Review
Oak Room Restaurant, Dainton Park

A good spot for Sunday lunch can be hard to find. When you do come across a place that not only serves up a roast to rival many others, but does so in a friendly atmosphere, you tend to stick with it. This is clearly the case at Dainton Park Golf Club and Restaurant, where the packed dining room is full of families and friends.

It’s easy to get to, and once there, you feel like you’ve escaped. Views of rolling hills across Dartmoor and the South Hams stretch out for miles and merge into the undulating golfing green, creating a sense of a rural retreat.

It’s not just for golfers. The Clubhouse Bar and Oak Room Restaurant are open to all. The menu changes daily, with a focus on fresh local produce and wholesome home cooking.

We took a seat beside a glass wall overlooking the golf course. Soon after, we were invited up to the carvery to select our Sunday roast. A choice of meat is on offer and vegetarians are well catered for. Andrew went for the peppered topside of beef with all the trimmings, while I had a mushroom spaghetti, cooked to order. Portions are generous, and the cooking is spot on, with good seasoning that enhances the flavours of the quality ingredients.

The variety of vegetables on offer, from spring greens to red cabbage, was a pleasant surprise. Even the roast potatoes were fresh from the oven, soft in the centre and crispy on the edges.

To finish, we shared a crème brûlée with a dollop of clotted cream on the side, and a lemon crunch served with vanilla ice cream: heavenly!

With such a warm welcoming atmosphere and great food, we’ll be coming back for more.