Barbican Kitchen

Supper with spirit

Well established as one of Devon’s gourmet go-tos, Chris and James Tanner’s Barbican Kitchen continues to deliver the gastronomic goods, 15 years on.

Situated inside a historic building that’s also home to the Plymouth Gin Distillery (and where the Pilgrim Fathers spent their last night before setting sail on the Mayflower), the location makes for an inspiring experience – even before you’ve sampled the cooking. The ancient stone of the harbourside building is complemented by contemporary styling to create a successful marriage of old and new.

A relaxed-dining vibe sets up expectations of a smart-casual menu – which is delivered in style. Dishes are built around locally sourced ingredients such as fresh Cornish fish landed by Looe dayboats and meat from Philip Warren Butchers in Launceston. This fine fare is expertly crafted into creative dishes such as slow-cooked pork belly with tiger prawns and masala-spiced cauliflower, among a plethora of modern British classics.

Committed carnivores will revel in the fruits of Barbican Kitchen’s charcoal grill: West Country moorland beef which has been dry aged for succulence is seared over hot coals for flavour. Just choose a sauce and a starch (skinny fries, buttery mash et al) to go with it. Or, if you really want to push the boat out, plump for the chateaubriand for two with Devon Blue cheese sauce and a good bottle of red.