West Devon’s food scene: Fresh, local and deeply rooted

Nestled on the edge of Dartmoor, Tavistock and Okehampton sit at the heart of one of Devon’s most productive and picturesque food landscapes. Surrounded by rolling farmland, river valleys and open moorland, the area is renowned for its strong agricultural heritage and abundance of high-quality local produce.

Food and drink here are shaped by the seasons and the countryside. Family-run farms, artisan producers and independent food businesses provide a rich variety of ingredients, from fresh vegetables and free-range meats to handmade breads, preserves and traditional Devon cheeses. The fertile land of West Devon and the nearby Tamar Valley supports a thriving farming community, ensuring that locally sourced produce remains a key feature of the region’s food culture.

Dairy farming has long played an important role in the local economy, with the area producing some of Devon’s finest milk, cream and cheeses. Local butchers, bakers and delicatessens continue to champion traditional skills while embracing new ideas, creating products that reflect both the heritage and creativity of the region. Seasonal game, Dartmoor-reared lamb and fresh produce from nearby farms regularly feature on menus throughout the area.

The local drinks scene is equally distinctive. Devon’s famous cider tradition remains strong, with many producers crafting award-winning ciders from locally grown apples. Independent breweries, vineyards and distilleries have also flourished in recent years, offering everything from craft ales and fine wines to small-batch gins inspired by the surrounding landscape.

Across Tavistock, Okehampton and the surrounding villages, cafés, pubs and restaurants take pride in showcasing local ingredients and regional specialities. Whether enjoying a cream tea, sampling artisan cheeses, discovering a local cider or sharing a meal prepared with produce sourced from nearby farms, visitors can experience a genuine taste of Devon. The result is a food and drink scene that is authentic, welcoming and deeply connected to the land from which it comes.

Bovey Castle is launching Smith’s Flame & Smoke on Sunday June 7, bringing flame-fired food, live music and relaxed outdoor dining to the terrace at Smith’s Brasserie.

Set on the Dartmoor estate, the new summer dining experience is all about good barbecue food, big flavours and time spent outside. Guests can take a seat on the terrace, look out across the countryside and enjoy a two-course menu for £37.50 per person.

The menu starts with a charred sharing plank for the table. It includes pitta bread with bone marrow butter, charred corn ribs with barbecue and maple, grilled halloumi with hot honey and mint, white carrot hummus with garden vegetables, harissa grilled stem broccoli with shallots, and estate venison skewers with pickled cabbage.

For the main course, diners choose a dish from the flame, each served on flatbread. Options include 12-hour black pepper brisket with smoked burnt onion and sticky Bourbon glaze, pit roasted pork belly with charred peaches and herbs, half Devon chicken with garden pesto and chilli, whole South Coast mackerel with scorched limes and herbs, and flame roasted cauliflower steak with romesco.

Seasonal sides are served alongside the main dishes, including pickled fennel with watermelon, wild roquette and lime, crème fraîche, Cheddar and apricot slaw, kitchen garden mixed leaves and herbs, potato salad with mustard and spring onion, and heritage tomato salad with baby basil and olive oil.

There is also a Flame & Pour drinks menu, made for easy afternoons and summer evenings on the terrace. Guests can order Aperol Spritz, Pimm’s, GT1 Passion and Wild Idol Hugo 0%, as well as rosé and alcohol-free Wild Idol wines.

Smith’s Flame & Smoke will run every Thursday from 6pm to 9pm and every Sunday from 2pm to 5pm. With live music adding to the atmosphere, it is a simple, sociable way to enjoy Bovey Castle in the summer, whether you are local to the area, meeting friends, visiting after a walk on the moor or looking for somewhere a little different for a Sunday afternoon.

The setting is a big part of the experience. From the terrace at Smith’s, guests can enjoy open-air dining with views across the estate and out towards the Dartmoor countryside. It is relaxed, welcoming and easy to book, with no overnight stay required. Gift vouchers are also available, making it an easy present for anyone who enjoys good food, Devon views and a proper summer catch-up.

Smith’s Flame & Smoke is priced at £37.50 per person for two courses.

Find out more or book online at www.boveycastle.com/flame-smoke/ or call 01647 445000.

Howells was established in 1962 and has successfully grown into the family run business that it is today. Having been in business for more than 60 years, we pride ourselves in always selling good quality produce. We have very many loyal customers, some of which we have had since we began trading. We are also proud to supply many local hotels, public houses, nursing homes and schools. We are pleased to have an increasing number of younger customers, who comment that we, the independent butcher, offer better value and quality. Wherever possible, we source our produce from local suppliers, which is something we believe is important to our customers.

All of our beef is supplied by the Edwards family at Colcharton Farm, who have been breeding cattle for over four decades. They were the proud winners of the National Herd Competition in 2025, with their finest pedigree South Devon herd. The competition ran across the whole of the UK and they were the overall winners, what an achievement.

All of our lamb and pork is also sourced from local farms. Our free range poultry comes from Creedy Carver and our bacon and pork is supplied by Cornish Bacon in Holsworthy, both of which are also family run businesses. You can be sure of complete traceability for every product.

We also cook all our own hams, turkey and beef, and we produce all our own award winning hogs puddings and sausages on site, in a variety of flavours.

We have always prided ourselves on being large enough to cope but small enough to care. So why not visit our shop around the outskirts of the Pannier Market and one of our friendly staff will be happy to help you. You won’t be disappointed!

28 Market Rd, Tavistock PL19 0BW / 01822 612293

If you haven't discovered Let’s Toast Coffeehouse yet, come and find us at our temporary location at 2 New Road in Okehampton. You will find the same great atmosphere and friendly team, ready to make you feel right at home.

​Our drink selection features exceptional specialty coffees and a wide variety of loose-leaf teas, alongside lovely smooth matcha’s and refreshing iced drinks. Pair your drink with our famous in-house baking, from savoury cheese scones to our legendary banana bread.

​We offer great food that is prepared to order, whether you are craving a classic bacon ciabatta roll, one of our delicious toasted paninis, or an amazing vegan option like our vibrant falafel bowl. Adjustments are possible to fit your dietary requirements, and we are genuinely happy to make them for you.

​We are open six days a week, making it easy to pop in for your morning fix, a casual lunch, or a quick takeaway.

​Opening Times:

At Oggy Oggy we're proud to be a family-run business serving this great town with a warm welcome, friendly service and delicious award-winning food.

We offer a wide range of sandwiches, baguettes, rolls and a large Vegan selection all alongside our speciality.....Cornish Pasties! Made using an authentic age old recipe, bringing a genuine taste of Cornwall to our wonderful customers here in Devon!

Everything is freshly made and baked on site at 7 Brook Street.

We also offer the biggest range of Gluten Free products, pasties, cakes and a dedicated Gluten Free meal deal to keep costs low and fair. A service provided by no other.

Our aim is to provide quality food for every dietary requirement at great value.

We value every customer who walks through our door and are proud to be part of the local businesses that play an important role in the Tavistock community and we are incredibly grateful for the support we have received over the years. We in turn use local greengrocers, butchers and bakers (for our cakes) to reinvest into the town and support local trade also.

So, whether you're one of our many regular customers or visiting us for the first time, we'd love to invite you to discover why so many people choose us for our fresh food, traditional Cornish favourites and the best gluten-free selection in the area.

We look forward to seeing you!

7 Brook St, Tavistock PL19 0HD / 01822 458859