For unrivalled ocean views and top-notch seafood, it doesn’t get much better than Salcombe. Whether you’re local, a regular visitor, or swapping the capital for this charming seaside town for the first time, we’re sure you’ll want to take a peek at our round-up of the best restaurants for wining and dining in the South Hams district of Devon.
Many of the bars and eateries listed here cater for families and larger groups while some even allow dogs. So whether you’re after intimate surroundings for a romantic meal or al fresco dining for with family and friends, you’re sure to find somewhere to suit.
We’ve rounded up our favourite restaurants in Salcombe and beyond to make planning for your next staycation that much easier. Read our condensed reviews below or click through to each listing to learn more and book a table.
Salcombe restaurants: Best for lunch
Less formal than our dinner picks, these restaurants are ideal for a spot of lunch in Salcombe. All-round menus mean mixed groups and families can dine in harmony, all while enjoying cosy surrounds and plenty of Salcombe's finest seafood.
What: This modish sister restaurant to The Winking Prawn adds a pinch of urbane sophistication to trendy Island Street, delivering the same easy-going fare of tiger prawns, barbecue ribs and burgers. Don’t miss the serene deck either, complete with a creek-hugging view.
Where: Unit 4, Hannaford's Landing, Island Street, Salcombe, TQ8 8FE
What: Like its sibling in Bigbury, Salcombe’s oyster shed still reels in the punters. We’d recommend bagging a table on the deck area overlooking the creek, before tucking into oysters every which way, or mussels in garlic, smoked bacon, vermouth and cream.
Where: The Fish Quay, Gould Road, Salcombe, TQ8 8DU
What: If you care about where your food comes from, Soar Mill Cove is for you. It turns out tasty seafood dishes that include locally-grown fruit and vegetables, fresh fish from Salcombe and Brixham, as well as lobster and scallops from the restaurant's own diving trips.
Where: Soar Mill Cove Hotel, Salcombe, TQ7 3DS
What: The menu at this friendly pub is built around the owners' love of the fantastic produce they have on their doorstep, both from the sea and the beautiful surrounding countryside. Sandwiches and burgers keep hungry punters satisfied at lunchtime, while the famous 'man creche' offers blokes a place to hole up.
Where: Fore Street, Salcombe, Devon, TQ8 8BU
Salcombe restaurants: Best for dinner
Stunning views and seriously good seafood give these restaurants the edge on dining at dinner time. Be sure to bring your appetite, and your camera.
What: Drop-dead gorgeous estuary views and a breezy New Hampshire look ticks the box for this hotel’s smart clientele, while a well-stocked crustacean bar – with oysters, scallops, shrimps and lobster – keeps stomachs full. Afternoon tea is also available.
Where: Salcombe Harbour Hotel, Cliff Road, Salcombe, TQ8 8JH
What: What this small characterful brasserie, tucked down a side alley, lacks in estuary views, it more than makes up for in terms of seriously good seafood and fish, cooked simply by a capable team – think crab cakes, crunchy prawns and beautiful seabass. Cheery staff too.
Where: 6-7 Russell Court Fore Street, Salcombe, TQ8 8BS
What: The interiors at this super-cool boutique hotel fuse New England styling with coastal references. The enviable sea view is complemented by a seafood-heavy brasserie menu built around the abundant local larder, with some sunny Mediterranean flourishes for good measure.
Where: South Sands Hotel, Salcombe, TQ8 8LL
Salcombe restaurants: Best for an early evening supper
Small plates and plenty of outside seating make these two haunts perfect for early evening nibbling and drinking.
What: This waterside bar and brasserie is a tightly packed space, so we’d recommend setting up camp on its decked terrace, which boasts jaw-dropping views. Go early evening for a bottle of Bolly, and some simple plates of battered octopus, prawn cocktail or steak-frites.
Where: Fore Street, Salcombe, TQ8 8JG
What: This idiosyncratic place ticks the boxes for summer family fun with a light and spacious dining room, beach-hugging location and a kids’ dressing-up box that, after all these years, still works its magic. Feast on the likes of tiger prawns, barbecue ribs, or Jamaican fish curry.
Where: North Sands, Salcombe, TQ8 8LD
Salcombe bars: Best for drinks
Very little beats a glass of something tasty and picturesque views, which is why we've singled out this bar and pub as hotspots for drinks any time of the day.
What: The balcony of the artisanal Salcombe Gin Bar and Distillery is a great place to enjoy sunset views. Signature Salcombe and Tonic is the modus operandi, made to the distiller’s exacting standards, while slouchy leather sofas and bar stools add comfort and an on-trend vibe. You can even distill your own gin.
Where: The Boathouse, 28 Island Street, Salcombe, TQ8 8DP
What: A supreme position on the estuary gives this iconic Salcombe watering hole its USP and it never fails to deliver with its dreamy estuary outlook. Local ales, Sauvignon and a menu of scampi, burgers and fish & chips complete the pretty package.
Where: Fore Street, Salcombe, TQ8 8JE
And some of our favourite Salcombe restaurants which are slightly further afield…
If you've access to a car, it's well worth venturing out to these nearby restaurants where friendly service and more beautiful views await.
What: Situated on a private island only accessible by sea-tractor when the tide’s in, this hotel exudes quintessential art-deco romance. Black-tie and glam frocks are de rigueur for dinner, which might feature chicken breast with sweetcorn panna cotta and truffle popcorn.
Where: Burgh Island, Bigbury-on-Sea, Kingsbridge, TQ7 4BG
What: A walk to this quirky beach shack on a spectacular stretch of coastline rewards with fresh-as-can-be seafood from a blackboard menu makes for a lovely evening. Specials include garlic-and-chilli-spiked seafood linguine, but the pièce de résistance is the seafood platter. Booking essential.
Where: South Milton, Kingsbridge, TQ7 3JY
What: This stunningly located Kingsbridge pub on the sunny side of the picturesque estuary makes this the stand-out local boozer by a country mile. You’ll find well-priced wines and cocktails alongside pub grub such as calamari, crab salad and hamburgers – well worth the drive.
Where: The Quay, Embankment Road, Kingsbridge, TQ7 1JZ
What: This 14th century pub has a simple design, which breathes natural warmth and bibulous bonhomie. Steaks, Devon ham or platters-to-share rub shoulders with scampi, mussels, prawns and baskets of chips, all washed down with local ales or crowd-pleasing wines.
Where: Bantham, Kingsbridge, TQ7 3AJ
For more fantastic restaurants outside London, check out our UK's Top 100 Restaurants round-up