The world’s our oyster

Topsham is the place to come to enjoy independent eating and drinking. Elsewhere, so many towns and cities (including Exeter) are dominated by chain cafés and restaurants, the same ones that you will find most everywhere else. Topsham has steadfastly resisted this trend and boasts an array of varied, highly individual and personally run places to eat and drink at all levels and styles. So whatever your taste or inclination, visit Topsham and you won’t be disappointed.

Come dine with us

As a Devon dining destination, no other town or even city anywhere in the county offers such a wealth of varied, independent restaurants to choose from. At The Salutation Inn, Chef Tom Williams-Hawkes offers a range of tasting menus based on seasonal and local ingredients and produce (as well, in season, Exe salmon landed by his father). The Galley specialises in local fish and seafood, as well as impeccably sourced meat. French inspired food at L’Estuaire; Italian at Marcellos; American inspired barbeque at  Pig & Pallet; contemporary Indian at Denley’s Essence of India, and more. Topsham truly offers something for everyone.

Darts Farm Restaurant
Denley’s Essence of India
L’Estuaire
The Galley
Marcello’s Ristorante
Pebblebed Cellar
The Pig & Pallet
The Salutation Inn

The ‘Topsham Ten’ — well, almost

Doing ‘The Topsham Ten’ used to be a favourite activity for students and others in search of a bibulous challenge. Topsham these days may have fewer pubs then before (I have been here long enough to remember the King’s Head, Malt Scoop, Steam Packet, London & South Westerner, all gone), but those that remain offer something for everyone.

On entering Topsham, there is the Exeter Inn. Next comes The Lord Nelson, then continuing down Fore Street The Globe Hotel around to The Lighter on Topsham Quay. The Passage House Inn is on Ferry Road directly overlooking the estuary. And last but by no means least there is The Bridge Inn, situated on the winding Clyst River on the road that leads to Clyst St George and Exmouth. Whatever you are looking for, whether a great pint of beer, a lovely glass of wine, simple food or full meals, there is a public house in Topsham offering just the ambience, food and drink, and company that you will enjoy.

And if you prefer a glass of Topsham’s own produced wine, made from grapes grown in the surrounding hills, then why not drop in to the Pebblebed Cellar on Ferry Road. Route 2 Café has wine evenings on Fridays and Saturdays.

And just in case there is not enough choice right here in Topsham, all of us who live here like to consider The Turf, just across the river in Exminster, to be one of our locals: you can, after all, reach this very special pub not by car, but by the Topsham to Turf Ferry that runs from Trout’s Boatyard, or by taking the small passenger ferry from near the Passage House Inn, then walking or cycling alongside the canal.

Bridge Inn
Exeter Inn
Lord Nelson Inn
Lighter Inn
Globe Inn
No 3 gin bar
Passage House Inn
Pebblebed Cellar
Route 2 Café
Turf Hotel

Cafés and informal dining

In a world increasingly dominated by the likes of multinational chains like Starbucks and Costa Coffee, it’s great that Topsham offers a range of individual cafés, serving not only excellent coffee and teas but also good and varied meals to suit all tastes.

The Boathouse
Bradbury Café @ Nancy Potter House
The Café
The GlassHouse at The Salutation Inn
Matthews Hall Café
Plum Café
Route 2 Café
Sara’s Petite Cuisine

Takeaways

For a quick meal to pick up and eat at home, or on the benches along the Underway (watch out for hungry swans and ducks!), Topsham offers a variety of different options.

The Beijing Fryer
Denley’s Essence of India
Fish Shed Fish & Chips
Marcello’s Ristorante