Where to eat in Newton Abbot when visiting residents
When your relatives visit you at Somerforde Residential Care, you'll want to make the most of your time together. Part of any good visit is enjoying a nice meal, and Newton Abbot has some wonderful family-friendly restaurants that are perfect for different occasions. Whether you're looking for a quick bite or planning a special celebration dinner, we've put together this guide to help you make the most of your time in our local area.
The Pizza Cafe - Perfect for Relaxed Family Dining
If you're after something casual and welcoming, The Pizza Cafe on Queen Street is a Newton Abbot institution. Operating since 1987, this family-run restaurant has been serving fresh, locally-sourced food for over 35 years. The team here really understands families, with high chairs, baby changing facilities, and a dedicated children's menu available.
The menu goes far beyond pizza, you'll find wraps, salads, Tex-Mex dishes, and some excellent coffee and smoothies. Everything is made with fresh dough prepared twice daily and locally sourced ingredients. It's the kind of place where you can pop in for a quick lunch or settle in for a more relaxed dinner. Just bear in mind that evenings get busy, so it's worth booking ahead to avoid disappointment.
Contact: 01626 355102 Address: 50 Queen Street, Newton Abbot TQ12 2EW
Eastern Eye - For a Special Celebration Meal
If you're marking a special occasion or just fancy something a bit different, Eastern Eye offers authentic Indian cuisine in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Established in 1990, this contemporary restaurant has earned a strong reputation for quality dishes and attentive service.
They run popular all-you-can-eat buffet nights, which families often enjoy, and they also host live entertainment with set menus once a month. The extensive menu caters to all tastes, with plenty of vegetarian options available. Staff are described as warm and welcoming, and the restaurant has a lovely, relaxing atmosphere even when busy. Book ahead to secure a table.
Contact: 01626 331155 Address: 120-122 Queen Street, Newton Abbot TQ12 2EU Opening times: Daily 5.30pm to 10.45pm
Greendale Farm Shop - For a Full Day Out
If you want to turn a meal into a proper family day, Greendale Farm Shop is a brilliant choice. Located just outside Newton Abbot (about 15-20 minutes from Somerforde), this award-winning farm shop and cafe has become a real destination for families.
The cafe and restaurant menu is built around produce from their own farm and fishing boats, so everything is incredibly fresh and locally sourced. There's a children's menu with smaller portions of farm favourites, plus fish and chips takeaway if you fancy something casual. But what makes Greendale special for families is everything else on site there's a free Family Farm Trail perfect for pushchairs and little legs, where you'll spot donkeys, cows, pigs, goats, horses, llamas, alpacas and various birds. There's also a safe children's play area.
It's genuinely a place where you can spend a few hours, enjoy excellent food, do a bit of shopping, and let the children explore the animals. Just note that it gets busy during school holidays, so booking is recommended.
Contact: Sidmouth Road Nr. Farringdon, Exeter EX5 2JU Website: greendale.com
Passage House Inn - For a More Upmarket Celebration
For a really special occasion perhaps a birthday or anniversary celebration the Passage House Inn offers something rather different. This historic 18th-century coaching inn sits right on the banks of the River Teign Estuary with stunning views across the water.
The inn serves seasonal, locally-sourced Devon produce in a traditional setting. The wider Passage House Hotel has function rooms if your family gathering is larger, and there's also an indoor swimming pool and leisure facilities if you want to make a proper day of it. The river setting is particularly beautiful in good weather, and there's a terrace for al-fresco dining.
Contact: Hackney Lane, Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot TQ12 3QH
Gurkha Chef - Authentic Nepalese and Indian Cuisine
For something a bit different, Gurkha Chef is a family-run gem that's particularly popular with families. They offer authentic Nepalese and Indian cuisine in a warm, homely atmosphere. The menu is extensive with plenty of vegetarian options, and staff are noted for being welcoming and attentive. Children are welcome, and the atmosphere is genuinely family-friendly.
Planning Your Visit
Newton Abbot is blessed with excellent local restaurants, but a few tips will help make your meal even better:
Book ahead - Most of these places are popular, especially in the evenings and during school holidays
Check opening times - Particularly for Eastern Eye, which opens from 5.30pm
Think about timing - Quick lunch spots like The Pizza Cafe are great if you have a short visiting window; Greendale Farm Shop works well for a longer day out
Special occasions - If you're celebrating something specific, let the restaurant know when you book - they're usually happy to help make it special
Why We Love Our Local Area
Here at Somerforde, we're proud to be part of the Newton Abbot community. Our residents' families visit from all over, and we love seeing them enjoy everything our local area has to offer from the beautiful countryside of Dartmoor to the coast at Teignmouth, just ten minutes away, and of course, the wonderful food and hospitality you'll find in our town.
Whether you're visiting a loved one at Somerforde or exploring Newton Abbot for any other reason, we hope this guide helps you discover some brilliant places to eat. And if you're ever in the area and fancy popping in to see us, you're always welcome to visit.
Somerforde Residential Care is located at 2-3 Forde Park, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 1DE. We're a CQC Good-rated care home with 32 resident places. For more information about visiting or our services, please call us on 01626 361786 or email manager@somerforde.uk.
Please note: This article contains information about local businesses based on their own published information. We encourage you to contact businesses directly to verify current details, opening times, and services before visiting.