Our 10 Favourite Spots for Breakfast in Devon
A good day starts with a good breakfast, and how better to enjoy it than at one of Devon’s best breakfast spots.
Devon is well regarded as a food-lover's paradise, and it's blessed with an abundance of fresh produce from the land and the sea. Breakfast is arguably the most important meal of the day, and whether you’re partial to freshly baked pastries and fluffy, syrup-drizzled pancakes or vitamin-packed smoothies and the full English, you’re guaranteed fresh flavours, hearty helpings and a warm Devon welcome.
From countryside golf clubs and on-the-beach cafes to harbourside brunch spots and sleek town bars, there’s a breakfast in Devon for every discerning diner.
We’ve highlighted 10 of our favourite brekkie spots, so all you need to do is decide which one you’ll be visiting first.
How we found Devon’s best breakfast gems
We’ve chosen our top 10 breakfast hotspots based on a mix of local knowledge, independent foodie guides and consistently strong online reviews. We’ve combed the county from North to South, curating a smorgasbord of attractive locations, creative menus and dining styles, from cosy cafes to smart, city eateries.
Let’s dig in to our10 favourite breakfast spots across Devon
The Oak Room, Dainton Park, Newton Abbot
Boasting spectacular views over Dainton Park’s golf course and surrounding Devon countryside, The Oak Room restaurant is a choice location for a spot of breakfast. Meet up with friends and combine a delicious homemade breakfast with a round of golf.
Welcoming golfers and non-golfers alike, expect a wide range of favourites including the full English, dreamy eggs royale and a selection of hearty breakfast baps. Breakfast is served all day, every day, meaning you don't have to be a morning person to enjoy the most important meal of the day.
The Oak Room is praised for its excellent service, generous portions and welcoming atmosphere.
No booking needed, simply turn up at your leisure.
Café Alf Resco, Dartmouth
Renowned for serving up some of the very best breakfasts in Devon, head to Cafe Alf Resco for hearty helpings and a picturesque harbourside setting in the heart of Dartmouth’s old town.
A perfect choice for visitors exploring the South Hams or staying near the River Dart, Cafe Alf Resco frequently tops best brunch guides and cafe round-ups for its quirky, happy vibe and brilliant breakfasts.
There’s a cornucopia of satisfying breakfast dishes, including homemade granola (it’s so good, customers buy bags to take home), fresh pastries, cooked breakfasts, toasties and baguettes.
Breakfast is served from 7 am-2 pm, 7 days a week, no booking required, but Alf’s gets very busy, so an early arrival is recommended.
The Winking Prawn, Salcombe
Enjoy breakfast with a view at this relaxed, shabby-chic beach cafe, located just across the road from Salcombe’s beautiful North Sands. Praised for its family-friendly breakfasts and brunches, the Winking Prawn is a steady fixture in seaside brunch guides. Not content with being one of Devon’s leading cafes, it also served as a film set for 2025’s The Roses.
Offering everything from expertly brewed coffee and freshly baked cakes to the full English and their signature ‘fishy’ breakfasts, expect service with a smile and hearty portions. The Winking Prawn is ideally located for a post-swim or walk treat; bathing suits optional!
Opening times vary throughout the year, so check the website if you’re planning a visit. Just turn up for breakfast, no booking necessary.
The Dock, Plymouth
Start your day the right way with a dose of vitamin sea and a delicious breakfast in Devon. Ideal for city breaks and pre-ferry breakfasts, The Dock is a relaxed, family-run cafe, located on Plymouth’s King Point Marina. It’s well known for its impressive breakfast menu and picture-perfect setting, and receives rave reviews in regional food features.
You’ll find all the classic breakfast favourites, including pastries, homemade granola, sourdough toast and pancakes, along with more imaginative dishes like Ndjua scrambled eggs, Crab Benny and a range of hearty cooked breakfasts with all the trimmings. Breakfast is served until 12 pm, 7 days a week.
Veg Box Café, Exeter Quay
Serving up wholesome vegetarian and plant-based breakfasts and brunches, the vibrant Veg Box Cafe is located on Exeter’s historic quayside. Expect knockout views, sustainable, locally sourced produce and breakfasts bursting with flavour.
Treat yourself to beautifully presented dishes like their banana and Biscoff pancakes, overnight oats, loaded banana bread and breakfast wraps. Everything about the Veg Box Cafe is aesthetically pleasing, from the instagrammable food to the carefully chosen decor - it’s a multi-sensory delight.
The Veg Box is open from Tues-Sat, with breakfasts served from 10-2.
The Guardhouse Cafe, Brixham
Enjoy breakfast with a view in one of Devon’s most picturesque locations. The Guardhouse Cafe is perched on a clifftop in Berry Head Nature Reserve, an internationally-acclaimed heritage site with showstopping panoramic coastal views.
Fuel your day with a range of freshly prepared breakfasts, including the Guardhouse breakfast and a selection of seasonal specials. Spice it up with a delicious shakshuka, indulge in fluffy American pancakes or enjoy a hearty doorstop sandwich, all made with fresh, locally sourced produce.
Breakfast is served daily from 9-11.30 am
Blackpool Sands Beach Café, near Dartmouth
Sit back, relax and enjoy fabulous food and chilled vibes in this gorgeous on-the-beach cafe. Located on one of Devon’s most stunning beaches, this popular Mediterranean-style beachside lounge and cafe is the perfect spot for a long, leisurely breakfast.
Choose from light bites, beach-cooked breakfasts and hearty breakfast baps and enjoy the sound of the surf and the buzzing, friendly atmosphere.
Breakfast is served daily from 9-11 am. Enjoy the live music breakfast club from 10-12 on Saturday mornings.
Chandlers Café & Coffee Shop, Paignton
This well-loved, family-run cafe is a firm favourite with locals and visitors. Located in the bustling town of Paignton, it’s a perfect pitstop en route to the English Riviera.
Praised for its generous portions, delicious home-cooked brekkies and friendly service, Chandlers is often mentioned in best breakfast lists. Expect top-quality local produce, gluten-free options and total satisfaction!
Chandlers serves breakfast all day, every day from 9 am - 3 pm.
Little Mama’s Bakery Café, Ilfracombe
Situated on Ilfracombe’s thriving High Street, this north Devon favourite mixes home-cooked breakfasts with freshly-baked goodies and delicious cream teas.
Popular with tourists exploring the local beaches and local diners, you can build your own cooked breakfast, choose from a range of toast toppings or sample delicious American pancakes paired with sweet treats like Nutella and Bueno Cream.
Breakfast is served from Monday to Friday from 9-12.30 pm (9.30 - 12.30 on Saturday)
The Lime Kiln Café, Ilfracombe
Dine by the waters edge at this welcoming and relaxed coastal cafe. Offering expansive harbour views from the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the Lime Kiln sources the best local ingredients to produce a selection of delicious breakfasts from hearty cooked options to lighter bites.
Walk off your breakfast or work up an appetite by combining a visit to the Lime Kiln with a refreshing coastal stroll or water activity. The cafe is conveniently located within Ilfracombe Watersports Club.
Choose from their signature granola, whipped avocado on toast, smoked salmon bagels, breakfast brioches and mouthwatering full English breakfasts, which you can double in size if you're feeling peckish.
Breakfast is served every day from 9-11.30 am.
Tips for getting the most from breakfast in Devon
Wherever you’re headed in Devon, there’s a range of excellent breakfast options to ensure the best start to your day. To avoid disappointment, book ahead at weekends and in high season, or arrive early at casual cafes and diners where bookings aren’t taken and allow plenty of time for parking, particularly at beachside cafes where parking is always in demand.
All our recommended breakfast spots offer vegan and vegetarian options and can cater to specific dietary requirements. Do check the menus or call in advance to enquire about any allergens.
Plan your next Devon breakfast break at Dainton Park
With delicious all-day breakfasts, relaxed dining spaces and sweeping countryside views, Dainton Park’s Oak Room belongs on any Devon breakfast wishlist.
Plan a stay near Newton Abbot using Dainton’s local accommodation recommendations and book a table at the Oak Room for a hearty breakfast, the perfect start for a day’s adventures in Devon.