UK - DEVON - ILFRACOMBE - THE TERRACE TAPAS & WINE BAR

Miguel Renoir Spanish Guides
Jun 10
2 min read

Updated: Jun 11

THE TERRACE TAPAS & WINE BAR

During our brief visit to Ilfracombe, we tried what I believe is the only Spanish restaurant in town. We were served surprisingly good tapas, which was somewhat unexpected in North Devon.

Clive Chilcott runs the Terrace Tapas & Wine Bar alongside his partner, Dawn Mullen, who is the excellent chef. Together, they have owned this restaurant since 2016, where they have strived to bring a little piece of sunny Spain to Ilfracombe and North Devon. It seems they have succeeded.

Once inside, you will find a large restaurant, decorated in traditional Spanish style.

On perusing the menu, I was surprised to see cecina gran reserva (cured, air-dried, and often smoked beef), which was a good sign. After our friendly introduction, we sat down to enjoy,

Tostadas Sobrasada de Mallorca (two sourdough toasts topped with Sobrasada (a soft, spreading chorizo from Mallorca or sometimes Ibiza) and a drizzle of honey, then grilled).

Patatas Bravas (diced deep-fried potatoes, served with a spicy, smoked pimentón tomato bravas sauce, accompanied by a drizzle of alioli).

Albondigas (traditional homemade beef meatballs with diced onion, smoked pimentón, oregano and parsley in a rich tomato and red wine sauce).

Champinones al Ajillo (chestnut mushrooms pan-fried in garlic butter, with sliced garlic and smoked pimentón, and a grating of Manchego cheese).

Chuletillas de Cordero (two French-trimmed, locally sourced lamb lollipops with garlic and thyme).

To drink from the small wine list, we had a Vinedos Solarena Vega del Rayo (D.O. Rioja) 2022 (a modern, unoaked tempranillo, red fruits and berries with hints of black pepper).

The wine list could benefit from replacing some non-Spanish wines with some of the numerous, interesting offers from the Iberian Peninsula, but the wines they offer are good and probably sufficient.

We then had some excellent cheese (unpasteurized artisan Manchego Daimiel, Castilla-La Mancha. The cheese was served with quince paste,

and an olive oil and rosemary torta).

The evening was finished off with Turron Alexander (clotted cream vanilla ice cream with chunks of turron (almond nougat) and a shot of almond liqueur to drizzle).

On sunny days, you could try a cocktail from their excellent list at the bar or sit on the terrace.

The entire place is run by the excellent Clive and his staff, who were prompt and effective.

It is well worth a visit if you are nearby, and you will need to book as it seems to be constantly busy. Dogs, like most places in Ilfracombe, are welcome.