Eating The Sea’s Harvest In Glorious Devon

With so much coastline Devon can’t fail to host some of the best fresh fish dining in the UK – from fancy a la carte to simple takeaway. Here Visit Devon shares some of its favourite eateries across the county – including the estimable Rockfish, run by Mitch Tonks (pictured above).

 
Plymouth
The Boathouse Café
Renovated from an old fisherman’s store, the bright interior is perfect for aresh fish dining from daytime through to evening and there’s also covered and heated outdoor seating on the quayside, with fantastic views, for drinking and dining al fresco. Focusing on sustainability, fish and shellfish is caught in local waters by the café’s own day boat, using selective fishing methods. 01752 600560.
 
Rockfish
Mitch Tonks’ establishment has been named a double winner in the UK’s Fish and Chips Awards – for Community Contribution and the Best Multiple Operator. With restaurants in Plymouth, Dartmouth and Torquay, and one soon to launch in Brixham, the Rockfish restaurant brand focuses on quality and service and making seafood accessible. Rockfish has raised over £10,000 in donations towards the National Marine Aquarium as part of its community efforts and on the third Friday of every month, takeaway fish and chips are just £3. 01752 255974.
 
Heart of Devon
The Galley, Topsham
Serving fish and shellfish from day boats landing their catch at Lyme Regis, Brixham, Looe or Newlyn. Some fish is even line caught and they only serve species that are not under threat. The mussels and cockles served are harvested from the tidal section of the Exe estuary just three miles downstream and they serve local produce and seasonal vegetables where possible. 01392 876078.

River Exe Café
Known as the gastro shed, this custom built floating restaurant and café serves locally sourced produce and has a licensed bar. With indoor and outdoor seating the restaurant is available in all weathers and a regular water taxi service ferries guests to and from the restaurant. Open from April 1. Tel 07761116103
 
English Riviera
Hanbury’s Fish Restaurant, Torquay
Serving fish and chips for over three award-winning decades, Hanbury’s source all their fish from reputable suppliers who are able to track where the fish was caught and even name the trawler! Visitors can eat in the marine inspired restaurant or grab a take away to eat while walking along Babbacombe Downs looking out across Lyme Bay. Takeaway: 01803 329928; restaurant: 01803 314616.
 
South Devon
The Blue Seafood Company
Located in South Quay in Paignton harbour and serving takeaway sustainable crab, most of which is landed in Salcombe and Kingswear. 01803 555777.
 
Dartmoor
The Two-Bridges Restaurant
This restaurant inside a welcoming offers views of the rolling Dartmoor countryside and a menu featuring  dishes such as smoked haddock chowder with mussels, clams, leeks and egg yolk and Devon hake with baby fennel, gem lettuce, smoked fishcake. Its exec chef Mike Palmer was recently name-checked by Michelin-starred MasterChef winner Anton Piotrowski as ‘one to watch’. 01822 892300.
 

Shellfish in the Watersmeet Hotel's panoramic dining room

North Devon
The Watersmeet Hotel Restaurant

With breathtaking coastal views towards Lundy Island and fresh fish sourced from Brixham, this is a dining gem, inside a splendid hotel, serving the likes of char-grilled mackerel, fresh mussels, sea bass and ginger and lime fishcakes. 01271 870333.