Food & Drink
Dartmouth is synonymous with good food and drink and the abundance of locally grown, high-quality ingredients makes it a haven for those who appreciate top nosh.
Year after year, foodies flock to Devon in search of the gastronomic delights that have earned the county a reputation as one of the UK’s best locations for fresh, hearty, flavoursome food. Situated amidst the verdant pastures of South Devon, Dartmouth also benefits from a sheltered coastal location, which means that an outstanding array of ingredients are available on the doorstep. Restaurants, cafés, shops and pubs make the most of what’s on offer from succulent meat, wholesome fruit and vegetables, tasty seafood and fresh dairy products. It’s no wonder that celebrity chefs from around the country have chosen Dartmouth for their business ventures.
Showcasing the best that South Devon has to offer, the Dartmouth Food Festival has now become one of the main events on the culinary calendar. Each year in October, the Festival celebrates local produce and food producers as well as local eateries and chefs. Cookery demonstrations, parties, food markets and tasting shacks pop up in the Royal Avenue Gardens, the Market Square and all along the embankment, providing an opportunity for people to discover what’s on offer and try new things.
The Food Festival has a lot to offer, but top-quality food and drink is available all year round. Dartmouth Farmers’ Market takes place every second Saturday of the month in The Old Market Square. Local producers sell a delicious selection of seasonal goods, which they have grown, bred, caught, pickled, brewed or baked, direct to the public.
In August, it’s all about crab in Dartmouth as the South Devon Crab Festival pays tribute to the cracking crustaceans that grace our shores. The first festival took place in 2011 at various locations across South Devon and included events, tastings, demonstrations, crabbing competitions and a range of beach events to enjoy. Dartmouth held its very own street party dedicated to crab. Just outside Dartmouth is the Sharpham Estate, covering 500 acres.
Sharpham’s vineyards, creamery and organic dairy farm have been producing wines and unpasteurised cheeses for more than 20 years, to local, national and international acclaim. Guided tours of the vineyard explain the history and principles behind growing grapes in our cool climate and allow you to sample the wine and the cheeses that are produced on site. In Dartmouth, food is more than a necessity; it’s a passion, a lifestyle.
Dartmouth and the villages round about are rapidly obtaining an excellent reputation for places to enjoy a meal.
There really is something to suit all tastes. Why not come and see for yourself? We promise you won’t be disappointed!
