To make your stay a bit more fun, here are our food and coffee tips from the area near the Gallery Lodges, including some gluten free options. Happily the list of good food grows longer year on year and the street food vans, in particular have great quality food to match the restaurants and cafes.
We have started with our most local food places in Braunton, then some recommendations at Saunton, Croyde, and Georgeham. Keep reading to find out what’s instore on the beaches, and finally some ideas for eats if you are heading further afield around the North Coast to Exmoor.
Braunton top picks:
We have some new and evolving restaurants in Braunton: Bambu, New Coast Pantry, The Worx coffee shop and cafe, Meraki Pizza, Quay Cafe with some live evening music events and Hang Loose Bar and Kitchen – with a lively and creative menu. Plus the AYKA Rum Bar! We’d love your feed back on all these eateries and venues!
Squires Fish & Chips is a complete all rounder – filling and perfectly cooked Fish & Chips. At peak times you have to queue for the restaurant, but it is great value. For the take out, we recommend using their CLICK & COLLECT option. Can’t beat their chips; in our opinion they are perfect! The gluten-free among us should try Poached Cod. The chips are always fried separately too. http://www.squiresfishrestaurant.co.uk/
Bambu is a new local seafood restaurant, which also opens for breakfast and lunches. The chef produces great quality food and there is an option for sitting outdoors in the rear courtyard. Opening times are a bit unusual – Wed to Sunday, with Friday, Saturday evenings only (Thursday added this summer). So book a table ahead, or chance a walk-in if it is fine weather for dining in the courtyard. We had a very tasty breakfast sitting in the sun – not standard fare and therefore a little more expensive. https://www.facebook.com/BambuBraunton/
Tambapanni, Sri Lankan street food van. Our favourite food choice in 2021. We eat here almost every week! Authentic Sri Lankan Food cooked with a passion. Delicate flavours, meat, veg, gluten, dairy free and vegan options. Heaven on a plate. Served from their food van at Braunton Tesco and Georgeham on certain days of the week (usually Friday and Saturday respectively), they move to Croyde at Cherry Tree Farm campsite in the middle of summer so please check out their facebook page for times and days. https://www.facebook.com/tambapannicurry/
Siam Bistro if you like Thai try this local gem. Increasing in popularity year on year you may need to call ahead to book a table or a take out. The lunchtime specials are incredibly good value and in the evening, mixed starter is recommended. Will do gluten free if you ask (check the soy sauce). http://www.thesiambistro.co.uk/
Wild Thyme Café fun and trendy surf café for coffee, cakes, breakfast and lunch. Plenty of outdoor tables. Has gluten-free options, sometimes including GF scones. http://wildthymecafe.co.uk/
SQ is an evening favourite for pub food in a modern setting, and also offers a great breakfast with traditional table service and friendly staff. The live music on certain nights makes this a popular venue. http://sqdining.uk/bar/sq_bar_restaurant_braunton_devon.php
The Williams Arms is the thatched pub in Wrafton – the Barnstaple side of Braunton, so about 2 miles away from The Gallery Lodges, a long standing favourite for their carvery. http://www.williamsarms.co.uk/
The Black Horse is a small traditional pub in an historic corner of Braunton, tucked away behind St Brannock’s Church. You can walk out that way following the foothpath at the pedestrian crossing opposite the main village carpark. With a new restaurant for 2023 and popular Sunday Lunch menu – book ahead. https://theblackhorsebraunton.co.uk/menu/
Roots – serve tasty wraps for a nice alternative to a sandwich at lunchtime. https://www.rootsdevon.co.uk/roots-braunton/
Thongsay Thai street food van – find their latest where-abouts on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tthaicatering/
Surma Tandoori is our local classic Indian Restaurant and take out and under new management. We had a tasty Balti, Coconut rice and nan. However, the Dansak was over sweet for our tastes. https://surmatandoori.com/
St John’s Garden Centre at Ashford, is on the main road to Barnstaple. Now a locally run garden centre, they have a great formula for breakfast and lunches as well as a nice selection of cake as well. A range of gluten free and vegan cakes, as well as gf fish and chips. There is also a health-food delhi and re-fill shop located at St John’s. https://www.stjohnsgardencentre.co.uk/st-johns-lane-barnstaple/
Chinese take-away – we have to admit we don’t eat Chinese, so based on local opinion we suggest The Hong Kong Chef as the preferred choice in the village. 01271 814530 (But maybe check out the Thai take away options listed above first…)
Coffee coffee coffee…
51 degrees North – very popular with coffee connoisseurs, Justin is a perfectionist and you will be delighted by his coffees. Eco conscious, happy to serve you in your reusable cup. They have a comfortable cafe to discover alongside the gym behind Braunton Tesco. https://51degreesnorthcoffee.com/
Heart Break Hotel on Saunton Road – coffee and doughnuts are their speciality. Ever increasing in popularity. https://www.heartbreakhotelcoffee.com/
Saunton and Croyde
Another top recommendation is:
The Beachside Grill at Saunton Beach. You can enjoy al fresco dining on the terrace with a range of food from burgers to vegan that is sure to please. The table service is a plus and the staff will look after you well even if you just want a tea or a glass of wine. https://www.beachsidegrill.co.uk/
The Thatch is a bit of a local landmark. The place for surfers and visitors to enjoy good food and beer. It’s a little pricey due to it’s reputation, but the atmosphere is lively and food ticks all the pub food boxes from steak to nachos and classic puds. Live music nights. https://www.thethatchcroyde.co.uk/
Blue Groove in Croyde is open from breakfast to dinner and has some popular favourites such as moules marinere and Caribbean lamb curry: their mains menu is called from Pakora to Pies… It’s a creatively decorated place with a fresh and bright atmosphere in their sunrooms. http://www.blue-groove.co.uk/
New Coast Kitchen has now opened in Croyde village centre for quality dining and booking is needed- https://newkitchen.co.uk/
and their sister cafe – New Coast Pantry is to open this season in Braunton (near the traffic lights) for a more casual dining experience and take away.
Country Pubs
Georgeham If you want more of the country pub experience and some great food try either of the two pubs in Georgeham. A bit of a drive so best to call and book ahead, about 20 mins by car but they both have a cosy country pub vibe. Can be a bit busy in peak season.
The Kings Arms – http://kingsarmsgeorgeham.co.uk/ live music nights, recommended for Sunday roast
and The Rock Inn –http://therockinn.biz/.
Beach Food at the Car Parks
Saunton Sands
Beachside Grill (see above) and Saunton Break takeaway which is a cheaper option and now has a seating area if you need to escape the weather https://www.facebook.com/sauntonbreak/
Downend Croyde
Down End Cafe, on Down End near the Croyde Bay. Check out the surf from the picnic benches whilst enjoying quality burgers, skinny fries, and salad bowls plus the superb currys. https://www.parkingcroyde.com/ New number plate parking enforcement here – make sure you pay at the machine on arrival!
Baggy Point Croyde
Baggy Point Cafe – Cafe Croyde Bay – https://www.cafecroydebay.co.uk/now opens much of the year, which is a big perk, with friendly staff and a great selection of cakes, brunches and lunches. You can also arrange a surf lesson managed by the very experienced England Surfing Head Coach ‘Damo’ at Surfing Croyde Bay
Sandleigh National Trust café: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/baggy-point/features/eating-and-shopping-at-baggy-point also at Baggy Headland, Croyde is the National Trust tearooms, sheltered in a walled garden, there is usually a good coffee, cake or lunch option to enjoy. Both are at the start of the Baggy Headland near the National Trust Car Park from where you can enjoy a lovely headland walk.
As a bonus both usually offer at least one gluten free, vegan cake option.
Putsborough
Putsborough beach operate their own food take-out with a small beach shop. You can get drinks and a range of meals including bacon butty or cheesy nachos. https://www.putsborough.com/
Woolacombe – Marine Drive
The Porthole is a popular addition to Marine Drive. Located about 1/2 way between Putsborogh and Woolacombe, the Porthole is a small cafe with a creative and tasty lunch and cake offering. With tin cups and plates to keep it beach friendly it’s worth a visit on a walk along Woolacombe beach or dunes (toilets also here when the cafe is open). If you like to cycle then this could be a destination for you. https://www.facebook.com/theportholewoolacombe/
The Beachcomber Cafe has fabulous views from the North end of the beach and good soups, meals and, hot chocolates to warm up after a breezy walk or surf. https://www.facebook.com/WoolacombeBeach/
Woolacombe – Barricane Beach Café
As if one Sri Lankan Food option wasn’t enough here is another. A bit of a holiday tradition for many families, especially if you get a sunny day with low winds, take your own drinks and eat your curry on the beach as the sun starts to go down. A plated meal with one Meat or Veg option. 20 min drive away at Woolacombe. Seasonal and weather dependent so do check on facebook https://www.facebook.com/Barricane-Beach-Woolacombe-163881457003060/
Places to Eat on your North Devon and Exmoor Days Out
OK the choices are vast and personal so it’s hard to know where to start! Ilfracombe and Lynmouth both have a lot of different cafes and snack bars and part of the fun will be in the discovery, I am sure. Here’s just one of two more remote places that you might like to consider:
Watermouth Harbour
Between Ilfracombe and Combe Martin, Storm in a Teacup is a tiny cafe in a converted lifeboat and they serve great lunches. A little tricky to find (enter through the holiday park entrance). Worth calling by if you are exploring out that way. You must pay to park – this carpark now has CTTV and will take your number plate. https://www.boatcafeilfracombenorthdevon.co.uk/local-area/#directions
Harbour Deli at Combe Martin Pete’s favourite English breakfast for a very reasonable price and a counter of superb cakes for afters. Has changed management so a little less traditional now but still good value and very good coffee. Then take a walk up to Hangman Hill and back to work it off! See maps in the Lodge. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g551660-d4178654-Reviews-Harbour_Deli-Combe_Martin_Exmoor_National_Park_England.html
National Trust Café, Watersmeet at Lymouth. Great woodland valley location and some nice food. Accessed by a scenic walk along the river or by a steep 1/2 mile path from a roadside car park. See maps in the Lodge.
Hunters Inn at Heddon Valley. The pub is in a stunning location and a you can couple this drive with a beautiful woodland walk to the beach or up around the headland. Now also The Buttery, a National Trust takeout coffee and cake shop. See maps in Lodge. Narrow scenic roads to access the car parking. National Trust members park for free.
Marwood Hill Gardens and Cafe. If you want to get away from it all here is the place. About 20 min drive on country lanes, Marwood is set in a peaceful wooded valley with gardens and a traditional cafe run by volunteers. It has a £9.50 entry fee, however, the cafe is good value and the garden is well cared for, with some interesting trees and a national collection of Astillbes, plus a plant shop. https://www.marwoodhillgarden.co.uk/
Hele Corn Mill – Also near Ilfracombe at Hele Bay, is an award winning tearoom. A favourite with some of our guests. They mill flour, make their own bread and scones and delicious traditional cream teas and high teas https://www.helecornmill.com/
You can also have a wander round the old mill and museum exhibits.
Book ahead to be certain of a table, and if you have a dietary requirement let them know when you book, as they will bake something great for you. 01271 863185.