Global fusion in north Devon

A slew of accolades (including Best Restaurant at the Trencherman’s Awards 2021 and Best Restaurant in the Food Reader Awards 2020) has cemented Number Eight’s reputation as one of the region’s most exciting places to dine.

As stalwarts of the hospitality scene in Cornwall, Joshua Jones and Chloe Wilks had plenty of industry experience to draw on when they crossed the border to launch their own restaurant in north Devon five years ago.

Going it alone was bold, but it paid off. Joshua’s continuously evolving tasting menus have developed a fanbase of foodies who travel from across the region to sample them.

The kitchen is a solo operation, with Joshua carefully sourcing top‑notch produce for his global fusion dishes which include crispy Korean pig’s cheek and Indian-style Cornish hake, as well as Appledore scallops caught from the nearby village and served with rhubarb, Champagne and artichoke. Chloe, meanwhile, is the friendly face out front who looks after diners with warmth, calm and efficiency.

In summer 2022, the restaurant moved from its unassuming location down a Bideford side street to a freshly renovated quayside venue in the town.

Trencherman’s tip: there’s no online booking system here – Chloe prefers to deal with each customer on a personal level via an old-school phone call or email.