Michelin Guide Restaurants in South Devon

The Michelin Guide was born in 1889, after French brothers Andre and Edouard Michelin founded their world-famous tyre company and realised they needed to encourage more motorists to get out on the road...and, subsequently, buy more tyres! Ever the entrepreneurs, the brothers set out to produce their Michelin guide, a handbook filled with ideas of things to see and do on the road, where to get petrol and, most importantly, where to eat. 

Today, the road-trips and restaurants of South Devon embody the true spirit of Michelin, encouraging visitors and locals to get out in the county and discover its many gems along the way. Served by an abundance of natural produce and benefitting from some of the most beautiful settings in the UK, South Devon’s restaurants and eateries are some of the finest in the country – many of which are recognised by Michelin for their innovative quality of cooking. 

If you’re wondering where to stop for an unforgettable culinary experience on your next South Devon adventure, take a read of our extensive list below.  

Lympstone Manor, Lympstone 

The fact that Lympstone Manor achieved a Michelin star within six months of opening says it all. Here, you can enjoy fine dining right in the heart of Devon at the hotel’s much-celebrated restaurant.  

Dining at Lympstone Manor is an exceptional experience in every way. Here in the beautiful fine dining rooms of a Georgian mansion, Michael Caines MBE, chef/patron and one of Britain’s most celebrated and influential chefs, can fully express his vision of modern British cuisine that is fresh, seasonal, original, and exciting. Utilising the bounty of the Exe estuary, East Devon and the Southwest, his faultless cuisine is superbly matched by wines selected from a world class cellar. 

The restaurant offers numerous menus – à la carte, estuary tasting, signature tasting, lunch, and vegetarian tasting – with dishes such as butter poached turbot; terrine of duck liver; lobster ravioli; and raspberry souffle unashamedly classic in design and style. 

Lympstone Manor offers lunch and dinner in the main restaurant including à la carte menus and tasting menus. Afternoon tea is also available and served in the comfort of the lounges, bar and terrace.   

The Cornish Arms, Tavistock 

Found in the heart of the charming stannary town of Tavistock, The Cornish Arms is so called as it was the last Coaching Inn on the road before Cornwall. A friendly mix of locals and tourists, as well as drinkers and diners, makes for a great atmosphere at this traditional high street pub.  

The Cornish Arms was named as one of six national finalists for the title of Best Food Pub in 2016’s Great British Pub Awards and has been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand for offering high-quality food at an affordable price. 

The pub’s four menus are carefully put together with a significant amount of thought, while dishes are presented beautifully at the table by knowledgeable and warm members of staff.  

Dartmoor Inn, Lydford 

For fresh and luxurious moorland country dining, The Dartmoor Inn in Lydford really is the place to visit. A cheerful and welcoming restaurant, you’ll be hard pushed to find anywhere else nearby that pays this much attention to the seasonality of the food it delivers. 

It’s an unspoken rule that all walks on Dartmoor must be marked with a hearty pub lunch and a local tipple and this 16th century inn, a short detour from some of the National Park’s best trails, ensures the long-held tradition continues.  

Acclaimed for its quality of ingredients, The Dartmoor Inn’s menu prides itself on being astonishingly fresh, local and innovative. In fact, the menu’s line-up changes daily depending on what local producers have in season, whilst all the while centring around tried-and-tested flavour pairings such as glazed pork cheek with apple and sage, and whipped goat’s cheese with beetroot and hazelnut. 

Gidleigh Park Restaurant, Chagford 

At the heart of the Gidleigh Park hotel, the elegant and intimate award-winning restaurant provides a sophisticated backdrop to decadent menus. 

Showcasing the season’s finest ingredients, menus are carefully crafted without pretension with each dish defined by the absolute freshness and seasonality of ingredients alongside true clarity of flavour. Visit Gidleigh Park for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner and enjoy your choice of tasting or à la carte menus, dedicated to the finest seasonal ingredients. 

Emilia, Ashburton 

Emilia, owned by Clare Lattin and Tom Hill of ‘Ducksoup’ in Soho, is an Italian-inspired osteria set within a former bank in the heart of Ashburton. 

The interior is laid-back and charming with mismatched wooden furniture, vintage light fittings and jugs full of freshly picked wildflowers that add to a rustic homely feel you might find in small town Italy. With one little kitchen serving up homemade pasta, a large dining table, a smattering of bar seats and a menu that changes daily, this Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant is truly special.  

The Old Inn, Drewsteignton   

Describing itself as relaxed and homely, The Old Inn is a substantial 17th Century building situated in the historic village of Drewsteignton. Just twenty minutes outside of Exeter, this cosy pub has become a real magnet for foodies since its renovation.  

The concise but perfectly formed menu offers tried-and-tested combinations that are never too fussy, with house specialties including grilled fish, sauteed scallops, and Dartmoor lamb. Think fantastic local ingredients and an exemplary attention to detail.  

Twenty Seven, Kingsbridge 

Set in the ‘food quarter’ of Kingsbridge, it’s no surprise to discover that Head Chef Jamie and his team have been serving a sold-out restaurant every night they’ve been open since lockdown was lifted in November 2020. 

The ethos of Twenty Seven is quite simple; fresh local produce, skilfully prepared and served in a relaxed, yet vibrant environment. All the fresh produce is raised, caught, or grown within twenty-seven miles of the restaurant and the cooking itself makes good use of Devon’s seasonal larder, with dishes that are creative yet hearty. 

The Angel, Dartmouth 

Located in a beautiful, listed building with stunning views over the River Dart, The Angel is a multi-award-winning, relaxed fine dining restaurant in the town of Dartmouth.  

Chef Elly Wentworth works closely with local farmers and suppliers to maximise fresh and unique flavours. She and her team add their own unique flair to every plate of food that leaves the kitchen and take as much care over guests’ comfort as they do in the sourcing, cooking and presentation of delicacies such as roast diver scallops and Devon Red venison. 

Andria, Dartmouth 

Taking culinary inspiration from across Italy and France and using quality ingredients from the nearby harbours of Brixham and Torbay, the Michelin Bib Gourmand Andria is famed for its incredible take on modern European cuisine.  

Presentation is clean, simple and designed to let bold flavours shine. The pleasing food is accompanied by a great playlist, relaxed atmosphere and top‑notch wines which include an impressive selection available by the glass. 

Seahorse, Dartmouth 

Boasting a stunning location close to Dartmouth harbour and the River Dart, it’s no surprise that the delightful menu at Seahorse is heavily influenced by fresh seafood. Grilling fish over a charcoal fire has long been a speciality at the restaurant, as have the sort of pastas, rice and stews you would expect to find in various coastal Mediterranean restaurants. 

A smart restaurant in a lovely spot on the embankment; the Seahorse is the perfect place to sit outside looking over the estuary and enjoy some of the freshest local produce Dartmouth has to offer. 

Stage, Exeter  

If you’re looking for a fun, friendly and theatrical dining experience, Stage in Exeter is a trendy and intimate restaurant run by a group of mates that promises an unmissable tasting experience.   

There's no menu here; your food is either a four or six-course surprise and consists of seasonal ingredients that are either homegrown, homemade or locally sourced. Regardless of when you visit, you can expect a succession of creative and beautiful looking dishes, each an array of colours, textures and tastes that are guaranteed to pop in your mouth. 

The Salutation Inn, Topsham 

Blending Grade II listed charm with chic, modern interiors, The Salutation Inn in Topsham is a popular destination for very good reason.  

A real foodie hub, the inn is home to both a glass-topped courtyard atrium and intimate restaurant where guests can be treated to either an exquisite lunch, afternoon tea or dinner. On the à la carte dinner menu you can expect to find local oysters and scallops, Exmoor caviar and smoked River Teign mussels, as well as the freshest local catch. 

The Galley, Topsham 

Serving “the very best of Devon on a plate”, The Gallery on Fore Street in Topsham is a well-known seafood restaurant.  

With comfortable interiors peppered with rustic nuances, the restaurant sets an atmospheric setting for rich, flavoursome meals. With this award-winning spot serving Michelin Bib Gourmand-level food, you know you’re in for a treat. Choose from an array of dishes and savour glasses of wine handpicked to perfectly pair with your meal. 

Winslade Manor Restaurant, Clyst St Mary  

Luxurious, cheerful and friendly, Winslade Manor Restaurant is the perfect destination for those looking for a contemporary twist on classic Devon fine dining. 

Fuelled by an abundance of superb local produce, including Devon Longhorn Beef, Creedy Carver Duck and Quicke’s Cheese, the restaurant’s menu offers ingredient driven dishes with a focus on both sustainability and innovation. Provenance is the key to the fine food on offer at Winslade Manor and the excitement that chef Matt Mason has for sourcing the best local ingredients from the very heart of Devon is clear to see in the carefully thought-out menu.  

Feeling inspired by all the delectable Michelin dining options in South Devon? We’d love to know if you’ve indulged at any of the restaurants we’ve listed.  Share your experience with us by tagging us in any photos you publish on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter we may even repost it on our page!