nc@ex34 in North Devon

This was so welcoming into what felt like the Chef’s home. It was cosy, the ambience was superb. The food was truly delicious and what was real, we felt we were part of the family. The tastes of the various dishes was just amazing and every dish was so different. The Chef was accompanied by his lovely wife and son who were amazing and helped make the family atmosphere with such a famous chef at the helm.

Quite simply our favorite restaurant! Cooking by Noel, a great chef, right in front of you with detailed explanation of the menu (Taster only) and front of House by wife Nora makes for a brilliant culinary experience. Suggest you book soon as spaces are limited!

Having tried to book a table for 3yrs , whilst staying in Woolacombe, we finally succeeded An amazing intimate venue that sits 4 couples on individual tables in front of the maestro that is Noel Corston His wife Nora, had at least three roles throughout the night, great front of house and very engaging The food is thoughtfully , planned, prepared and presented from local suppliers by Noel The standout dish for us were the scollops in frozen buttermilk, although the crediton duck was just perfect If you like fine dining, great ambience and a chef who doesn’t take himself too serious, then this place is a must visit Thanks again Noel & Nora Not forgetting your son (kp) who makes up the winning formula

We’ve been before. They’ve changed the setup but it’s still just a brilliant vibe. Wonderful service, homely feelings and beautiful food showcasing local produce. What more could you want for a wonderful summer’s evening.

A fantastic experience. An intimate affair, three tables of two around an open kitchen, just what we were looking for. The tasting menu is seasonal, creative, full of flavour. There is a reason and a purpose behind every ingredient; complexity and depth of flavour. And yet it’s an easy to understand series of dishes with a huge amount of thought behind the shape of the menu which keeps you guessing and excited for the next course. Conversation with Noel and partner Laura is interesting, enlightening and engaging. Biodynamic wines only and each wine is a talking point, the orange wine we enjoyed was particularly good. We also tried Laura’s traditional Mexican coffee to finish which was a revelation. An excellent evening - if we’re back in woolacombe, we’ll be booking a table again. Thanks Laura and Noel, a brilliant way to enjoy an anniversary evening.

The tasting menu is delicious from start to finish. All the dishes are exquisite. Everything is done with so much thought, care and creativity. The atmosphere was warm and relaxed and overall we had a fantastic evening.

When we arrived, Nora made us feel incredibly welcome - we were settled to a wonderful intimate dining space with warm sourdough and local beverages. The menu was simply spectacular! Such amazing flavours and attention to detail on every aspect of each dish. What really made this dining experience so special was watching Noel and Nora work together so beautifully in their home. He is clearly so passionate about the produce he uses and as someone who has lived in the area for 15 years, it has opened my eyes to the beauty of local food, how amazing it tastes and the importance of sustainability. Every dish was cooked to absolute perfection. We kept thinking it couldn't get any better...but it did, and the dishes kept delivering. Nora made sure we were catered for in every way with a beaming smile and simply the best Mexican coffee I have ever tasted. If you are ever lucky enough to be in Woolacombe, make this experience a priority. You won't be disappointed. You will, however, be talking about the amazing flavours, textures and kindness of Noel and Nora for a very very long time.

We had an amazing tasting menu created and prepared by Noel and served by Nora. All of the dishes were tasty, thought through, creative and beautifully presented. The food was extremely fresh and came without gimmicks - the ingredients were there for a reason. Usually when we are lucky enough to eat in such places we’ll each have a favourite course and at least one that disappoints. We didn’t have any disappointing dishes. You are eating effectively in Noel & Nora’s own (very professional) kitchen. Both were also really engaging. The only disappointment is that both the other tables were no shows. We didn’t mind one bit given the very personal service we therefore received but I can’t believe people are so rude to just not bother to turn up. We even had a gentle reminder a few days before. I do hope that Noel & Nora do charge such inconsiderate people as per the booking conditions. Thank you again for an amazing evening.

We had a lovely evening at Noel Corston. The food was absolutely delicious, but it was the whole concept that made it really special - you really do feel like you’re coming into Noel & Nora’s home for dinner. It’s a lovely atmosphere and they’re great hosts! I particularly liked being able to hear about the dishes and ingredients. Highly recommended! Gracias Noel y Nora - disfrutamos mucho la experiencia!

Fantastic menu and great signature wines - thank you Noel and Nora for your hospitality we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

We thoroughly enjoyed dinner at NC. Exciting food, interesting wines and great service. Not everything hits the mark, but NC is clearly a very talented chef who is willing to experiment and who produces some fascinating results. The wine list requires some attention at the higher end (especially the reds), but is by no means inadequate. Would we return? - yes, definitely, so long as the tasting menu were different (not that we didn't enjoy the one presented, but another guest indicated that it was very similar to the one on his previous visit).

What a great place,Noel cooks in front of you and his wife serves the optional wine flight. Locally sourced produce, food and wine on par with all the other well known chefs.Only seats 8 people but this is what makes it special.

Had a holiday home down here for 30 years and it’s taken a long time to discover this hidden gem. The place just oozes sleekness and intrigue from the moment you walk through the beautiful wooden arch through the courtyard into the beautiful bespoke space they have. We were warmly greeted by Noel’s wife Nora and took our two of the ten seats at his kitchen counter. The experience of watching Noel cook was immersive and unforgettable. The precision and calm with which he worked was fascinating, and he and Nora worked in incredible harmony together to keep the guests topped up and fed well. He explained in a very laid back and humble fashion how the evening would run, and about their mission to use home-grown ingredients from the Biosphere. He tells us the restaurant is their actual kitchen where they live and that he’ll be doing their Sunday roast in there tomorrow, so to make ourselves at home. How wonderful! The pre-dinner snack of a shard of chicken skin with scallop roe was a delicious salty bite to activate the taste buds for the meal. Every course following that was an absolute delight. Noel’s no frills approach showcased the ingredients beautifully, and dishes like the turbot which came expertly cooked but presented so simply drizzled with burnt butter were lip-smackingly divine. Textures and flavours to die for. The most intriguing course was the strawberry dessert with fennel - what a combination. We did the signature wine flight and every glass was a perfect pairing with the food. It’s the sort of place you just need to go all out and soak up everything they have to offer. Incredible.

We visited on 22 June for my girlfriends Birthday with my elderly Mum as well. A truly stunning fine dining experience. All courses were superb but special mention for the duck and turbot. Great wine list. If you have elderly relatives then maybe 3+ hours on a stool isn’t great but Noel and the team arranged for a normal table for the three of us which was fabulous.

Had an amazing experience this evening at Noel's restaurant. We went for the tasting menu plus classic wine option to compliment the food. Watching Noel prepare the food in front of us was special and his wife served up the delicious wines. Well worth the money. A taste of delight at every course. I couldn't say what I liked best but I can say I enjoyed every course. Intimate setting and a lovely feel. I would definitely come back.

We had a wonderful culinary experience as a group of four at this fabulously informative yet relaxed restaurant. You sit in the kitchen that has a maximum of 8 guests and watch the chef, Noel Corston prepare a culinary experience sourced locally to remember! Meanwhile his wife, Nova is very attentive and supports the kitchen and the excellent wine selection (including some fabulous English wine!). The menu is presented simply but with culinary excellence and we ate turbot, duck, local lamb, strawberries, sea buckthorn as examples, all outstanding. The whole evening is fun but natural. Well worth a visit.... or detour!

London prices, but very good. Intimate setting, with no tables but sitting at the bar with others. Nice, and brave public cooking for a tasting menu to remember. Husband and wife take care of the whole evening. Haven’t decided about the fact they stick 12.5% service on when its owner operated and run. Seems odd and adds a lot on. However, great evening.

I always start a review by saying how lucky I am to have eaten in so many great restaurants, not as a boast but to give context to comments.The food here was excellent, special note to the Duck and the Hoggett courses, which were as good as anything I’ve had.The environment is brilliant - the boss (Noel) cooks and chats in front of you (about 8 along the bar) and his wife Nora (lovely Mexican lady whose influence comes through his cooking!!!) is the super friendly host. It has the warm intimate feeling of an amazing dinner party with a top draw chef cooking. The decor is great and whilst Woolacombe is an amazing location (best beach in the country!) this restaurant is dragging it into the top tier of the restaurant scene.If this cooking was in London it would have a Michelin star - I’ve eaten at many awarded that accolade that can’t match this place for an evening of great food and warm service.

My husband and I recently moved to Woolacombe and celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary at NC. It was an amazing evening. Noel and Nora make a great team and everything served was impeccable from the first course to Nora's famous mexican coffee to end off with. I'm unfortunately allergic to shellfish and having checked with Noel before booking he was able to allow for this. I didn't miss out on any courses and his substitutes were delicious. Being able to watch him prepare the food and plate was such a fantastic experience as I'm a foodie and love watching the creations. Met some lovely couples in the intimate setting as well. Perfect anniversary evening - looking forward to our 18th there! Jaunita and Gavin Gobby

Having visited a number of Michelin star restaurants in recent years, this one was right up there with the best. Some of the tastes were exquisite. Noel and his wife Nora were very accommodating and made our family evening very enjoyable together with a very friendly couple from Felixstowe.The star of the meal for me was a very fresh tasting scallop dish with granita.Well worth a visit Michael

The food was the best that I have ever had, the combination of flavours were just impeccable! The atmosphere was lovely and relaxing and Noel and his wife were just the perfect hosts and made us feel so welcome, it was great to understand how the food was locally sourced and it made the evening special to eat food produced by a chef that is clearly so passionate.

It's difficult to find anything that hasn't already been said about this amazing restaurant. We're so pleased to have chosen here to spend our 10th Anniversary. If you are in the area and want to experience something exquisite and unique then this is the place!

What a pleasure to eat at Noel Corston tonight, an 11 course delight with superb fresh flavours and interesting combinations. Having enjoyed Le Gavroche a week ago, the quality of the ingredients and cooking were right up there. This was appropriately priced for the quality it delivered, and as well as the matching wine flight there was a short but well priced wine list. A must for foodies any nearby.

Exceptional evening of truly wonderful food and matching wines. Expensive but worth it. I would definitely return

What a wonderful evening; food, wine and hosts simply awesome. Local produce clearly prepared lovingly makes for a fantastic menu. The fact only a few diners are there every night makes it even more personal. Just fantastic!

We'd had the usual hotel fare and needed something more adventurous and quite by chance found Noel's select offering with a space for two that evening. The experience of seeing the food prepared while sitting in a semi circle chatting to a disparate group of strangers may not to be to everyone's taste, but we had a fantastic group who made the whole experience all the better. Exceptional produce selection and preparation. It's great to see the skills of a great chef up close and personal. Two duck dishes worked best for me, but the fresh (raw) fish was a notable opener. Do seek it out. Not for the price conscious, but the tasting menu was of the highest order. The wine flight was fun too, and the husband and wife pairing makes the informality work well. Thanks Noel.

Wow! A night to remember... I am so pleased that I stumbled upon this little gem in Woolacombe to celebrate my wife’s birthday on Friday. The previous reviews were spot on!

Eating at the Chef’s Table at a fine restaurant is often a memorable experience. Sitting very close to and directly interacting with the chef (without glass in between) as your meal is prepared, is in my experience unique. That’s what “Restaurant NC” offers. Noel Corston and his wife Laura work seamlessly together to make your evening a true event. Rarely when eating out do you interact with fellow diners, but at Noel Corston that is all part of the evening and makes it even more fun. The Friday evening we went there were six diners (maximum ten) and we all had the full 11 course tasting menu with the flight of wines. Each course was truly special and included separate lobster, scallop, monkfish and duck based courses prepared in very different ways before moving on to the desserts! Of the wines for me the Perez Cruz Chaski Petit Verdot 2012 red and the Barros Colheita 1996 Old Tawny port were particularly enjoyable and matched perfectly with the food. If living in or visiting North Devon I can strongly recommend that you consider “Restaurant NC” in Woolacombe.

We visited NC to celebrate my wife’s birthday and had a wonderful evening. The food was delicious and the hospitality from Noel and Laura was excellent. Our personal highlights from the 11 course tasting menu were the lobster bisque with duck crackling, crab & hake with samphire, duck leg confit with mash and the beautiful apple crumble dessert.

if you love good food and you are within 50 miles of Noel's restaurant, book in.

In a cosy, intimate restaurant with only ten seats at the counter around the cooking space, Chef Noel Corston prepared a ten course meal with the most delicious, authentic, tasty and diverse food imaginable, served by his wife Nora in the most friendly and gracious manner. Combined with the rather unusual but terrific wines in the tasting menu and rounded up with Noel's highly interesting and enthusiastic explanations of the local sources of the ingredients and his philosophy, this was a truly remarkable and memorable evening.

My husband I live locally, and booked Noel's restaurant for his belated birthday treat. It was recommended by my daughters boyfriend, a fellow chef, who knew of Noel and his restaurant in Woolacombe, and we couldn't wait to try it. . . . well all I can say is WOW.

Tucked away in a small courtyard this is a real find. Only big enough for 10 diners you sit round the kitchen area watching Noel prepare the food. Every course was superb and all very locally sourced. Noels attention to detail is absolutely clear whilst you watch him and it is fascinating to hear what he has put together for great tastes,texture and smell.

Delightfully informal, intimate and interactive, Noel Corston has struck on a winning recipe after many years refining his trade in Woolacombe. Sitting around a kitchen counter, diners have a ring-side seat to watch Noel's meticulous preparations, combined with a commentary on the inspirations behind each dish.

I managed to discover Noel's restaurant just a week before arriving for my holiday in Woolacombe and after reading the reviews, it seemed a very popular choice. I think the ambience and style of the restaurant is really good - it's relaxed and the very thought of having someone of Noel's standard cooking in front of you, really appealed to me from the start. He openly explains the dishes and you can get to know him and his background and what's inspired him which really adds to the overall experience of the evening. The food itself is a culinary delight (well I thought so anyway) but to be honest, I wasn't over impressed by the tasting option - although the wines were beautifully chosen to compliment each dish, the amount of wine provided is barely a mouthful and as a £75 extra, I would expect more than that. In the end, I decided to opt out the tasting option halfway through the evening (requesting for my wife to have my portion) and instead I bought a bottle of wine from the menu. There's a good selection of wine (and at a reasonable cost) - so my recommendation would definitely be to opt for a bottle off the menu. Overall, a unique experience - not a cheap evening but that's not what you go here for.

We visited NC on a Friday and opted for the fantastic 9 course taster menu. Noel and Nora are brilliant...

We heard of Noel's restaurant from another chef who recommended it as fine dining and we were not disappointed. My...

El restaurante se encuentra en South Street, en el lado opuesto de la calle, a la Brasserie en el Woolacombe Bay Hotel. Al entrar en el restaurante de la calle, te das cuenta de que este no es un restaurante convencional. Caminar a través de...

Reservado todo el restaurante (no es difícil! Y no podría haber sido más encantados. Un grupo de fanaticos en serio en el tour de golf así hambre y sed! La comida era espectacular y el juego por la experiencia como Noel y su esposa nos...

Cenamos en la noche del miércoles. Como dicen las críticas, él abre de miércoles a sábado y generalmente se requiere reserva, que es fácil de hacer en su sitio web. Tuvimos el menú de degustación de siete platos, ya que no quiere perderse las vieiras...

We ate here last week as part of our wedding anniversary celebration.We loved the whole experience.There was just one other couple eating around the kitchen area and watching Noel cooking and chatting.It was a lovely relaxed atmosphere and Noel was a wonderful chef and host .The food was simply superb .I would love to return and would highly recommend this super restaurant.

Excellent service, very personal and friendly service. The food was sublime and freshly cooked in front of us. Most seats are overlooking the kitchen but there is a small table for 3/4 available. Tasting menu with/without matching wines, local produce lovingly produced.

Saturday 13th May 2017Just Ten covers sitting round an intimate, horseshoe bar style table watching food brilliance unfold as Noel cooks and prepares before your eyes. Outstanding tasting experience explained by Noel with modest confidence and shared with like minded food friends that we made on the night. Local ingredients and values at their best.Forget the price this is not pub grub it's an exceptional fine dining experienceWe have already booked to return. Brilliant Ness and MIke

This is the place to be.No foams , no fuss , the emulsions were the correct ones as in paint on the walls and the only mist was from the sea.Probably the best meal I've ever eaten.This is truly a great restaurant the type where you will keep wanting to go to and one I would recommend a lot of other restaurant owners and Chefs should take notice of and learn from. My wife and I were the only customers on a chilly Wednesday night just after the bank holiday. This made it even better ! It was like having your own Chef. So we had the lot. 9 courses and 9 wines and the best coffee ever.The wines served were some of the best selection I've had from anywhere in the world and the service was subtle and spot on.

We ate here one half years ago and ever since then have been dying to come back. Major refurbishments took place in the meantime that has made the experience completely interactive. This is one of a kind in North Devon( or Devon)?) I had the 7 course menu with the wine flight and my partner the 9 course menu without. The food was inovative, vibrant and had a luxurious sense about it. Never being pretentious, rather humble in it's brilliant simplicity. As for the wines( I love my wines) it was perfect, the winelist bost's of interesting wines that creates curiosity, never to be disappointed. Noel and Nora, husband and wife team, make a warm and welcoming partnership. Noel is the Chef and Nora the host, this they do with a abundance of passion and love. Worth going to Woolacombe just to eat here! You will love every minute. Make sure you book long in advance.

We only happened on Noels restaurant by chance while staying in Woolacombe for a few days. Got chatting to the chef/owner and got a good feeling so we booked for his re-opening night Easter weekend.The 9 course tasting menu showcasing locally sourced produce, with a little foraging thrown in, was absolutely lovely. The wine flight was a good selection paired with the food but the real stars were the dishes. Crab, Scallops, Duck, Turbot, Local cheese and deserts were all up to a very high standard.The new set up means that you sit at a Bar around the Chefs Kitchen and can watch the dishes being cooked and assembled. I really like this touch and Noel was encouraging of questions both about the dishes and anything in general.If i had any criticism at all it would be that i would have liked a little more of a narrative surrounding the provenance of the food but I understand everyone's different.It was also his opening night in this format and the first time in full flight with his kitchen equipment so I'm sure he was being extra attentive himself.Nora, his wife, was an excellent, discreet and informative host and i would happily recommend this restaurant to anyone.

Why isn't this superb restaurant not down the number one eaterie, for the area, on the Trip Advisor site?When I looked, it was way down the list, which is ridiculous when you look at the excellent reviews regularly given.Sure it's not cheap but you get what you pay for. Creative cooking, delivered with panache. Each course was a delight to behold and enjoy.Well done Noel (and your charming wife).

One of the best meals I've ever had, using interesting local produce. 9 course taster menu sitting around the bar watching the food being cooked. Noel is friendly, relaxed and informative. A great evening all round.

We were treated to a meal by our son and daughter in law for a special birthday.We have eaten in many fine restaurants from l'enclume to le Manoir but this was the most exceptional meal we have ever had. Lots of courses, all very unusual and all mouth-wateringly tasty.Worth every pennyGo treat yourself to something very different.

We ate here twice in Aug 2015 and this was top of our list when returning to Woolacombe this year. Once again it was one of the best food experiences we've ever had. Noel's creativity around presentation, flavours and textures is fantastic. We will definitely be returning when we next visit Woolacombe.

We wanted to dine here last year, but as the food is not child-friendly and our children were too young to leave, we decided not to. But this year we did and we are so pleased we did!!The service was excellent and food....wow!!! Stunning!! We didn't opt for the wine flight, but the wine we chose was perfect - can't remember exactly what it was, but it was a Chablis.Although the restaurant is very small and intimate, we didn't feel at all awkward and felt the ambience was perfect.The food was outstanding - we went for the 9-course tasting menu and enjoyed every dish, even if there were things that were not quite to our taste. Feedback was very much welcomed.We would have no hesitation in recommending this lovely little restaurant, but would stress that bookings are not just recommended, but essential. We did see a couple eating up at the bar so maybe walk-ins are accepted when they''re not busy? Worth checking.

Spent a week in Woolacombe Bay with the family and kids, and look what we found! I'm a big fan of fine dining but don't take a Michelin Star as the only measure of greatness - because it isn't always! The fact Noel hasn't achieved this accolade here is a surprise, the food and service certainly deserves it! A good mix of local ingredients wonderfully put together with a wine flight to match all complimented by Noel and his lovely Mexican wife (Nora) make this a dining experience to match the top London big name star eateries. the pea dish was epic believe it or not! and the Mole (a mexican sauce) on one of the dishes was awesome and really complimented the duck. we went for the full 9 courses and the wine flight. he only does 12 covers per night so book well in advance. Its good value for money for a 9 course taster too - and you do have the option at time of booking to sit at the chefs table and watch Noel do it all from prep to plating - no squad of helpers in this kitchen!very good - will return! thanks guys

Fantastic. Really smart cooking; great use of fresh local ingredients and a joyful experience all round.Book soon, a Michelin star will soon be there and you just won't ever get in

Noel is a fantastic and innovating chef. We had the Taster menu which was heaven on a plate --- well, several plates to be honest. Not cheap; but a wonderful experience and a super way to end our holiday.

Don't get me wrong , this is really high quality cooking - but I came away with a slight "style over substance" feeling .Yes it's expensive - any one booking is hardly going to be surprised by this - but is it worth it?On balance, probably yes, although it does benefit from the fact there is such limited choice for about 30 miles.Would I book again - difficult to say when I compare one meal here versus 3 meals at a fantastic French place in Braunton.My advice - try it and make up your own mind. But make sure you get the chefs table - we got bumped to a separate table and got caught between a birthday party and the theatre of the chefs display.

An absolute treat. Such a warm welcome by Noel, intelligent, interesting and above all delicious, beautiful food. The food is complimented by the lovely surroundings, quality artwork and stylish handmade crockery. Highly recommend you eat here before the waiting list starts stacking up.

We went for our anniversary, and had the 9 course tasting menu and wine flight. Each course was stunning, amazing flavours, tastes and combinations. Noel prides himself on using as much local produce as he can from foraging to local suppliers. We sat at the Chef's table and watched Noel preparing each dish. We had a great night, it's a relaxed atmosphere. Highly recommended, exceptional food, you won't be disappointed.

I was spending the weekend in Woolacombe with my sister visiting family and my wonderful boss booked this for us as a treat.We had the 7 course taster menu with Wine!Well what can i say each and every dish was delicious (the monkfish and salsify was out of this world!) I would never have believed the taster portions would be enough of a meal but how wrong I was.. Noel and his beautiful wife Nora were the perfect team for excellent food and friendly knowledgable service. I would highly recommend anyone to eat here and would like to thank them once again for a wonderful experience.

We ate here a few nights ago and we were so pleased we did, the food was the best we have had in years and we have eaten at some very good resturants over the years.We had exellent service the owner who was the waitress was friendly and very helpfull with a great smile and pleasent nature. The chief again was pleasent and told us anything we wanted to know. The resturant itself was modern and well done out and spotless. All in all a very good evening with exellent food and a pleasent atmosphere, we would certainly recommend this resturant to anyone else and will be back again if we are again in this part of the country

We've been to Woolacoombe a few times over the years and this time we wanted to eat somewhere a bit special and found NC@EX34 and we were both so glad we didThere is only one 7pm sitting and when we arrived we were greeted by Noel and our waitress Lorna who were both the perfect hosts. We chose the 7 course taster meal paired with wine and each course was delicious with the match of wine and port expertly chosen by the ChefI can definitely say that the lamb course was the best lamb I have ever eaten!If you're looking for somewhere special then this is the place to go

This is one of the finest dining experience I have had recently. I have been here a couple of times and love it more with each visit. The team behind this restaurant just make the restaurant what it is. The 9 course taster menu was what was needed after a busy day playing in the surf. The wine list and selection per course is delightful. I am actually salivating just thinking about the food. Cant wait to get back there for dinner when I'm next surfing in the area.

We sat at the chef's counter and enjoyed the casual conversational style that this allowed with each course. We had the full 9 scrumptious plates, and enjoyed finding out about which nook of the south west each food had come from. We washed it all down with a selection of fine mezcal while the chef enthusiastically chatted about his kitchen toys!Noel and Nora were very hospitable and made us feel really welcome.

A fantastic experience out of season where we and our family were made extremely welcome at very short notice and treated to one of the best culinary experiences I have had. Compares extremely well in my opinion to any top restaurants - London, Paris, Tokyo, Barcelona, Amsterdam, etc

With all respect to the various hotels etc Woolacombe has lacked a fine dining restaurant and now it has it .There are few compromises here, tasting menus only, 7 or 9 courses plus amuse bouche, £75 or £95 and the wine flight £50 quid which may be great value but looks steep on the face of it ( the wine list is otherwise ok )There's only 15 covers so do book as I am very sure this place will become difficult to get into ... We ate very well, the brill and slow cooked/ BBQ LAMB being the highlights but everything was interesting and I still want to know how that fennel sorbet was created ...

We had a wonderful meal here. Whilst 9 courses may at first seem unapproachable, they are sized and designed perfectly. We didn't feel bloated, we left feeling wonderful. The 72 hour bbq lamb was the best I have ever had. The smokiness unbelievable. I have eaten in many great places and this is right up there. The wine pairings are fantastic as well, although we would have liked better explanations of the wines.This is a real gem for north devon. Recommended

Activites OK The wave rider was by far the best. High wire not very challenging nor was the climbing wall. Bungee Run needs to be available more often as long queues when it does open.

Had a totally one off experience with Noel and his lovely wife Nora. Ate some of the best food with intelligently selected wine over some 9 courses or so.. We sat at the bar and watched the maestro at work.. Must apologise for digging in to the Tequila at the end of the night but needs must etc....Will be back to confirm it was as good as I can remember!!

This is a fantastic restaurant. Wonderful, imaginative food served in a friendly setting. If you get the chance to sit at the chef's table, take it. To be up close to see how the food is prepared makes it all the more memorable. An unmissable experience.

Me and my partner came here for a birthday treat. The food was absolutely delicious, some of the things on the menu i wouldn't usually like but i gave it a go here and i loved it. The pork belly and artichoke in particular were lovely. My partner did the wine pairing at an extra cost of £50 and was well worth it, it complimented the food perfectly. The husband and wife team were great hosts and couldn't do enough for you. We sat at the chefs table where he talked us through the cooking process etc. Its an intimate setting and best of all it's completely unpretentious with casual dress code which is right up our street, we wore flip flops.

I would highly recommend this restaurant. Small and very informal atmosphere. Very friendly service and fabulous food. 7 course tasting menu was excellent on the day we visited. We plan to return.

This was my second visit to this outstanding restaurant and I will go again when next in Woolacombe. It is a very small establishment, has only one sitting and just serves a 7 Course Tasting Menu not that that is an issue. I was alarmed when I arrived to see that there were two items on the menu that my husband doesn't like and also Duckling to which I am allergic, although I had already notified Noel of that. Before we started eating Noel's wife Nora came over to advise me that Noel was cooking Beef for me in place of the Duckling and I am pleased to say that the way in which he cooked the items that my husband doesn't like so transformed them, that they were both big hits and in fact the rhubarb was so transformed that he actually preferred that dessert to the chocolate one.Throughout the meal what was actually on your plate and its provenance was explained to you fully, you had the opportunity to ask questions and as there is only one sitting, there was an opportunity to speak to the Chef at the end of the evening.I have eaten in many high quality restaurants, including Michelin starred both in the UK and Abroad and this is definitely up with them.

Our second year of eating here and will book again next time.Three tables all seated at the same time. All food delivered at the same time. All food perfect! Outstanding cooking, beautiful tastes, superb presentation. This is top dining 5 Star!

Whilst the ambience, service, recommended wines were excellent and the welcome good the food was just very slightly off the mark for the price. I love this style of dining but I felt the chef has a slightly personalised palate with contrasting flavours not hitting the mark. We weren't asked on the evening for feedback even though there were only 6 in the restaurant which makes me assume the chef was very comfortable with what he was serving and not receptive to our view. This was despite him cooking front of house with every opportunity to engage. On this basis we would not return particularly after spending £ 250 for 2 when we dine out at far better for the same. Nearly there but not quite......

We sat at the chefs table and were able to watch Noel create his delights in the open kitchen.We enjoyed the 7 course taster with a different wine for each course.Noel and his beautiful wife Nora create a relaxed but efficient atmosphere and are so well in tune with each other, they don't even need to speak for service!Nothing is too much trouble and I can't recommend highly enough.I am fortunate to have eaten in many fine restaurants including Michelin starred and will definitely be back!A hidden gem :)

What a fantastic experience which we loved every minute of. We had seven course tasting menu and each course and the appitzer was unbeliveably good. The flavours were incredible. I don't eat meat and this was catered for as I'd given notice. Noel and Norma are fantastic hosts and each course was lovingly described.Our only slight regret? We wished we'd sat at the chef's counter to see Noel cooking.We hope to go back in the future and if you are looking for something 'special' this is certainly the place. It was probably the best dinig experience we've had.

We were lucky enough to be in the area just as the restaurant was opening back up for the summer season and we were not disappointed. It was a fabulous evening. The food was amzing and the service was outstanding. A treat for the start or end of your holiday.

The best menu in North Devon, which changes every month. Either a 5 course, or 8 course tasting menu, which combines locally-sourced produce of the highest quality, with the superb culinary skills of chef Noel. Each meal has been truly memorable.

I stumbled across the website for NC@EX34 after booking a holiday to Ilfracombe - I was after a nice restaurant locally to visit whilst in North Devon and we weren't disappointed, as this place is beyond 'nice' and pushing at the door of 'out of this world'. The restaurant is low key in terms of its design, but this added to its allure. The bar was well stocked and the bar man / maitre d / waiter gave us a lovely welcome (in fact his family were visiting the restaurant the same evening). He explained the set up and how the evening would work and then we got started. He explained each course as it came out and told us where the produce was sourced from (largely very locally). The 5 savoury courses were all delicious in different ways; we particularly enjoyed the lemon sole and crab courses which were to die for [I wish I could make such an amazing risotto, but apparently Noel Corston was taught the tricks in Italy so I doubt I could come close!]. The two pudding courses were also yummy. It was a pleasant surprise to be able to eat such incredible food in such a relaxing environment. It was not 'stuffy' in any way and we felt entirely relaxed through the whole evening. I honestly couldn't say a bad word about the place, although it was a bit odd that another diner had chosen to take their dog the evening we were there. That aside, I would definitely recommend and we can't wait to visit again next time we holiday in North Devon- no doubt next time it will have earnt itself a Michelin star. Thanks to Noel and his front of house chap!

6 of us went here to celebrate my birthday in July following the recommendation of a friend who's holiday house we staying. I'm so glad he did because we probably wouldn't have found it on our own. The entrance is understated on a side street but once inside you enter a minimal and intimate gastrodome of tasting delight. We went for the 8 course tasting menu (that's all that's available - 8 or 5 courses).The food was superbly put together and the flavours incredible. It's remarkable to think that the chef puts this all together on his own without the usual supporting cast.We've eaten at many Michelin starred restaurants and this is easily on a par. We all thought this was great value. The wine list was very good with some unusual and excellent choices which complemented the food superbly.All of the staff were very friendly and attentive and Noel was charming, coming out to chat with the customers once he'd finished in the kitchen.

After a busy week with family including some chaotic children my partner and I went there seeking some peace and quiet in civilised surroundings. She booked it before we went not telling me it was a tasting menu (as I have been known to be fussy), but boy was I surprised. The restaurant is set off the main street which deters the noisy family groups :-) and has a lovely calm feel to it. They limit the numbers for dining and it is in pairs with plenty of space around you for an intimate dinner. The service was impeccable, friendly, and knowledgable. As for the food, there is a varied mix of fish and meat, with unusual delights like iced blue cheese. I usually don't do seafood but even I was surprised. If you don't mind spending a bit for a lovely quiet night with good food I would throughly recommend this place. The only downer is that they do need to upgrade their toilets, but don't let a silly thing like that put you off.

It seems that Noel Corston has an excellent reputation and is obviously looking for recognition from Michelin. He offers an evening tasting menu (lunchtime in August) for £75 pp in an unusual but relaxing setting. There is nothing to compare to it for miles around. What a wonderful evening - intimate, comfortable and the eight courses were divine. Great wines to accompany the food. There are just 4 people running the restaurant - two in front of house (including Noel's wife) and Noel and a 'helper' in the kitchen. Noel must be fanatical about the food he serves as he is in full control of all the prep, cooking and plate preparation. What an absolutely wonderful evening. My taste buds are still singing his praises.

We ate in Noel Corstons restaurant 2nd August this year. We had an 8 course taster menu and I have to say it is some of the best food my husband and I have ever tasted. My husband would never pick fish as a course unless your normal battered fish but he ate monkfish, turbot and loved the crab risotto. The staff were really great explained everything that came out of the kitchen and were very attentive. We had some lovely pre dinner drinks too. And the wine we chose was exceptional so much so we had two bottles. Following the meal Noel came out himself too to chat. Just felt very very special and really really had a fab night. We would definately recommend. Loved Loved Loved it. Thanks Noel Jane and Trev Rowley

This was my second visit to Noel's since he changed to a set 5 (or 8) course meal and both times the occasion was sublime. His attention to detail (and Stuart's care out front) are fantastic. I have had the opportunity to enjoy some amazing restaurants around the world over the years. (Thanks to various jobs I've done) and yet none of them stand out like this place. I genuinely can't fault it. The food was amazing. Each dish was tasty in its own right and together they were superb. It is not aimed at holiday-makers on a budget but if you are looking for a memorable evening then find your way to Woolacombe. And make sure you order a cocktail to start as Stuart's specials are divine ( just don't let go of your glass or else all your friends will try it!)

Our second visit to Noel's and just as delicious and fun as the first. The five course set tasting menu takes all the pressure off choosing. Delicious combinations using local and seasonal food in inventive ways, beautifully presented and sublime tasting. Stuart's cocktails are the best way to start the evening - also brilliantly inventive and delicious! We love the fact that they limit the number of covers so they can give the best service possible.We are already planning our next visit!

We found this using a 'fine dining' search on Google for Woolacombe and booked immediately based on their website.Most of Woolacombe dining is obviously for families and probably on a budget so this is not for everyone. However, for anyone wanting a superb meal at a competitive price for the actual food served then this has to be the No1 choice in town.We had the 8 course tasting menu (there is only a choice of a 5 or 8 course menu) and the matching wine flight.Everything was just superb from start to finish -flawless.The restaurant is run by the chef and normally one person front of house which is also great because you can engage or provide feedback in a relaxed atmosphere where it is welcomed. The chef has trained with some of the best as well as learning form his time in Mexico so he really understands flavour combinations.The service, as well as the food, was excellent.There is no dress code so it is not stuffy like many good quality restaurants are. Looking forward to returning.If you like great food then give it a try.

We really enjoyed the 8-course tasting menu. The service is knowledgeable and friendly. The cocktails inventive and tasty. The chef open to questions and feedback. And, most importantly, the food a pleasure to eat. We wish Noel and the team all the best and will keep an eye out for news of a star in future!

We stumbled across this place whilst having a coffee in the hotel opposite. We arrived and selected the 8 course testing menu. There are only 2 options (8 or 5 courses). The chef told us he doesn't know what the menu is from week to week, he just rings up and finds out what the catch of the day is and then makes creates his menu.The cocktails are great and there is a good wine list. All 8 courses were fantastic and we really enjoyed our evening. A really friendly, exciting little restaurant.

Tips for enjoying NC@EX341) book in advance2) understand that it is a taster menu3) be prepared for smallish portions of very well cooked and tasty food4) this is a place for people who enjoy high end food5) communicate your wants with the very friendly staff6) expect a relaxed/low key setting. (It is woolacombe not the city)When I go back to woolacombe I'll definitely go back

We happened upon this restaurant by accident and we are so glad we did. We wondered in having been enticed by the advertised taster menu on the board outside. We explained we were on holiday with our two golden retrievers, and the owner and chef told us that we were all more than welcome so we booked a table for the next evening. Everything about this restaurant was incredible. We had a lovely welcome and were shown to a comfy sofa with our dogs and ordered one of the specialist cocktails on the menu. We are cocktail snobs to be honest, but we needn't have worried, we tasted many on the menu that night and they were all individually superb, the bar man who was obviously a dedicated mixologist talked us though each cocktail and the taste combinations. We the moved across to our table, there are only around 20 seats in the restaurant so it's a good idea to book, and everyone has the same taster menu. It was 4 course each course getting better than the next, we enjoyed superb local seasonal food created with flair and style. Every course was gorgeous. To be honest we have eaten at a number of Michelin starred restaurants ad and this was easily up there with the best of them, the food, drinks and atmosphere really are incredible. This place is a real hidden gem, we will certainly be back when we are next in the area.

There's a reason Noel keeps winning best chef in Devon award. Go and find out why. A culinary genius. I personally love the Cerviche and the 24 hour roasted pig head. Very innovative. He's like a real life Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey.

Noel has found a superb formula with the set menu. A wonderful gourmet journey with fresh local produce ( including primroses and wild garlic flowers - yum!). A great evening, can't wait to go again soon.

Best ever service, presentation and delicious local food. Set menu takes the hassle out of deciding what to eat. Five courses, each one a picture! Recommended......must be experienced to be believed!

We've been to nc@ex34 several times and everytime it's been a pleasure to be there. The only drawback is that it's shut over some of the winter season.

Excellent food and a consistent high standard across all courses = 5 star. Beautifully cooked without being overworked or seasoned and very good value. But the room itself has no atmosphere and the tone set front of house does not make for a romantic or atmospheric experience = 3 star. I think this is why other opinions vary...

On a quick camping trip to Woolacombe we were looking for an evening meal and came across this restaurant by chance! What a wonderful find! Excellent food, fast service and friendly staff. A great menu and wine list to choose from. We will definitely return!

This place is an annual stop for my girlfriend and I. we first popped through the door when it was known as the courtyard and it changed the way we looked at food forever, I'll never forget that first meal "wow".We will be returning in spring 2014 for another excellent food experience so keep up the good work guys...

Food was fantastic very friendly towards our group. Was some confusion with the order but probably due to the very large group we were !

For a special celebration we booked into what is recommended as the perfect place for intimate dinners, special occasions or friendly feasts by award-winning chef Noel Corston. How wrong we were….The menu we were given differed from the menu on display outside. It was very limited in the choice of mains, with only four options, chicken, duck and 2 fish dishes. The menu posted outside offered two meat options as well. When queried we were told that a new menu is printed everyday. We were also informed that they had run out of steak which was on order, delivery Wednesday. Not much use on Saturday night!Asked why other diners were eating items not on the menu that we had, we were informed that a tasting menu was being offered upstairs. We asked if we could have the tasting menu and were informed that it was fully booked. When we got home on Sunday evening their website/twitter is still advertising 4 places left on the tasting menu Saturday 12th October. It was disappointing that having been booked for 3 weeks we were never offered or informed of the tasting menu. The menu we were offered was very limited.Unfortunately we left before sampling the limited menu so cannot comment on the quality of food, but the quality of the service, or lack of it, was very disappointing.

This looks as though it should be fine – it has the right credentials. But it is just not right. No Specials of the day – very unusual for a place like this. Lack of local fish on the menu – it’s the seaside for heaven’s sake (they had run out of mussels). We had heard that they do seem to have trouble getting suitable staff (and previous reviews support this). The owner/chef’s father did his best in a bumbling but perfectly friendly way. Belly pork was good, but it was food you see everywhere these days – there did not seem to be much innovation. Crab Linguine on the menu – this is also served at the Bay Brasserie opposite……. Main courses did not seem to come with much, so we chose from the list of side dishes all at £3:50 - only to find that a plate of mixed veg was supplied with the main courses – ho hum. The Cavolo Nero (black kale) was delicious and probably the most unusual thing on the menu.. Overall, a little pretentious and over-priced .

I ate at the restaurant with my husband. The staff were very friendly and attentive and I liked the selection on the menu. I started with a crab linguine but unfortunately there was a mishap in the kitchen and the result was salty in the extreme. The chef came and spoke to me in person to explain what had happened which I did appreciate, but unfortunately after that I could not get away from the taste of salt which spoiled the main course for me. They did have good wines, and the decor was lovely, but all in all not the best evening.