The Black River inn — Restaurant in Torridge District

We were spending the week nearby and opted to have our Saturday night meal here. I understand the place has recently been spruced up and the decor certainly feels fresh without losing he original character.

It’s an interesting place in that it is the village pub but it also wants to offer some finer food alongside the usual pub fare. I was certainly surprised to see Oysters for a starter on the specials menu along with Côte de boeuf for mains (designed to be shared between two). I opted for both as I love these dishes and it would be a test of the produce quality and of the cooking. The oysters were nice enough but the real test was the beef and it passed with flying colours; tender, cooked to perfection (I asked for medium as a compromise with my wife and to my delight it arrived ever so slightly rarer). The meat was tender and tasted wonderful. There were some nice desert options, the staff were friendly, the atmosphere had a nice buzz both from the dining room and the pub. The whole place had an informal but well turned out feel about it. We had an enjoyable evening and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend others...

Lovely 3 meat Sunday lunch! Also had tapas which my son enjoyed so we are all going back on Friday so we can all have some. Great food, welcoming team and dog friendly... also generous chef!

Edited version to include our return on Friday night... so glad we booked again!

The tapas was delicious, we ordered loads because we were on holiday and what the heck?! Each dish was wonderful and we didn't leave anything on our plates. My son really wanted to try the mussels for the first time and wasn't disappointed, a new firm favourite now. Thanks to the team at B-R-I who made us so welcome... especially our son who got the thumbs up from the kitchen as he settled in again (always great to see the food prep). Also loved the eco and sustainability message including the locally sourced produce. 5 stars doesn't do this one justice, would recommend booking to avoid...

Had an amazing evening at the Black River Inn in Black Torrington! The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with a perfect mix of traditional charm and modern touches. The highlight was definitely the food—Devon Tapas cooked over a solid fuel fire was something truly special. Every dish was packed with flavour, and you can tell a lot of care goes into the ingredients.

The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, making us feel right at home, and went above and beyond! We also loved the beer garden—such a peaceful spot to enjoy a drink while taking in the countryside views. The place to be when Summer finally comes!

A special mention to the Chef who apparently was very impressed with our...