Places To Eat In Combe Martin

Right, let’s talk about Combe Martin. You know, that gloriously stretched-out village on the North Devon coast that looks like it was designed by someone who just kept adding houses in a straight line and forgot to stop. It’s a gem, honestly, with a beach that disappears at high tide and a quaintness that makes you want to knit a sweater. But let’s be real: the main reason you’re here is food. You want to eat, and eat well, without spending your holiday budget on overpriced chips that taste like regret. I’ve got you.

First stop: The Pack o’ Cards. Yes, that’s its real name, and yes, it’s a pub built to look like a pack of cards (52 windows, 13 doors—the maths is as solid as their Sunday roast). This place is the village’s social heartbeat. Go for the beer-battered fish and chips, which is so flaky and golden it’d make a seagull weep with joy. The staff are local legends who’ll rib you about your accent, and the fire crackling in winter makes it feel like a hug in a building. Just don’t try to play poker with the landlord; he’s seen it all.

For a lighter bite, you absolutely must visit The Old Pharmacy. It’s a tiny café that used to be an actual pharmacy, so if your food takes a while, you can amuse yourself by pretending to prescribe “a dose of clotted cream” to your friend. Their scones are dangerously good—fluffy, warm, and served with so much jam and cream you’ll need a nap afterwards. The coffee is artisan, the atmosphere is cozy-chic, and the homemade cakes (try the lemon drizzle) will make you consider moving into the back room.

Now, if you’re after something with a view, head up the hill to The Olde Globe. Perched above the village, this pub serves proper Devon cider and plates piled high with local produce. Their steak and ale pie is the stuff of legend: a golden, buttery crust holding chunks of meat so tender you could eat it with a spoon. Sit in the beer garden on a sunny day, watch the sea glint below, and feel about as smug as a cat who’s found the cream.

Where to eat and drink in Combe Martin | My Favourite Cottages

But here’s my secret tip, the one the locals won’t tell you because they want to keep it for themselves: Combe Martin’s fish van. Yes, a van. It parks near the beach on weekends, and it serves the most incredible scallops and crab sandwiches you’ll ever have. Grab one, sit on the pebbles, and let the sea spray season your lunch. It’s messy, it’s perfect, and it’s about as Devon as it gets.

So there you have it. From pub pies to pharmacy cakes, Combe Martin feeds your soul as much as your stomach. And honestly? That’s the best kind of holiday—where the food is so good, you forget to check your phone. So go on, loosen your belt, and eat your way through this little village. The seagulls will thank you for the leftovers, and your taste buds will write you a thank-you note. Life’s too short for bad meals. Especially when there’s a cheese toastie from The Old Pharmacy calling your name.