The Riverside - Torridge

I recently dined at this restaurant and I must say it was the best meal I have had in a long time. The food had a wonderful mix of flavors and was beautifully presented. Although the menu is limited, I believe this ensures that the dishes served are of exceptional quality. I enjoyed a main course and dessert, and others in my group were equally pleased with their starters. The staff was efficient and friendly, and the setting was peaceful with both indoor and outdoor seating areas offering views of the River Torridge. I have already recommended this hidden gem to friends and family.

On my way to check-in at the Royal Hotel , I passed this restaurant and looked at the menu. I had spotted about 4 dishes I wanted to order so having checked in, I walked over the road to the Bistro and I was not disappointed. I ordered Haloumi chips and Kleftico. 10 out of 10 for creativity, presentation and taste. Service was young and slow and could do with a bit more training but really enjoyed the meal and I recommend this to anyone to walk over the bridge or if you are staying at the Royal Hotel.

Popped our heads in to see what it was like and stayed for dinner. The staff were very friendly, helpful and you could exchange banter with them. The menu says the food takes a while as it is freshly cooked and I have to say it was worth the wait. The food was delicious! I had one of the specials which was Lamb and mint pie, my partner had a burger and asked for things to be excluded. The lamb melted in my mouth and the sauce was divine, even the peas it came with were fresh peas and blatantly not Birds Eye. My partners burger was clearly home made and substantial and everything she asked to be excluded was. There really isn't anything to dislike, if I was picky I would say where we sat was a little cold but the service was excellent, and the food to die for. If you only have one evening in Bideford eat here!

Very pleasant evening. good food and friendly waitress. It was a Greek themed evening but we stuck to the main menu.

You know what it 's like, the first time you visit a restaurant; your judgement is made up of the outside impression, web reviews and, if you are lucky, word of mouth. Based on such evidence, we made a booking for two couples, where two of us were celebrating our birthdays. First impressions, on opening the street door, are very good. A bright and airy interior with a bar and seating in the foreground, and dining tables and chairs extending ahead a larger than expected space. We ordered our drinks, and browsed through the menus, which included a sheet of Specials . We were impressed by the variety of dishes available, all clearly laid out on the menu, and offering each of a choice of two or more dishes we might want (rather than the occasional experience elsewhere, where you end up with something rather than find you need to choose between two or more equally attractive alternatives . We were shown to our table, which was well dressed, but without any unnecessary paraphernalia, which was refreshing. We had not ordered starters, so we expected a bit of a wait while the mains were cooked, but they appeared reasonably quickly. The dishes we had chosen were a Pork Chop (huge! , two of our number had Burgers (well filled, but easily manageable , and a simple Scampi dish. There were two types of chips on the menu, and we tried both. Garnishes were relevant and well presented. We ate well, and everything was cooked beautifully. We ordered desserts, and these too were delicious, and of a good size (i.e. neither huge nor tiny . In a time when it seems to be the norm to over embelish food with too many supposedly stylish extras, it is a welcome relief to find good wholesome well cooked and presented food. The staff were attentive and cheerful, and the atmosphere happy. We enjoyed our birthday meal, both for the food and the ambience. There is a riverside terrace at the back of the restaurant, but we didn 't try that as it was a chilly evening, and we are not in our prime! We will return.