Mouthwatering Salcombe Restaurants
There’s nothing better when you are on holiday than treating yourself to a delicious meal in one of the...
by Sarah Howard / Food Drink
Famous for local plaice and close to the thriving waters of Start Bay and the English Channel, it’s no surprise that Dartmouth’s restaurants offer a fantastic opportunity to enjoy freshly-sourced seafood. But while there’s no shortage of seafood for all occasions and budgets, Dartmouth restaurants aren’t limited to the fruits of the sea. Here you’ll find an array of sumptuous breakfast spots and world foods, including a popular Indian restaurant.
Whether you’re looking for a riverside eatery to indulge in a Devonshire afternoon tea or a casual environment for a traditional roast dinner, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the range of places to eat and drink.
So, in no particular order, here’s our handpicked selection of the 12 best restaurants in Dartmouth!
Use our quick links below to navigate to a particular venue or read on for our favourite Dartmouth restaurants.
The multi-award-winning Seahorse, run by celebrity chef Mitch Tonks with his business partner Matt Prowse, must be the most famous of all restaurants in Dartmouth. The sensational seasonal fish menu changes daily, but usually includes sea bass, monkfish, and heavenly scallops. Many of the dishes are cooked over the charcoal fire in the restaurant, making for simple but beautifully prepared meals.
After your meal, we highly suggest that you continue your evening in the wine bar annex. The super-sophisticated Joe’s Bar is featured in our blog post, ‘3 stylish Dartmouth wine bars’.
Booking is essential so visit The Seahorse website to make your reservation.
Kendricks is a casual Dartmouth restaurant with a tasty ‘Tex-Mex’ themed menu and a friendly, lively atmosphere. Even in quieter months, Kendrick’s is often very much alive with groups of work colleagues, officer cadets, families and couples all making the most of the restaurant’s reasonable prices and flavoursome fare.
Hearty classics like steaks, burgers, ribs and grills form the meat of the menu. There are popular fish dishes as well, along with some chilli options and the ever-popular sizzling fajitas. Don’t forget to check out the specials board too, which changes regularly with the seasons.
Visit the Kendricks website for more information and to book your table.
For the ultimate foodie explorer in us all, The Angel is a luxury waterside restaurant, facing the River Dart – a must-visit in order to complete your gastronomic adventure in Dartmouth. With an expertly crafted seasonal menu, each course, bite, sip and scoop celebrates Devon’s larder through wonderfully simplistic, delicate dishes… think pieces of artwork on a plate!
To book your table, head to The Angel website.
If you’re looking for an intimate dining setting, Taylor’s is the perfect restaurant in Dartmouth. Expect delicious food, relaxing background music, sparkling chandeliers and a stunning backdrop of the River Dart and across to Kingswear. Highly rated by foodies, both online and through word of mouth, this intimate first-floor restaurant has a select menu which is mainly focused on seafood.
The emphasis in the kitchen is high quality food. Dishes are prepared with skill and are cooked fresh to order by Peter and his team, relying on the essential flavours and classic combinations that have been tried and tested over the years. We recommend experiencing the taste sensation of poached lobster with scallops and king prawns, thermidor sauce, samphire grass and dauphinoise potatoes – delicious!
Visit Taylor’s Restaurant website here.
View the Platform 1 Bar & Restaurant website here.
Like the Seahorse restaurant, Rockfish is owned and managed by celebrity chef Mitch Tonks. Part of a small South West chain of fish restaurants, this award winning eatery is the perfect setting for local seafood. This Dartmouth restaurant gets top marks from us, not only for its mouth-watering dishes but for its ability to create everything on the menu gluten free!
If you’ve already indulged in enough battered cod for a little while, you’ll be happy to know the menu contains such enticing dishes as roasted scallops, mussels in wine and garlic, tempura vegetables, halloumi burgers and plenty more.
Their motto, ‘Tomorrow’s fish are still in the sea’. Sums up their approach to sourcing fresh produce from the local area.
Visit the Rockfish website here.
Bushell’s Riverside Restaurant is situated on Dartmouth’s South Embankment. Overlooking the River Dart to Kingswear, every table has a wonderful view. Owned and run by Jaime and Sarah Bushell, The Riverside Restaurant offers a menu that is designed to ensure all dishes are freshly sourced. The menu changes on a daily basis to reflect this.
Sarah runs front of house, working with their wine merchants to ensure a superb selection of wines compliments Jaime’s culinary delights. They’ve also created a gin and spirits menu that is made up of some of the best West Country suppliers, and a few national favourites too.
If you fancy a romantic dinner, a meal with friends, a Sunday Lunch or private dining room for a celebration, Bushell’s is ideal. Booking is always recommended, especially for evening service.
Click here to visit Bushell’s website.
The cosmopolitan Anzac Street Bistro combines Mediterranean cuisine with a Polish twist, alongside Devon-sourced ingredients, to create a unique restaurant. The menu changes with the seasons, not simply for the availability of fresh produce but also to reflect our tastes throughout the year. There’s an emphasis on seafood but there are plenty of other options too.
Owners Simon and Aga, along with Head Chef Rafal, are also happy to accommodate diners with specific dietary requirements. This makes them a popular choice for vegans and vegetarians, as well as those with allergies or intolerances.
There’s regular live music at the Anzac Street Bistro, most commonly on Saturdays and occasionally on Sundays. This tends to be mellow piano or acoustic sets, with other performances arranged for the town’s annual events and festivals.
To view the menu of this Dartmouth restaurant, head to Anzac Street Bistro’s website.
Many small towns have just one fish and chip shop, while in others there could be a handful, but in most cases, locals reach a consensus of which is the best. Dartmouth is unusual in that its two most frequented ‘chippies’ are similarly popular with visitors and longtime residents. We recommend giving both a try on your break – Rockfish Takeaway and The Wheelhouse.
With a 4.2 Google Reviews score and a 4.5 TripAdvisor rating (with 822 reviews) there’s no doubting the quality on offer at the Wheelhouse, an old-fashioned fish and chip shop and restaurant. The menu, whether that’s to take away or eat in, is surprisingly varied, with sandwiches, chicken dishes, burgers and salads. But it’s for classic fish and chips that The Wheelhouse has built its excellent reputation.
For more information, visit The Wheelhouse website.
There is no better way to start your day than with a hearty breakfast to fuel up. Luckily, Dartmouth is home to some great breakfast boltholes where the doors are open early, perfect for those that wake with a rumbling stomach. Here are our three favourite places for breakfast in Dartmouth.
Known for being ‘a little bit quirky and a little bit funky’, Alf’s comfortable and rustic surroundings prove extremely popular with locals and visitors alike. At peak times, you will find a steady queue that progresses down the cobbled street. Open from 7am, seven days a week, the breakfast menu is extensive and uses local produce wherever possible. From cinnamon toast and jars brimming with homemade granola, to full English breakfast options (including smashed avocado on toast) you are positively spoilt for choice!
Visit the Cafe Alf Resco website to view their menu in full and book a table.
One of the oldest buildings in Dartmouth, Bayards Cove Inn is situated just a stone’s throw from the cobbled quayside where the Mayflower left for America in 1620. As you would expect, the interior of the restaurant is jam packed with character and historical tales. The licensed cafe, bar and restaurant serves a delicious menu that is deeply inspired by the surrounding coast and countryside – all dishes are made using local ingredients, making it the perfect place to enjoy a sumptuous breakfast.
Visit the Bayards Cove Inn website to book your table.
The Singing Kettle in Dartmouth is well known for its delicious dishes and charming atmosphere. A go-to spot for both locals and tourists, expect to be drawn in by the tantalising smells of freshly baked bread and sizzling bacon. Stay on the lookout for the singing kettle that sits above its entrance – legend has it that this kettle harnesses magical powers, enchanting all who dine there.
If you’ve had your fill of seafood, The Spice Merchant offers a delicious South Indian and Bangladeshi dining experience. The Spice Merchant serves a diverse menu of dishes, with each creation infused with distinctive flavours and fragrances – the chef’s own specialities are extremely popular and take the winning spot. Regardless of whether you choose to dine in the restaurant or enjoy a takeaway Indian meal at home, you won’t be disappointed.
To book a table or view the takeaway menu, visit the Spice Merchant website.
For more recommendations on fantastic places to eat, take a look at our article on the best seafood restaurants in Devon, which includes dining experiences both on and off the water! Or, if you’ve had your fill of seafood whilst on your South Devon holiday, read our complete guides to the best pubs in Dartmouth and the best cafes in Dartmouth.
At Coast & Country Cottages, we have over 500 holiday cottages in Dartmouth and throughout South Devon, including properties in the towns and villages surrounding the River Dart. From Kingswear to Dittisham, Tuckenhay and Totnes, we’re sure you’ll find a holiday cottage that suits your requirements. If you’re looking to enjoy a retreat with your pet, why not take a look at our dog-friendly holiday cottages in Dartmouth.
Book your South Devon getaway today
by Sarah Howard / Food Drink
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