7 of the Best Pubs in South Devon
What’s better than a hearty meal and refreshing drink after a day exploring the beauty of South Devon? Nestled...
by Justine King / Food Drink
When exploring a new town, visiting independent cafés and coffee shops is an enjoyable way to experience the character and feel of a place. Our guide offers an insight into the best Dartmouth cafés. They’ve been specially selected by us for their individuality, atmosphere and outstanding quality.
South Devon has some serious bragging rights when it comes to quality coffee shops and cafés. There is no shortage of cosy and quirky spots to pass the time, sampling great coffee and indulging in local flavours.
You’ll find everything from an instagrammable flat white made with local coffee, to finger licking meals made from ingredients sourced from South Devon’s larder. Read on for our guide to the best Dartmouth cafés.
Looking for somewhere in particular? Use our quick links below to skip ahead, or read on to learn about our favourite independent Dartmouth Cafés:
One of the most popular brunch spots in South Devon, Café Alf Resco Dartmouth, offers half indoor and half outdoor seating. This mixed seating provides a wonderfully relaxed and stress-free environment in which to enjoy tasty, freshly cooked food and a refreshing drink.
Come rain or shine, you will consistently see happy diners chatting with family and friends, mulling over the morning paper, or listening to live music.
Standard practice appears to be to peruse the menu for several minutes before ordering ‘Alf’s Full Breakfast’ like everyone else! There are, however, plenty of other delicious options you can enjoy if you’re looking for something a little lighter. Including their Alf Resco granola and cinnamon toast.
Telephone: 01803 835880
Website: www.cafealfresco.co.uk
Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 07:00 – 14:00
Dog-friendly: Yes
Looking for freshly baked bread, homemade cakes, tarts and pasties? Then the Sloping Deck Restaurant & Dartmouth Bakery should be on your list of Dartmouth Cafes. Its prime location on the lower section of Duke street, opposite the bandstand, makes it a fantastic pit stop for the travel-weary shopper.
Enjoy an early morning coffee, lunch or be tempted with a delicious cream tea, served with local Devonshire clotted cream and their very own jam!
Telephone: 01803 832758
Facebook: Sloping Deck Restaurant & Dartmouth Bakery
Opening times: Monday – Saturday: 09:00 – 17:00, Sunday: 09:00 – 16:30
Dog-friendly: Yes
Dart to Mouth Deli is a local traditional delicatessen that provides delicious homemade goods. This fully licensed deli and café is in the heart of the Old Market Square, with outdoor seating and the option of warm blankets if it gets chilly.
Their cream tea is arguably one of the best cream teas Dartmouth has to offer, with lashings of jam and cream on fluffy, freshly baked scones. Not only do they serve fantastic homemade bakes, but fabulous light lunches too.
Telephone: 01803 839377
Opening times: Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 – 14:00
Dog-friendly: Yes
Tucked away on a pretty side street off Fairfax Place, the Dart Café is a ‘secret’ haunt enjoyed by many local residents. Cooked breakfasts at the Dart Café are especially popular, and the coffee tends to receive rave reviews.
Visitors who discover this friendly Dartmouth Café often make multiple visits during their stay, in order to make the most of the tempting menu. Enjoy homemade light bites and meals – the choice is yours.
Telephone: 01803 834772
Opening times: Monday – Saturday: 09:00 – 14:00
Dog-friendly: Yes
© Saveurs
Saveurs is a French café, or more specifically a boulangerie, chocolaterie and patisserie. It was set up in 2008 by Julien and Guylaine Picamil to provide a truly authentic taste of the continent.
A favourite among holidaymakers and locals alike. Saveurs is busy all year round, thanks to the team’s commitment to quality treats that excite both the eyes and taste buds.
Grab a drink, breakfast, or lunch on the go, and be sure to pick up a loaf of freshly baked bread as well as some indulgent delights to take home with you.
We can highly recommend their delightfully rich, velvet-smooth hot chocolate.
Telephone: 01803 835852
Website: saveurs.co.uk
Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 09:00 – 17:00
Dog-friendly: Yes
This family-run Dartmouth café is open all day during the summer months and often late into the evening. So you can happily spend a leisurely time here, without the hassle of rushing.
Enjoy a warm drink and a meal in the outside courtyard, restaurant or the bijou coffee shop.
They offer a wide choice of drinks, light lunches and nibbles on a delectable menu. All meals are prepared fresh to order each day using locally–sourced seasonal ingredients.
Telephone: 01803 832645
Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 – 15:00
Dog-friendly: Yes
Tucked away from the busy crowds and set within a charming, characterful Grade ll listed building, The Singing Kettle is a thriving and well-known traditional tea-room.
This unique, quaint eatery offers a traditional and ever-popular menu. Consisting of breakfast, hot drinks, lunches and a somewhat legendary Devon cream tea.
Not only is the café renowned for exceptional food, but it also boasts a great atmosphere and brilliant service, which has both locals and visitors coming back time and time again.
All the food at The Singing Kettle is prepared daily, using only the best local produce and ingredients wherever possible.
Telephone: 01803 906068
Facebook: @singingkettledartmouth
Opening times: Tuesday – Saturday: 09:00 – 17:00, Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00, Closed on Mondays
Dog-friendly: Yes
Having recently taken over the neighbouring property, Woodroast has been transformed from an artisan takeaway outlet to a fully-fledged café. Sporting a uniquely designed, beautifully intimate setting, Woodroast is extremely popular for its delicious coffee blends.
Being less than 100 metres from the embankment and Royal Avenue Gardens, it’s an ideal place to stop before strolling around the gardens and exploring Dartmouth’s riverside streets.
Telephone: 01803 832115
Instagram: @woodroastcafe
Opening times: Tuesday – Saturday: 09:00 – 16:00, Sunday: 10:00 – 15:00, Closed on Monday.
Dog-friendly: Yes
Situated along one of the main thoroughfares in Dartmouth, be sure to take a break from the hustle and bustle to pop into the Mad Hatters Tea Shop.
Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and tasty, wholesome foods. From scrambled eggs on toast to tasty crab and cucumber sandwiches.
There’s a large variety of cakes and cupcakes available too, as well as hot and cold beverages.
Opening Times: Monday – Sunday: 09:00 – 17:00
Dog-friendly: Yes
© Smith Street Deli
Like many Dartmouth cafés, Smith Street Deli is an establishment where fresh local ingredients are as important as a warm, welcoming atmosphere and a friendly, efficient service. As its name suggests, Smith Street Deli is mainly a delicatessen and speciality food shop. However, there’s a small café area where you can enjoy a coffee and a quick bite to eat.
They have plenty of options to choose from, including a traditional ploughman’s, a trio of smoked fish, or something a little more indulgent like a homemade cake or tart. They also stock a large selection of cheese, local preserves and cured meats which you can enjoy at home.
Telephone: 01803 833616
Facebook: @SmithStreetDeli
Opening times: Tuesday – Saturday: 09:30 – 16:30
Dog-friendly: Yes – outside seating
Do you follow a vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free diet? Looking for somewhere to eat in Dartmouth with a large variety of options? This laidback café and take out – with not only delicious but nutritious food – is a must-visit on a trip to Dartmouth.
Their menu consists of many vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free choices. Try one of their legendary ‘Bula bowls’. Our favourite is the chocolate peanut flavour, made with banana, peanut butter, dates, cocoa and almond milk. Or enjoy an indulgent salad and a slice of delicious cake!
We also highly recommend trying one of their smoothies, which are arguably one of the best around!
Telephone: 01803 835124
Instagram: @buladevon
Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 09:00 – 17:00
Dog-friendly: Yes
Beth’s Bistro is a family-run, multi-award-winning eatery, where they work by the motto that ‘happiness is homemade’.
Using locally-sourced produce, and serving both vegan and vegetarian options, this is a lovely place to eat. This inviting Dartmouth café has consistently been recognised for its fantastic food and charming atmosphere as well as its equally brilliant service.
Whether you decide to treat yourself to a hearty breakfast, a scrumptious lunch or just a slice of their heavenly chocolate cake, it’s clear to see why food fans are tempted back for more of their mouth-watering meals.
Telephone: 01803 832882
Facebook: @bethsbistro
Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 09:00 – 15:00
Dog-friendly: Yes
The café-bar at Bayard’s Cove Inn is located close to the lower ferry on the edge of Bayard’s Cove. With chunky wooden furniture, crooked oak beams and quirky works of art adorning the walls, it’s a stylish mix of old and new.
The breakfasts, in particular, are worth missing out on a lie–in for, even during a holiday. So why not start the day with a choice of dishes from healthy vegan smoothies, to a hearty farmhouse breakfast (vegan and vegetarian options available).
Pop in for lunch, where you can choose from a range of mouth-watering choices. Bayard’s Cove Inn pride themselves on seasonal, local, home-cooked food, packed full of delicious ingredients.
Telephone: 01803 839278
Website: bayardscoveinn.co.uk
Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 08:00 – 22:30
Dog-friendly: Yes
A scenic one-mile walk from the harbour you’ll find the Dartmouth Castle Tea Rooms. This idyllic eatery is perfect for history buffs, or those looking for a bite to eat before heading off on a leisurely stroll.
The breathtaking coastal views and iconic Dartmouth Castle provide the perfect backdrop for a Devon cream tea (cream first, then jam). From sharing platters to seafood salads, there are lots of food options to be tempted by here.
Telephone: 01803 833897
Website: dartmouthcastletearooms.co.uk
Opening times: Friday – Monday: 09:00 – 16.00. Check their website for additional opening times during the summer months.
Dog-friendly: Yes
We may be biased, but we think the variety of independent Dartmouth cafés is something to be marvelled at, and they’re all wonderful in our eyes. However, if you prefer your regular, predictable flavour and pricing, Dartmouth also has a Costa Coffee. One of the few national coffee shops in Dartmouth.
There are many other fantastic places to eat and drink in Dartmouth. So be sure to read our blog on the 10 best restaurants in Dartmouth, or read our local experts’ guide to the best pubs in Dartmouth.
Here at Coast & Country Cottages, we have over 450 holiday cottages across South Devon. And our Dartmouth holiday homes are perfect for exploring the town’s independent coffee shops and cafés.
Whether you are looking for a dog-friendly property in Dartmouth that boasts river views, or a property situated further along the River Dart, such as Dittisham, where you can enjoy scenic walks to the Dartmouth’s eateries.
Our self-catering properties are ideally located to provide quick and easy access to everything you need for a fantastic holiday.
Book your Dartmouth holiday cottage today
by Justine King / Food Drink
Hi, I'm Justine. Holidays and travelling have always been a favourite of mine from a young age. Having recently decided to travel...
Read More About Author
Sign up to receive exclusive offers, competitions and the latest news to your inbox, and you'll be entered into our monthly prize-draw 3 times!
What’s better than a hearty meal and refreshing drink after a day exploring the beauty of South Devon? Nestled...
Tucked away in a corner of Devon with roaring seas, lush green fields, ragged cliffs and skies you could...
No trip to Devon is complete without participating in an age old quintessential British tradition – afternoon tea and...
