Deli-ectable Devon

Wildmoor Fine Food & Drink, Bovey Tracey

Anywhere that sells homemade homity pies is a winner in our book. Wildmoor also has an extensive cheese counter, including revolving ‘guest cheeses’. The hand-carved ham is a hit with locals, and there’s a good selection of brownies and treats for those with a sweet tooth. Anyway, back to those homity pies. As well as the traditional cheese and veg combo, there are other flavours, including Bombay curry. Eat in or take away, hot or cold.

wildmoor-deli.co.uk

Me & Mrs Jones Deli, Torquay

This family-run place is a staple of the community, hosting pizza nights, treating local schoolkids to hot chocolate and serving the ‘best coffee in the Bay’. The choice of salads is amazing – you’ll want a bit of everything. Breakfasts are a speciality and there are often good deals on if you want deli lunch to go. Then there’s the homemade Scotch egg and slaw. Oh, and the coconut and spinach dahl. Go with friends and sample it all.

meandmrsjonesdeli.com

A Little Deli, Lynton

Husband and wife team Daniel and Laura Whitfield opened A Little Deli in 2020 and have since become an important part of the local foodie scene. Homemade treats and the finest produce from all over the South West are available, as well as handpicked hampers and delicious gifts (if they make it to the recipient). Daniel and Laura are the perfect hosts, making sure every customer enjoys their visit and gets to sample some artisanal fare.

alittledeli.co.uk

Aune Valley Meat Farm Shop, Loddiswell and Modbury

Here’s another successful family-run business. Aune Valley started out in one of the original buildings at Rake Farm, Loddiswell, more than 40 years ago and has gone on to win numerous awards for its meat and more.

The farm shops in Loddiswell and Modbury both have incredible meat counters, with all produce sourced from local farms. Loddiswell also has a café on-site with home-cooked dishes made using ingredients from the farm shop.

Oh, and there’s also a milk shed here, accessible at all times. Buy your bottles in-store, fill them with fresh, local, organic Devon milk, and keep them to reuse on every visit.

aunevalleymeat.co.uk

Besshill Farm Shop, Arlington and Combe Martin

The Mater family has farmed on the outskirts of Exmoor for more than a century and has certainly moved with the times. The farm shops offer locally sourced, free-range meat and dairy products, as well as seasonal veg and Devon-made preserves and homemade pies. The shops offer nationwide and free local deliveries, perfect for holidaymakers who want to stock up and enjoy the full West Country experience.

besshillfarmshop.co.uk

The Fish Deli, Ashburton

This place has been part of the thriving Ashburton foodie scene since 2004 and is still one of the best in the business.

Founders Nick and Michele Legg care passionately about issues or ‘fishues’, as they call them. Their ethos means the seafood is from sustainable sources and in season, including the more unusual varieties that are available from local day boats.

Any leftovers are used to create the Fish Deli’s hugely popular cooked seafood dishes for customers to enjoy at home, including Thai fish curry and Moroccan fish tagine.

There are also plenty of chilled deli counter goodies to choose from, such as seafood salads and sweet cured herrings.

thefishdeli.co.uk

Strawberry Fields, Lifton and Buckfastleigh

A smaller sister version of the popular spot in Lifton, West Devon, recently opened in Buckfastleigh. Strawberry Fields is a perfect pit stop wherever you’re heading. Both farm shops are packed with homemade and seasonal products. The bakery takes centre stage in Lifton, so there’s no hope of leaving without wanting to eat something. Fresh pasties are made here seven days a week.

Buckfastleigh is a smaller set-up but with an equally tempting selection of homemade cakes etc. It’s also home to ‘the Southwest’s largest electric car charging station’, so you can plug in and fill up with a cream tea. Everyone can leave energised.

strawberryfieldslifton.co.uk

Johns of Appledore and Instow

Johns is a North Devon institution and has been described as ‘integral’ to the communities here. Owners Sue and Anthony Johns are the fourth generation of the family to run the business, which started out in 1940. They opened a café at the Appledore shop in 2012, offering a seasonal menu based on local produce. The pair later went on to launch an online store with a delivery service.

The deli sells artisan cheeses, gins, charcuterie, rustic breads and much more. Locally roasted coffee and specially selected picnic boxes are available.

It’s worth mentioning that the locations of both Johns are as inspiring as the food.

johnsofinstow.co.uk

Greendale, near Farringdon

Calling this place a farm shop doesn’t quite do it justice. Greendale is a day out for all the family, with a shop, deli, café, bakery, fish and chips takeaway, milk shed and farm trail. This enterprising team are always adding to their offering, making Greendale one of the best foodie destinations around.

Fishing and farming go hand-in-hand here. As well as farming the East Devon countryside for more than five generations, Greendale’s owners (the Carter family) also have their own fishing fleet working out of Exmouth, Brixham and Newlyn harbours, their catch supplies the fish counter. The Greendale beef herd provides the high-quality beef products the firm is renowned for.

greendale.com

The Italian Store, Exmouth

We’re leaving Devon briefly and going continental. The Italian Store serves authentic ingredients, including cold meats, cheeses, pasta, sauces, oils and vinegars, plus coffee, pastries and sandwiches.

Owner Abas Muhedeen opened his Sidmouth shop two years before launching his Exmouth deli in 2020. The well-stocked store, just a stone’s throw away from The Strand, is a hit with locals and visitors who want to enjoy a taste of Italy.

theitalianstore/facebook