Saveur

There’s no need to cross the Channel to experience Parisian bistro vibes when a British seaside excursion reveals a vraiment délicieux dining encounter at Saveur Exmouth.

Hidden away on a pedestrianised street just off the main square, Saveur in Exmouth is where chef-patron Nigel Wright works solo in the kitchen, crafting modern, seasonal dishes of two-AA-rosette status.

Nigel’s refined menus celebrate all things local and seasonal, and lean towards seafood thanks to the venue’s proximity to the ocean – and Nigel’s hotline to the fishmongers at Brixham Fish Market. A starter of monkfish scampi with sweetcorn and curry oil can be chased by the catch of the day for diners who want to experience the dayboats’ freshest haul.

For those not piscatorially inclined, the options are equally delicious: seasonal examples include Powderham fillet steak with café de paris butter, confit pork belly with lentil dijonnaise and slow-roasted celeriac with gremolata and crispy onions.

The service is as relaxed and welcoming as the decor, making this a charming find for a casual lunch with friends or an intimate dinner à deux.

Trencherman’s tip

Want to make the most of the restrained but impressive wine list? Saveur is just a 30-minute train ride from Exeter.