Eating out at Local Pubs and Cafes
So much choice, it’s going to be tough to make a decision where to eat out if you are only staying for a short while. Beware though, practically everywhere stops serving at 8pm!
The closest pub, that can be walked to, is The Rising Sun. Serving good ‘pub grub’ six nights a week Monday – Saturday, and a good Sunday roast. The beer is worth the walk alone. You do need good knees to take the shortest route down to it and lots of puff, or at least five pints to get back up. It doesn’t get a lot better than the Rising Sun for a selection of largely local, Cornish real ales! There is also a car park behind the pub!
The Boot Inn, in Calstock (5 minutes drive or you can take the train), became a pub in 1655. Sean and Kim serve excellent, more restaurant style food and the very best Sunday lunch for miles around.
There is also the 17th century Tamar Inn, in the centre of the village, which serves great beer and good pub food, near the river Tamar. It’s really fabulous to sit out on the village green, with a cool pint or glass of wine, on a sunny day.
The White Hart, in Chilsworthy, is a really traditional and friendly ‘local’, but is currently closed, whilst being sold. We have been assured it will be open again soon; it better had be because it’s our local! Watch this space because things are happening!!!!!
Some of you will recognise this pub as one of the four pubs that Tom Kerridge, the famous chef and broadcaster, filmed on his programme about the loss of the great British pub.
The pub has almost as beautiful views over the Tamar Valley as we do; well, actually maybe even better!
The Blacksmiths Arms is a family-run public house that was built in 1626 and was taken over by Russell and his wife Suchada, who took over the pub 4 years ago. The building is over 400 years old and as soon as you walk in you know you will soon become a part of the furniture.
Based just outside Tavistock, at Lamerton, they offer traditional pub food and also an array of Thai cuisine. It is dog friendly and has a car park.
We have also found the Royal Inn, at Horsebridge, provides consistently excellent pub food, and is about 15 minutes away by car.
About the same distance away but towards Saltash the Who’d of Thought It has been enjoyed by guests.
Breakfast, Brunch and…………………………
The Engine House which is just 5 minutes away by car, offers breakfast, brunch, lunchtime meals, and during the Spring and Summer, excellent evening meals on Friday and Saturday. It does have beautiful views across Cornwall but you will have to book a table, for sure, to see it!
Morning Coffee and Afternoon Tea
For a morning coffee or afternoon tea, after a walk along the river, drop into Lishe, in Calstock. If you are doing the Gunnislake circular walk you might like to pop into our recently revived cafe, the Williamstown Community cafe.
The Boat Yard
There is also the working Boat Yard in Calstock as you walk along the river Tamar, on Lower Kelly, towards Cotehele House. Purchase home-made cake, make a mug of tea, put your money in the box, and just sit by the river, forget about it all and watch the world go by.
The Primrose Cottage Tea Rooms are based in the most beautiful thatched cottage village, Lustleigh, on the easterly edge of Dartmoor. A must if you love afternoon tea.
Another fabulous place for afternoon tea, based on our guests’ rave reviews it the Old School Tearoom. This ideally placed if you are heading north to explore.
Restaurants
The Rifle Volunteer is just 1 mile away and can be walked to but also has a large car park. It has dramatic views over the River Tamar, down to Plymouth Sound, and the surrounding countryside. Make sure you ask for a table by the window. The Rifle is the only pub in the local area, currently, that serves food on Sunday night.
Just one mile away, The Horn of Plenty with 2 AA Rosettes and a passion for local produce has been renowned as having one of the very best restaurants in Devon for over 50 years. The restaurant has a panoramic view of the stunning, untouched beauty of the Tamar Valley (but not as good as ours or the White Hart’s) where diners are invited to enjoy a truly unique experience.
The Springer Spaniel , at Treburley, is a relaxed 18th century Cornish pub, which won the Taste of the West Gold Award for hospitality, is a 15 minute drive away on the Launceston road.
The kitchen at Tre Pol & Pen is the heart of this farm shop serving warming breakfasts, delicious lunches, cream teas, coffee and cake daily. The restaurant is licensed, serving a range of wine, beer, cider & cocktails. It is probably a good place to do some holiday gift shopping for family and friends.
Eating Out in Tavistock
Eating out in Tavistock, spoils you for choice. We have pretty popular restaurants and gastro pubs just 10 minute drive away, including The Bedford Hotel, Robertsons, Taylors Restaurant, and the Cornish Inn.
Taxi!
Should you need a taxi, we have two excellent local firms, Darren’s Cars, 07861 303101, based in Albaston and Kit Hill Cars, 07920 473747, based near Callington.
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| The Rising Sun Pub | Calstock Rd, Gunnislake | PL18 9BX | No website |
| Robertson’s Restaurant | Pepper Street, Tavistock | PL19 0BD | https://www.robertsonstavistock.co.uk |
| The Boot Inn | Fore St, Calstock | PL18 9RN | No website |
| The Tamar Inn | The Quay, Calstock | PL18 9QA | www.tamarinn.com/ |
| The Horn of Plenty | Gulworthy, nr Tavistock | PL19 8JD | www.thehornofplenty.co.uk |
| The White Hart | The Street, Gunnislake, Chilsworthy | PL18 9PB | www.whitehartchilsworthy.com |
| The Bedford Hotel | 1 Plymouth Rd, Tavistock | PL19 8BB | www.bedford-hotel.co.uk |
| Taylors Restaurant | Taylor Square, Tavistock | PL19 0DG | www.taylorstavistock.co.uk |
| The Cornish Inn | 15 West St, Tavistock | PL19 8AN | www.thecornisharmstavistock.co.uk |
| The Royal Inn | Horsebridge | PL19 8PJ | www.royalinn.co.uk |
| The Who’d Have Thought It Inn | St Dominick, Cornwall | PL12 6TG | www.whodcornwall.co.uk |