North Devon has almost two thirds of the county’s best cafés study finds
What's the main thing we look forward to when going on holiday? The sun? The relaxing? The food? Okay, they are all pretty good. Especially when it comes to food, it’s important you get it right as many are familiar with having a bad meal while on holiday, which can really dampen the experience.
With that fact in mind, Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks were interested in finding out more about the best cafés in Devon, what they serve, where they are and why you should hit them up if you are planning a staycation in the county.
We analysed the top 20 cafés in Devon on Tripadvisor based on the percentage of 5-star reviews. With it being National Pie Day in March (one of our favourite annual traditions in the UK) we also got in touch with each ‘finalist’ to see if they offered one of the nation's favourite dishes on their menu.
65% of the best reviewed cafés were in North Devon
Now we do love South Devon, and there have been some great entrants from places like Exeter and Plymouth, but 13 of the 20 cafés reviewed were from the northern part of the county. Woolacombe Bay actually featured one of the best with the Barricane Beach Café.
As well as the positive reviews, North Devon cafés like Café Collective and Fremington Quay Café are home to delicious pies, according to menus and Tripadvisor comments.
North Devon cafés are located in more picturesque locations than South Devon
As well as the great food (promised by the Tripadvisor reviews), the data shows that the highly rated cafés based in North Devon appear to be located in more picturesque locations when compared to South Devon, which can really boost the holiday experience for visitors. For example, Cream Tea Café (which secures 322 5-star reviews) is located in Barnstaple, a small town perfect for strolls not too far from the coast.
Meanwhile, many of the South Devon cafés are located near the bigger towns and cities like Torbay, Exeter and Plymouth.
What were the top 3 cafés?
The top three cafés in Devon, based on glowing customer reviews, are Tantuni, No.28 The Cookery Ltd, and Café Croyde Bay. Tantuni takes the lead with a near-perfect 99% of its 236 reviews awarding 5 stars. No.28 The Cookery Ltd isn’t far behind, with 98% of 93 reviewers giving it top marks.
Café Croyde Bay, with 288 reviews and a 95% 5-star rating, is a firm favorite, especially in the scenic Croyde area. These cafés have clearly nailed great food and top-notch service, making them must-visits in Devon!
When looking at the top 3 cafés 2 were also in the north so another win for North Devon!
How many of the cafés offered pies?
We took a look at all of the menus and after we suppressed our cravings for a full cooked breakfast, we checked to see if they offered pies (it being British Pie Week and all). If we couldn't get a definitive answer, we reached out to the cafés to ask them! Matt The Daisy Café commented “of course! And we will definitely be doing some for National Pie Week”.
Out of the 20 best reviewed cafés on Tripadvisor, only 3 offered pies. On National Pie Week, could this be time for a change?
Looking for a stay in this beautiful county?
If you have been tempted by some of the delights offered by the cafés listed, then why not check out Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks. We open on 28th March 2025 and there are plenty of cafés on this list within driving and walking distance of all 3 of our Parks (and remember when you stay in one Park, you get access to them all!).
The full list of cafés can be found below:
ENDS
About Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks
Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks is one of the leading operators of holiday parks within Devon and the UK. A family-run business, they are passionate about reinvesting back into their Parks so that the customer gets the best possible holiday at a reasonable price. They offer caravans, lodges and camping/touring pitches so you can find the right accommodation for your stay. Their wide range of onsite activities, entertainment, bars and restaurants make for popular family breaks.
Contact:
For more information on the story (journalists and media) please contact Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks’ PR representative Thomas Dummer.
