Half the pleasure of a holiday is the food, and the English Riviera serves up plenty to enjoy. With some of the freshest seafood in the country landed daily at Brixham, a thriving cafe culture, traditional pubs and the all-important Devon cream tea, eating out around Torbay is a real treat. And because you have your own kitchen in a self-catering apartment, you can mix meals out with relaxed evenings cooking in, using the wonderful local produce on your doorstep. Here is a guide to eating and drinking well in Paignton and around the bay.
Fresh seafood from Brixham
If there is one thing you must eat in Torbay, it is fresh fish. Brixham is one of the most important fishing ports in England, and much of its catch travels only a few yards from boat to plate. Around the harbour you will find everything from harbourside chippies serving fish and chips to enjoy on the quay, to accomplished seafood restaurants cooking the day’s landings with skill. Crab, lobster, scallops, mussels, mackerel and whatever else has come ashore — this is the place to enjoy it at its very best. Eating fish and chips on Brixham harbour wall, watching the boats, is one of the simple joys of a Devon holiday.
Seafront cafes and ice cream
Along the seafronts of Paignton, Torquay and Goodrington you will find a good choice of cafes, kiosks and tea rooms, perfect for a coffee with a sea view, a light lunch or a restorative cup of tea after a beach session. And no seaside holiday is complete without a proper ice cream eaten on the prom — Devon’s dairy heritage means the local ice cream is something special, often made with rich Devon clotted cream. Treat yourself often; you are on holiday.
The Devon cream tea
The cream tea is a Devon institution and an essential holiday ritual: a pot of tea, freshly baked scones, lashings of clotted cream and a generous spoonful of jam. In Devon, tradition has it that the cream goes on first and the jam on top — the opposite of neighbouring Cornwall, a difference locals take more seriously than they will admit. You will find cream teas served everywhere from seafront cafes to garden tea rooms and the cafes at attractions like Greenway. Whichever way you spread it, it is the perfect afternoon indulgence.
Traditional pubs
Torbay and the surrounding villages are well supplied with traditional pubs, many of them dog-friendly and full of character. Around the harbours of Brixham and Dartmouth, in the villages of the South Hams and out on Dartmoor, you will find welcoming pubs serving local ales and hearty food — from a ploughman’s lunch to a proper Sunday roast. A pub lunch after a coast-path walk or a day on the moor is one of the great pleasures of a West Country break.
Dining out in Dartmouth and Torquay
For a special meal, both Dartmouth and Torquay have earned reputations as foodie destinations. Dartmouth, in particular, is known for its waterside restaurants and high-quality cooking, making good use of the local seafood and Devon produce. Torquay’s harbourside and marina are lined with restaurants of every kind, from relaxed bistros to more ambitious dining. Whether you want a romantic dinner for two or a lively family meal out, you will find plenty of choice around the bay.
Local produce for your own kitchen
One of the best things about self-catering is the chance to cook with superb local ingredients. Devon is a land of plenty: clotted cream, farmhouse cheeses, cider, locally reared meat, fresh vegetables and, of course, that magnificent seafood. Pick up fish from Brixham, browse the farmers’ markets and farm shops, and assemble a feast to cook in your apartment or enjoy as a picnic on the beach. A simple supper of fresh local fish, eaten with a sea view from your own balcony, can be the most memorable meal of the whole holiday.
Markets and farm shops
Look out for local markets and farm shops in the area, where you can stock up on Devon produce, baked goods, preserves and treats. Totnes, just up the river, is especially known for its independent food shops and market, reflecting the town’s strong tradition of local and artisan produce. Buying local not only tastes better but supports the farmers, fishermen and producers who give this corner of Devon its character.
Devon’s drinks: cider, ale and more
Devon’s food story extends to what is in your glass. The county has a long tradition of cider-making, and you will find proper Devon cider — from crisp and refreshing to robust and farmhouse-strong — in pubs and farm shops across the area. There is a thriving scene of local breweries producing characterful real ales, and in recent years Devon has gained a reputation for its vineyards and even a few distilleries. Sampling a local cider or ale in a harbourside pub, perhaps with a plate of seafood, is a fine way to round off a day’s exploring. As ever, please enjoy responsibly, especially if you are driving.
Self-catering with children and special diets
One of the underrated advantages of self-catering is the control it gives you over what your family eats. For households managing allergies, intolerances or particular dietary needs, having your own kitchen removes a great deal of worry — you can shop for exactly what you need and prepare familiar meals with confidence. For families with young children or fussy eaters, being able to cook simple, reliable favourites and stick to normal routines makes holidays far more relaxed. The local supermarkets, farm shops and health-food stores (Totnes is particularly good for the latter) stock a wide range to suit most needs.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get the freshest seafood? Brixham, one of England’s most important fishing ports, is the place to go — from harbourside chippies to seafood restaurants serving the day’s catch.
What is a Devon cream tea? Scones served with clotted cream and jam, with a pot of tea. In Devon, the cream traditionally goes on first, then the jam.
Are there good restaurants near Paignton? Yes — the seafronts, plus nearby Torquay and Dartmouth, offer everything from relaxed cafes to accomplished waterside dining.
Can I buy local produce to cook myself? Absolutely. Farm shops, markets and the fish landed at Brixham make self-catering a real pleasure here.
Eat well, your way
The joy of a self-catering holiday is the freedom to eat exactly as you please: a fish-and-chip lunch on the harbour, a cream tea in the afternoon, a relaxed dinner cooked in your own kitchen, or a special night out at a riverside restaurant. You set the pace and the budget, mixing eating out with cooking in however suits your group and your mood. With a kitchen of your own and the bounty of Devon all around, you really can have the best of both worlds.
Stay at Cranmore Lodge, Paignton
With your own well-equipped kitchen and Brixham’s seafood, seafront cafes and country pubs all close by, Cranmore Lodge lets you eat exactly how you like on holiday. View our apartments or check availability and book online.
To enquire, call +44 (0)1803 556278 or email enquiries@cranmorelodge.co.uk. Cranmore Lodge Holiday Apartments, 45 Marine Drive, Paignton TQ3 2NS.