Food with a view: Exploring The Coombe Cellars in Newton Abbot

We love to eat out locally so when we were invited along to The Coombe Cellars for a complimentary meal at their press launch night in Combeinteignhead, we thought it would be rude not to!  

We met General Manager David on the way in, he has been with the team for two years and has become a familiar face in the local area. He says:

The Coombe Cellars is a hugely popular pub with lots of local history so we’re really excited to be part of the team as it begins its next chapter. We have made some stunning changes that have allowed us to create a modern, open and stylish look and feel to the pub – making it the ideal spot for friends and family to get together. We have loved unveiling the brand-new pub to guests!”

As part of the refurbishment, the pub’s indoor and outdoor spaces have received an extensive makeover. Its team has also grown with several new people hired to fill various roles. Leading the charge is new Head Chef, Mattas Linder who has over 12 years industry experience, and Sous Chef Marcel Mrazko, who has made the move from within the group, formally working as The Swan in Broadway as well as The Victoria in Barnt Green to Newton Abbott to take on a new challenge.

A guide by William Hyett published in 1800, described The Coombe Cellars as “standing in the most picturesque situation”.

We didn’t get to fully appreciate the view (it was dark and very foggy) but see above for it’s proximity to the water. 

The menu is honest and all-encompassing with a variety of food including a Vegan menu and a healthy low-calorie menu.

We arrived, were shown to the gin bar and – after 66 days – bang went my zero alcohol 2019! I opted for the Tanqueray Flor De Sevilla – A citrus-focussed, gin made with Seville oranges and orange blossoms mixed with Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic. I went easy on the fresh additions selecting a melon ball (its perfect roundness was very appealing) and some burnt lime – a refreshing citrus burst worth breaking the dry streak for!

We were shown to a table in the conservatory and offered some appetisers which included duck liver & port parfait with gooseberry & prosecco compote and toasted ciabatta, deep fried brie with sweet chutney, and chargrilled lamb koftas. I have to admit, `i was mildly obsessed by the lobster & king prawn pot in a Devon crab crème Fraiche with toasted ciabatta -delicious!

I’ve never been to The Coombe Cellars before so I have nothing to compare the refurb to but I loved the plush furnishings and the choice of colours. I was especially enamoured by the tiles.

I was talking with a friend about Expresso martinis and how I hadn’t tried one before, I couldn’t resist the opportunity…

From the menu

A light tasty starter with the salt & Szechuan pepper squid.

Roasted butternut squash and sweet potato tart.

The pan fried sea bass fillets for my main course were delicious.

The Coombe Cellars is a great place to eat when there is clear visibility, the views are pretty spectacular, they are also a dog-friendly pub with a special doggy bar outside to keep your canine friends happy!

It isn’t a cheap meal out but it’s definitely worth a visit. The Coombe Cellars is open 7 days a week, with food served daily from 12pm.

View their menus here Coombe Cellars website.

The Coombe Cellars invited us to dine with them for their complimentary media preview evening. All opinions are honest.