8 Restaurants In Salcombe That Locals Love For Views, Food & Vibes!
Salcombe is a charming coastal town located in Devon with a rich history dating back to the 12th century when it was a bustling port for shipping and trade. Not to mention their thriving fishing industry, which they still boast of to this day.
But as the times have changed, so too has this busy town, which has now become a popular tourist destination for visitors looking to enjoy the stunning natural scenery, lush countryside, and gorgeous coastline stretching for miles.
Not to mention the thriving local community, with the Salcombe locals providing an inviting, welcoming atmosphere through their various shops, cafes, pubs, and restaurants.
Speaking of which, Salcombe is one of the best spots in Devon to find unbelievably fresh seafood! The dozens of restaurants around the town are provided fully by the surrounding land (and sea), offering a mouth-watering taste experience for just about every food fanatic.
Whether you enjoy classic British cuisine, or something contemporary and exciting, Salcombe is bound to have something to tickle your tastebuds.
So t help you out, here’s some of our favorite restaurants in Salcombe!
The Best Restaurants In Salcombe: Food Worth Waiting For!
1. The Old Inn
A classic example of your atypical pub, with a welcoming, family and pet-friendly atmosphere, and a menu specialising in contemporary pub grub, there’s always something happening at The Old Inn.
Salcombe and its surroundings have their fair share of inns/restaurants that are open for the public to enjoy. However, The Old Inn is perhaps one of the town’s most well-known and beloved.
Owners, Shan and Glyn, have created a comfortable and welcoming space where visitors and locals can enjoy excellent dining and a cosy bed if they choose.
After a recent facelift, they’ve done away with the jarring orange and gone for a softer palette that helps them blend in with their neighbours but also ushers in a contemporary era for the little pub that we’re overjoyed to see!
The sprawling dining area meets with a small but inviting pub. There’s plenty of space for the whole family, including the dog, to sit and laugh over a steaming plate of home-cooked food.
Unsurprisingly, the pub kitchen serves up a concoction of British cuisine with a contemporary twist making dishes so mouth-watering that many reviews can’t seem to put the experience into words!
The chefs pour their heart and soul into creating a diversified menu that still holds fast to the classic pub grub the world has come to know and love. The menu is packed with flavourful options, from grilled mushroom starters to fish and chips, not to mention their famous Sunday Roasts.
But what tickles our tastebuds even more, is that each dish is passionately executed with ingredients supplied from the local surroundings. Fresh seafood is hauled in from the Devon coast, and the countryside provides the rest.
There’s always something happening at the Old Inn too; you can easily plan your visit around their next event or any live music they have by simply consulting their social media before your visit.
The Old Inn is a restaurant you don’t want to miss, and in our humble opinion, one of the best restaurants in Salcombe.
- Opening Hours: 3 pm to close Mon – Fri; 12 pm to close Sat & Sun
- Location: Higher Town, Malborough, Kingsbridge, Salcombe
2. The Crab Shed
Arguably Salcombe’s best seafood restaurant, with panoramic views offered by their al fresco, sundeck dining and a menu that glorifies Salcombe’s famous Brown Crab.
Situated on the rolling waters of Salcombe’s harbour, The Crab Shed is a quayside hideaway responsible for Salcombe’s freshest Catch of the Day.
That’s right; this seafood paradise is the place to visit if you crave ocean delicacies. Owned by Nick and Nikki Horne, the Crab Shed is the second venture of the award-winning restauranteurs, who hope to see this new journey also tuck a few wins under the belt.
And speaking of under the belt, we hope you have a pair of loose trousers on hand.
For obvious reasons, the menu at the Crab Shed is heavily influenced by everyone’s favourite shellfish. We wouldn’t want it any other way, especially since the chefs behind the concise list of dishes are innovative enough to offer a barrage of options using a select few ingredients.
From their famous Salcombe Crab Sandwich (an absolute must-try menu item, according to reviewers) to a melt-in-your-mouth Lobster Thermidore, you can indulge in some of the best seafood Salcombe has to offer.
Trust us; you’ll forget all about any pounds you pack on. The food is so good you can forgive yourself.
All the ingredients are hand-picked from a fresh line-up daily and feature Salcombe’s very own world-famous Brown Crab as the base for their most beloved dishes.
And luckily for those who can’t make it to Salcombe, the owners aren’t fans of keeping their recipes secret, and you can try to replicate the delicacies at home using the recipes on their website.
The restaurant is nestled along Batson Creek, with a sundeck providing panoramic views of the whispering waters. We’d be quick to book, though, especially if you want to dine al fresco along the quayside, as those seats get snatched up quickly.
Regardless when you visit you’ll find a perfectly cosy, rustic maritime-themed restaurant with bright, airy space making your dining experience one for the books. You don’t need to be a foodie to realize that the Crab Shed truly is as good as dining in Salcombe gets.
- Opening Hours: 12 pm to 2:30 pm; 6 pm to 8:30 pm Daily
- Location: Gould Rd, Salcombe
3. Fortescue Inn
Salcombe’s cosy village local, serving up generational recipes for some of the best pub grub and pizzas in town.
The Fortescue Inn is a well-known landmark on Union Street and is amongst the local community’s favourite hangouts. The charming inn has been around for decades, providing soft beds and warm meals to locals and visitors who have come to enjoy Devon’s picturesque coastline.
It’s far from a boring old pub too, with a vibrant atmosphere that acts like a beacon to wandering souls. The exterior, dolled up with flowerbeds, feels as inviting as a trip to your grandmother’s home, and the welcoming attitude of the friendly staff ushers you right in like you’re part of the family.
The pub has that old-village-style charm, with white walls and exposed beams reminiscent of the building’s heritage. Tables are scattered throughout, offering space for groups to flourish or romantics to enjoy some intimacy over a bite to eat.
And like most village locals, the Fortescue Inn are experts in homely pub grub, the kind you can’t find anywhere else in the world. So trust us when we say you’ll be spoiled for choice!
The menu is crammed with options, ranging from humble baguettes to whopping steaks and everything your little heart (or stomach) can think of in-between. In particular, regulars rave about their Monkfish dishes and have a particular fondness reserved for the woodfire pizza!
If you pass through their doors on a sunny summer’s day, you might be able to enjoy al fresco dining on their ad-hoc rooftop patio too. As humble as it is, it offers gorgeous scenic views!
However, the hearths are lit in winter, and crackling fires provide a warm embrace for frostbitten patrons to thaw themselves out. We’d pair this with a hearty stew or soup, which, incidentally, they also serve!
- Opening Hours: 12 pm to 9:30 pm Daily
- Location: Union St, Salcombe
4. Salcombe Coffee Company
Get your morning fix with a cuppa joe from Salcombe Coffee Company and pair it with a meal from their breakfast, brunch or lunch menus.
It’s a tough life being a morning person, truly! Us night owls will never understand the struggles you guys face on the hunt for the perfect cup of caffeine in the morning. But if you find yourself in Salcombe, you’re in luck!
The Salcombe Coffee Company has rapidly become the go-to spot for rich and aromatic morning fixes and cafe-quality breakfasts that will certainly start your day on the right foot.
Nestled on Salcombe’s bustling Fore Street, this coffeehouse sees plenty of traffic throughout the year, with the fragrant smell of a perfectly frothed cappuccino dragging unsuspecting bystanders through the door.
The rustic setting is cosy and welcoming, offering the choice between indoor and outdoor dining depending on the season. While it is a small venue that can only host so many guests at a time, the expert staff work tirelessly to ensure any wait time is brief.
Splashes of colour shine against natural woods and broody blues, and there’s plenty of interesting decor to use as conversation openers if you ever find yourself on an awkward first date.
The menu, aside from the beautiful selection of freshly brewed coffees, is paradise-on-earth for people who itch for a steaming breakfast, tantalising brunch, or showstopping lunch.
You can pig out on bacon-stuffed sandwiches and a Full English that’ll put your favourite local to shame, or indulge in creamy risottos or succulent lamb lollipops for a heartier option.
Of course, all of their ingredients (and most of their beverages) are proudly sourced locally, adding to Salcombe’s reputation for sustainable dining.
What more could you expect from one of the best restaurants in Salcombe? Other than longer opening times!
- Opening Hours: 9 am to 3:30 pm Daily
- Location: 73 Fore St, Salcombe
5. The Lobster Pod Bistro
The adventure is worth it to enjoy fresh seafood in a beachside pod overlooking panoramic views of the sparkling Devon coastline.
The Lobster Pod Bistro is a little off the beaten path but no less deserving of a spot on our best restaurant list. It’s just a short drive to find yourself on the doorstep of this quaint neighbourhood cafe, and trust us, once you get a taste, the drive won’t even bother you.
The restaurant features a sprawling outdoor area with four bookable pods overlooking the waters of the cove and harbour. The pods seat about eight people and provide a cosy indoor-outdoor dining experience that’s truly once in a lifetime.
Not to mention the indoor restaurant and an outdoor patio that also provides sheltered havens to enjoy your meal while still giving you an uninterrupted view.
The venue is basic, opting for a more-is-less scheme that works surprisingly well. As a result, you won’t find over-zealous decor, just plain, simple tables in a bright and airy space.
After all, the food is the real star of the show, and anything else would be overkill compared to the perfectly plated dishes that come out of the kitchen.
If you didn’t guess by the name, the Lobster Pod Bistro specialises in some incredible seafood. However, if you were smart enough to ask for recommendations, you’d find that the most popular menu option is the seafood platters. After all, who wouldn’t want to gorge themselves on multiple tasty tidbits?
But, luckily for those who lack a taste for everything fish, you can still find some hearty burgers and pizzas to fend off a grumbling stomach.
They might be a bit further afield than other restaurants in Salcombe that we’ve recommended, but The Lobster Pod Bistro is definitely worth the trip! Nothing but good vibes all around.
- Opening Hours: 12 pm to 10 pm Wed to Sun; Closed Mon & Tues
- Location: Hope Cove, Kingsbridge – 4.8 Miles from Salcombe
6. Sailor V
An up-in-coming cafe with beautiful views, a laid-back atmosphere and a menu packed full of American-style goodies.
Yet another in the famed Fore Street’s (which we personally think should be called Restaurant Row at this point) wonderful eateries, Sailor V provides a laidback, easy-going cafe environment that’ll appeal to even the toughest of critics.
Often likened to a speakeasy, and with the drinks license to back it up, Sailor V is amongst the newer restaurants in Salcombe. It’s hip and happening and sure to give the old traditional pubs and decades-old cafes a run for their money.
But we like a little bit of restaurant rivalry, and honestly speaking, Sailor V’s waterside location, pet-friendly attitude and mouth-watering cuisine bode well in the underdog’s favour.
They’ve taken antique-style decor and popped them into a modern dining environment to create a unique and interesting identity. The atmosphere is always buzzing with conversation and the sound of coffee makers grinding up aromatic beans for lattes and other hot treats.
Cakes and pastries line the counters and are displayed like jewellery. The look alone will get your mouth watering, and just hearing that everything was baked that morning will make any foodie weak in the knees.
But the piece de resistance is the incredible array of seasonal dishes served fresh from kitchen to table. Breakfast options include continentals and classics like Full English. Whereas lunch sees further influence from American cuisine, where hotdogs, chilli and burgers are the order of the day.
Of course, this doesn’t rule out class British dishes, like the humble (just kidding, these things are loaded) jacket potato.
And then there’s the drinks, and boy, when we say they’re famed for their smoothies and milkshakes, we mean it. You can have your Americano, but we’re heading straight for a brain-freezing Chocolate and Bourbon Biscuit Milkshake.
- Opening Hours: 9 am to 2 pm Fri & Sat; 10 am to 2 pm Sun; Closed Mon – Thurs
- Location: 36 Fore St, Salcombe
7. Seamonkey Deli & Seafood Tapas
Counterserve deli with an abundance of baked treats, sweet and savoury, and seafood options mixed amongst shelves of imported and local wares.
Formerly known as the Island Street Deli, Seamonkey Deli & Seafood Tapas is a refurbished version of the popular neighbourhood shop.
And we know what you’re thinking, but how can a deli market be listed as a restaurant? Well, they can, and they will!
Seamonkey Deli doesn’t let labels dictate what they can and can’t do, so they slapped some tables in the centre of their store (and a few outside for good measure) to let people with rumbling tummies buy a treat, sit and eat!
People are enamoured by the selection of foodstuffs available too, both local and imported. And if this is your first time trying their wares, the best way to start is by letting the experts show you exactly how good it tastes when baked into something.
The deli counter serves up some tempting treats. From quiches to cakes. Just pick a slice of something sweet or savoury, and pair it with a coffee or tea of your choice.
The deli might not have wait staff, but we can guarantee service with a smile from the helpful counter staff who assist you in picking out your goodies. Plus they’re non-judgemental, which really helps us feel better as we shove cupcakes down our throats.
Whether you consider them a traditional restaurant or not, we certainly think Seamonkey Deli deserves a spot on our best restaurant list.
- Opening Hours: 9 am to 4 pm, 6 pm to 11 pm Tues – Sat; 9 am to 4 pm Sun; Closed Mon
- Location: Island St, Salcombe
8. The Jetty
A spacious, fine-dining seafood grill nestled in Salcombe’s harbour hotel, overlooking gorgeous panoramic views of the stunning Devon coastline.
The Jetty resides in Salcombe’s very own Harbour Hotel, with panoramic views of the gorgeous west Kingsbridge Estuary.
The sprawling dining theatre (when it’s this fancy, its a theatre) spills through wall-to-wall windows onto a spacious deck, kitted out with outdoor suites and tables that allow diners to enjoy this refined experience in the warmth of the sun.
The restaurant is light and airy, with the soft, natural sand and ocean tones perfectly complimenting the excellent view.
It’s open to the public and invites visitors throughout the peak tourist periods of summer to tuck into the fruits of Salcombe’s waters.
Like many well-known Salcombe restaurants, The Jetty are masters in innovative seafood cuisine. Enjoy platters of mixed Seafood grills, classic Fish and Chips and plates of steaming muscles.
Their menu can be enjoyed ala carte or as a set menu, and it adheres to seasonal ingredient restrictions, meaning there’s always something new to try.
Whether you’re visiting for an afternoon tea or Sunday lunch or need something to help soothe your crying toddler’s hunger pains, The Jetty has a menu for that. And a blissful array of options that’ll keep you coming back for more.
- Opening Hours: 7:30 am to 10 pm Daily
- Location: Salcombe Harbour Hotel, Cliff Road, Salcombe
Our Favorite Restaurants In Salcombe: Final Thoughts
No matter what brings you to Salcombe, we can guarantee one thing; when it comes to fantastic food, you will be spoiled for choice.
Of course, we’ve only run through a handful of the incredible restaurants to be found in and around the town of Salcombe; we’d be here all year if we tried to list all of them!
But in doing so, we hope we’ve encouraged you to listen to your gut (quite literally) and try some out for yourself. Enjoy!
