City dining guide

Best restaurants in Buckfastleigh

4 guide-listed restaurants — Michelin, Bib Gourmand, Black Pearl, Must-Eat List, World's 50 Best and more. Reference quality signals; never ranked by commission, no in-app checkout.

Bib Gourmand 1

Emilia

Bib Gourmand££italian

The northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna provides the inspiration behind this classic osteria set within a former bank in the centre of town. The daily changing menu is chalked on the door of the old vault, which now houses the wines, and from the tiny kitchen comes forth flavoursome and generously priced dishes that you feel are doing you good. There’s a daily offal dish and the pasta is made in-house.

TripAdvisor review sample · 4.6/5 · 80 reviews

Emilia, an Italian restaurant in Ashburton, holds a 4.6/5 rating on TripAdvisor based on 80 reviews. Positive feedback highlights high food quality, attentive service, and a charming atmosphere featuring an open kitchen where fresh ingredients are prepared visibly. However, criticisms focus on meal pacing, portion sizes, and value for money. Some diners reported unexpectedly small portions relative to the cost, while others noted inconsistent service attitudes or underwhelming dish temperatures. Although the rustic setting is appreciated, several reviewers felt the experience did not justify the expense. Visitors should be aware that while the culinary integrity is praised, expectations regarding portion sizes and pricing should be managed accordingly.

Suitable for diners who appreciate the open-kitchen concept and have realistic expectations regarding portion sizes and pricing.

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Other guide picks 3

Le Vin Perdu

££French

The team behind Emilia, situated just a few doors down, have imparted another gift to the residents of Ashburton with this delightful rustic bistro. Where its sister operation is all-Italian, Le Vin Perdu is full-blooded French in its approach, so don’t be surprised to find the likes of pork terrine or rotisserie chicken on the menu. The décor is understatedly chic, with the bar making a great place for a cocktail or a glass of wine from the blackboard list. If you’re sweet of tooth, the tarte Tatin is a great note to end on.During autumn and winter, Le Vin Perdu runs limited opening hours.

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Circa

££Modern British

With stints as both a cobbler’s and a theatre for the Mayor of Totnes, this lovely 18th-century building has lived many lives over the years. Its latest incarnation is a friendly sharing plates restaurant with a bistro buzz, bringing a dose of welcoming hospitality to the charming Totnes High Street. The menu displays a modern outlook in its sharing plates format and incorporation of both fermented elements and open-flame cooking. The service has a genuine warmth to it, with the owners keen to ensure you’re having a good time.

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The Church House Inn

££Classic Cuisine

Hold your nerve when navigating the narrow country lanes here and you’ll be rewarded with a simply delightful country pub. Situated next to the village church, it’s a wonderfully bucolic setting and inside the pub ticks all the soul-warming boxes with wooden beams, open fires, two pianos and even a snooker table. The daily changing menu is in the St. JOHN style with British, produce-led and minimal-fuss dishes such as salt cod fritters or pork chop with braised savoy cabbage. Communal dining at their long tables is encouraged.

TripAdvisor review sample · 4.4/5 · 80 reviews

The Church House Inn in Dittisham holds a 4.4/5 rating on TripAdvisor based on 80 reviews. Positive feedback highlights food quality (mentioned 50 times) and service (49 times), with guests praising the cozy, traditional-modern decor and dishes like lamb rump and steak & ale pie. However, negative reviews cite issues with food quality (10 times), meal pacing (5 times), and value (5 times). Specific complaints include hostile staff, cheap ingredients, and lack of food on Tuesday evenings. While many describe it as a quintessential Devon pub with friendly locals, experiences vary, particularly regarding service attitude and consistency.

Suitable for travelers seeking a quintessential Devon pub experience and traditional cuisine, with advance booking recommended.

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