“An amazing family-run business”; “fantastic food, even better hospitality”; “a wonderful addition to sunny Sidmouth” – locals and holidaymakers clearly can’t get enough of this relaxed daytime eatery and weekend bistro. With its dramatic black rafters, artwork for sale, reclaimed elm tables and sought-after roof garden, The Loft certainly looks the part and delivers the goods with impressive consistency. Nourishing wake-up breakfasts open proceedings, before the daytime menu kicks in with its bright Med-accented ideas, antipasti boards, ‘gourmet burgers’, salads, “delightful” pizzas, pasta and fresh seafood – don’t miss the whole local crab in season. On Friday evenings, tapas is the name of the game (think boquerones, sobrasada, garlicky king prawns, grilled chorizo with peppers etc), while Saturday brings more ambitious suppers and ‘family feasts’ along the lines of vodka and beetroot-cured gravlax, sirloin steak pizzaiola with a garlicky polenta cake, and desserts such as olive oil and hazelnut cake. Note: the owners tell us they are ‘temporarily unable to open in the evenings’ – so ring ahead to avoid disappointment.