7 of the best places to experience South Devon food and drink
Calling all foodies! Devon is the perfect destination for your next holiday. The county is renowned for its warm climate and rich farmland, which produces top-notch Devon food and drink to fill visitors’ plates and glasses.
Here in South Devon, it’s possible to enjoy outstanding gastronomic experiences in our pubs, restaurants, and cafes. But you can also visit where these businesses source their taste bud-tingling ingredients. If you’re a fan of food and drink, why not check out our luxury holiday cottages in South Devon to give you a base for exploring our culinary landscape?
Image courtesy of Dartmouth Ice Cream
Discover, taste, and buy – Here’s just a selection of wonderful locally-sourced Devon fare:
Top Devon food and drink producers
Ice Cream from Dartmouth Ice Cream
To cool down on a warm summer’s day, cleanse the palette between courses, or just for a chilly treat – you’ll be spoilt for choice at Dartmouth Ice Cream. It’s one of the South West’s oldest ice cream companies and produces over 50 flavours of ice creams and sorbets.
Visit Dartmouth Ice Cream’s store in Dartmouth town to sample one or more of the 22 flavours available there. Each is made on-site. You”’ also find handmade fudge and traditional pick-and-mix to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Find out more about Dartmouth Ice Cream and take a look at our guide to things to do in Dartmouth.
Image courtesy of Dartmouth Ice Cream
Cider from Hunts Cider
Hunts produces nine tastebud-tingling types of cider ranging from traditional still brews that have been made at their farm in Stoke Gabriel for more than 200 years to cloudy, sparkling and fruity drinks. All are brewed with Devon cider apples from Hunts’ own orchard.
You can tour Hunts Cider’s production facilities, followed by a tasting session on Wednesdays from March to October.
Find out more and book a tour of Hunts Cider.
Gin from Salcombe Gin
The boom in handcrafted gins has taken hold in Devon, with plenty of distilleries opening in recent years. Among them is Salcombe Gin which takes inspiration from the town’s history as the home of schooners that would land exotic fruits from around the world into the UK.
Go on a tour of the distillery, have a scrumptious cocktail whipped up by mixologists in the waterside bar, and even distil your own mini bottle of gin.
Find out more about gin experiences at Salcombe Gin.
You can also order Devon gin online for delivery to your door.
Cheese from Sharpham
Sharpham has been making artisan cheese since 1981. Its Brie is a must-nibble, having won national recognition as a runner-up in the Great British Cheese Awards.
Of course, a chunk of delicious Sharpham cheese goes extremely well with a glass of their wine. Choose from white, red, rosé and sparkling, all made with grapes harvested in the Dart Valley.
Take a cheese or wine tour at Sharpham or visit its cafe.
The market town of Totnes is just down the road from the Sharpham Estate. Take a look at our guide to things to do in Totnes.
Chillis from South Devon Chill Farm
This hot small business grows and makes chilli products in the heart of the South Hams. Sample fresh chillis, plus sauces, chocolate and preserves made on-site using dozens of varieties of fiery peppers.
The farm shop and café are open to visitors all year (with the exception of the Christmas holidays), and you can take guided tours between June and November.
Visit the South Devon Chilli Farm, farm shop and café.
Jail Ale from Dartmoor Brewery
Dartmoor Brewery was established as a microbrewery in 1994. From a small operation in the back of a pub, it now has a purpose-built brewery, and its award-winning Jail Ale was recently recognised as a World Class Beer.
You’ll find Jail Ale and five other brews made with Dartmoor water on sale at pubs and hotels across the South West.
Keep an eye on the Dartmoor Brewery website for behind-the-scenes tours on-site and events where you can sample its brews around the county.
You can also buy ale and ciders from Devon breweries for home delivery.
Clotted cream from Langage Farm
A Devon cream tea wouldn’t be complete without clotted cream from Langage Farm. A herd of 250 Jersey and Guernsey cows whip up the ingredients for delicious creamy products. As well as clotted cream, you’ll find ice cream, yoghurts, dips and cream cheese in the Langage Farm Shop in Plympton.
Find out more about the farm and visit its shop.
South Devon markets and farm shops
Of course, Devonians are very proud of their amazing local produce so you don’t have to venture far to find it.
There’s always a wonderful selection of Devon fare on offer at town and farmers markets around South Devon. Totnes, Dartmouth, and Newton Abbot have weekly markets. There’s also a monthly market in Kingsbridge. For something a bit festive, take a look at our guide to South Devon Christmas markets.
The shops at Dartington, Darts Farm near Exeter, and Riverford Farm Shop are all excellent places to go and stock up on great Devon food and drink to take home.
Holiday cottages in South Devon for foodie breaks
Come to South Devon for a foodie break. Get in touch with us to chat through our holiday cottages in South Devon, from dog-friendly holiday homes to cottages for larger families and Dartmouth accommodation with parking. Or search our Devon self-catering accommodation for yourself.
