Gastro Haven in Dartmoor: The Emerging Gastro Scene
Dartmoor and Devon has long been well known for its love affair with food and the high quality local produce that comes from the South-West. From the classic Devonshire Cream Tea to signature pastries and pasties, the Devonshire region has been well regarded by foodies as a UK hot spot with the rise of Michelin star restaurants and a fast emerging range of high quality gastro pubs that serve some of the very best local cuisine.
Alongside our beloved head chef Dolton, we take great pride in providing an enchanting meal from our classic Sunday Roasts to our experimental and daring menus that our team continues to tweak in pursuit of perfection. We are immensely proud of the current food scene in Dartmoor and how we can provide something distinctly Devon while also being truly delicious.
The Evolution of Dartmoor’s Culinary Scene
Our food journey starts right here in the heart of Dartmoor in the quiet and historic villages of Tavistock and Okehampton, just down the road from our own inn. Both towns are home to iconic local food markets with Tavistock in particular being home to the ancient Pannier Food Market which has run continuously since 1105, lasting well over 900 years and still thriving!
This historical love of high quality food has been replicated in recent years with the continued development of the local restaurant scene. In 2012, the Gidleigh Park, home to legendary chef Michael Caines, received 2 Michelin stars, making it one of only 4 outside of London to hold the distinction. Since 2023, Devon now has 5 Michelin Star restaurants – Acleaf, Gidleigh Park, Mason Arms, Lympstone Manor (the new home of Michael Caines) and The Elephant in Torquay.
In fact, the Devon scene is filled with incredible locations and the local cuisine has been a big part in attracting high-end restaurant owners and chefs to open locations in the south-west, including Damien Hirst, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Mark Hix. This has helped to make Devonshire a place to be for food lovers and one that continues to get more international acclaim as the years go on.
This then brings us onto the emerging gastro pub scene in Devon and Dartmoor which has already seen several local restaurants earn major acclaim. The Cornish Arms in Tavistock recently placed #2 in the annual top 50 gastropubs listed with 3 locations making the top 50 in total. 5 Devonshire restaurants were also honoured in the 2023/24 Good Food Awards which showcases the current thriving food scene across takeout, gastro pubs and fine dining.
The Future of Dartmoor’s Gastro Scene
Throughout the ever-changing Dartmoor and Devonshire food scene, two things have always remained consistent; a emphasis on high quality and locally sourced produce and a remarkable amount of variety. These are two things that we can expect to continue long into the future as the scene continues to emerge and thrive.
We can also see the emergence of other great chefs and restaurants over the coming years and it is something that we are incredibly excited to be a part of. The local scene is a part of our culture and as a vintage and long-term establishment, we love to see it continue to develop into something exciting and new.
What you can come to expect from our food here at Bearslake Inn is more of the same and more of the new. Our head chef Dolton and his experienced team are all about trying new things and providing an experience that is both memorable and enchanting. With an emphasis on local, we have continued to develop a menu that we are truly proud of and one that tastes as good as it looks.
Devon will continue to be a haven for foodies and Bearslake Inn is at the forefront of the modern gastro pub culture, providing a unique and delicious experience that feels vintage, traditional but also exciting and new.
Come and enjoy a special evening with us at Bearslake Inn!
To highlight our passion for local cuisine, we are launching our Seasonal Supper Clubs once again and our first one this year is on Friday 12th of April. We're putting on a five-course feast that shows off the best local goodies Dartmoor has to offer, all whipped up by our fantastic Head Chef, Dolton Lodge. It’s going to be a cosy, delicious journey through the tastes and stories of our region. Can’t wait to see you there!
Limited Seats Available - Reserve Your Spot Now!