Tea By The Taw
Quick info
About Tea By The Taw
On The Strand in Barnstaple, Tea By The Taw is a cafe and restaurant serving tea in a teapot with bone china crockery. The cream tea comes with scones, jam, and clotted cream, and the kitchen also offers vegan options such as butternut balls with vegan coleslaw, alongside homemade cakes in a range of flavors. Meals are served in large portions, brought to the table by staff. Seating is available both inside and outside, with some tables set by the river, giving diners the option of outdoor seating. Dogs are welcome throughout, and high chairs are on hand for families with young children. The cafe is open Tuesday to Saturday during the day, closed on Mondays and Sundays. Reservations are recommended, particularly for lunchtime. The cafe sits near the Tarka Trail, making it a convenient stop for those out walking.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingPaid street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible seating
- Good for kidsKids' menu
Menu & Prices
144 dishes · mains £2–50- Taw Breakfast£12.50
- Vegetarian Breakfast£12.50
- Mini Breakfast£8.00
- Mini Vegetarian£8.00
- Breakfast Bap£6.50
- Beans On Toast£4.50
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention scones with clotted cream, cream tea, homemade cakes and vegan menu options.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention scones with clotted cream, cream tea, homemade cakes and vegan menu options.
Customer Review Summary
Cream tea comes up again and again as the reason to visit, with reviewers praising huge scones served with "lots and lots of cream and jam," bone china, and a teapot big enough to share, all at prices several call good value. Close behind, the cooked menu draws consistent praise, from loaded hunters chicken chips to scampi, burgers and a chicken caesar salad, with more than one reviewer warning portions run large enough to defeat dessert. The homemade cakes get singled out repeatedly, alongside vegan options like butternut balls with vegan coleslaw for diners avoiding dairy. The riverside, vintage tearoom setting and friendly, unrushed staff are mentioned often, with several saying they'd return or already have. One diner found their chicken caesar salad not to their taste despite enjoying the hot chocolate, and another notes roadworks outside disrupted an otherwise peaceful sunny visit. Multiple reviewers advise booking a table for lunchtime, since a full room can get noisy.
Customer Review Summary
Cream tea comes up again and again as the reason to visit, with reviewers praising huge scones served with "lots and lots of cream and jam," bone china, and a teapot big enough to share, all at prices several call good value. Close behind, the cooked menu draws consistent praise, from loaded hunters chicken chips to scampi, burgers and a chicken caesar salad, with more than one reviewer warning portions run large enough to defeat dessert. The homemade cakes get singled out repeatedly, alongside vegan options like butternut balls with vegan coleslaw for diners avoiding dairy. The riverside, vintage tearoom setting and friendly, unrushed staff are mentioned often, with several saying they'd return or already have. One diner found their chicken caesar salad not to their taste despite enjoying the hot chocolate, and another notes roadworks outside disrupted an otherwise peaceful sunny visit. Multiple reviewers advise booking a table for lunchtime, since a full room can get noisy.
Featured reviews
- C&As ice cream van hire
“All the time I’ve lived around here and this week is the first (& 2nd) time I’ve been in here. Fantastic place, lovely views, food is fantastic, I’d say one of the best if not the best breakfast I’ve had in the area. The staff are very welcoming and friendly. I would and already have recommended to others and will definitely be visiting again . Might try one of there amazing looking cakes next time . .”
- Kathy N
“Lovely cream tea with a choice of either plain or fruit scone, which were huge. Staff are lovely, would recommend if you're visiting and want a taste of Devon.”
- Wayne Powell
“The wed site say they are dog friendly, but we went there today and was told they only allow working dog's. Not happy at all, we spent yesterday looking for places to take out”
- Jonathan Margetts
“Brilliant food, happy friendly staff and relaxed atmosphere. We ate outside as we had a dog. Best ham, egg and chips I have eaten for a longtime! Definitely will return whilst on hols.”
- Claire Stewart
“A gem of a place that is friendly and welcoming and such lovely place and a tip please go hungry as the portions are huge .. a lovely site to see people that work as a team and enjoy their job .. and care about customers”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Closed
Highlights
- Great tea selection
- Popular for solo dining
- Small plates
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Paid street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed outside
- Takeaway
Show more amenities
- Dine-in
- Kids' menu
- Bar on site
- Casual
- On-site services
- Quick bite
- Offerings· 3
- Alcohol
- Small plates
- Wine
- Highlights· 1
- Great tea selection
- Facilities· 1
- Toilet
- Dining options· 3
- Catering
- Seating
- Table service
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 2
- Cosy
- Historic
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
Location
Cafes near Tea By The Taw
- Tides in3.51028.9 mi away
fish and chips, pizza, burger
- 9.4 mi away£1–10Vegetarian optionsWi-Fi
green thai curry, hot & sour pork noodles, crispy chicken peanut sauce
- Fork n Feast Cafe4.61319.6 mi away
feta frittata, mackerel salad, prawn sandwiches
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tea By The TawOutdoor seating · Reservations | 4.7678 | — | £15–30 | scones with clotted cream, cream tea, homemade cakes |
| Tides in | 3.5102 | 8.9 mi away | — | fish and chips, pizza, burger |
| The Plough CAFE| BAR | BISTROVegetarian options · Wi-Fi | 4.837 | 9.4 mi away | £1–10 | green thai curry, hot & sour pork noodles, crispy chicken peanut sauce |
| Fork n Feast Cafe | 4.6131 | 9.6 mi away | — | feta frittata, mackerel salad, prawn sandwiches |
The 3 nearest cafes by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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