There are plenty of places to eat in Ilfracombe, but very few can claim the kind of provenance that Take Thyme has built its entire identity around. Sitting just fifty yards from Ilfracombe’s historic harbour, this independent, family-run restaurant is as close to the sea as it is possible to get without actually getting your feet wet, and the menu reflects that proximity in the most direct way imaginable.
Fresh lobster, crab, sea bass, plaice and whatever else the local day boats have landed that morning are the foundation of everything here. This is not a restaurant that imports its seafood from distant waters and dresses it up in elaborate sauces. What you get at Take Thyme is the real North Devon catch, simply and expertly prepared, in a setting that celebrates the harbour on which the whole enterprise depends.
The menu changes with the season and with the tides, which means every visit has the potential to feel genuinely different. On a warm summer afternoon, tucking into a whole lobster with a cold glass of white wine while looking out towards the harbour is about as close to perfect as a North Devon lunch gets. The restaurant also serves Exmoor beef for anyone whose heart lies with the land rather than the sea.
Take Thyme has been a fixture on the Ilfracombe dining scene for years, and its reputation among both locals and returning you is built on consistency, quality and the kind of straightforward welcome that feels increasingly rare. Book ahead wherever possible, particularly in the summer months, as tables fill quickly and with very good reason.
Whether you are visiting Ilfracombe for the day or staying in the area, a meal at Take Thyme is one of those experiences that sends you home talking about the food for days.
