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This is a hotel with one of the best outlooks in its particular area, at the mouth of the River Dart and handy for the ferry across to Dartmouth. The restaurant, named after a local worthy, John Hauley, Mayor for fourteen years and four times MP for the area. There is a wide choice of menus and local ingredients are to be found on all of them, notably of course from the sea.

Starters include rosettes of Dartmouth smoked salmon, Dartmouth chowder, sautéed king prawns with rum, lime and coriander, or warm red onion tart with a slice of the local Ticklemore goat's cheese.

Main courses are equally forthright and look out for fresh lobster, done Newburg, thermidor or coral, whole lemon sole grilled with butter, char grilled prime fillet of Devon beef, or the redoubtable crab and fish platter, with crab, smoked salmon, smoked mackerel and prawns.

The desserts take no prisoners at all, try the Belgian chocolate and mandarin mousse in a chocolate cup served with raspberry coulis or, should you have the good fortune to be a cheese buff cast an eye over the West Country cheeses, amongst them Cornish Yarg, Sharpham brie, Kingston cheddar and Harbourne blue.

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Do images of drifting on a cruise, walking on the beach or eating a fine meal at a chic restaurant come to your mind as you plan your next holiday? Then Dartmouth is the place to be at and Taylor's restaurant completes the picture of an enjoyable dining experience. With commanding views overlooking the harbour, the comfortable décor in dark shades of brown adds depth and elegance to the place.

The menu reflects the abundance of fresh fish, and meat from local farms. Start with bang bang chicken in a sweet chilli and sesame dressing or go for Denhay ham with Pecorino cheese and rocket. Mains include roast salmon teriyaki with fried peppers and onions, and rack of Devonshire lamb glazed with honey and wholegrain mustard. Lord Randall's steamed sponge pudding is served with apricots, cinnamon and warm marmalade sauce for afters, while marinated raspberries accompany rich chocolate and orange liqueur truffle.

Café Alf Resco, if the name is not already an indication, is all about holiday eating while chatting with friends or the family, listening to music or just catching up on the headlines of the day, and yes, there's outdoor seating too. The minimalist charm of the place appeals to the residents of Dartmouth who prefer to unwind with a cup of coffee from the original Italian Gaggia, and the authentic French parlour stove also draws its fair share of spectators.

Alf's suppers make use of what is seasonal, so you could nibble on Parmesan garlic bread and spicy potato wedges with sweet chilli and sour cream to start, followed by local fresh plaice with lime Hollandaise. The platter selection is also worth exploring - a selection of local smoked fish with smoked mackerel pâté and dill mayonnaise, or a charcuterie plate.

Weekends at Café Alf Resco are marked by sounds of jazz, blues and flamenco played by local musicians.

Everybody loves a day at the beach and the Venus Company helps create an experience in beach dining that is decidedly different and worth remembering. Availability of a wide range of beach goods ensures that fun in the water doesn't come with a price like skin burn and the golden sands, turquoise blue sea and the magnificent pines lend a Mediterranean-ish feeling which is a big draw and the Venus café, located right next to the beach is the perfect spot to take in some marvellous views and enjoy the day.

Meals at the café could begin with the Venus breakfast, bacon, eggs, sausages, hash browns and vine tomato and later in the day you could opt for their burger or chicken meals, while the traditional beef pasty or the organic vegetable chilli pasty holds a wide appeal. There's a wide range of sandwiches and paninis while soft drinks, beers, ciders and ice creams can help you cool off adequately.