How to spend a foodie weekend in Torquay

Torquay is a seaside town that makes you fondly remember gentler times. Locals are proud of its long association with Agatha Christie, whose statue sits on a bench near the harbour; you can have a traditional Devon cream tea and enjoy a stroll on its palm-lined promenade. But there’s more to the English Riviera than nostalgia: while still delightfully traditional, the boom in English wine is just one influence bringing contemporary flair to the southwest. It’s easy to reach by train, and there are plenty of ways to get out on the water. Take a 30-minute ferry to nearby Brixham for fresh-off-the-boat seafood and explore the coast’s coves and beaches.

Cary Arms & Spa

Above Babbacombe Bay, the Cary Arms is a classic seaside hideaway in an old 19th-century coaching inn. Today it blends that traditional charm with boutique comfort. Its dark-wood, nautically styled bar gives way to a bright conservatory with views of the bay. Take the short coastal walk along to the beach with its colourful huts and take the cliff railway to the top for views. The food at The Cary Arms is simple, hearty and unpretentious: Brixham fish and chips, daily soups and pies, and lobster barbecues held over summer. Accommodation ranges from sea view rooms to new beach huts, a charming mix of seaside style and modern comfort. Each hut has its own terrace overlooking the bay, a calming spot to have morning coffee or a glass of wine. Inside, you’ll find cosy beds, Smeg fridges and a generous seating area – they feel entirely private while part of the lively atmosphere.
caryarms.co.uk

Sandridge Barton

Set within a bend of the River Dart, Sandridge Barton spans 450 acres of rolling Dart Valley countryside. The estate combines vineyards, a working winery, accommodation, gallery, shop and ROAM restaurant. Winemaking at Sandridge Barton stretches back more than 45 years, and the estate produces around 20 wines, from varieties like chardonnay and pinot noir used to make English sparkling and the elderflower-reminiscent madeleine angevine. Experimental releases such as the ‘Don’t Feed the Ponies’ wines showcase low-intervention techniques. Book a guided tasting and winery tour, vineyard safari or try a self-guided tasting and an excellent lunch. ROAM is casual with a focus on fire-cooking. Dishes are bold and grounded, from familiar pizzettes and bavette to the more imaginative chevalata sausage with lentils and vine leaf chimichurri, served with Sandridge Barton’s wines, including its world-class blanc de blanc fizz. Weekend live music and art exhibitions make this a place to linger, taste and unwind. sandridgebarton.com

The Elephant

Simon Hulstone’s Michelin-starred restaurant at Torquay harbour is a celebration of the very best seasonal ingredients. Choose a tasting menu or a three-course dinner, which might include Brixham crab, mango and shiso, and halibut with leek and orzo, finishing with a strawberry and elderflower tart. Bread comes with hot honey and wild garlic butter, and dainty amuses like cod’s roe start the meal alongside a glass of English sparkling. The dining room is filled with artwork collected by the chef, adding to its contemporary, lively feel. The set lunch menu is excellent value, and as a family-run restaurant, children are well catered for too, attracting locals and destination diners.
elephantrestaurant.co.uk

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