Exploring South Devon’s Independent Coffee Scene

The independent speciality coffee scene in South Devon has flourished, making it home to a wide range of cafés serving speciality coffee alongside locally sourced food. Behind many is a shift in the speciality coffee industry, as independent cafés are starting to source high-quality green coffee beans from sustainable suppliers around the world before roasting them locally. This focus on origin and bean quality is raising the standard across the speciality coffee scene, and giving visitors and residents alike a wider range of exciting new flavours and styles than before. From popular coastal towns like Salcombe and Dartmouth to the market town of Totnes, you’ll find distinctive cafés that reflect their communities and serve outstanding brews.

Here’s a round-up of some local favourites.

Where to Find Great Coffee in Salcombe

Salcombe is a popular pit stop for visitors to South Devon, and with good reason. Pastel-coloured cottages cascade to sandy beaches and turquoise waters, and along the way visitors are welcomed by the local independent businesses that keep the town thriving.

One of the town's best-known spots for coffee is the family-run Salcombe Coffee Company on Fore Street. Ranked #3 of 50 on TripAdvisor, this charming café serves great coffee with freshly made cakes but is also licensed as a bistro, serving fabulous breakfasts and light lunches.

Looking slightly further afield, the Blue Whale Café at Ashby's is found just outside the town centre and offers sweeping panoramic views across the entire South Hams. Open seven days a week, the café serves great quality coffee alongside fresh, locally sourced food made from scratch in partnership with local farmers and its very own in-house butcher.

Where to Stop for Coffee in Dartmouth

For independent cafés within easy walking distance of both the waterfront and town centre, Dartmouth doesn’t disappoint.

Located on Smith Street, one of the oldest recorded streets in Dartmouth, Woodroast is known for its unusual wood-roasted coffee. The beans are roasted in Italy by Fazenda in Fiuggi using traditional methods that help set the café apart from many modern speciality coffee shops. Family-run and drawing on more than 30 years of experience, this compact café offers a calm, intimate spot near St Saviour’s Church to enjoy a coffee and pastry before exploring the town.

Bespoke, found at the end of Foss Street and the bottom of Browns Hill, is another highly rated choice. The café serves speciality coffee alongside a selection of food and baked goods in a relaxed setting, offering another alternative to some of the busier locations closer to the waterfront while remaining within easy reach of Dartmouth's main sights.

Exploring Totnes’ Creative Coffee Scene

Not to be missed is the historic market town of Totnes, situated on the River Dart and known for its laid-back, bohemian feel.

The Curator, found on The Plains, prides itself on sourcing from “some of the world’s best producers” and focuses on producing coffees characterised by clarity, balance, and sweetness. They roast each batch over reclaimed wood, which they find best draws out the full expression of each bean.

The Hairy Barista is another local favourite, offering great coffee alongside community events. Their popular house blend combines Brazilian and Guatemalan beans to create a rich, chocolatey, nutty flavour profile. In collaboration with ADAMA Events, they also host live acoustic gigs, sound baths, and independent film screenings, among other activities, making it ideal for visitors to South Devon looking for something a little different.

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Beyond the Café

South Devon’s coffee scene is a charming blend of speciality roasting and stunning scenery. From wood-roasted artisan beans served in historic towns and villages to waterfront cafés, there’s no shortage of great options. Wherever you visit, you’ll be sure to find an interesting brew, great food and a very warm welcome along the way. For speciality coffee enthusiasts inspired by what they’ve discovered during their visit to South Devon, exploring the world of green coffee can be a natural next step. Green coffee beans are simply unroasted coffee beans that can be sourced from providers such as greencoffeecollective.com and roasted at home or by commercial roasters. Factors such as origin, processing method, freshness, and bean quality all influence the final result, making green coffee an ideal starting point for anyone interested in learning more about the roasting process. Visitors planning a longer stay can also explore South Devon’s wider food and drink scene, as well as the ma