We perchanced upon Toucan when en route back from a holiday in North Devon. Tempted by the appetising menu, we decided to have lunch there and were charmed and impressed by the tasty, homemade choices. A lovely, community feel, not just at Toucan, but at the other shops we visited - the butcher, the bakers and the Post Office.
TOUCAN CAFÉ BISTRO
A few comments e-mailed/sent to us recently from customers:
CUSTOMERS HAVE ALSO POSTED COMMENTS ABOUT US ON THE TRIP ADVISOR WEB-SITE www.tripadvisor.co.uk
We loved this restaurant! The food was delicious and filling, including the vegetarian options. The staff couldn't have been more helpful and welcoming. The restaurant is rather cosy when it is full (which I understand is every evening) but this just adds to the atmosphere. This place really cannot be faulted which is why you have to book.
Dec 2011
“Wholesome food served in a welcoming environment.”
“Delicious food and a friendly local atmosphere.”
Reviewed 7 August 2011
The combination of modern variations on classic dishes made with superb local devonshire produce make this a bistro we will return to whenever we can.
Dear Katrina & Julia, We just want to let you know what our guests Don and Anne , who dined with you on 2nd July, thought of their evening meal at Toucan. Of the five different places they dined at in the area, the best and most enjoyable was............Toucan Cafe-Bistro. Edward Christian
THREE ACRES COUNTRY HOUSE (July 2011)
We had a lovely evening on Saturday. Everyone thought the menu was excellent and really enjoyed their meal.The food all arrived cleverly without interrupting the flow of conversation, so thank you very much to all involved in the kitchen and front of house for making it such a special and successful evening. We'll definitely be back.
S Backhouse (March 2011)
I want to say a big thank you to you and your team for giving us East Anstey ladies such a wonderful evening the Tuesday before last. I had lots of messages from my friends to say how much they had enjoyed it – how much they loved the food and the atmosphere and particularly the welcome from you all. They are definitely going to recommend you to their friends and family and will be arranging a return visit!
Just a quick note say how we enjoyed our meal last night, piping hot and full of flavour -Can you pass on our thanks to all concerned. Best wishes,
Patrick and gang (Dec 2010)
Our guests were absolutely bowled over by the quality of the food and the general atmosphere of the Toucan.
Thank you for providing such a super Anniversary meal for us. You are consistently able to deliver such a great eating experience! We look forward to seeing you soon.
John and Mary W.S.
Just wanted to say thank you so much for such a fabulous lunch yesterday. The food was amazing, nothing like the usual pub grub or even restaurant fayre and the service, as usual, was perfect.
G Thomas
We both felt last night was really excellent and outstanding value combined with a generous range of interesting wines.
My wife was completely overwhelmed by the scallops and thought the leek and carrot rice worked extremely well. I singled out the sauce vierge as particularly delicious with the lamb. The cheeses were well selected and then that chocolate and raspberry tart - wow! Many, many congratulations to you both but especially to that bandana sporting powerhouse in the kitchen.
P Broadbent
We were part of the large Stoodleigh contingent who enjoyed the evening last Friday, and I felt I had to let you know that we thought the meal was really superb. Your food is always good, but Friday's meal was particularly brilliant, and a very good complement to the wines. A particular mention must go to the scallops (a favourite of ours) which were cooked to perfection, enhancing their quality, and the taste and flavour - including the succulent roes, we were pleased to see - were divine. Thank you again for a great evening!
J & B Firman
Just writing to say how wonderful Saturday evening was. Everyone commented on how lovely the food was and we would like to pass their compliments onto Julia. I had a great time. Thank you again.
A.Walpole
OUR ‘TASTE OF THE WEST’ AWARDS
We were once again delighted to be recognised by the 2010 ‘Taste of the West’ competition. The scheme provides a guide to the very best places to eat quality, regional food and drink. Competition judges visited us anonymously during both daytime and evening service looking at quality of food, service, ambience and evidence of local sourcing and awarded us in both categories.We received Silver Awards in both the café and restautrant categories.Their feedback included:
“ The menu was varied and interesting. Reading the menu made us want to return even before eating. We had a simple sandwich lunch but our meal was prepared and served to a very high standard with good thoughtful service. There are comfortable chairs and tables with music at an appropriate, unobtrusive volume. Our fellow customers were clearly regulars creating a relaxed and welcoming environment.”
“Our evening meal was well presented with a rustic, home cooked feel. The chicken was tender and everything was good quality and fresh. The service was very good; friendly and welcoming.”
The judges' feedback from 2009 was very positive, including:
"The Toucan restaurant was full of atmosphere. Simple friendly service, excellent food, cooked very well. Really bubbly atmosphere, full of people chatting. Nice and relaxing."
"Excellent value for money."
"Simple homely food that is cooked with real skill. Excellent use of flavours. Very fresh and very filling."
"Of particular mention – the lemon posset and vegetarian curry were sublime!"
"Very friendly, knowledgeable and unobtrusive staff."
"Excellent, very fresh, great sandwiches, cake and fantastic homemade scone."
"Very interesting menu – just what you would hope for in a country café."
About us & our local suppliers
As food and restaurant lovers ourselves, we took over the Toucan in 2007 with the aim to provide really good, freshly made meals using locally sourced ingredients, in cosy, relaxed surroundings with first class customer service. Having now been established for over 4 years, we have many very satisfied customers, who, we are pleased to say, return time and time again.
Whether you would like a quality freshly ground coffee and homemade cake, or an evening meal and a good bottle of wine or local beer on one of our themed evenings, you will always receive a warm and friendly welcome and we will do our utmost to satisfy any special requests you may have.
Why not turn your evening into a special occasion by joining us for a meal? We offer a varied and interesting menu on our occasioanl themed evenings. You can be sure that all our food is freshly prepared and cooked on the premises. Our starters, main courses and puddings are carefully chosen to include seasonal ingredients which have been sourced from local farms and producers and you will always find meat, fish and vegetarian options. We now open for evening meals for Private Functions and Special Events dates only. Early booking is always recommended. see our Special Events page for details.
Our wine list has been carefully selected for quality and variety and we are especially pleased with our choice of house wines which are also available by the glass. We offer over 30 wines from all over the world and are proud to promote wines from local vineyards too - we think that you will be pleased by our award-winning local Devon wines including the white and rosé wines from Yearlstone, Devon's oldest vineyard near Bickleigh. www.yearlstone.co.uk
The Toucan is on Brook Street in the pretty Devonshire town of Bampton, which is set in a conservation area right on the edge of the gateway to Exmoor national park, which makes us a great place to stop off for refreshments before or after your walk or cycle across the Moors. Bampton is steeped in history. The Bampton Charter Fair, which celebrated it's 750th anniversary in 2008, is internationally famous and attracts musicians and visitors alike from far and wide. In recent times, Bampton has become famous for its floral displays during 'Bampton in bloom' . The town has won the national 'Britain in bloom' competition no less than six times. You can lose yourself in some of the little alleyways that lead off the main street and find yourself next to some characterful cottages or the pretty church, then come to the Toucan and relax over a cup of coffee and snack, or lunch with a glass of wine or local beer.
www.bampton.org (for more local details)
If you are looking for somewhere to stay, we particularly recommend 'Heron House' for Bed and Breakfast or Garden Cottage (self catering for 2- 4 persons), both of which are a stone's throw from the Toucan.
***********************
OUR MANY LOCAL SUPPLIERS & PRODUCERS include..
MEAT
WESTONS FARMS, BAMPTON, DEVON
THE BUTCHERS SHOP, BAMPTON, DEVON
STILLMANS BUTCHERS, TAUNTON, SOMERSET
CREEDY CARVER, CREDITON, DEVON
HAWKRIDGE FARMHOUSE, CREDITON, DEVON
KITTOW CATTLE, HEMYOCK
COMPLETE MEATS, HONITON, DEVON
KERSCOTT FARM, SOUTH MOLTON, DEVON
GERALD DAVID & SON BUTCHER, DULVERTON, SOMERSET
HAGGETTS BUTCHERS, SILVERTON, DEVON
OAKMOORE FARM, MOREBATH, SOMERSET
FISH
EL PESCADERO, BRUSHFORD. SOMERSET
EXBRIDGE FISHERIES, BRUSHFORD, SOMERSET
DAIRY
GUNDENHAM DAIRY, WELLINGTON, SOMERSET
WESTONS FARM, BAMPTON, DEVON
VALLEY VIEW FARM, STOODLEIGH, DEVON
SALCOMBE DAIRY ICE CREAM, SALCOMBE, DEVON
VERNEYS MOLTON ICE, SOUTH MOLTON, DEVON
HAWKRIDGE FARMHOUSE, CREDITON, DEVON
BREAD
BAWDENS BAKERS, BAMPTON, DEVON
FRUIT & VEGETABLES
BAMPTON FRUIT & VEG, BAMPTON, DEVON
THE RUSSELLS MARKET GARDEN, OVERMILL, BAMPTON, DEVON
PRESERVES
ROSE FARM, SOMERSET
HAWRIDGE FARMHOUSE, CREDITON, DEVON
DRINKS
YEARLSTONE VINEYARD, BICKLEIGH, DEVON
EXMOOR ALES, WIVELISCOMBE, SOMERSET
COTLEIGH BREWERY, WIVELISCOMBE, SOMERSET
SANDFORD ORCHARDS, CREDITON, DEVON
SHEPPY’S CIDER, BRADFORD ON TONE, SOMERSET
MILES TEA, PORLOCK, SOMERSET
BRIAN WOGAN COFFEE, BRISTOL
Where are we?
From the M5 exit at junction 27. take the A361 toward Tiverton. At the Roundabout take the A396 north toward Bampton and Dulverton. Drive for approximately 4 miles exiting the village of Cove and take the B3227 at the roundabout by the Exeter Inn (signposted Bampton). Bampton and the Toucan restaurant is approximately 1 mile further. As you enter Bampton, continue over the small bridge and the Toucan can be found on the left hand side after a short distance.
There is unrestricted parking in Brook Street and there is also a small car park, just by the bridge. There is also a further large car park within a short distance.
