The Elephant

Torquay may be synonymous with Basil Fawlty and co, but The Elephant has put this Devon seaside stalwart back on the foodie map for all the right reasons.

Boasting a gorgeous location overlooking the English Riviera, here is a capacious modern destination with lots of possibilities – a Michelin-starred restaurant for the whole family (unlike a lot of its contemporaries, children are warmly welcomed, and the team encourage bringing along little guests).

The action takes place in a casual bare-boarded room with terrific harbour views and a menu of bang-up-to-date brasserie cooking fuelled by produce from chef/proprietor Simon Hulstone’s 69-acre Devon farm. The dishes change as the months roll by, to reflect availability and seasonality, but to give you an idea a starter of chilled tomato soup with horseradish cream and nasturtium oil might precede duckling with braised chicory, heritage beets and an elderflower sauce or tortellini of ricotta with herb puree, pickled mushrooms and cepe foam. There’s Devon-reared beef too, while sustainable fish from the West Country boats could yield lime-cured bay mackerel with kohlrabi remoulade with crispy clams and dill dressing. After that, perhaps try Southdown Farm strawberry tart with Anise Hysopp ice cream and pink peppercorns for a light, fruity finish. Cheery service does what’s needed, and the wine list offers excellent value.

Despite its Michelin star credentials (having held the accolade for over 14 years now), prices are reasonable, with mains starting from £15. If you have a spare afternoon to treat yourself there is a set menu that offers great-value too, at £21.50 for two courses. With this there are only two options for each course, but the food usually offers a couple of crowd-pleasers like roast belly pork with parsnip puree or a beautifully cooked piece of hake.

As might be expected with a restaurant of such reputation, tables do get booked up well in advance. We’d recommend getting your date in the diary well-ahead of your visit.

The Elephant restaurant is situated near to the gorgeous Torquay harbour. Here, you'll be welcomed by friendly staff into a bright and laid back seaside restaurant, which is run by chef proprietor Simon Hulstone and his wife Katy. A relaxed restaurant, The Elephant serves great value Michelin starred lunch, with ingredients that are sourced locally and sustainably – with the restaurant having a dedicated farm in Brixham. The menu changes frequently to reflect what is best available, and whilst most things are sourced locally, the team will search further afield if they find an ingredient or some produce that they just can’t wait to serve.

The evening tasting menu begins with cured Frazer's scallops with mussel and pear dashi, and cauliflower, along with the Brixham lobster with a lobster custard, Granny Smith and sorrel. Then, it's a BBQ hen of the woods with peanut and ras el hanout, and the Nordic halibut with ajo blanco, peach and courgette. The south Devon beef fillet comes with spiced brisket and golden beets. Finally, it's time for dessert with the raspberry, hibiscus and shiso granita, before a strawberry and lemon posset with Pimm's and pistachio. If you want to add on a cheese course, you can add Baron Bigod with a toasted lemon thyme focaccia with green strawberry and apricot chutney.

For a set lunch, enjoy the 36 day aged beef tartare with whey dressing and focaccia, or the Brixham mackerel with fennel yoghurt and cucumber. To follow, enjoy the Gilthead bream with verjus, hispi cabbage and seaweed potato, or belly pork with pickled ginger, rice and heritage carrot. To finish, enjoy a pairing of raspberry with white chocolate, elderflower and caramel, or an apricot frangipane tart with creme fraiche and basil.