Situated on the south west coast of England, Plymouth is a charming seaside city with a rich history and relaxing atmosphere, making it the ideal escape from metropolitan life. Having served as a main English port for hundreds of years, used by the Romans and the Pilgrim Fathers of America, this city is now one of Devon’s main attractions.
Besides its history and seaside allure, Plymouth has a fine selection of restaurants on offer for the perfect weekend getaway. There is a great range of dining choices, with most eateries taking advantage of the fresh, locally sourced meats and fish to ensure an enjoyable eating experience. To help you choose from the many restaurants on offer, Leonardo Hotels has put together a foodie guide to Plymouth’s Best Restaurants…
A popular choice with Plymouth locals, bar-bistro Jolly Jacks are passionate about their food. Right on the end of the Mayflower Marina, a 5 minute drive from Leonardo Hotel Plymouth, owners and old friends Sally and Sue lovingly muster up everything from traditional British comfort food favourites (they have renowned homemade pies) to local Devon lamb rump with fennel dauphinoise and braised red cabbage in a red wine jus. The dessert menu features choices just as mouth-watering as the mains - why not try their passion fruit cheesecake with pineapple marshmallow and mango sorbet, or a coffee panacotta with honeycomb and mocha ice cream? The prices at Jolly Jacks are also moderately priced with mains costing between £12.50 and £21 and desserts at £5.75 each.
Jolly Jacks only uses locally sourced produce and ingredients from nearby Devon and Cornish suppliers. They also hold weekly and monthly events such as ‘Pie and Pud’ nights where dessert is included with an order of homemade pie and ‘Afternoon Tea’s’ serving freshly made dainty’s and sandwiches at £12.50 per person.
The Ship ©
Found in Plymouth’s Barbican area, and only an 8 minute walk from our Plymouth hotel, The Ship is a delightfully quaint pub-restaurant offering Al Fresco dining right on the harbour. The menu features a good selection of traditional, hearty pub meals from winter warming crock pots, prime steaks, and burgers, to various breaded and battered fish (taking full advantage of their seaside location). It is also very reasonably priced with the mains ranging between £8 and £15.
The Ship’s battered ‘Catch of the Day’ is a must for fish fans. Using that day’s freshest catch, the selected fish is cooked in beef dripping and ale batter for a unique yet well-rounded flavour. But don’t just take our word for it, the ‘Catch of the Day’ was the winner of the 2013 National Pub Challenge UK for the Best Fish and Chips – quite the honour!
Discover delicious Japanese cuisine at Plymouth’s Yukisan in the Barbican area. Proudly claiming to be the ‘first Japanese restaurant in Devon’, Yukisan dishes are individually designed and prepared by their specially trained chefs.
The menu reflects Plymouth’s coastal location with many dishes incorporating fresh catches, while also offering some finer dining choices such as Grilled Lobster in teriyaki sauce. The lobster is the most expensive dish at £33, however, there are some cheaper options, including the set two or three course meals, costing £18 and £21, respectively. If you want to go one step further, Yukisan also offers a delicious 6 course tasting menu for £24.50.
Yukisan is a brief eight-minute walk from Leonardo Hotels.
The Artillery Tower ©
The Artillery Tower is a fantastic restaurant to settle the battle against hunger. True to the name, the restaurant is housed inside a fifteenth century tower on the shore of Firestone Bay in Plymouth Sound. A six minute drive from our Plymouth hotel, The Artillery Tower affords views of Drakes Island and the sea beyond, complimenting the delicious and highly rated menu.
Run by Peter and Debbie Constable, this husband and wife team source only the best local produce for their unique dishes - their peppered loin of venison with a cranberry and orange compote is one of many delectable choices. The menu varies depending on the season and the availability of the fresh ingredients but there is always something special on offer, as well as a fine selection of regional cheeses and a connoisseur-level wine list.
With 3 courses costing a little more at £38.50 per person, The Artillery Tower offers a chic night in a unique location with excellent food, making it well worth the price.
The second of famed chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage restaurants, which are known for cooking delicious cuisines at affordable prices. Housed in The Brewhouse, a Grade I-listed building in the regenerated Royal William Yard (a 10 minute drive from Leonardo Hotel Plymouth), The River Cottage Canteen and deli offers beautiful views of the River Tamar and a fantastic outdoor terrace to soak up the sun!
This restaurant places an emphasis on its locally sourced foods, and as a result the menu can change depending on the season. With a choice of ‘small’ (£2 - £6) and ‘large’ (£13 - £17) dishes, this menu is perfectly designed to encourage sharing, and with delicious choices such as these, it’ll be hard not to.
Offering interesting and unique recipes from a chorizo apple, parsnip and lentil salad to grilled pollock with roasted cauliflower, hazelnuts and spiced butter, the River Cottage Canteen is ideal for those looking to try something a bit different. Daily specials are also available and include line-caught fish or rustic pizza - made in their traditional wood-fired oven.
Thinking of travelling to Plymouth? Discover the top attractions to explore during your trip with ‘Road Tripping on the South Coast: Plymouth’.
Main image:
Graham Richardson – Barbican View/ CCBY (image and image size have been modified)
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