Eleven The Quay occupies one of the most coveted spots in Ilfracombe: right on the harbourside, with views across the water that shift and shimmer through the day. Whether you come for morning coffee, a lazy lunch or an evening cocktail as the harbour lights begin to glow, this is a spot that consistently delivers on atmosphere.
The drinks programme is the standout. Cocktails are creative and well-crafted, mixing classics with seasonal and locally inspired concoctions that reflect the character of their coastal surroundings. The coffee is excellent too, taken as seriously as the spirits, and the team behind the bar are skilled and enthusiastic about what they pour.
Food is fresh and quality-led, making the most of the harbour location and the excellent produce available in North Devon. The menu complements the drinks beautifully, with sharing plates and considered dishes that suit both a leisurely lunch and a proper pre-dinner visit.
Ilfracombe is a fascinating and increasingly vibrant town, with a creative energy and independent spirit that is genuinely exciting. The Quay is the heartbeat of the harbour scene, and No 11 is right at the centre of it. Damien Hirst’s remarkable Verity sculpture stands close by, watching over the harbour entrance, and the whole area has the feel of somewhere with real cultural substance.
The bar is as carefully considered as the food, with a selection of craft beers, natural wines and well-made cocktails that reflects the quality-conscious approach running through the whole operation. No 11 has the confidence to be unpretentious about what it does, and that confidence comes across in everything from the menu design to the way the room feels when it is full. A seriously good addition to Ilfracombe’s growing food and drink scene.
From Woolacombe, Ilfracombe is a beautiful drive along the coast, and an afternoon here, finishing with drinks at No 11 as the light fades over the harbour, is an experience well worth adding to your North Devon itinerary.
