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A Week In The life - Volume 7

A Week In The life – Volume 7

19th July 202119th July 2021 - tara Leave a comment

Lakemoor Alpacas What can I say about Lakemore Alpacas that I didn’t gush about on Instagram? It was the best day ever and I left feeling like I had had a really great massage. I was so calm and relaxed. Spending time with the alpacas in the countryside was just the tonic I needed. ThankRead more

A Week In The Life – Volume 6

6th July 20216th July 2021 - tara Leave a comment

Happy July folks. Where is the time going? Blink and another week passes. Blink again and a month has flown by. Lockdown easing and things opening up have meant I have been out and about a little more than in previous months but I am still behaving cautiously. I think I always will now. IRead more

A Week In The Life - Volume 5

A Week In The Life – Volume 5

7th June 20217th June 2021 - tara Leave a comment

Hi all and Happy June! It’s been a busy and enjoyable week so grab yourselves a coffee and take a little walk through my week with me. First Barbecue Of The Year It’s been a long time coming due to the inclement Great British weather but last Monday we dusted off the barbecue and gotRead more

A Week In The Life - Volume Four

A Week In The Life – Volume Four

31st May 202131st May 2021 - tara Leave a comment

This week has been an emotional rollercoaster. Sicily my little tabby cat has been in and out of kitty hospital all week and I have been feeling really down about it. I am sure there are other cat mums and dads out there that understand how terrifying it is when something you love with allRead more

A Week In The Life - Volume Three

A Week In The Life – Volume Three

19th May 202120th May 2021 - tara Leave a comment

Well hello there! It actually feels that normality is creeping back and I am not sure how I feel about that. Who else thought during lockdown that life in its simplest form was so much better? Did you like me say that you weren’t going to let your old life creep back in? I feelRead more

A Week In The Life - Volume Two

A Week In The Life – Volume Two

5th May 20215th May 2021 - tara Leave a comment

I believe it’s the little things that make a difference in life. That’s why I couldn’t have been more excited when I hopped on the train and headed out of Exeter for a few hours to meet my friend Chloe. In the past year, I have only left Devon once which is insane due toRead more

A Trip To Gelato Paradise

A Week In The Life – Volume 1

27th April 202127th April 2021 - tara Leave a comment

Like anything I go through phases as I am sure you do. Phases of things I eat, places I like to visit and also having the mojo to get motivated to write a blog post. I guess with the various limitations through lockdown other things have been prioritised and that’s all good. It’s not likeRead more

My Week In Pictures Lockdown 3 Week 10

My Week In Pictures Lockdown 3 Week 10

23rd March 202123rd March 2021 - tara Leave a comment

Sunday lunching had become a bit of a thing of late and pasta has been playing a huge part in that. A few weeks ago I discovered La Tua. An authentic Italian pasta home delivery service that deliver nationwide. I have ordered twice now and can’t fault the ease of purchase from start to finish.Read more

My Week In Pictures Lockdown 3 Week 9

My Week In Pictures Lockdown 3 Week 9

15th March 202115th March 2021 - tara 2 Comments

This week must have been the wettest in history! Every time I ventured out of the house I was either hailed on, rained on or almost blown away. I don’t mean to start my blog post talking about the weather as there has been other stuff way more interesting going on but I did feelRead more

My Week In Pictures Lockdown 3.0 Week 8

My Week In Pictures Lockdown 3.0 Week 8

7th March 2021 - tara Leave a comment

Welcome to week 8 of the third lockdown in the United Kingdom. There is light at the end of the tunnel though. From tomorrow lockdown rules begin to ease meaning that schools can go back and a few weeks after that we can meet up with more than one person socially outdoors. Then in stagesRead more

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Tara Smith | Foodie & Content Creator

tarasbusykitchen

Devon-born foodie & content creator
Finding brilliant places to eat, drink & explore
Indie restaurants • cafés • vineyards • South West gems

When you finish your coffee and cake and realise t When you finish your coffee and cake and realise the best part of your day is over .. 🫠

Send help xoxo
God forbid a woman needs to nourish her body .. al God forbid a woman needs to nourish her body .. also this IS the correct amount of French butter for a baguette ♥️
I D O N ‘ T K N O W about you, but we’re def I  D O N ‘ T  K N O W about you, but we’re definitely getting into Sunday roast territory…

The evenings are drawing in, there’s a little nip in the air in the mornings and autumn is quietly making its way towards us. I’m not quite ready to let go of summer yet, but I do love this bit in between. It’s still warm enough to sit outside, the evenings aren’t too dark and the light has that gorgeous, slightly golden hue that I particularly love at this time of year.

And then there’s the food.

A proper Sunday roast suddenly feels like exactly what I want. Crispy roasties, proper gravy, seasonal veg and that lovely feeling of settling in for a long, lazy Sunday lunch.

So, if you’re starting to think about where to go for a Sunday roast in the South West, I’ve rounded up 10 of my current favourites across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and beyond. 

This is very much a current favourites list rather than a definitive guide - there are far too many brilliant Sunday roasts across the South West for that, and I certainly haven’t tried them all.

Which means I need your help…

Where do you go for a banging roast? Have I missed your favourite? Tell me where I should be trying next - I’m always looking for another excuse for a Sunday lunch.

And if you’re planning your autumn food adventures, save this one for the next time you’re looking for a Sunday roast, Sunday lunch or somewhere good to eat in the South West.

#SouthWestFoodie #DevonFoodie #SundayRoast #SouthWestFood #DevonEats
M Y L I T T L E H E A R T T O H E A R T | Autu M Y  L I T T L E  H E A R T  T O  H E A R T | Autumn in Exeter edition 💌

If you came to visit me in Exeter and said, “Right Tara, show me your Exeter…” this is where I’d take you.

I’ve lived in Devon all my life and I’m constantly eating, drinking and exploring my way around this city, so I’ve got plenty of places I love to share. Indies only, always.

Think independent Exeter cafés, brilliant bakeries, foodie finds, brunch, a really good glass of wine and a few places worth making a little detour for.

I love days that start outdoors - a coffee at an outside table, a wander around the city and then somewhere cosy to end the day.

And some of my favourite moments don’t have to cost the earth. Fish and chips on the Quay, a bottle of something delicious picked up from a deli or wine shop - a dreamy situation if you ask me. And whilst it’s still mild enough to do that, let’s take advantage.

There’s something here for every budget and every mood, and I love that about Exeter.

I couldn’t tag every business because Instagram only allows 20 tags, so if you spot somewhere you love, tag them below and help other Exeter foodies discover them too.

Save this for the next time you’re planning a day in Exeter, and send it to the friend you’d bring with you.

And if you’re new around here, stick around. I’m always out exploring Exeter and the wider South West, looking for the independent places worth knowing about.

Tell me where I need to try next - I’m always on the lookout for my next foodie find.

Sending love,
Tara xx

Exeter food | Exeter cafés | Exeter restaurants | Exeter bakeries | Exeter brunch | Exeter wine bars | independent Exeter | things to do in Exeter | Devon foodie | South West food
J U N G L E C O F F E E - E X E T E R Exeter ha J U N G L E  C O F F E E - E X E T E R 

Exeter has a new coffee spot and it’s a good one.

Introducing @junglecoffeetrailer - the newest indie coffee spot in town (although technically it’s a rather lovely horse box) owned and run by Jess, who has 20 years of barista experience and some seriously good latte art skills.

And coffee drinkers, I know you care about the beans…
Jess uses @girlswhogrindcoffee a female-founded specialty coffee roastery based in Wiltshire, sourcing directly from women producers around the world. So there’s a lovely story behind the cup too.

You’ll find Jungle Coffee parked up in Northernhay Gardens Monday to Saturday, in one of the prettiest spots in central Exeter, beneath the castle and surrounded by flowers and greenery.

It’s a stone’s throw from Exeter College - hey students, where are you? - and just five minutes from the High Street, Exeter Library and Queen Street. Pretty perfect city centre positioning.

And then there’s the cold foam menu…

I had to try it. I went for a black iced Americano with vanilla cold foam - it genuinely looked like a pint of Guinness - while Amy had an iced vanilla matcha with matcha cold foam. Both delicious.

Not into coffee? There’s matcha and Pukka teas too.
And for the all-important coffee and cake combo, Jess stocks brownies from fellow Exeter indie @cakeordeathldn . Honestly, good coffee + chocolate brownie = hard to beat.

So if you’re looking for good coffee in Exeter, specialty coffee, matcha or an independent coffee shop, put Jungle Coffee on your list.

Save this for your next Exeter coffee stop and share it with the person you’re always meeting for coffee.

And if you’re passing Northernhay Gardens, go and say hello to Jess - let’s give our newest indie a proper Exeter welcome.

#ExeterCoffee #ExeterFoodie #DevonFoodie #IndependentExeter #SouthWestFoodie
T H E S E A H O R S E - D A R T M O U T H I get T H E  S E A H O R S E - D A R T M O U T H 

I get asked all the time what my favourite restaurant is… so let me finally answer it.

My absolute Devon favourite? @seahorse.restaurant in Dartmouth. Hands down.

ad And I never need an excuse to go back. There is just something about this place that gets me every single time.

So what actually makes The Seahorse my Devon favourite?

Well, firstly, the food. Gorgeous local, fresh fish and seafood cooked in an Italian style. I don’t think there is anywhere else locally doing the same thing. Every time I eat here I feel like I’ve been whisked off to Venice for a few hours - and what’s not to love about that?

But it’s more than the food.

It’s the feeling you get when you’re here. You feel special. Loved. Looked after. Like you’re part of something, rather than simply a customer. The staff talk to you like old friends, remember you, and seem genuinely interested in you. That kind of hospitality is pretty special.

Then there are all the little extras. The set lunch menu is incredibly good value, and the main menu is exceptional for the quality. There’s always bread with anchovy dip, some little nibbles - on this visit, the loveliest pickles - and those gorgeous little Italian doughnuts that appear with your coffee or the bill. Such thoughtful touches.

And the service? Next level. You’ll struggle to find better.

I also adore the setting. Butterscotch-coloured banquettes, original artwork, framed menus signed by chefs from special events, pristine white tablecloths, beautiful silverware and the servers in their white jackets. It all adds to that wonderfully old-school, Italian restaurant feel.

And then there’s Joe’s Bar - the epitome of the perfect restaurant bar. Very Italian, very relaxed and serving a seriously good Negroni. Trust me on that one.

So yes, I’m officially declaring it…

The Seahorse is my favourite restaurant in Devon.

If you know, you know.

Now I want to know yours. What’s your favourite Devon restaurant - and can you tempt me away from The Seahorse?

#TheSeahorseDartmouth #DevonFoodie #DartmouthFood #SouthWestFoodie #DevonRestaurants
T H E J A C K I N T H E G R E E N - R O C K B T H E  J A C K  I N  T H E  G R E E N - R O C K B E A R E 

ad Ten years is a long time between visits… especially when the food is this good.

I genuinely couldn’t tell you why I hadn’t been back to @thejackinthegreen at Rockbeare for over a decade, but I’m very glad I finally did.

We were there on Friday to celebrate the launch of Taste East Devon, a nine-day festival celebrating the food, drink and brilliant businesses across East Devon.

There are loads of events happening throughout the festival - vineyard tours, talks, celebratory lunches and food experiences - so it’s well worth checking out the itinerary.

And The Jack in the Green has created a very special seasonal @tasteeastdevon menu.

We started with drinks in the beer garden. Polly had a Sarti Spritz - blood orange and mango aperitivo with Prosecco - while I had a lovely glass of Provence rosé.

Then came the food…

Ham hock terrine, quail egg and pickles for Polly and whipped blue cheese with fig for me.

Pork belly with the most fabulous gravy for Polly, and cod with caper, gherkin and parsley sauce for me. The cod wasn’t officially on the menu, but Kirsty very kindly swapped it in as I’m pescatarian.

And then, because apparently we hadn’t eaten enough, we shared the apple and caramel mille-feuille. We’re still not quite sure how we managed it, but it was delicious enough to make room for.

Everything was so, so good.

And Kirsty deserves a special mention. Spectacular service from someone who really knows hospitality. Thank you for looking after us so brilliantly.

I’ve definitely got The Jack in the Green firmly back on my radar.

Even better, you can get the No. 4 bus from Exeter and it stops right outside, so you can enjoy the whole experience without having to drive. Perfect.

If you’re looking for somewhere to eat your way around East Devon, this one is worth knowing about.

Have you got an East Devon favourite I need to rediscover?

#TasteEastDevon #EastDevonEats #DevonFoodFinds #DevonIndependent #SouthWestFoodie
T H E C E N T R A L D A I R Y - B R A D N I N C T H E  C E N T R A L  D A I R Y - B R A D N I N C H 

I think I’ve just found my new favourite coffee shop, bakery and lunch spot.

Ad @thecentraldairy has officially been catapulted to the top of my list.

I first visited at the beginning of summer with my friend Amy. We’d been desperate to go for ages, but work always seemed to get in the way. We had the dog with us that day, so couldn’t go inside but the lovely team opened the hatch and served us coffee and pastries to eat on the grass opposite, picnic style. Even then, I knew we’d found somewhere special.

This time, after teaching ballet all morning, I was very ready for lunch.

And crikey, it was perfect .. but let’s just talk about the focaccia for a sec. 

It’s all made in-house by co-owner Saskia, who also makes the cakes, and honestly, it’s some of the best focaccia I’ve had in a very long time. Lovely crust, just the right amount of sea salt and that fabulous pillowy texture.

We had homemade lentil soup with focaccia, plus tomato, mozzarella and basil focaccia for me and meatballs in tomato sauce focaccia for Amy. The sandwiches are BIG - I took half mine home - but they are seriously good.

Then Waj, Saskia’s husband and business partner, chose dessert for us. After establishing that we’re both feeders who love sharing our love of good food, he brought us three slices of cake and ice cream for the still-warm pear and almond cake.

Heaven.

The coconut cloud cake was a particular favourite - so moist and delicious - to be honest, every morsel was divine.

But here’s what really tipped The Central Dairy into my number one spot.

It’s the people.

Waj and Saskia are so lovely and genuinely humble about the very special place they’ve created. Watching Waj chat to the regulars, many of whom I suspect have now become friends, and seeing different generations sitting together, chatting and enjoying good food honestly made me a little emotional.

So, The Central Dairy, you’re officially my new favourite.

Have you been yet? What would you order when you go? It’s all good do you can’t make a mistake! 

*PR invite 
#TheCentralDairy #DevonFoodie #DevonIndependent #DevonBakery #SouthWestFood
1 0 D E V O N C O F F E E S H O P S to try this 1 0  D E V O N  C O F F E E  S H O P S to try this weekend. 

Morning everyone. I am not sure where this week has gone - it’s flown by. If you are heading out this weekend and are looking for somewhere lovely to grab a coffee in Devon this weekend? I’ve got you. 

I’ve pulled together 10 of my favourite indie coffee spots across Devon. A mix of cosy cafés, little hatches and brilliant coffee trucks that are all serving an absolutely banging brew.

You know I love a local find, and these are the kind of places I’d happily plan a mooch, beach walk or slow weekend morning around.

No chains, no faff just proper good coffee from lovely independent Devon businesses that deserve a bit of love.

Save this one for your next weekend caffeine fix and send it to your coffee companion. 

Which one are you visiting first? It’s a hard choice I know! Have I missed a favourite of yours off the list? If so please do share with me .. I always love exploring new places.

Love Tara xx
S A B Z I - N A N S L E D A N .. Is this the only S A B Z I - N A N S L E D A N .. Is this the only Cornish deli you need to know about?

Ad I think Sabzi might just be one of those Cornwall food spots you need to know about, especially if you’re looking for somewhere good to eat near Newquay.
There are four across Cornwall - Truro, Falmouth, Padstow & Nansledan, just outside Newquay. I popped into Nansledan after a lovely Monday morning wandering along Watergate Bay - sea air, beach time & then something delicious to eat. Perfect!

Founded by Cornish chef Kate Attlee, Sabzi brings together her Iranian heritage with seasonal Cornish & British produce to create colourful, Middle Eastern-inspired food made from scratch.

The lovely Zara recommended two of their top sellers: the Lunch box & House dahl. The Lunch box came with four colourful seasonal salads & homemade hummus, while the House dahl - red lentil, tomato & coconut, topped with Iranian mint yoghurt - proper comfort food.

With autumn on its way, those vibrant colours & flavours really lifted our mood. Eating the rainbow, quite literally.

We ate in the little courtyard garden before heading inside for coffee & a slice of Persian love cake to share. I definitely felt the love!

The deli is packed with lovely things to take home too — Perello olives, beautiful olive oils, Butter Bike peanut butter (a lovely Exeter connection!) & Babylonstoren goodies from the Newt’s sister estate in South Africa. I always pick these up when I see them!

But what really stood out was the service. Zara & her team were so warm, welcoming & genuinely interested in what they were doing. Zara took the time to chat, recommend dishes & make us feel so welcome. You could tell they really care - and that makes such a difference.

Cornish food lovers, have you been to Sabzi yet?

* PR INVITE 

#CornwallFoodie #CornishFood #CornwallFood #NewquayFood #CornwallEats
F O W L E S C O M B E F A R M - A Devon countrysi F O W L E S C O M B E  F A R M - A Devon countryside stay with some seriously good seasonal food

Ad Last week we had an autumn staycation at @fowlescombe Farm near Ivybridge, and honestly, it was exactly the reset we needed.

We arrived around 3pm for afternoon tea, then headed to our room and spent the afternoon reading, which felt like such a treat. Cosy country interiors, beautiful artwork, rugs, cushions, sheepskins…all those lovely little details that make somewhere feel instantly homely.

It’s the kind of place where you can do as much or as little as you like. There are countryside walks, open space, a wild swimming pond and sauna, plus seasonal activities like bread making, seed collecting, yoga and farm tours. If you go for a wander, keep an eye out for the ivy-covered ruins of the old farmhouse.

Before dinner, we had a cocktail in the gorgeous greenhouse, which was such a lovely way to start the evening.

But, as you can probably guess, it was dinner I was most excited about.

Dinner was cooked by Executive Chef Elly Wentworth in the refectory where we were close enough to see a little bit of the magic happening. I loved chatting to her about the dishes and how everything had been prepared, especially as someone who loves cooking. 

You could really feel her passion for seasonal, local food in every course. It made the whole evening feel really special.

As a Devon foodie, this is exactly the kind of experience I love sharing with you - beautiful surroundings, thoughtful details, local produce, and food that feels really connected to the place it comes from.

After dinner, it was back to our super king bed for a very good night’s sleep, followed by a communal style, help yourself breakfast the next morning.

And something worth knowing if you’re local: you don’t have to stay at Fowlescombe Farm to eat there. They keep a few tables for dinner bookings, so this is definitely one to add to your South Devon foodie list.

A really lovely Devon countryside escape, with the added bonus of some seriously good food.

Have you been to Fowlescombe Farm, or is it going on your Devon staycation list?

#fowlescombefarm #devonstaycation #southdevonfood #ivybridge
Q U E E N ‘ S A R M S - C O R T O N D E N H A Q U E E N ‘ S  A R M S -  C O R T O N  D E N H A M 

A Somerset pub I clearly needed to rediscover

I last visited the @queensarmspub in Corton Denham probably about 10 years ago and, honestly, I don’t remember it being anywhere near as good as it was yesterday!

We arrived for an early Sunday lunch and I instantly fell for the place. Think traditional country pub vibes, but with absolutely no maroon in sight! Beautiful dried flower garlands hanging from the ceiling, a gorgeous yellow & duck egg blue colour scheme, vintage knick-knacks everywhere and just the cosiest atmosphere.
It was hot yesterday so we sat in the new gazebo with the sides rolled up, giving us shade from the late summer sun while still catching the breeze. There’s also a lovely garden with a pizza oven for summer pizza nights under the stars.

The Sunday menu had all the things you’d hope for, alongside a lighter summer lunch menu. Alex went for roast chicken with all the traditional trimmings and declared the gravy “the most delicious”. I went for mozzarella & nectarine salad with pesto dressing, while we shared the corn ribs to start. Corn is having a serious moment for me right now and these were SO good, served with curried yoghurt & lime. Such a clever combination.

Vinho Verde in the sunshine felt like the only possible drink choice.

The service was lovely too, and I had a proper chat with owner Doune about the menu, her background at Leiths & everything in between. Alex & I had such a lovely afternoon that we’re already planning a return to try more of the menu and stay over.

And yes, Ziggy can come too because they have a number of dog-friendly rooms.

So if you’re looking for somewhere to eat in Somerset, a lovely Somerset pub for Sunday lunch or a cosy country pub for a weekend stay, put the Queen’s Arms in Corton Denham on your list.

I’m Tara, a Devon-born foodie exploring the South West in search of brilliant indie places to eat, drink & stay. If it’s worth the trip, you’ll usually find it here. 

Would you make the trip to Corton Denham?

#SomersetFoodie #SomersetPubs #SouthWestFoodie #SomersetFood #CortonDenham
C A L V O L O C O - E X M O U T H Exeter’s C C A L V O  L O C O -  E X M O U T H 

Exeter’s Calvo Loco has a new seaside sibling… and Exmouth is very lucky indeed.

I’ve raved about the original @calvolocouk on Magdalen Road before, so I was very happy to hear that owner Mikey was opening a second, slightly bigger spot over in Exmouth.

I popped over on Friday with my friend Polly & her little dog for a late lunch, and it was pretty much what I was hoping for. The same Spanish flavours I love at the Exeter one, great wine, cava, beers & cocktails, but with a lot more space.

We ordered a few dishes to share, including my usual pan con tomate and Padron peppers, then added a couple of specials. There was a delicious pan-fried plaice and a pork dish with the crispiest crackling, which Polly absolutely devoured and declared exceptional. We also had some queso frito because, well, fried cheese. I’m only human.

The big difference here is the space. There’s room for live music, bigger groups & celebrations, which the Exeter restaurant simply doesn’t have room for. And yes, I’m mentioning Christmas parties in September because apparently that’s what we have to do now! I think it could be really cool to have a Spanish Christmas celebration don’t you? 

We trained over from Exeter so we could have a glass of cava, and with trains running every 30 minutes and the last one back after midnight (I think), it actually makes for a very easy little Exeter-to-Exmouth food trip.

Service was lovely too. Grace was charming & attentive, and Mikey was around for a chat, which was fab as we hadn’t met in person before. Plus, it’s dog friendly, which Mabel was obviously very pleased about.

Exmouth really does have such a good indie food scene, and Calvo Loco is a very welcome addition.

I’m actually thinking about putting together a post of my favourite Exmouth indies next because there are so many good ones. So help me out… what absolutely needs to be on my list?

#CalvoLocoExmouth #ExmouthFood #ExmouthIndie #DevonFoodie #ExmouthEats
1 0 S O U T H W E S T P U B S you should be vis 1 0  S O U T H  W E S T  P U B S you should be visiting this weekend

If, like me, you’re very happy to travel for great food, a delicious glass of wine and a proper cosy pub, this one’s for you.

I’ve picked 10 of my favourite foodie pubs across Devon, Dorset, Somerset & Cornwall. They’re all very different in style and setting, but have one very important thing in common: fabulous seasonal, locally sourced food wherever possible.

And because I’m me, there’s also some seriously good wine involved. For those of you who prefer a decent local pint, there’s plenty of that too.

The hardest part? Picking just 10!

These are the kind of South West pubs where you get a warm welcome, great service, cosy pub vibes and that lovely sense of community that makes you want to linger a little longer.

I’ve also discovered some absolute bangers recently thanks to your recommendations, and two of those pubs have made it onto this list. So I’m listening…

This weekend I’m off to try @cotleyinnwambrook and @queensarmspub in Corton Denham, both in Somerset, and I’m hoping they’ll be contenders for my next must-visit list.

So come on, friends of Instagram… which foodie pub in Devon, Dorset, Somerset or Cornwall should I know about? Tell me your favourites. I may well be heading your way next.

#SouthWestFoodie #DevonFoodie #SomersetFoodie #DorsetFoodie
M I L L B R O O K I N N The Devon pub that lite M I L L B R O O K  I N N 

The Devon pub that literally every foodie I know told me I MUST visit…

Ad Let me introduce you to the @millbrookinnsouthpool 

This tiny village pub in South Devon may look unassuming, but it seriously packs a punch. The food is all about local provenance, with meat from their own animals, fish caught locally & vegetables from their own farm. In fact, almost everything is grown, caught or reared within a few miles of the pub.

And the food? This definitely isn’t pub grub.

We shared whipped cod’s roe with homemade focaccia & crispy calamari with lemon mayo, followed by the chunkiest skate wing I’ve ever seen for me & sea bass with roast fennel & lobster sauce for Steve.

Add in brilliant, genuinely knowledgeable hospitality and you’ve got a pretty special destination pub.

We visited for Thursday lunch at the very end of summer & it was almost completely full. Always a good sign when there’s very little else in the village!

A huge thank you to everyone who told me I MUST visit, especially Sadie who said I’d absolutely love it. She was right.

I love that people I’ve never met have become my Insta friends & somehow know me well enough to send me places they know I’ll love.

So, get yourselves to South Pool. You won’t be disappointed. Unless you can’t get a table, obviously… in which case, form an orderly queue. I’d wait.

Next time, I’m staying in the village to experience the evening atmosphere.

Have you been? Or what other Devon pub do I absolutely need to visit?

#SouthDevonFood #DevonFoodie #DevonPubs #SouthPool #DevonFood
A L I T T L E R E I N T R O D C T I O N , becaus A  L I T T L E  R E I N T R O D C T I O N , because there might be some new faces around here..

If we haven’t properly met yet, hi, I’m Tara.

I’m a Devon-born South West foodie explorer with a rather enthusiastic love of good food, indie businesses and the people behind them.

I’m here to seek out the places worth knowing about across the South West of England, from brilliant bakeries and cosy pubs to wine bars, restaurants, foodie retreats and those little independent gems you might otherwise walk straight past.

And it really doesn’t have to be fancy. For me, it’s about delicious food, seasonal and local ingredients, attention to detail, genuinely great service and people who care about what they’re doing.

Because the places I love most aren’t necessarily the fanciest. They’re the ones that leave you thinking, “I’m so glad I found this place.”

So, if you love discovering independent places to eat, drink & be merry, enjoy supporting local businesses and are always up for a good food recommendation, you’re very much in the right place.

Follow along for my South West finds, honest recommendations and plenty of reasons to plan your next meal around somewhere worth visiting.

And if you know someone who would happily travel for a really good lunch, send them my way too. I think they’ll fit right in.

#SouthWestFoodie #DevonFoodie #SouthWestEats #DevonEats #IndieFoodie
Y O U R W E E K E N D B R U N C H plans are sort Y O U R  W E E K E N D  B R U N C H plans are sorted: 10 South West spots to try

You know I love a good brunch. I’m definitely team savoury, but I do understand the love of pancakes… so this one is for all brunch people!

I’ve rounded up 10 brilliant spots across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset & Bristol for a slow weekend brunch with friends or family.

Choosing just 10 was HARD. There are so many great independent cafés and brunch spots across the South West, but hopefully there’s one on this list not too far from you.

Save this one for your next brunch day out and send it to your favourite brunch companion.

Which one would you choose? And tell me your favourite South West brunch spot I need to try next!

#SouthWestFood #DevonBrunch #BristolBrunch #SouthWestCafes #IndieFoodUK
T H E R I D G E A T N O 1 Finally… a proper T H E  R I D G E  A T  N O 1 

Finally… a proper pastry fix on our side of the river!

This morning I headed to @the_ridge_coffee_shop at No.1 on Polsloe Road and, just one week in, it’s already getting quite the reputation. And rightly so. I’ve been a fan of The Ridge’s pastries, doughnuts and cakes since their original spot on the Quay, so I’m VERY happy they’re now a little closer to home.

My friends and I met for a debrief after last night’s Bank Holiday birthday festivities (happy 40th Vik!) and, unsurprisingly, coffee and serious carbs were required.

We shared a smoked salmon, dill cream cheese brioche, with the lightest, airiest bread roll made right there, followed by a pistachio & chocolate pain suisse and a raspberry jam doughnut. All absolutely delicious.

It was buzzing too! Every table inside and out was full when we arrived around 10am, with things starting to thin out a little by 11. Clearly we weren’t the only ones needing The Ridge fix the morning after the night before!

There’s a lovely courtyard, it’s dog friendly and there’s an awning for those very Exeter moments when the weather can’t quite decide what it’s doing.

The interior hasn’t changed much from the previous No.1 Polsloe, but the menu very much has. Think excellent coffee, freshly made bread, pastries, cakes and savoury treats with those proper indie Exeter vibes.

I’m just very much delighted we finally have The Ridge on our side of the river. Good coffee, really good pastries and somewhere lovely to meet for breakfast, brunch or a morning treat without crossing town? About time.

Have you been yet? What are you ordering?

#ExeterFood #ExeterCafe #ExeterFoodie #DevonFoodie #Polsloe
Who else couldn’t stop shrieking every time @djo Who else couldn’t stop shrieking every time @djotime said Bristol 🫣🫠

#forwardsfestival #djotour2026 #bristolmusic #djo #musicfestival
L I T T L E S H O P & P A N T R Y BRISTOL… I L I T T L E S H O P &  P A N T R Y 

BRISTOL… I think you’re going to be seeing a little more of me.

Now that my bestie Alex has moved back to Bristol, expect a few more Bristol finds popping up on my grid. 

I’m still very much keeping the South West vibes going, but being able to stay overnight without a big hotel bill means a lot more opportunity to explore, eat, drink and discover some new places.

And Alex, you get me!! Recommending a bakery with a wine shop attached couldn’t have been a better shout! 

Saturday morning, on my way back to the train home, I knew I needed a decent coffee, so Alex sent me to Littleshop & Pantry and what can I say… bakery + coffee + wine shop + deli? Is this the dream situation or what?

Great coffee, excellent pastries and the opportunity to pick up a bottle of something delicious (hello Folc, a firm favourite in my house) plus some lovely deli bits to take home.

I could officially move in 🫣

The coffee was great, the vibes were buzzing and from what I spotted, there are some pretty tempting brunch and lunch options too.

@littleshop_lsp is a sister to Little French, which I visited for my birthday back in May and absolutely loved, so I’m very excited to have both on Alex’s new doorstep.

Basically, Bristol… I think I may have just found another reason to keep coming back.

And to my Bristol followers, I’d LOVE your recommendations. Where should I be eating, drinking and exploring next?

#BristolFood #BristolFoodie #BristolIndependent #BristolEats #SouthWestFoodie
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© Tara Smith 2022