Maltsters Arms in South Hams - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

I used to go to the Maltster's a lot. In fact it was my favourite pub for eating for may years as previous glowing reports on TA show. A very special place. My last visit was in 2021. So I thought I’d go again. Now wish I hadn’t. It was pretty terrible. The whole pub is filthy, needs a good dust and clean. The toilets grubby and not clean at all, no soap. The deco is tired and worn and the whole place looks like it needs a refurb. Just very scruffy. Our time menu looked like it had been used as a table mat for the last five years. The menu was nothing like the sample menu on their website, and was very plain and frankly, boring. The food (we had fish and chips) was okay. But nothing special. Service, again okay, but nothing special. All a bit disappointing. So reluctantly, won’t be going back for the foreseeable future. It’s a great shame as I remember this pub as being really special, great food (especially fish) and being a real destination pub. The photo in TA is an old photo from how it was before. Huge disappointment. But bigger things to worry about in life. I will just remember it how it used to be....and go to the Church House Inn at Rattery instead.....which is fantastic.

Food excellent and lovely views and location

Sunday roast was awful, the vegetables were placed in rows all together in the same dish, it was pittyful and tasted even worse. Sad white cauliflower cheese, even paler under cooked parsnips, red jammy acidic limp cabbage, wet buttery carrot mushy mash, a vile acidic taste from the cabbage tainted the rest of the unappealing vegetables, with the added cheese sauce to slosh in the mix. I chose the nut roast option which resembled a slop roast, infact there was no roast in any part of our meals. A totally Over priced, under roasted, pale disappointment, our food was just wasted. I did try to nicely say that the meal was bad, but the immediate response and attitude just made the experience even worse.

Called to see the Pub once owned by the famous chef "Keith Floyd" How nice to find one of the rooms was dedicated to the great man, lots of pictures and books related to Keith , enjoyed a lovely lunch of Mussles , the place had a nice feel too, overlooking the river , food was great, staff very pleasant and lots of "Keith Floyd" stuff to see , a great trip that will be fondly remembered , many thanks to all the staff ! Martyn Hamer.

We stayed a night at the Maltsters recently. All the young staff are helpful and approachable, and so is Sue. The room was large with a comfortable and clean bed. The bathroom was functional but very dated in comparison. The windows could do with a bit of a clean outside, for the bedroom and in the restaurant upstairs. I appreciate there are a lot of birds around, but there were a lot of cobwebs too which is a shame given how nice the view outside is. We dined there (I wasn’t going to drive out of the single track roads in the dark!) and the food was ok. The beer is another story. Really nice selection and well priced. The Maltsters own lager was lovely. Breakfast was nice and we were allowed to check out late as the room was not reserved the day we left. We would return and overall will give this stay full marks.

My wife and I did a paddle to the pub canoe trip from Stloke Gabriel, which was excellent, and we ended up at the Malsters in Tuckenhay (apparently something to do with Keith Lloyd?). We wanted some lunch to refuel for the paddle back and had certainly earned a beer. With only one staff at the bar and a long queue, I had to make an executive decision on food, but with the menu being so difficult to understand, and no staff available to ask for clarification, I simply opted for a serving of 'Fries/Fat Chips Ailas', assuming that at £5 per serving, they would be an enjoyable snack. They came on what resembled a small shallow earthenware disc such as you would sit a plant pot on to retain water, and the serving was a small handful of crappy frozen chips!!!!?????!!!! What? How utterly disappointing. The purpose of eating out is to have better, or at least as good as you would have at home. The chef is too lazy to peel a few potatoes and do it properly. Therefore, with my wife and I still feeling perturbed by this experience, tonight we decided to satisfy our lack of "good food" by doing it ourselves. Being a chef in the Royal Navy, I used to peel, chip and properly cook chips for 250 men onboard, twice a day (lunch & dinner), and for 1500 men on shore base. So I did the chips, and my wife did her trade mark burgers in a brioche bun (decent mince, fine chopped onion, salt pepper, a little garlic and some tomato puree with a little sweet chilli sauce, and not forgetting a spoon full of Dijon mustard) - delicious. I have attached photos showing the deliciously succulent home made burger with fresh salad, and the home twice cooked chips that are firm yet succulent, fluffy in the middle and full of flavour. Yum! I thought it important to share the recipe with this chef, and the chips are simple - no need to peel the potatoes (I used golden king spuds), just cook then at 185 degrees until they just start to brown, then leave them to rest until ready to finish and serve (they will continue to cook a little inside on their own whilst resting). It's so said that you cannot pay for such a meal when going out anymore????!!!!!

This is a lovely location and the staff are amazing but..... The whole place could do with a deep clean, decorate and an update. The rooms are very dated and there is some seriously bizarre furniture. The carpets are disgusting, they don't look like they have been cleaned since fitting. It's a real shame as it would not take a lot of effort to make this a 5 star all round.

River side pub bit scruffy ordered taramaolata tasted like mayo but delicious cider

Great pub,good food and excellent service

Amazing service from Pip and Ben. Chuffed is an understatement!

We stopped for a drink and food. The staff were so welcoming and polite 10/10. Our food was spot on. I don’t write many reviews but the service exceptional.

Lovely pub backing onto the river with plenty of seating outside.

Great venue, beautiful location. Visited on a Sunday afternoon and had a mixed roast which had a good cut of meat and lots of vegetables.

Service super fodd very good lovely setting thankyou

Fabulous food, incredible location. The burger was one of the best burgers I've ever had, just everything in the right proportions! My wife loved the lamb and thought the Crème Brulee was exceptional, so much so that we returned the next day just for dessert! Whilst we didn't have a boat, you can in fact reach The Maltsters Arms by boat and dock right outside!

We been there this year end of May 2024 with my family to attend a wedding at Kingston Estate. We took two rooms and the room was very clean and tidy. The service and the Restaurant was very efficient and welcoming. Thank you to the management 🙏

Beautiful setting, great food,very comfortable bed. The staff were lovely and nothing was too much trouble. Will certainly stay again.

Friday night fish n chips will never be the same again! Absolutely fabulous food, great service, and a stunning location. Who could ask for more?! 🤩

Went for some food and drink during our recent visit to the area. a cozy place with good food and drink options. Spiced date sponge was tasty. When we went it was pouring but i can see that on a summer day this place would be very popular with benches by the river.

First impressions, ascending the stairs from the lower car park showed a basic lack of cleanliness along with a lack of maintenance or care for the property's appearance at the rear. Arriving in the bar, the same lack of care and cleanliness was evident. Allowing for the slow service at the bar, we were pointed to our table. The table surface itself was sticky, but the chairs, old school chairs used in the restaurant, the type with a book rest on the back, was itself full of rood debris, crumbs and, general detritus. At this point, my wife and I had the same idea to leave, but neither of us voiced to each other. I ordered the fish and chips at £18.00. What thin layer of fish you could actually find, was dry and was embedded in a layer of batter so thick and heavy with oil, as to render it inedible. The dozen or so chips, were probably from frozen, though hot on the outside, appeared near solid potato in the centre. As we left, I noticed other diners had left the fish. We did complain, but little or no sympathetic acknowledgment was given. One had a feeling, that the staff had been dropped in to the place, without any training, even of basic customer care and courtesy. I would avoid visiting or eating here.

Where do I start!! We booked for a three night stay in May '24 and found the whole experience very disappointing. We booked by phone for the three nights and I asked for a confirmation email but nothing came; I asked twice more and had no reply so we kept our fingers crossed that when we arrived it would be OK. We did arrive and our room was booked for us as expected. From now on things went down hill. We had to pay for the three nights up front; we wish we had not. The room was large and clean but 'old'. We ate there the fist evening and that was OK. Breakfast the following morning was a joke; it said on the menu there would be fresh fruit but there was none; when we asked about the fruit the server said they don't put it out anymore as people don't use it!!! The cooked to order breakfast was passable. On returning that evening we found our room had not been serviced. There seems to be nobody in charge. We were angry and asked a waiter in the bar why that was the case and he did not know but seemed to suggest that as we had taken our room key away nobody could get in - joke. (You have to have your room key because if you get back after 10 pm you have to let yourself into the building) It went on and on, I will not bore people with it but suffice to say the 'hotel' is very poor. The outside needs a clean, the inside areas where people touch are sticky with doors black. There is NOBODY in charge where we could go to complain. We think people only stay there because it is on the river side.

Staying with friends in the Old Bakehouse 5 minutes away Decided to have roast dinner Omg the best I’ve ever had in a pub Probably too much meat😋😋 Roast potatoes crispy crackling😋 Loads of fresh cooked mixed vegetables

Sadly twice now the food service has been cancelled. We won't be taking the risk of disappointment again. There now seems to be ad hoc approach in the pub to everything which is sad as it used to be great. There are long waits on food and the portions have shrunk with less finese. Get a grip please as you are losing custom

Okay. Didn't stay the night. Took evening meal on a Monday. Nice staff, nice menu. Food quality needs improvement.

I booked a table for 5 people, it was to celebrate my middle sons birthday, I personally had a prawn starter and I have never seen such massive prawns and the were so tasty, I then had a 10 ounce steak, it was so tasty, why they gave a steak knife I don't know the steak was so soft it fell to bits, other members of my family were also blown away with the food and service, oh and there is so much choice of beers.

5/5, amazing food amazing service. The fish and chips is lovely. The pub is such a nice feeling and ambience. Would 100% return

Had an excellent fish and chips here and very reasonably priced

Didnt stay but went there for Sunday Lunch and was not disappointed. Tender meat and perfectly presented veg. It was amazing. The Maltsers do not skimp on portions, and the location is very pretty. Overall if you are in the area and want a spot of lunch definitely drop in.

Outstanding food, fabulous riverside location, great staff. Absolutely love it here, have eaten many times and the food is always exceptional. Have now stayed over too and the rooms are cosy comfortable and great value.

Lovely location, however the rooms need a refresh. We stayed two nights and on both occasions were woken by a fire alarm at 2am. The staff did not offer any reimbursement for the inconvenience. Overall, not a good stay.

Loved having this place to my own. Beauty of waking up next to the River Dart. Sunday Roaat was exceptional!

V nice place, awesome brekkie, v helpful staff - especially the morning guy. Only slight downside was I only got half a fish for my fish n chips so me + the dog had to supplement the evening meal with a pack of crisps. But all round pretty good and there was a tonne of salmon at breakfast so that makes up for it.

Couldn't fault any of the food. The decor could do with a more modern touch. Food was very very good and perfectly cooked, the flavours also very good. Highly recommend this place.

Great position,lots of seating indoor and out.Good menu.Good selection of wines and beers.Plenty of parking.Efficient and pleasant staff.

Fabulous traditional pub serving great food in a fabulous location 👍

Lovely welcoming pub with amazing food. Our daughters aged 10 and 8 loved the pasta and chicken nuggets and we loved the meals for us. Desserts were very impressive (and large!!) Thank you

Went today at lunchtime for family birthday. Arrived at 11.50 am and sat in car as website and google said it was open at 12. Waited for 40 minutes, phoned 3 times no answer. Delivery driver left food on steps at front door as no one answered. Really annoying as it was quite a way from home and checked web site and google to make sure it was open. Went to the watermans up the road and had a nice meal.

Still the charming, attention to detail place it’s always been! We stayed last night and had a superb meal. Wood pigeon to start and partridge for main. My husband had scallops that were beautifully cooked and caramelised on top, followed by pork belly. Everything Cooked to perfection! Great selection of wines. We were impressed with all the serving staff front of house and the chef and his team are clearly all very talented. Rooms are looking a little tired but they’re clean, comfortable and the view over the quay is beautiful. Such a fab place to visit with lovely surrounding walks. Highly recommend

Wow. We had an amazing birthday meal here last Tuesday for my brother's 28th. We were looked after by Tom , who was professional and attentive and left us feeling very relaxed and looked after. We were a party of 6, and a little diorganised, but he handled the group very well and we were very impressed by the attention to detail and level of service. The food was sublime. All of us struggled to choose from the menu as it all sounded so delicious. We decided to try a few of the dishes to experience the full menu. We were not disappointed. Mussels, sardines, mackerel... a full seafood extravaganza! Drinks flowed well, gorgeous wine. They even decorated our home bought cake for us and didnt charge us a cakeage fee! Thank you team, you made us a memorable meal and birthday evening. We'll be back.

The food was excellent if a little expensive but the service is so slow. We gave up on desert as no one came to clear out plates or offer us the desert menu. We paid at the bar and left, which was a shame as it is a beautiful location and the food was good. Not what you expect for a Tuesday evening having booked three weeks in advance.

This hotel is so peaceful, with great outdoor seating area by the river. We stayed one night as we were on a short motorcycle tour. Our room, no 6 had no window just a sky light , but this was reflected in the price, just left the bathroom door open and had the window open in there. So it was fine. Comfy bed nice linen. We had our evening meal in the restaurant, fish and chips, very nice but I would have liked some peas. The staff are really lovely, Izzy and Beth were really lovely, super friendly, and efficient. As was the lady at breakfast. (Didn’t catch her name). Really good breakfast menu, perfectly cooked. We will definitely return if we are biking in the area again.

Had a delicious lunch by the river. The beetroot and goats cheese looked and tasted fantastic. Braised pork belly also good.

Set on the bank of the River Dart, it’s a picturesque location to enjoy a nice drink. We, however, opted for food as well. It was disappointing. The fish and chips (£17) was just that - no peas or side, which is mentioned on the sample menu on the website. The fish was over cooked and the batter was undercooked. The burgers were greasy and the fries cold. We may one day return for a drink (on a warm, dry day), but we’ll eat elsewhere.

Amazing service, especially by the young lad Jahnu. Food was amazing best ever and really good prices and very inclusive for vegatarians

Lovely spot, been going there for years. After my last experience , I shall not be returning . The food was awful and over priced . I voiced my concerns but it was disregarded. So I won’t be visiting or recommending to clients, friends or family

First class roast and as good a dinner as it gets Not the cheapest but great quality absolutely delicious An informal but comfortable atmosphere and great location to sit outside in good weather

Terrible service, awful food, overpriced. Complete disregard for customers. Nice location but scuffy and unkept. Not a pleasant experience. Avoid

Had two meals at the Maltsters Arms during our holiday. The staff are friendly and we really enjoyed the food. The first meal was an evening meal eaten outside by the river, all meals were excellent (3 fish dishes and a burger). We then went for Sunday lunch which is one of the best Sunday lunches we have had out for a long time. The meat was tender and the veg cooked well. Only disappointment was that we would have had a dessert but after waiting over half an hour for someone to clear the main course away we gave up. Highly recommended if you want good quality food in a lovely setting.

Great location, lots of potential but food disappointing. Greasy fish and chips, no peas, lemon brown. Would not go back.

Just back from three nights at The Maltsters where we had three delicious dinners and three delicious breakfasts. The dinner menu is creative and varied and it’s really hard to choose! Being there for three nights meant that we got to try most things on...

I was at the restaurant this evening and was appalled to hear that a lovely man and his charming family in a party of 6 were to be charged £5 a head for the waiter to bring out a birthday cake that the party had...

Great for a relaxed meal in a friendly cosy atmosphere.Excellent food,particularly the mussels,sticky toffee pudding to die for,lovely friendly attentive staff,nice fire burning in this very cosy pub.What more could you want.

Stayed here for a night on a return back to south Devon ( where I used to live). We had a lovely roast ( both had mixed meat roast), portion was enormous ( big thumbs up). Room was lovely and spacious, view over the river...

25yrs ago this was a lovely quirky pub, previously owned by Keith Floyd. Now, it's just another plastic gastro-pub and deeply boring. The cream on the cake was being told at 7pm on Sunday evening that the bar was closing. I had a choice of...

Firstly the good points. The evening meal and breakfast were excellent. The pub location is lovely, in the countryside and riverside. The not so good, the room , THE BLUE BOAR, was very basic and in need of some tlc. The carpets were filthy as...

We visited for lunch with my partner and elderly mother for lunch. On entering we were very warmly welcomed by the young lady behind the bar and shown to our table. We hadn't booked and a lot of tables had reserved on them which I...

Just had another stunning Sunday roast at this lovely pub, loads of it and delicious. Didn’t think we had room for dessert but we managed it as it was so lovely. Staff friendly and efficient and excellent beer.

We arrived to a very welcoming beautiful located village after visiting the polar express in Buckfastleigh. We felt immediately at home with the warm arrival given by Tom. He checked us in and arranged a travel cot to be set up in the room asap...

This pub is in a stunning location with top staff, food ok. The room, was in need of a makeover, water not warm enough for both myself & partner, over an hour apart!

Excellent food, loved my meal as did the rest of my party of four, warm plates, hot food, good service, best pub I have been to in a very long time, I was really impressed.

Pleasant Waterside restaurant on Bow Creek just off River Dart. Good for quality reasonably priced lunch . Particularly good fois gras! Nice friendly staff.

I am often disappointed when eating out but wow let me tell you we ate here on two nights running and on both occasions the food (every plate) was absolutely fabulous. I have not enjoyed a meal as much for years. You could tell it...

Just had an amazing eating experience in this warm & friendly country pub on the river. The food is superb, good beer, and wonderful attentive staff.

Stayed for one night, throughly enjoyed our stay here it made for a fabulous relaxing weekend away. Beautiful country pub, very dog friendly and they don’t charge extra for the dog to stay either, which almost all other places will. Not sure the recent negative...

This B&B/Restaurant was booked in advance and as part of a five day trip to Devon. Unfortunately it coincided with the Queens Funeral Bank Holiday. We were called and told that they would not now be providing food or drink due to the bank holiday...

I stayed here for 2 nights and whilst our room could do with a little updating it was very comfortable. Lovely bathroom with shower and bath. The food was delicious and the staff were very friendly and helpful, in particular Emma and Chris. We were...

We were recommended to visit here and did so yesterday. The location is stunning, a real treat. We both had fish and chips, I have to say that it was superb. The prices are fair given the huge overheads that the hospitality industry continues to...

My husband a I stayed the night in the nightingale room, this I believe is the biggest room with the best views of the river. The views didn’t disappoint! However the room was very tired looking with areas of damage to the walls a windows....

We rang early afternoon to book and were told fully booked but could risk an outside table (1st come 1st served). Arrived and thought I’d ask inside as maybe somebody may have cancelled. There were ‘table reserved’ signs on most tables and we were taken...

Beautiful situation by the River Dart. Featured in the Good Pub Guide. Return visit to this village pub, previously owned by celebrity chef, Keith Floyd (RIP). Delicious food, Cornish sardines today. Proper Caesar salad with anchovies. My only negative is the unwise provision of those...

I had not visited since owned by Keith Floyd, who had the most amazing menu, different every day. Quite disappointed with it now. Menu quite restricted, and very expensive. This used to have a good reputation for fish, but not now it seems. Caesar salad...

Having had a very busy weekend my son, his partner and I decided to pop down for a bite to eat. We called ahead to make sure they served on Sunday evening, which they do - until 7pm and although we were arrived at around...

Amazing setting. Quite a nice menu. Decided to treat ourselves for Sunday lunch out. Being August we knew it would be very busy so, with the website suggesting The Maltsters was open all day, we arrived at 11am hoping to at least get a drink...

We had a lovely lunch here. Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and was very helpful. The pub is in a super location by the river. Highly recommend a visit.

We had a table outside by the river. The location is lovely and the young staff members were pleasant. I had the sardines on toast and my partner the burger. It was both very well presented and the food overall was good. However the outside...

After booking a reservation for dinner at the Maltsers Arms we were excited to say the least, the lady on the phone sounded very friendly and helpful. However, this was short lived. It was a sunny evening, the pub is on the river and accordingly...

Me and wife spent two wonderful days here, Location, staff, food is all exceptional, accommodations great value for money. We will definitely be visiting this wonderful place again.

There are lots of favourable reviews for this restaurant which makes me wonder if the chef was off the night we went. The food was nicely presented but the flavours really didn't work at all. A lot of different sauces or cream hiding flavourless scallops,...

Food was fine, nothing special. Charging £10 across the board for a desert is outrageous, party of 14 and we ordered 1 desert as a result. Don’t take your family, children’s meals £8.50 with no pudding or drink? Why would you do this?

We visited for lunch one Sunday. It was quiet so we expected good service. The food was excellent and the kitchen were helpful. However, I didn’t enjoy the meal. It used to have such an obviously friendly waiting/bar team, who seemed to get on together....

We visited the Maltsters Arms on Fathers Day and my son and I ordered a roast dinner each. The quality of the meat was superb. The vegetables were well cooked and there was so much to eat. Puddings we’re also excellent. The menu is quite...

Having eaten here before, I was eager to return, as I enjoyed the experience last time. We arrived a little before 7pm on a Monday evening and the place was quite quiet. We were seated quickly, given menus and the waitress came to take our...

This bar & restaurant is in a lovely location alongside Bow Creek just off the River Dart. Staying in Tuckenhay this was a fantastic place to enjoy a drink at an outside table by the river enjoying local beer and cider. In addition to a...

We had a lovely evening, staying and eating at the Maltsters. We enjoyed sitting watching the river drinking local cider. The dinner was lovely, the staff took time to chat and were incredibly friendly and helpful. The room was excellent too. It would good to...

We came for Sunday Lunch. There were 4 servers and there were only a handful of tables seated. We were seated for about 15minutes before someone can to take our food order, we hadn’t been offered any drinks yet. Our starters arrived quickly, but still...

It’s so good to see these guys open again after closing during lockdown. The best river-view-pub I ever visited. Service is top notch with great atmosphere even when it isn’t full of people. The smoked chipotle chicken breast burger was excellent and chips were skin-on....

Great menu selection… scallops oysters sardines cauliflower tempura & other veggie dishes .. we were the only ones eating lunch middle of March … I expect this place gets super busy in the summer .. attentive service … big portion of mussels very tasty …

I stumbled across this place whilst travelling through Devon and having eaten in a number of places, this one stood out from them all. The Menu is unique and has a range of Mouth Watering Fine Dining Meals. The location is right by the river...

Fabulous and special pub with delicious food, comfortable and super clean bedrooms in the most picturesque location overlooking the creek. Lovely friendly staff too!

Wonderful to stay here again. Stunning location. Comfortable rooms with lovely views and good facilities. Food was exceptionally good and staff could not have been more helpful. Well done & thanks

The food was good (though not cheap) and so was the service - nice, friendly, knowledgable waitress. Shame there weren't more other diners there to create a buzzy atmosphere, but it is January ....

Very disappointing. We have eaten here many times before and always had a good experience, but this time it was poor. We booked in advance and at the time advised that one of our party was gluten-free, celiac and vegetarian, they confirmed they could cater...

Beautiful views, wonderful wine, amazing food. I could find no fault in this place aside from the worries about parking. And my car turned out to be ok, so they deserve a minimum of five Michelin stars.

We visited here for the first time yesterday and had booked for lunch. The pub itself is old and in a lovely location by the river. Plenty of parking and outside seating which is good. Inside is uninviting and tired which is such a shame...

Unfortunately we have to say that this pub was very poor and very overpriced. Bedrooms, bar and restaurant were very tired. Hot water pipes banged throughout the night. Hour wait for breakfast. We returned at 9.45 Saturday night assuming we would be able to have...

Unfortunately this is a pretty neglected space and felt soulless as soon as we entered. It does not help that the bar has the obligatory sheets of plastic up and there are no curtains at the windows or rugs. The eating area looks like a...

We visit here once a year and it has bee consistently friendly and serving really good food. We went for the Sunday roast and were well pleased. Back again next year.

We had Sunday supper here and it was excellent. The food was very nice and the portion of roast pork was HUGE. There were enough vegetables for two. The wine and beer were also excellent. It has a lovely position overlooking the Dart where boats...

What a lovely lunchtime treat to revisit the Maltsters Arms. Last time it was only drinks, so 20 odd years later lunch was a complete joy. Great flavours of local fresh produce - great job

Took my nearly 95 yr old mother there for lunch today, excellent can’t complain at all it’s a stunning location . She’s in aWheelchair but they had no problem accommodating her inside . Nice service great food , we both had fillet of hake which...