Tara's Busy Kitchen (and other stories)

Food, recipes and my life

Skip to content
  • Home
  • About me
  • Contact
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

Posts navigation

Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 … 56 Next
Categories

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

W H E R E I ‘ D T A K E my vegan friend visit W H E R E  I ‘ D  T A K E  my vegan friend visiting Exeter…

Got a vegan friend coming to Exeter for the weekend? 

This is the list I’d be sending them.

From breakfast, brunch and lunch to snacks, cake, pizza and dinner, these are some of my favourite 100% vegan independent businesses in Exeter.

Think ridiculously good brownies and cakes from Cake or Death, brilliant small plates at Herbies, brunch and lunch at Sacred Grounds, pizza at The Flat, smooth bowls galore at Luna and cathedral views at Sprout.

And if you fancy putting together a picnic, How On Earth Deli is SO good. Sandwiches, salads, cakes, vegan deli meats and cheeses… basically everything you need for a very good picnic.

I get asked all the time where to eat in Exeter if you’re vegan or dairy-free, so I wanted to put all these brilliant vegan Exeter independents in one place.

And don’t forget, these are all vegan-only businesses. 

There are also loads of other independent cafés, restaurants and delis in Exeter with a really good selection of vegan and dairy-free options on their menus.

So if you’ve got a vegan foodie visiting Exeter, hopefully this gives you a few places to start.

Vegan Exeter friends, where else should I add to my list? Have I missed a brilliant indie?

#VeganExeter #ExeterFood #ExeterEats #DevonFoodie #IndependentExeter
1 0 S O U T H W E S T H O T S P O T S I can’ 1 0  S O U T H  W E S T  H O T S P O T S  I can’t stop thinking about this month

This month has taken me from wood-fired Sunday lunch at Horrell & Horrell in Somerset, to smash burgers and frickles at Shaka in Totnes, and from coffee and cake at the brand new Kiln in Topsham to a fish finger sandwich from The Galley, best enjoyed with a bottle of wine on the quay. Honestly, an elevated picnic doesn’t get much better.

I’ve been back to Holm in South Petherton, which has to be one of my most visited restaurants of the last year, celebrated a birthday at The Newt in Somerset with a lunch at The Botanical Rooms and a mooch around those beautiful gardens, and discovered Thursday Lates at Magdalen Cheese & Provisions in Exeter.

Herbies was the surprise of the month with its brilliant vegan and veggie small plates, The Birdhouse remains one of my Exeter favourites, and a trip to Lyme Regis isn’t complete without a visit to Swim for food, cocktails and that sea air.

Basically, it’s been a very good month for eating my way around Devon, Somerset and Dorset.

And the best bit? Quite a few of these adventures were done by public transport, because getting on a train for something delicious is one of my favourite ways to spend a day.

Now I want to know what I’ve missed.

Where have you eaten in the South West recently that you genuinely can’t stop thinking about? Tell me your favourites, especially the brilliant indie places I need to know about.

#SouthWestFood #DevonFoodie #DevonFood #SomersetFood #IndependentFood
H O B B I E S ? I mean… does eating count? Beca H O B B I E S ? I mean… does eating count?

Because if it does, then I’m absolutely sorted.

I will happily spend three hours travelling for a good lunch. I’ve caught a train to another county for a really good pastry and a top-notch coffee. I will absolutely, without doubt, plan a day trip around where we’re going to eat.

Food isn’t just fuel to me. It’s a huge part of how I enjoy life.

It’s finding a brilliant little indie café, discovering a restaurant I can’t wait to tell people about, eating ice cream in the sunshine, sitting down for a long lunch with friends or putting together a picnic and making an afternoon or evening of it.

Basically, I just really like eating, exploring and finding the good stuff.

I’m Devon born and bred, but I’m always off exploring Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Cornwall and the wider South West, looking for brilliant independent places to eat, drink and be merry.

And if somewhere is worth a three-hour round trip, I’m probably going.

So yes, I think we can safely say this has gone beyond a hobby.

And then, completely unrelated to my inability to walk past a good pastry.. HELLO 10k !

10,000 of you are now following along with my very food-focused adventures, and that honestly makes me rather happy. Thank you for being here and coming along for the good food.

If you’re into discovering independent places to eat across Devon and the South West, I hope there’s plenty more here for you to discover too.

#DevonFoodie #SouthWestFoodie #ExeterFoodie #DevonFood #SouthWestFood
W H E R E T O E A T in Somerset when you want so W H E R E  T O  E A T in Somerset when you want something a little bit special…

Ad Yesterday I discovered @horrellandhorrell in Sparkford and honestly, what a find.

Tucked away in the Somerset countryside between Yeovil and Castle Cary, this beautifully curated communal dining experience is run by husband & wife Jules & Steve, and it’s somewhere I’d absolutely recommend booking.

We were there for their family-style Sunday lunch, where everything is cooked over coals or in their beautiful brick oven and served in the middle of the table for everyone to share.

Roast beef with Yorkshire pudding & pigs in blankets, Chalk Stream trout for the pescatarians, roasted summer squash with goats cheese & pomegranate for the veggies, plus all the glorious Sunday roast sides. 

Cumin roasted carrots, hispi cabbage, roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese and green beans picked from the garden.

Then came plum pavlova, made with plums from their own trees and swirled through piles of whipped cream. Heaven.

And there’s more…

It’s BYOB with no corkage. LOVE this ..

After lunch you can wander through the kitchen garden, orchard and flower garden, meet the chickens and generally let lunch go down in the loveliest surroundings.

They also host end-of-the-week evening feasts, which I am very keen to return for in the autumn. I’m already imagining this place lit by fairy lights, candles & log burners… and perhaps finding a local B&B so I can properly embrace the BYOB situation!

If you’re looking for where to eat in Somerset, a special Sunday lunch, seasonal dining or somewhere a little different for a food-filled day out, put Horrell & Horrell on your list.

Somerset foodies, I want to know your hidden gems too… Tell me your favourite places to eat in Somerset in the comments because I’m on a mission to discover more of them, and I’ve got my eye on an autumn return to Horrell & Horrell already.

#SomersetFood #SomersetFoodie #WhereToEatSomerset #SomersetRestaurants #SouthWestFoodie
N O T A V E R Y I N T E R E S T I N G P O S T N O T  A  V E R Y  I N T E R E S T I N G  P O S T …

Unless you’re into watching the sun go down with your sister, eating a ridiculous amount of cheese and calling it dinner.

A little picnic with a cracking bottle of Muscadet, some delightful cheeses from Pullo, tinned hake (never have I ever), giant olives & bloomin’ lovely crunchy crackers.

It really doesn’t take much to make me happy.

Give me good food, a bottle of wine, a sunset & good company and I’m sorted.

And actually, this is exactly why I love shopping local. Picking up lovely things from independent businesses, finding something a little different and putting it all together to make an ordinary evening feel like a bit of an occasion.

So if you’re looking for summer picnic ideas in Devon, forget making it complicated. Grab some good local food, find somewhere pretty and enjoy it.

What’s your absolute picnic essential?

#DevonFoodie #SummerPicnic #ShopLocalDevon #SouthWestFoodie #SupportIndependents
I F Y O U A R E W O N D E R I N G what you’ll I F  Y O U  A R E  W O N D E R I N G what you’ll get from following me... here’s your answer.

I’m Tara, a Devon foodie who is happiest exploring independent cafés, restaurants, farm shops and hidden gems across Devon and the South West. If it’s seasonal, local and independently owned, there’s a good chance I’m already planning a visit.

I also believe the little things matter. Supporting small businesses. Shopping second hand. Walking instead of rushing. Spending time with people I love. And stopping to say hello to every cat I meet.

If that sounds like your kind of feed, I think we’ll get on just fine.

Life’s too short for boring recommendations, and there are so many brilliant local places that deserve to be discovered. I hope my page helps you find somewhere new to eat, drink and be merry.

Tell me one thing we’d definitely have in common.

#DevonFoodie #SouthWestFood #SupportLocal #IndieFood #DevonLife
I F I H A D T O P I C K just ONE place in Exe I F  I  H A D  T O  P I C K  just ONE place in Exeter...

As a Devon-born & bred foodie, this might be one of the hardest lists I’ve ever made.

I spend a lot of my time exploring the best independent cafés, restaurants, bakeries, pubs & coffee shops in Exeter, and if you told me I could only choose one in each category right now, this would be it.

My current Exeter favourites:

✨ Vegan & veggie – Herbies
✨ Tapas – Calvo Loco
✨ Lunch with a conscience – The Birdhouse (a wonderful social enterprise café creating employment opportunities for adults with learning disabilities. Every coffee & lunch helps support an amazing local project.)
✨ Cosy dinner with incredible service – Harry’s
✨ Greek – Polly’s Little Greek Kitchen
✨ Pop-up vibes – Magdalen Cheese & Provisions
✨ Pizza – Portal
✨ Drinks – Scapegoat
✨ Elevated pub food & top-notch service – The Fat Pig
✨ Coffee & homemade cakes – Alma
✨ Matcha & dreamy cakes – Pink Ginger
✨ Brunch – The Press House
✨ Authentic Thai – Kin Khao
✨ Sandwiches – Dukes Deli

There are so many incredible independent businesses in Exeter that deserved a mention, and narrowing this down to one in each category was almost impossible. 

Ask me again next month and there’ll probably be a few changes! Supporting local is something I’ll always champion, and you’ll only ever find independent recommendations on my page.

Which Exeter indie would make your list?

Share this with your foodie buddies, save it for your next trip into Exeter & tell me your current favourites in the comments.

#ExeterFood #ExeterIndies #DevonFoodie #ExeterRestaurants #SupportLocalDevon
“W H A T D O Y O U actually do for fun?” Tu “W H A T  D O  Y O U actually do for fun?”

Turns out... exactly what you’d expect from a South West foodie.

I love gathering friends & family around a table, discovering independent cafés, restaurants & pop ups, packing a picnic for a sunny afternoon, visiting English vineyards, drinking brilliant English wine, cuddling my cats & finding new local gems across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset & beyond.

For me, supporting local isn’t just something I post about, it’s genuinely how I choose to spend my free time. The best weekends are the ones spent exploring somewhere new, meeting passionate independent business owners & making memories over really good food & drink.

If you’re looking for the best independent places to eat, drink & explore in the South West, you’re in exactly the right place. Come along while I discover somewhere new... you might just find your next favourite spot too.

What would your perfect day look like? Tell me your favourite way to spend a weekend, or recommend somewhere in the South West that I need to visit next.

#DevonFoodie #SouthWestFoodie #SupportLocalUK #IndependentBusinesses #EnglishWine
D O E S E X E T E R R E A L L Y N E E D another D O E S  E X E T E R  R E A L L Y  N E E D another chain coffee shop... or should we be looking after the brilliant indie cafés we already have?

Every time we choose an independent coffee shop over a big chain, we’re doing so much more than buying a flat white. We’re backing local people, local jobs, local suppliers & helping keep Exeter’s food & coffee scene full of character.

If we want our towns & cities to thrive, it starts with the little choices. Order the coffee. Try the matcha. Pick up the pastry. Sit in the window. Chat to the barista. It all matters.

As an Exeter foodie, I naturally lean towards seasonal, local & independent wherever I can. These cafés are the places where birthdays are celebrated, catch-ups happen, work gets done, books get read & someone having a difficult day can find a warm welcome over a good cup of coffee.

Here are a few of my favourite Exeter cafés for all different reasons... incredible coffee, homemade cakes, warm service, beautiful spaces & the people behind them who make me want to keep coming back.

Which Exeter indie coffee shop deserves more love? I’d genuinely love to discover somewhere new.

#Exeter #ExeterCafe #IndependentCoffeeShop #DevonFoodie #SupportLocal
O N D A - E X E T E R 🪡 I don’t think I’ve O N D A - E X E T E R 🪡

I don’t think I’ve ever owned anything that feels quite as me as this.

Ad A month or so ago I commissioned the wonderful Pam from @ondaexeter to create a bespoke sweatshirt using recycled & reclaimed fabric. Onda is an independent slow fashion studio based in Exeter where every piece is thoughtfully designed & handmade, giving beautiful textiles a second life instead of letting them go to waste. Every piece is rooted in ethical craftsmanship, sustainable fashion & eco-friendly practices. 

It actually all started back in March when a group of us bought our friend Amy one of Pam’s bespoke sweatshirts for her birthday. I’d been following Onda for a while and knew it would make the perfect gift for our dog-walking friend. We chose teal, purple & beige for Amy and when it arrived I instantly knew I wanted one too.

A few DMs later I met Pam at her St Thomas studio in Exeter to design my own. My colour palette is much more neutral, so we settled on black, cream & terracotta with a tiny nod to Amy’s sweatshirt in the soft lilac.

The whole process was such a joy. We played around with colours on Pam’s iPad, held fabrics up to my face to see what suited, chose the perfect fit, length & all those little details you just don’t get when buying something off the peg.

A week or so later my sweatshirt was ready. The quality is incredible & it’s even more stunning than I’d imagined. Pam is unbelievably talented, but she’s also one of those genuinely lovely people you can’t help wanting to support.

The fact that every sweatshirt is handmade using recycled fabrics makes it even more special.

It’s been far too warm to wear it properly but with the hint of rain we had today it seemed appropriate to post & I know come autumn I will be living in it.

If you’ve been looking for sustainable clothing, slow fashion, or a truly unique handmade sweatshirt, I’d really recommend taking a look at Onda. And if you’re not local to Exeter, Pam also posts her pieces across the UK.

Have you ever had a piece of clothing made just for you, or would you? I’d love to know.

#ExeterIndependent #SlowFashionUK #SustainableStyle #handmade
E V E R Y T I M E I H O S T , I get the same Wh E V E R Y  T I M E  I  H O S T , I get the same WhatsApp... “What can I bring?”

I never reply with “just bring yourself” anymore.

Here’s why. I genuinely think people want to help. They want to feel part of the evening, not like they’ve turned up empty handed while one person has spent all day doing everything. And if I’m hosting (which I do a lot), why wouldn’t I let them?

My replies are usually something like...

• Bring your favourite crisps & a dip.

• Can you pick up a bag of ice on the way?

• Fancy being on sourdough duty?

• Would you mind bringing dessert? Ice cream is perfect.

• I forgot the mint for the Pimms!

• Orange juice for mimosas?

• Can you grab some strawberries on your way?

• Bring a bottle of something you’d like to drink.

• Can you arrive 15 minutes early to help me set the table?

• We need someone in charge of the BBQ!

None of it is a huge ask. Nobody is spending hours cooking another meal. It’s just one small thing that helps spread the load and somehow makes everyone feel more part of the evening.

I used to think being a good host meant taking care of absolutely everything. Now I think it’s about creating an evening where everyone feels welcome and included - me too. 

Maybe it’s a Southwest England thing, maybe it’s just my family & friends, but whenever I’m invited somewhere, my first question is always, “Tell me what to bring.”

Do you always tell people to “just bring yourself”, or do you happily give them a little job? I’d love to know what your go-to answer is.

#SouthWestEngland #DevonLife #HostingAtHome #DinnerPartyIdeas #EntertainingAtHome
1 0 D E V O N food spots I genuinely couldn’t s 1 0  D E V O N food spots I genuinely couldn’t stop thinking about this month.

Hi, I’m Tara & I’m what I call a foodie explorer. I spend my free time hunting down the independent places across Devon where you can eat, drink & be merry. Whether it’s browsing beautiful delis, discovering a crazy seasonal latte, sharing pizza with friends or picking up a takeaway sandwich for a picnic with a bottle of English wine, I love finding places that are worth the trip... then sharing them with you.

I know I haven’t ventured far from Exeter this month. If you’re reading this from another part of Devon, don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten you! There have just been so many exciting openings, new menus & events happening close to home that I’ve been making the most of my own patch.

These are the places I’ve loved this month...

• Rosso, Totnes for brilliant wine & a buzzing Friday night atmosphere.

• Albatross, Totnes for incredible pizza, unforgettable tiramisu & one of the best restaurant vibes around.

• Hyde & Seek, Exeter for homemade caramel banana iced lattes & their coffee, walnut & pecan cake.

• Magdalen Cheese & Provisions, Exeter for Thursday Magdalen Lates. Small plates & great wine.

• Herbies, Exeter for creative vegetarian & vegan small plates. My biggest surprise of the month. Ad Pr

• The Galley, Topsham for their £8.50 takeaway fish finger sandwich. Grab one, a picnic blanket & a bottle of English rosé & head to the quay. Ad Pr

• Kiln, Topsham for excellent coffee, lovely service & irresistible cakes.

• The Birdhouse, Exeter for their seasonal lunch menu. The tomatoes on toast with tahini dressing are worth the trip.

• Circle, Topsham because the coffee was so good I had to order another.

• Pop Kitchen, Exeter for outrageous seasonal coffees & matcha, plus the most satisfying Detroit-style pizzas. Go hungry.

If you’re looking for the best independent cafés, restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops & wine bars in Devon, I’d happily recommend every one.

Which one are you trying first? Or which Devon gem should I visit next? Tag someone you’d spend a weekend eating your way around Devon with.

#DevonFoodGuide #ExeterFood #TopshamFood #TotnesFood #DevonFoodie
H E R B I E S - E X E T E R 🍃 Ad I am excited H E R B I E S - E X E T E R 🍃

Ad I am excited about this one ... I wasn’t expecting to love it quite this much.

Yesterday I went to @herbies_exeter for lunch with my friend Viki, and it completely surpassed my expectations.

I hadn’t been for years. I used to come here regularly with my nan before she passed away, and somehow I just got out of the habit. Back then it was always somewhere we loved, and thinking about it, Herbies was probably one of the original independent restaurants in Exeter. It’s stood the test of time for a reason.

It’s now owned by the lovely team behind Calvo Loco on Magdalen Road, and they’ve created a menu of seasonal small plates that are packed with flavour.

We shared six dishes between us. The recommendation is three small plates each, but for lunch I’d actually say five between two would have been plenty because the portions are really quite generous.

Everything we ordered was delicious. The corn ribs, banana blossom tacos, smashed triple-cooked potatoes with the lemon and herb dip, za’atar broccoli with romanesco sauce, pickled watermelon and feta salad and the buffalo cauliflower were all genuinely excellent. 

Every single dish felt exciting. Nothing felt like it was trying to replace meat or prove a point. It was simply brilliant food, full stop.

The restaurant itself feels calm and welcoming, with a beautiful hand-drawn mural running the length of the space and across the front windows. The service was warm and friendly too, which always makes such a difference.

I think Herbies might just have become my favourite vegan and vegetarian restaurant in Exeter. Even if you usually eat meat, I honestly don’t think you’d miss it here. The food is so full of flavour that it never feels like it’s lacking anything. It feels fresh, seasonal and nourishing without ever feeling worthy.

Safe to say it gets my seal of approval, and I already can’t wait to go back.

Have you been to Herbies recently, or is there another independent Exeter restaurant you think I should add to my list?

#ExeterFood #ExeterRestaurants #VeganExeter #IndependentExeter #SouthWestFoodie
I D O N ‘ T S A Y this lightly, but I genuinel I  D O N ‘ T  S A Y this lightly, but I genuinely think this might be the best value lunch in Topsham.

Ad The @galleytopsham have started serving their fish finger sandwiches to take away for just £8.50, and they’re every bit as good as you’d hope. Fresh bread (we had sourdough, although focaccia is usually the norm), chunky breaded fish, homemade tartare sauce, homemade pickled cucumber sriracha, served with a generous handful of salted fancy crisps.

Place your order with Patrick and the team, have a wander around Topsham while it’s freshly made, (I recommend the best charity shop ever next door. It’s all vintage and it’s  full of amazing things to look at) and around 10 minutes later you’ll be walking away with a piping hot sandwich.

Here’s why I’d do it this way every time...

Take it down to the quayside, lay out a picnic blanket, open a chilled bottle of English rosé and spend an hour watching the boats, birds and the River Exe drift by. It’s such a simple way to turn an £8.50 lunch into something that feels really special.

If you’re looking for a food spot in Topsham that won’t break the bank but still feels like a treat, this is one I’d happily recommend.

Have you discovered any other brilliant value food spots in Topsham? I’d love to add them to my list.

#Topsham #TopshamFood #DevonFood #VisitTopsham #FoodieDevon
T H E R E W A S A T I M E when someone told me T H E R E  W A S  A  T I M E when someone told me that nobody would be interested in what I had to say or do.

I’m so glad I didn’t let their voice become my own.

I’ve been sharing here on my little corner of insta for more than ten years now. It hasn’t been an overnight success as you can see and I’m still not sitting at 10k followers, but that’s never really been the point.

Because here’s the thing...
This account has given me experiences I never imagined. It’s introduced me to incredible independent businesses across Devon, Dorset, Somerset and the wider South West. It’s taken me to restaurants, cafés, pubs, vineyards, bakeries and farm shops that I might never have found otherwise.

More importantly, it’s introduced me to people.
One of those people is Alex. We met through this app over a decade ago and last year I had the privilege of standing beside her as one of her bridesmaids. That alone is worth every photo, every caption and every hour I’ve spent creating.

People have told me my “little account” takes up too much time. But when you genuinely love something, how much time is too much? This has always been a hobby rooted in curiosity, good food and supporting passionate independent businesses.

This year my community has doubled in size and I’m incredibly grateful to every single person who follows along, leaves a comment, sends a recommendation or shares one of my posts with a friend. You’ve made this feel like a proper little community, and I wouldn’t change that for anything.

So if you’re worried about starting something because of what someone else might think, don’t let their opinion become your voice.

Slow growth is still growth. Authenticity lasts longer than trends. And the people who are meant to find you usually do.

For those of you who are landing here for the first time -  i’m Tara. A South West foodie championing independent cafés, restaurants, pubs, vineyards and the people behind them.

I’d love to know... has someone ever doubted you, only for you to prove them wrong?

#devonfoodie #southwestfood #independentbusiness #devoncafes #foodiesofinstagram
M A G D A L E N  C H E E S E  L A T E S 

If you’re wondering where to drink good wine in Exeter... this is your sign.

Yesterday my friend Jo and I headed to Magdalen Cheese & Provisions for their very first Magdalen Cheese Lates and I have a feeling this is going to become one of Exeter’s favourite Thursday evening spots.

From 4-8pm every Thursday, they’re serving a simple menu of seasonal small plates alongside carefully chosen wines by the glass or bottle. We shared creamy mozzarella with in season peaches & tomatoes, thick slices of sourdough with proper butter (I knew the butter would be the right choice), and a glass of the house rosé.

By the time we left, every table was full.

It makes complete sense. Magdalen Cheese has long been one of my favourite places in Exeter for incredible cheese, beautiful local bread, thoughtful wines and all the little provisions that make entertaining at home feel special. This feels like such a natural extension of what they already do so well.

I chatted to Jacob before we left and he mentioned that if Thursday evenings prove popular, they may look at opening on Fridays and Saturdays too. I really hope they do. Exeter could always do with more places serving interesting wines in a relaxed setting.

This isn’t an ad, just a genuine recommendation from a lovely evening with a friend.

If you’re looking for things to do in Exeter, wine bars in Exeter, cheese boards in Exeter or somewhere for a relaxed date night, I’d add Magdalen Cheese Lates to your list.

* p.s .. Magdalen Cheese & provisions is beautifully air conditioned so if this heat wave continues you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!! 

Have you been to @magdalencheese yet, or is this one for your list?

#ExeterFood #ExeterFoodie #VisitExeter #DevonFood #IndependentExeter
K I L N - T O P S H A M 

Come with me to Topsham’s newest café... and trust me, you’ll want to add this one to your list.

After following @kilntopsham journey on Instagram from the very beginning, I couldn’t wait for the doors to finally open - and it absolutely lived up to the anticipation.

From the beautiful handmade pottery crafted in-house to the carefully considered interiors, every detail has been thought through. Think rough plaster walls, original stained-glass windows, sheepskins draped over benches and modern wooden furniture - it’s effortlessly stylish without trying too hard.

The coffee? Absolutely lush. Kiln serves coffee from @normacoffeeroasters , an independent speciality roastery run by Lauren and Joe from a converted barn on the edge of Dartmoor. They focus on sourcing exceptional seasonal coffees from small, underrepresented growers, and you can genuinely taste the care that goes into every cup.

There’s also a gorgeous little deli and gift shop filled with fresh Taw Valley milk, local produce, pantry treats and carefully curated gifts. I very nearly came home with the Bakery Tourist cap I’ve been eyeing online... but that’ll have to wait for payday!

A huge shout-out to the lovely member of staff behind the counter who happily answered all of my many coffee questions with a smile. Friendly service always makes such a difference.

My lemon and poppy seed cake was the perfect pairing with my coffee, the café had a lovely buzz about it, and it’s dog friendly too - always a win. 

Would I go back? Without a doubt. This is one of those places you’ll find yourself returning to again and again.

Save this for your next visit to Topsham, Devon, and tag the person you’d take for coffee and cake!

#Topsham #TopshamDevon #DevonCafes #SpecialityCoffee #VisitDevon
S W I M - L Y M E R E G I S Ad If you’re loo S W I M -  L Y M E  R E G I S 

Ad If you’re looking for an excuse to plan a Dorset day trip, consider this your sign.

I’ve definitely entered my Discover Dorset era, and my latest stop was @swimlyme 

If you know Heydays in Exmouth, you’ll recognise the vibe. Swim has the same relaxed beachside feel, a buzzing atmosphere, a great menu, attentive staff and brilliant cocktails and mocktails.

We visited on the first weekend of the summer holidays, so Lyme Regis was absolutely buzzing. My friend and I started with the Pentire Margarita mocktail (I’d been thinking about it ever since having one at Heydays) before ordering the anchovy pan con tomate, which I couldn’t resist.

Alongside that we shared the specials - creamy white wine moules with Rise Bakery sourdough and breaded scallops with tomato salsa - plus the Sunburst Salad with roast chicken. I’d accidentally ordered the full-sized moules rather than a side, so we were very grateful our waitress persuaded us to skip the truffle parmesan fries.🫢

The mussels were delicious, the sourdough was perfect for mopping up the sauce (made at their sister venue @risebakestore ) too. 

A little tip... sit inside if you can. Especially right now - It’s air-conditioned, you can grab a window seat overlooking the beach and, most importantly, you’re out of reach of Lyme’s fearless seagulls. You still get the beach vibes but stay cool in the process. 

For my Exeter friends, Lyme Regis is only around 45-50 minutes away, making it an easy day trip. If you’re looking for restaurants in Lyme Regis, places to eat in Dorset or beachside dining in Dorset, Swim is well worth adding to your list.

Their sister resto, @risecafebar in West Bay, is next on my list as I continue exploring beautiful Dorset.

Have you got a favourite restaurant or café in Dorset that I should try next? Let me know below. You know I am always on the lookout for great local places to eat, drink and be merry. 

#lymeregis #dorsetfoodie #discoverdorset #independentrestaurants #southwestfoodie
I F Y O U A S K E D me where I’d take you for I F  Y O U  A S K E D me where I’d take you for lunch or dinner in Dorset, this list would be a very good place to start... although, if I’m honest, my must-visit Dorset restaurants list seems to grow every single week! 

From fluffy bao buns and the freshest Dorset seafood, to beautiful seasonal local vegetables, cosy country pubs, charming cafés and destination restaurants... Dorset’s food scene is absolutely thriving right now, and I am here for it. 

Some of these are places I’ve already fallen in love with, while others come highly recommended by you lovely lot. I genuinely have the best community for foodie recommendations, and I can’t thank you enough for sharing your favourite local gems with me.

As a Devon-based foodie, I’m always exploring the very best places to eat and drink across the South West, and Dorset never disappoints. Whether you’re planning a foodie day out, a weekend escape or searching for the best restaurants in Dorset, I hope this gives you plenty of inspiration.

Now it’s your turn... 

Where’s your favourite place to eat in Dorset that I absolutely have to visit? I’m always looking for my next amazing meal, so leave your recommendations below and let’s make this list even bigger! 

#DorsetFood #DorsetRestaurants #VisitDorset #SouthWestFoodie #FoodieFinds
I R E A L L Y J U S T like taking pictures Jum I  R E A L L Y  J U S T like taking pictures 

Jumping on the viral audio… and honestly, it’s true.
I really do just like taking pictures.

The food before the first bite. The cosy independent cafés. Seasonal menus. The golden hour skies. Ocean views. Colourful doors. Fresh flowers. Beautiful tables. 

Little details most people walk past but I see them. 

Some people collect things. I collect moments in time. My camera roll sparking happiness, love and joy but also reminding me of people and pets I have lost. 💔

At this point, taking pictures isn’t a hobby… it’s just part of my personality. And I’m perfectly okay with that. 

Have a great Friday everyone and remember to get that pic! 

Love Tara x

#SlowLiving #RomanticisingLife #Aesthetic #DevonFoodie #lovedevon
Load More Follow on Instagram

Sign up to my mailing list

© Tara Smith 2022