General Discussion
Hi, I wonder if anyone could tell me if the Welcome Inn in the Warren is still open.
I have tried ringing but the number on the website is unavailable.
We have eaten here for the past 2 Easter Sunday's and have had lovely meals -although I have read a few recent reviews on Trip Advisor but they have not been positive.
If the Welcome Inn is no longer open could anyone suggest somewhere fairly inexpensive for 6 people.
It's been closed since Christmas, however it looks like there's some work going on there at the minute. I don't know when it's due to re-open - likewise the pub over the road that used to be called the Sunburnt Arms (I believe it's being renamed to the equally ridiculous Silly Goose).
if you're looking for nice eat-in food in the Warren, then the choice is the Mount Pleasant or the Boathouse.
Hi Mrs C
Thanks very much for your reply.
I will have a look at both of those places now, my Grandsons like to come and see the mini's on the Sunday before they have lunch.
Lees bar serves food as well
Personaly I don't like the food at the Mount pleasant or Lees bar, it's ok at the Boathouse.
Enjoy
Andysport, do you mind me asking why you don't like the food at the Mount. I've never had a bad meal there, and the food isn't all microwaved like it is at some places round here.
I agree with Andysport, never had an enjoyable meal there, overpriced for what it is. Stopped going Boathouse as kept having to complain. Smugglers is good apart from that I go Exeter or Newton Abbot
Last time I had fish at MP it was like it had come out of a frozen catering pack, not at all appetising. Smugglers is a much better bet.
Thank you very much for your opinions, I think we will need to have a look around when we get there.
I stopped going to the Mount Pleasant 15 months ago when I went with some first time visitors to Dawlish. After a walk along the seawall we waited an hour for the food to arrive and when it did, the omelette looked like it had been made from one egg, and the fish, as Burneside said, was still frozen and cloudy in the middle. I feel mean for saying it because they waived the charge for the fish when it went back but it was almost like they were used to doing it! Shame, as it's in a good spot but maybe it's resting on its laurels. Ship Inn at Cockwood now.
Good point about the Ship (owned by the same people as the Mount Pleasant), as it's a lovely place serving great seafood. It sounds like your last visit to the Mount Pleasant was before it was refurbed. I'd recommend a revisit.
As we're widening the catchment area from the Warren that the original poster was asking about, I'd therefore thoroughly recommend Jack Sprats. It's number one on Tripadvisor for a very good reason. :-)
Special occasions would be a visit to Rodean in Kenton or Chi in the same village, or the Owl & Pussycat in Teignmouth or Ode in Shaldon.
I thought it was The Anchor at Cockwood not The Ship (at Cockwood) that is run by the same family as runs the Mount Pleasant. And isn't it The Anchor not The Ship that specialises in seafood?
Didn't know the Ship and MP had the same owner, interesting. Any views on the Anchor? Only been once a long time ago. The menu was so vast that it looked too jack of all trades.
Glad to see Jack Sprat's looking busy, hope others rise to the challenge as unfortunately I'm a bit bored of the menu seeing as it's the only one I go in now. Visited Ode recently for the first time, good luck to them, seems like it's been well done. In my opinion the food at The Ness and Combe Cellars is average but they're so well situated for taking visitors. Not been to Rodean, I know it's got good reviews. I found Chi and the Owl and Pussycat a bit wooden. There's the Elizabethan in Ideford, the Castle Inn in Holcombe and of course the Turf Locks. What's the Swan's Nest like these days? Any other recommendations, I need to widen my food pool...
My mistake sorry! Of course it's the Anchor that I was thinking about - and I've not even been to this weekends beer festival there! The Ship at Cockwood isn't bad either lol!
Other recommendations? Plenty in Exeter and Totnes. Nothing worth bothering with in Newton Abbot apart from a couple of curry houses. Exmouth has The Point and The Waterfront. Shaldon's Clipper Cafe is well worth a visit as well - day or evening.
The ship doesn't like tourists, we have had a number of guests complain about their attitude towards them
The Anchor somewhat pricey
Mount pleasant yep 2 visits neither great food, why would anyone give a place another try at getting the food right but at their own expense
The Castle = spot on
Only ever been in Lee's bar once beer was undrinkable (wasn't offered any alternative) never been in since, their loss we/I go out about 3 times a week
Sorry RANT over
Ha ha, the youngish bloke behind the bar at the Ship doesn't welcome anyone if he's in the wrong mood, but the women serving food are nice enough, and the food is good.
Oh dear, sorry to disagree you, I know it's against the rules, but why eat in a place that you are jammed in like a sardine?
Maybe the food is good at Jack Sprats, but I do object to sitting in a restaurant, sorry, café cum bistro, where I am 2cm away from the next diner and sitting in something that resembles a fishtank, where all and sundry look in at you.
An overpriced cramped cafe for sure.
Oh, and before you slag me off again, I have eaten in the best restaurants in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, North & South, so I do know what I am talking about. Part of the job.
I suppose that you are a Hungry Horse or Berni Inn person by the sound of it.
Is Dirk still the chef up at the Castle?
I havent been there for a while but I know from personal experience that he is an excellent Chef.
Carer, I'm not sure of the chef's name oldish guy thin & quite tall, quite pleasant.
The staff are very friendly but most of all our custom is appreciated.
Went to the Rugglestone a couple of days ago, first & last
Jack Sprats is rated by reviewers (i.e. customers) as being the best eating establishment in Dawlish! The original poster asked a question, I provided an answer.
I'm pretty sure that Carer wouldn't be so vile to Helga's face - Helga being the owner of Jack Sprats, and who has worked damned hard to get it to where it is today. Not to mention all the work that she does for charity through her business. It's pathetic to slag off a hardworking and successful local business just to try to score points over me. Utterly pathetic Carer!
I've never dined in a Hungry Horse or Berni Inn, but I certainly wouldn't look down my nose at anyone who does!!
I am really sorry if my posting a question ,about whether the Welcome Inn was open, has caused such a probem it was not my intention at all.
I was only looking for a fairly inexpensive place for my family to eat on Easter Sunday to save me from cooking.
Many thanks for your suggestions of places to visit.
Hasn't caused me any problems, just the people who object to the truth being told.
Anyway, back to your question, your best bet is the Smugglers, if you can get a table. Give them a call, 01626 862301
or you can book online. http://www.thesmugglersinn.net/menus
I see that certain individuals who moan constantly about what a state the country is in thanks to the present government, can afford to eat out on a regular basis.
Don't worry Djedwards, this isn't the first thread for it to happen.
Still, got some very in depth answers there to go on ! Good luck with Easter Sunday and do let us know how it goes
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@elvis presley i visit eateries only on special occasions birthdays etc. not the norm. i maybe go out to eat 3 or 4 times a year.
Djedwards1961. I always go to the Dawlish Grill. Beautiful carvery, you choose meat and help yourself to rest. And Its not expensive. And best fish and chips shop Is In Queen street. At the far end of Strand.
stephen 15. I think you mean Ugly Duckling in the Strand opposite Coop , it hasnt been Dawlish Grill for many years now
Best chips these days is Chippy Chaps in Dawlish Warren. I have heard the food at Cofton is nice but have never tried it.
The Gurkha restaurant in Park Road is worth a try, and the chippy in Queen Street is worth going to now.
I agree the Gurkha is excellent
Chips we prefer Starcross, as for Cofton it's not open to the public only the cafe is
We got turned away
Chippy Chaps is the best around here bar none. Never had to wait long there myself - but I don't mind having to do so at any chip shop, as it means the chips and/or fish is fresh.
Well after a very long journey home full of traffic jams and a stop off at Ikea, we've not long got in from a fantastic weekend in Dawlish Warren.
Many thanks for all of your suggestions for places to eat, we tried several of them yesterday, some i.e. The NOT SO Welcombe Inn and The Ugly Duckling will not get a return visit.
I was surprised, and pleased to see The Welcombe open, we popped in on Friday to enquire about booking a table, "No booking just turn up there will be plenty of food" we were assured. I though "Sorted then, not cooking for me."
After getting rather damp wandering around Dawlish, where we tried the suggestion of The Ugly Duckling, which smelt of old boiled cabbage and wet old people we were told no room for 6 and they looked at the 3 boys as though they were demons, not youngsters of 7, 9 and 12 years of age.
We tried the Brunswick, where they had tables but no food, it was suggested we try Baileys (we didn't want chips) so back to the Warren we went, our not so pleasant welcombe from the Welcombe Inn was "NO food we ran out hours ago". I wanted to suggest they put a sign outside by the door saying this but didn't feel I could. We tried the Silly Goose where there was no room but food if you had it with chips.
With no hope and 3 very hungry boys I ventured across the road to Lee's Bar, asked if they had food but was a little disturbed by the noise. I didn't need to worry, yes they could serve us, no we didn't have to sit in the noisy bar area and the welcombe was amazing.
The staff went out of their way to help us, making sure the boys were away from the regulars. The food was hot, tasty, filling and surprising good value at £6 per adult.
I was, at first upset at not getting a slice of Lemon Meringue Pie but knew I had made the right choice when the Caramel AppleTart arrived, piping hot and smothered in cream, it melted in my mouth.
I don't have a Facebook account so I could not post a review for them but if any regulars from Lee's Bar could point the owners in the direction of this post I would be very grateful.