As stalwarts of the Cornish hospitality scene, Joshua Jones and Chloe Wilks had a wealth of industry experience to draw on when, in 2017, they crossed the border to launch their own restaurant in north Devon: Number Eight Bideford.

A slew of accolades – including Best Restaurant at the Trencherman’s Awards 2021 and Best Restaurant in the Food Reader Awards 2020 – followed and cemented the reputation of Number Eight in Bideford as one of the region’s most exciting places to dine. Since those pioneering days, Joshua’s continuously evolving tasting menus have garnered a loyal fanbase of foodies from across the region.

The kitchen at this intimate quayside restaurant is a solo operation, with Joshua carefully sourcing top-notch produce for global-fusion dishes which include crispy Korean pig’s cheek and Indian-style Cornish hake, as well as scallops caught from the nearby coastal village of Appledore, which are served with rhubarb, Champagne and artichoke.

Chloe, meanwhile, is the friendly face out front who looks after diners with warmth and calm efficiency. To fully enjoy the convivial atmosphere, arrive early for cocktails in the garden or a pre-dinner tipple next to the log burner.

Trencherman’s tip

There’s no online booking system here: Chloe likes to deal with customers on a personal level via an old-school phone call or email.