Roast Heaven in South Devon: six of the best

Where to find the best roast lunch in South Devon…

South Devon is firmly established on the ‘food’ map, and is renowned as one of the UK’s finest regions for dining. From beachside eateries to picturesque countryside pubs you’re never far from sumptuous food and fine wine. Deciding which pubs in South Devon stand out from the crowd is not an easy task, and in our opinion, some of the best pubs in South Devon are well-kept secrets.

At Coast & Country Cottages, we love Sunday lunch, especially at this time of the year. Nothing beats a hearty hot meal with family and friends, followed by a brisk walk, and back in time for pudding and a game of scrabble. Over the winter period, the Coast & Country team have been on a mission to find the best roast lunch in South Devon, trimmings ‘n’ all. It’s lovely to be able to sit down together and enjoy Sunday lunch, and the ultimate luxury is not having to peel all the veggies or scrub mountains of roasting trays afterwards. With this in mind, our attention (and eating efforts!) has been focused on dining out. In true British tradition, we went in search of juicy meats, enormous yorkies, crispy potatoes and lashings of gravy!

Here are our top six establishments for guaranteed roast heaven in South Devon:

The Cricket Inn, Beesands

First opening its doors to the quaint fishing village of Beesands in 1867, The Cricket Inn has since been thriving for over 150 years. One of the most popular places to eat in South Devon, it’s hands down a firm favourite of ours. Serving award-winning food, local cider and ales and located just a stone’s throw from the beach it never fails to deliver. What’s more, the duck fat roast potatoes are divine!

Visit The Cricket Inn

 

The perfect Sunday roast includes sirloin beef slowly roasted overnight, duck fat roast potatoes, seasonal veg including honey glazed parsnips, homemade Yorkshire puddings, sausage meat stuffing and veal red wine sauce! Not forgetting a lovely bottle of Argentinian Malbec to accompany it… Finished off with apple and rhubarb crumble, with vanilla ice cream.

Head Chef Scott Heath, The Cricket Inn, Beesands

The Journeys End Inn, Ringmore

Tucked away in the idyllic village of Ringmore, this 13th century pub is an absolute gem. Nestled in the countryside, you can enjoy stunning circular walks from the pub (both coastal and inland), making it a perfect jaunt for couples, families and four-legged friends alike. With four open fires to enjoy throughout the cold season, an extensive wine menu and a famous Sunday lunch it’s a must visit.

Visit The Journeys End Inn

The Bear and Blacksmith, Chillington

Situated in Chillington, an ideal location to stop on the way home from a day of exploring Start Bay, The Bear and Blacksmith prides itself on locally-sourced ingredients. Raised just miles down the road in Slapton, try their slow-reared topside beef or rare breed pork from the Salcombe Meat Company.

Visit The Bear and Blacksmith

Everything is homemade and we do the best cauliflower cheese around! We source our veg from Wilton farm in South Pool and once the weather warms up, we have our own veg growing right next to the pub, plus our own small holding where we rear our own chicken, pork and lamb. We were also delighted to win the silver award from ‘Taste of the West’ for best dining pub in 2017.

Malcolm Church, Head Chef and Landlord, The Bear and Blacksmith

The Watermans Arms, Ashprington

Overlooking the river at Bow Bridge, The Watermans Arms is a family run pub and has an enjoyably laid back atmosphere. With a roaring open fire during the colder months and a menu brimming full of Devon’s finest seasonal produce, it’s no surprise to us they’re famous for their hearty Sunday lunch.

Visit The Watermans Arms

The Sloop Inn, Bantham

Just a short walk from the world class surfing beach, Bantham, this 14th century pub oozes history and tradition. Whether you want to snuggle up on the fireside sofas, or enjoy a more formal meal in the restaurant, the Sunday lunch here will not disappoint, especially after building up an appetite on the coastpath. Expect succulent meats, lashings of gravy and boat sized Yorkshire puddings.

Visit The Sloop Inn

The Ferry Boat Inn, Dittisham

Situated on the shore of the River Dart, The Ferry Boat Inn claims to have ‘one of the most stunning views from a pub window in the world’. The views from this establishment are simply outstanding, and from the comfort of the pub you will find yourself looking straight onto the River Dart and towards Greenway. What’s more, the village of Dittisham is a great place for exploring, from crabbing on the pontoon to skimming stones on the shore. Regardless of your activity, you will most certainly build up an appetite for a sumptuous feast.

Visit The Ferry Boat Inn

South Devon is the ideal holiday destination for those with a passion for delicious food. In addition to a varied collection of top eateries, it’s also home to organic producers such as Riverford, renowned chefs like Mitch Tonks and Jane Baxter, and fantastic farm shops, fishmongers and deli’s. Put simply, South Devon is a food lover’s haven.

Book your South Devon holiday today