Introducing the overall winners of the 2026 Food Drink Devon Awards
From exceptional local produce and passionate independent makers to outstanding restaurants, cafés, pubs and takeaways, the 2026 Food Drink Devon Awards celebrate the people and places making Devon’s food and drink scene so special.
After months of judging, we’re delighted to reveal this year’s winners. These are the Devon businesses that have impressed our judges, and whether you’re looking for somewhere new to eat, a local producer to discover or inspiration for your next Devon foodie adventure, our 2026 winners are a great place to start.
The Sustainability Pioneer 2026
voco Zeal Hotel, Exeter Science Park
A premium 4-star hotel located at Exeter Science Park. One of the first net-zero carbon hotels, designed with sustainability at its core, the hotel combines contemporary comfort, stylish accommodation and exceptional food and drink with cutting-edge environmental technology.
“Very comprehensive, strategically and tactically planned, deeply embedded sustainability initiatives and ethos throughout the business, tackling all dimensions of People, Planet and Profit. They could be a role model for how to develop end to end sustainability in a Hospitality business.”
Hospitality Awards
Best Fine Dining Restaurant | La Mar Exmouth
Located on Exmouth Marina, offering contemporary British cuisine inspired by the best seasonal ingredients Devon has to offer. Opened in January 2024 by local hospitality owner Maisie Dawson, La Mar has quickly established itself as one of Exmouth's most celebrated dining destinations, earning 1 AA Rosette recognition. It offers a refined yet welcoming dining experience overlooking the marina.
The judges thought "the food was well considered, well balanced and excellently presented. The staff were welcoming, charming and knowledgeable with everyone taking pride in what they do. The open plan kitchen added to the overall experience."
Best Restaurant | Crab Shed Salcombe
A vibrant quayside seafood restaurant, stylish and relaxed. Perched on the waterside overlooking Salcombe harbour, with a light and bright interior and deck. Their fresh fish and shellfish - including the world famous Salcombe brown crab - are sourced directly from the fishermen who land their sustainable catches at Fish Quay. Worthy winners for the second year running!
"The judges thought Crab Shed was genuinely exceptional. They loved the combination of informality with the very high standards, and the obvious passion for what they do shone through. A perfect blend bringing together high quality, carefully sourced local ingredients, accomplished cooking and lovely staff."
Best Hotel Restaurant | Orestone Manor Hotel
Family-run country house hotel and restaurant in the coastal village of Maidencombe near Torquay. Overlooking the sea and surrounding countryside, this elegant manor combines luxury accommodation, exceptional hospitality and outstanding dining in a relaxed and welcoming setting.
"The magical isolation should alone put it on people's lists to visit, but the high-quality, delicious food and care and passion being put into the business is what set it apart. It gave them a truly special and memorable experience."
Best Casual Dining | The Cove in Hope Cove
Open year-round, you'll find this beachfront café bar, restaurant and craft beer destination in the beautiful fishing village of Hope Cove, near Kingsbridge. Family-owned and independent, The Cove has built a reputation for serving outstanding home-cooked food, exceptional local drinks and a warm coastal welcome. It's a popular destination for locals, holidaymakers, walkers and food lovers.
"A genuinely lovely place doing the right things by Devon producers, its community and its customers. The staff were cheerful and friendly, and local sourcing is exceptional with Devon suppliers championed on the menu and around the building."
Pub of the Year | Black River Inn Black Torrington
Known for its innovative fire-cooked food, warm hospitality and commitment to local produce, the Black River Inn combines traditional pub values with a unique culinary approach. The inn has earned a strong reputation for its distinctive Devon tapas, exceptional Sunday roasts and carefully selected local drinks.
"A truly special place, run by people who clearly know exactly what they are doing and why they are doing it. The commitment to local producers is extraordinary and the food being quite simply the finest pub food the judges have experienced. A real treat and a genuine gem. The owners should be enormously proud of what they are achieving."
Best Bar | Offshore Torquay
Waterfront restaurant and live music venue located on Torquay Harbour, combining fresh local food, coastal hospitality and a vibrant atmosphere. Offshore offers a relaxed dining experience with spectacular sea views and a strong focus on Devon produce.
"From the warm welcome and attentive, knowledgeable staff to the excellent quality of the drinks, every aspect of the experience reflected a genuine commitment to hospitality. They deliver an authentic taste of Devon with professionalism, quality and a strong sense of place."
Cafe of the Year | Rafiki's Ashburton
An independent vegetarian and vegan café, bar and restaurant in the heart of Ashburton. Founded by passionate travellers Susie and Kian, Rafikis combines global flavours with locally sourced Devon ingredients, creating a welcoming space where people can gather, relax and enjoy fresh, imaginative food.
"An exceptional cafe. They deliver something genuinely special - creative, nourishing food cooked with skill and intention, served in a welcoming, inclusive environment by people who clearly care. A joy to visit!"
Takeaway of the Year | Loluli's Lucky Fish Exmouth
Lucky Fish is a 'street food' takeaway using the finest fresh fish and seafood caught on the south west coast to create a menu paired with Asian flavours. A five-minute walk to the ocean and with daily deliveries of ever-changing seasonal fish and seafood straight from the source.
"An exceptional example of what a modern takeaway can be. Every aspect of the experience reflected genuine passion, from the careful sourcing of seasonal southwest seafood and the imaginative, globally inspired menu to the exceptional standard of cooking, thoughtful presentationand warm family welcome. The result is food that feels exciting, healthy and memorable. It was a truly outstanding experience."
Food Product Awards
Each year we choose two best food products, rewarding established foods and the new kids on the block.
Best New Food | Curworthy Cheese | Woolworthy
Curworthy Cheese produces a range of handcrafted cheeses made using pasteurised milk from a single local herd at Dunstaple Farm near Holsworthy. Every cheese is carefully crafted, pressed and matured to develop its characteristic flavour and texture. Woolworthy is a hard sheep's milk cheese, firm and dense with a fabulous rind. Starts off mild before delivering a signature sharp, flavourful ewe's milk finish.
Best Food | Good Game | Tuscan Style Salami
Good Game Charcuterie is an artisan producer based in Topsham, specialising in traditional British charcuterie made from wild game, free-range pork and grass-fed beef. Founded with a mission to create some of the finest cured meats in the UK, Good Game combines traditional curing methods with exceptional local ingredients and a strong commitment to provenance. Tuscan Style Salami Aisclassic Italian style salami with fennel, garlic and loads of red wine. A good fat to meat ratio. It is claimed to have antiseptic and healing qualities.
The judges thought it was "beautifully balanced in flavour with great texture and it packed a punch. Exceptional."
Drink Product Awards
Best New Drink | Venton's Devon Cyder | Whiteways Cyder Royal
Cider producer based in East Devon, crafting farmhouse cider using traditional methods. The winning Whiteways Royal was originally produced by the historic Whiteways Cyder Company in Whimple. Royal cider has been revived by Venton's using apples from the original Whiteway orchards around Whimple and Hele.
The judges were "very impressed by the complexity, balance and flavours of this local Cyder. Really thought provoking, interesting and maybe one for the connoisseur."
Best Drink | Stokehouse Farm Dairy | Whole Milk
Family-run dairy farm near Bradninch, producing fresh, pasteurised, non-homogenised whole milk from its herd of Jersey and Jersey-cross cows. The dairy has built a reputation for high-quality, grass-fed milk, animal welfare and sustainable direct-to-consumer farming. Milk is sold through self-service vending machines, offering customers a fresh, low-food-mile alternative to supermarket milk.
Devon Wine of The Year
Alder Vineyard - Madeleine Angevine
Pale in colour, dry and gloriously fruity, Alder's Madeleine Angevine is a treat for your tastebuds. With hints of elderflower and citrus on the nose plus apple, melon, and tropical fruit on the palate, this is an elegant example of this Devon vintage that leaves you reaching for another sip. Serve chilled to accompany chicken dishes, fresh Devon seafood or pasta.
Our expert judges thought the wine was "very fresh and vibrant with the Madeleine Angevine grape being really expressive of Devon’s still white wines. It is the first time a still white, not sparkling wine, has been awarded Food Drink Devon’s Wine of the Year - an encouraging sign for this style!"
Retailer Awards
Best Online Retailer | Bays Brewery
Bays Brewery is a family-run brewery based in Paignton, Torbay, crafting exceptional Devon beers since 2007 and raising thousands for local charities since then. Inspired by the coast and countryside of South Devon, the brewery produces a range of multi-award-winning ales, lagers and ciders. All their products are available from their online shop, together with a wide range of local wines and spirits.
"... smooth, efficient and consistent from order to delivery. The brand delivered well on its promise as a traditional, locally-rooted, Devon brewery offering good quality products with strong regional identity."
Best Retailer | Powderham Farm Shop
Powderham Farm Shop is a family-owned food destination that celebrates the very best of Devon and Westcountry produce. Complete with an in-house butchery, delicatessen, bistro and Post Office, it offers visitors a place to shop, dine and discover exceptional local food and drink in a stunning location.
"What an absolute pleasure it was to shop in this welcoming, well-stocked farm shop with friendly staff who were happy to share their knowledge and offer advice. Locally sourced food and drink take centre stage with food miles highlighted on labels next to interesting local suppliers".
Training School Award
Best Training School | Ashburton Cookery School
Ashburton Cookery School & Chefs Academy is one of the UK's leading independent cookery schools, located on the edge of Dartmoor. Established over 30 years ago, the school offers inspirational cookery courses for everyone from complete beginners and enthusiastic home cooks to aspiring professional chefs seeking accredited culinary training.
"It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and a great example of a well-run, welcoming, and informative course."
Ashburton Cookery School profile
Platinum, Gold and Silver Awards
We also awarded 20 Platinum Awards this year to food and drink products made in Devon, by local businesses.
Click below to read the full list of this year’s Platinum, Gold and Silver Awards, all of them are very well worth tracking down. Congratulations to you all.
A reminder that judging is conducted blind. Eateries and retailers are ‘mystery-shopped’ and food and drink is tasted and judged without packaging, so you know you can trust our experts’ judgement.
People's Choice Awards
This year, we once again handed the judging of some awards over to our community of food and drink lovers. We asked you to vote for your Favourite Hospitality venue, and for 2026 we added Favourite Product too. You voted in your thousands!
Your Favourite Hospitality Venue | Perfect Waves Cafe | Ivybridge
Perfect Waves Café is the welcoming on-site café at Owens Coffee’s roastery in Ivybridge, where freshly roasted organic and Fairtrade coffee is served alongside locally sourced food and homemade-style treats. Enjoy everything from freshly made sandwiches, paninis and flatbreads to soup, scones, cakes and pastries, with plenty of outdoor seating and free parking.
Your Favourite Product | Cottage Beer Project | Panther Black IPA
A fantastic, smooth, dark and complex beer with notes of toffee, chocolate and spice, with citrus and fruit aromas. Bitter, yet gentle roast character. Bottle conditioned. Panther is a former winner of Best New Drink product.