideal location for a stroll before or after a meal.
* # East in the West - Indian
39 Torwood Street, Torquay TQ1 !DZ
01803 530555
Simply the best curry house in the whole bay producing quality cuisine at reasonable prices. This restaurant opened in July 2023 after an extensive refurbishment. This isn’t your average curry house.
No 7 - Speciality Fish Restaurant
7 Beacon Terrace TQ1 3BH
01803 295055 www.no7-fish.com
Fab fish/seafood restaurant in the Bay and also our favourite. Informal and small with brisk, friendly service. Not a cheap option but very much value for money with the high quality fresh produce. Booking is absolutely essential all year round. The addition of the wine bar upstairs is worth a visit for the superb choice of wines.
The Elephant Brasserie - Contemporary English
Beacon Terrace TQ1 3BH
01803 200044
Run by a chef proprietor Simon Hulstone with 1 Michelin star rating. Brassiere style (open all year). One of the most expensive options in the bay, prompt service and the sort of food you would expect to see in a top London restaurant. For those not worried about a budget. Look out for the guest chef evenings which are excellent.
On The Rocks
1 Abbey Crescent Torquay, TQ2 5HB 01803 203666 www.ontherocks-torquay.co.uk
This restaurant has a sea front location next to the new Abbey Sands Development. The restaurant is stylish and modern and has excellent food. The menu changes regularly and there is a great use of local produce. They are producing some innovative dishes and bookings are essential. Simply the best mussels (from Elberry Cove, Brixham) in the bay.
Le Bistro Pierre
Abbey Sands, Abbey Crescent, Torquay. TQ2 5FB 01803 221213
Part of a small chain, this restaurant produces some remarkably good food for a very reasonable price. The upstairs restaurant has spectacular views across the bay. Service can be a little slow but the young staff seem genuinely eager to please. This is about a 10 minute walk from the harbour.
Las Iguanas
Unit 4, Abbey Sands, Ground Floor TQ2 5FB
On the Abbey Sands development and is part of a small chain of restaurants providing south American food. A national chain restaurant but good fun and pleasant atmosphere; excellent vegetarian/vegan options.
# Saltwater Fish Restaurant and Takeaway
2 Victoria Parade, TQ1 2BB
01803 414142
Without a doubt the best Fish & Chips in Torquay centre, whether you sit and eat on the seafront or eat in the restaurant. Try the large cod if you’re hungry enough.
BAR 21
Harbourside, Torquay 01803 293332
Informal bar serving good value tapas. If you want a view and a bite to eat this is the spot for you.
The Wild Goose
Combeinteighnhead, TQ12 4RA 01626 872241
A lovely family-owned and run freehold country pub with a warm welcome. Fantastic fire in the winter and a pretty garden in the summer. Great food in a pretty Devon village - it's worth the drive down the narrow lanes to get to it.
The Waddling Duck @ Hamiltons
63 Babbacombe Downs Road, Torquay TQ1 3LP
01803 203778
Located on Babbacombe downs and serving excellent English Cuisine with a twist. Small operation but definitely worth a visit.
Kents – Pub food
1 Ilsham Road (Wellswood) TQ1 2JG 01803 292522
Wonderful pub located on the corner of the High St in Wellswood. Ideal if you want to be away from the hurly burly of the harbour area. Well run friendly pub with beer garden. Recently refurbished, this has seriously upped the quality of its food offering (the pies are great!).
Below Decks – Harbour-side café
Beacon Quay, Torquay TQ1 2BG
01803 411106
Perfect for a light lunch overlooking the harbour, cheerful staff and with a terrace overlooking the marina.
Angels -The Best Tea Rooms
49 Babbacombe Downs, Torquay TQ1 3LP 01803 324477
This is a real treat. There is not a place in the Bay to match it for afternoon tea (or lunch). Homemade cakes and scones and locally made jams and breads will make this a memorable experience. Can get busy so really worth booking. The outdoor terrace is wonderful in summer.
Smokehouse Joes – American themed restaurant
64 Torwood Street, Torquay TQ1 1DT
01803 214444
A themed American steakhouse serving steaks, ribs and burgers. On the downside the inside is a little dated; also there are very few vegetable options. Excellent if you just want steak and chips. (If you phone in advance they can do you jacket potatoes). Great ‘Smoky Ribs’ too.
The Cary Arms – Gastro Pub
(Babbacombe) Babbacombe Beach TQ1 3LX 01803 327110
Gastro pub in a truly stunning location perched above Babbacombe beach. Alfresco dining on the terrace in the summer is a must. A very popular choice, just five minutes drive away. Quite expensive and opinions are divided between those who love it and those who don't. If for nothing else, it’s a really fantastic spot for a drink early evening with the sunset.
Coombe Cellars - Gastro Pub Combeinteignhead
01626 872423
Gastro pub in the most delightful setting overlooking the River Teign. Lovely outside terrace for an afternoon snack looking down towards the estuary, or sit in the bar with the enormous fireplace during the winter months. Pub food at the top end of the scale. Note that the drive is down precarious Devon country lanes!
Rockfish
Victoria Parade, Torquay
01803 212175
Excellent location next to the harbourside, serving fish from Brixham. Owned by Michelin starred chef Mitch Tonk, who owns six of these fish restaurants.
Further afield:
* The Rugglestone Inn
Widecombe in the Moor
TQ13 7TF
A special mention for The Rugglestone Inn on Dartmoor, an authentic moorland village pub with excellent pub grub and situated in picturesque Widecombe in the Moor.
Create Your Own Website With Webador