Places to eat in Paignton

Arguably the most popular restaurant in Paignton, Sky Bar and Bistro is a relaxed bar and restaurant known for its good food and some of the best cocktails in town. Located just off Torquay Road in the heart of Paignton, the menu covers a range of British and European classics, topped off with friendly, attentive service and stylish presentation.

On the other side of the road is Restaurant 59, another excellent Paignton restaurant. A high-quality British tapas joint, they offer a wide range of sharing plates covering seafood, meat and vegetarian options. Our top picks are their seafood platter and paella.

A short walk from our Paignton Seafront hotel is TJ’s Restaurant, one of the best fish restaurants in the area boasting great views over Paignton harbour and out to sea. The fish is that-day fresh, and their daily specials are a strong choice when washed down with a local lager, cider or jug of sangria.

On the other side of the headland, and a five-minute stroll from Goodrington Beach, is the Cantina Kitchen & Bar. A relaxed family-run eatery, this place is perfect for a quick bite after a beach session or an informal sit-down meal, with well presented, tasty and simple food to the fore.

Satisfy your pizza and pasta cravings at La Scala, a popular neighbourhood Mediterranean restaurant known for its large portions and a well-priced menu that covers all the classics. You’ll either love or hate the faux-Roman interior replete with mock columns and Italian wall art, but with well-presented food, excellent service and a tiramisu you could happily eat daily, it’s one of our favourites.

Let’s start with the essentials – if you’re in Devon, you have to sample some of the local goods, and they don’t come much better than the Oggy Oggy pasty shop on Torbay Road. Whether it’s a traditional Cornish pasty, a pork pie or doughnut, Oggy Oggy is a local institution that’s quickly become a franchise across the south-west.

Once you’ve had your fill of golden pastry, head to Chandler’s Coffee Shop Bistro a few doors down. Another homegrown outlet, the cheap and cheerful café does a great range of all-day breakfast options as well as roast dinners, afternoon tea and a wide array of hot and cold drinks.

For something a little more upmarket, head to The Lions Monocle or the Victorian Times Tea & Coffee Shop. A short walk from each other, both offer vintage charm, excellent afternoon tea, amazing cakes and plenty of specialist teas and coffees. And, handily, both cafes are just five minutes drive from our Paignton South hotel.