Otter Garden Centres Torbay in South Hams

While waiting for the actual Garden Centre to "open" at 10.30 we visited the cafe for a coffee a tea and two sausage sandwiches. Unfortunately after twenty minutes, (just as I was going to enquire where our order was), the waitress arrived with two bacon sandwiches????Apparently the "girl" had pressed the wrong button 😳 therefore changing our order to something completely different, the waitress did offer to change the sandwiches but in all honesty another twenty minute wait was definitely out of the question. Beyond dissaponted and expected better, such a shame.

We went here for lunch with another couple . We have been before for coffee but this was our first lunch. 4 different meals , 4 empty plates , excellent! Really happy that they don't allow dogs in the cafe although we were a bit surprised to see someone take 2 dogs through the cafe to the outside garden. Not sure why they couldn't use the other entrance?

I've ate here a few times for lunch with my wife and her mother. The food has always been nice, (sometimes the wait can be a bit long). However, the staff are friendly and if its not raining, its lovely to sit outside and take in the great views.

We decided to have coffee and cake in here for the first time in a while but were rather disappointed with the coffee. Coffee used to be lovely here; nice and hot and well made, but now just out of one of those 'press the button' machines. What a shame, as the cake was lovely, but spoilt by not-very-hot average coffee, at not-a-very-average price!

Really lovely lunch. Delicious thick bacon and lovely thick bread. My son didn't leave a crumb! Lovely staff too! Thank you!

This is the old styles centre, a little dearer, but good selection, staff ok, but won’t help unless u ask, car park on a hill, be careful, cafe there too, a little expensive for what it is, but worth a coffee

We popped a across the water from Dartmouth to have a look around and pick up some slate. As I am on a disability scooter I am a little restricted and we did not get as far as the section that housed the bags of stones, however I knew what I wanted so a very helpful staff memeber/gentleman offered to get them and take them to the tills. So we bought a few bedding plants and bulbs and headed for the cafe. Unfortunately the coffee machine was just being commissioned with the staff learning how to use it. We said we would wait and have a Cheese Scone whilst waiting as we were told it would only be 10 mins or less. It turned out to be nearly 20 but we were happy to wait. The Scones where delicious and pretty big. We had finished when Donna came across to ask if we still required a hot drink and would we be happy to be Guinea pigs. We asked for Mocha and soon after they arrived one was a full mug the other not so but this was the 1st 2 cups out and obviously the second mug was correct ratio etc. We both enjoyed and commented how nice they were although a little sweet for us. Probably one of the best we've had. So congrats on getting a superb machine and what a pleasant experience with friendly staff. Thanks Donna. When we got to the checkout our bags of slate were ready and a young lady brought them to the car and even put them in the bot for me. Thank you.

The Panini was delicious, but the little green Caterpillar crawling around my salad was enough to put me off. We had also had to clear the previous customers plates before we could sit down. I don't know why I come back here, possibly for the view. Today shall be my last ever visit.

The garden centre is set in a lovely rural area only just outside Paignton/Torquay. We have visited now approximately a dozen times now since Otter bought the nursery. We feel that the quality of the plants , Shrubs and trees are what we’d expect from a good garden centre. The Restaurant although small, is quite adequate for a good lunchtime meal or just a coffee & cake. Well done to all the staff at Otter, especially in these very challenging times.

got there and car park was full - so was expecting cafe to be packed and with a queue - suprisingly no queue so was allowed straight in and taken to table - drinks and food were ordered quicky after and within ten minutes 3 bacon and eggs baps and a tuna sandwich were presented to the table - food couldnt be faulted - cafe has a one way system in which works well - a couple tables do look a bit close especially at one stage when 4 people came to one table and one of them was standing for ages whilst the woman on a single table had the persons back nearly on her table - rest of cafe was spacious though - good standard garden cenre

We had Sunday lunch in the conservatory, main window catch broken, window closed--temperature must have been about 35 degrees. The good selection of vegetables were nicely cooked but the roast beef was almost inedible--there is tough and there is tough--this was very tough so we will not do Sunday lunch again.

Roast dinners in the “cafe” were excellent, we will certainly be back again soon. probably best to book at present because there are fewer tables due to COVID

Good choice in shop.Good food in cafe and reasonable prices.Staff very polite busy period but very quick service.

I have bought lots of plants and roses from this garden center and they have all been really healthy, the roses are brilliant, everyone comments on their abundance of flowers.. I wont go anywhere else now for my garden needs... Plus they have a wonderful cafe.

Nice garden centre but dogs not allowed which seems unreasonable. Thought it was just in the cafe but unfortunately not.

Went to our local nursery for some bedding plants and found the Christmas decorations a treat to behold, especially the singing reindeer. Such fun for the children and adults alike. Great range of lights and decorations for sale.

Amazing at Christmas time. So much to keep the kids entertained - the singing reindeer, all the lights, the snowman On a rope that dances if you clap your hands and the amazing Santa chair for photos. Will have to come back and visit in the new year and see what it’s like then. The cafe is quite small and unlike jacks patch there is no soft play for the kids but the food is very reasonably priced.

Good selection of items to buy for garden and home. The cafe was well stocked offering full breakfasts as well as snacks and cakes. Indoor and outdoor searing.

wow what a gem of a place, looking on google found this place by chance visited foe brunch.G.F food not a problem staff very knowledgable and understanding. Excellent scrambled egg on G.F toast. Lots of cakes to choose from all looked delicious but wrong time of day for us to be eating sweet treats. Lovely big pot of tea and tall beaker of coffee. Staff very friendly and the whole restuarant had a lovely chilled out relaxed atmosphere. The views are beautiful unspoilt english countryside.Approve of this place and fully recommend, it is really good.

We had a latte and slice of cake each. The latte was nice. The lemon and elderflower cake I had was a bit dry and the filling too sweet. Same with the coffee and walnut cake. Will try a huge scone next time.

Went in for coffee and toast at 11am. We had finished drinking the coffee during the 25 minutes we waited for the toast. Chased up at the till twice and the toast came up cold.

Went here with no intention of having a full lunch but couldn't resist when I saw the roast others were eating! It really was substantial, tasty, hot and good value. Would definitely go there again. Plus you can wander around the gardens to view all the seasonal plants and possibly pick up a bargain in the store inside.

We are regular visitors for breakfast on Sundays and I struggle to find a better meal in the Torbay area and we have tried most of them. The regular Chef is excellent and Staff are very friendly and accommodating. I always have the veggie breakfast well recommended and my partner has a bacon bap. The food is served fresh and hot and well presented can't speak highly enough of this place

Plenty of choice in exactly what it says it is: a cafe in a garden centre that serves lovely cake, nice coffee, pleasant staff, comfy seating, nice outlook and a very good choice of plants for sale.

Popped in to peruse the plants etc purchased many! The weather was so remarkable on Friday decided to have some fresh coffees and sausage rolls ( these were so delicious!) sat outside in their very spacious garden overlooking the Marldon rolling hills. Service swift tables clean always a pleasure to visit.

Beautiful cafe within the otter nurseries garden centre excellent food and the best home made cakes ever. cant wait to go again.

The girls on the till we’re polite considering they were understaffed! We ordered two breakfasts on a promotional voucher like everyone was paid for our meals and sat down, 20 minutes later we saw customers who were behind us in the queue getting their breakfast served to them before us. What a misery the guy was waiting on the tables when we asked him politely ‘had he missed us out’ he looked at us as though we really shouldn’t be complaining to him! Poor service due to understaffing! No incentive for us to go back!

A good garden centre with some nice plants and seating arrangements. The cafe has excellent views across the rolling countryside and the cream tea was £4.75 for a scone with jam, clotted cream and tea or coffee. There was plenty of tea and the scone was nice and moist but the jam was very watery and the cream too hard.

Went for Breakfast, which we do regularly. Always well presented and and tasty. Only one criticism I wish they would offer Decent condiments. I love a bit of HP sauce with my breakfast but the stuff on offer is a poor alternative :( so I have to do without. Lovely plants and a good choice.

Met up with a friend for lunch at the Garden Centre. It was a beautiful day so we made full use of the outside seating area. Part of this leads on from the Conservatory and another is in a garden with the most amazing view of the beautiful rolling hills of Devon. Planted up with colourful bedding plants it’s a pleasure to sit and wait to be served your lunch... good choice there is too. I had a Prawn and Mayo sandwich on fresh bread 1/2 “ thick..with crisps and a salad it was just the thing. My friends Panini of Bacon and Brie was equally good, thick slices of bacon as well. They sell Luscombe bottled drinks and their Elderflower is to be recommended. Cooked meals, sandwiches, Jacket potatoes, home made cakes and coffee and teas..a good selection for very reasonable prices.

Called to purchase plants for the summer, brilliant garden centre with huge choice and selection, staff are brilliant with help and advice,the Cafe was one of the best we have been to anywhere,fully recommend this establishment. Anthony n Anthony n

The cafe provided a cream tea for 14 recently. The service was friendly and efficient and the scones were lovely, with plenty of jam and clotted cream. The scones are made on the premises unlike many tearooms which buy them in. Will certainly go again. Pre-book for parties.

Although this garden center has a excellent restaurant, I can love there cream teas, every thing is made on the premises which makes it even better.

Had a roast dinner on a sunday and could not believe how the excellent range of meat and veg had been cooked to be so tasteless. Can only assume that it had been microwaved to death .It was not busy, maybe 3 people in the queue but the bar staff were complaining about the stress they were under. The lady who brought the food was friendly and worked hard. However, I'd left my cardi on the chair and when I returned more than an hour later to retrieve it , it was still in the same place and no one had noticed that there wasn't anyone sitting there for an hour. This is the only garden centre nearby and being used to excellent nurseries in the South East, I'm sad to say that I can't bare to go there.

This garden centre has improved tremendously since it came into the hands of Otter nurseries. It has a varied selection of plants and everything is laid out very prettily and with imagination. I visit quite frequently and usually use the coffee shop while I am there. My only grouse is that the car park is not big enough and on my last visit cars were lined up in the road outside as there were no spaces.

Love going here plenty of plants trees and brushes to choose from. There’s lots of choice inside too varying from out door tables and nice garden dining accessories,water fountains, hanging baskets, etc seeds bird tables I could and do spend a lot there. Staff on hand for advice and even help with your heavy items to your car. Hanging baskets can even be made up for you with your choice of flowers in there. The cafe can get very busy but the food is nice. Dogs allowed but not inside cafe but they do have outdoor tables. Worth a visit it’s always busy mid day so I tend to go early or late afternoon they are open 7 days a week till 5.30, 4.30 on a Sunday.

It really doesn’t matter if you are there to buy plants, pots, compost or just call in for a coffee, it’s always a pleasure to visit Otter Nursery. On this occasion I met up with an old friend for lunch, then to look for a special plant.

Came here for Sunday Lunch and was blown away.

Been a regular visitor at Otters mainly for breakfast on Sundays but came for lunch today. Brilliant food never fails plates always hot for breakfast and lunches. Partner had homemade Stilton and Cauliflower soup today was fantastic. I had Ham Egg and chips didn't disappoint for a standard meal. Great team working there good customer service. Fully recommend all round

Called in for morning tea. Had tea with cheese scones very flavoursome and excellent tea flavour. Had not visited here for some timenaand noticed a fast improvement.

Love this little garden centre, very friendly staff, lovely plants, and super little restaurant. It might not be up to date, but the hardworking staff make up for it. Food in restaurant is great !

After having visited the Otter Nurseries at Ottery St Mary, this one is a real poor relation. The staff are not very helpful, with a couple of exceptions.

Small garden centre but has a lot to offer. Good selection of goods plus Christmas ideas. Also a nice restaurant with lovely view. Especially liked the the Christmas Reindeers singing!!! Made me smile.

We regularly visit Otter Nurseries at Ottery St Mary and found this centre to be a smaller version. It is in a delightful setting and has the usual wide range of really good quality plants. There is a good display of Christmas items at present and the restaurant provides good food, although space is a bit limited as it is popular. There is a very nice outside seating area, with views over an unspoilt valley. Worth a visit.

went in here to just browse ideas for the garden. As usual a lovely display of plants , friendly staff and inside staff preparing Christmas merchandise which was very well displayed and atmospheric.

Fed up with Hotel food we looked for somewhere to Breakfast, The food when served was hot, plenty of it, and good value. And it was served with a smile. I went for a full English, that with the usual items included two rounds of toast that my wife who is not big on breakfast enjoyed although she also snaffled a slice of bacon from my plate, we had two breakfasts for the price of one Perhaps not what the proprietor visualised when making up the menu. Afterwards we spent some time looking around the plants, not a big Nursery but plenty of choice.

It's not has big as some garden centres but you can still found really nice flowers, everything you need for the garden and more. Their getting ready for new stock inside for Xmas. I love their Xmas range. The car park is big and it does get full in the week mainly for the cafe their food is nice, but finding a table can get like looking for gold at times. There's the sheltered side fully stocked with Autumn winter and spring bulbs are a good variety. Outside is good arrangement of flowers to suit all gardens. The staff are a friendly lot and helpful with great advice if tor not sure about the plants. In summer they have a nice variety of garden furniture, water features etc. It's worth a visit if your in the area.

Have been twice in 8days. Both time not too busy during lunch, i think because its tucked out of the wayon the paignton ringroad. Great setting as inside large windows overlooking gardens .Excellent service, reasonable priced meals . From scones, tea offee to main lunch meal. Pasties .soup .ect.

Whist the food is still ok, we visited a couple of weeks back and had ploughmans...pickled onion was so hard and tough we couldn't eat it...

Was introduced to the Otter nursery cafe last Friday met a friend who had vouchers for a free cake with a coffee. The brownie to die for.Returned today for lunch, a bacon,Brie and cranberry panini and a tuna and cheese panini. Shared them both had loads of filling. The crisps and the salad just right. Will definatley come back.

Well laid out with a choice to suit taste and style. Plenty of experienced staff to help which is a relief compared to the main stream centre's. If you can't find it here then you don't need it.

We have been visiting this lovely nursery ever since it reopened, and it never fails to delight us...

Refreshing to have a nursery that has not succumbed to the usual over-commercialisation. Everything looked healthy and well cared for. Prices were realistic too. We enjoyed a delicious lunch, again reasonably priced. Staff were pleasant and helpful, and, most importantly, knowledgeable.

We had a pleasant late,light lunch about 2pm today. Everything was very good & not too expensive. The only thing I didn't like was the attitude of the young lady that served me. She wasn't rude but had no customer relationship skills. All I could get from her was yes.no,thanks. I felt she wanted to serve me & get me sat down as quick as she could. Shame. Lovely garden. There was a strange,unpleasant thing odour wafting around the garden every now & then. Will go again & see what it's like.

This is regular place for our coffee morning meet up, the coffee is lovely and their scones are all home made and totally delicious, cheese, fruit or plain, as are their cakes, and their cooked food looks good to, go on spoil yourself, you won't be sorry.

Regularly visit the coffee shop for lunch. Good value for money. Always busy. Small cafe been extended with a conservatory & now more tables & chairs outside. Pleasant outlook. Flower arranging classes on a Monday are good fun too!

This garden nursery also has a very popular cafe at the rear. The food is great, anything from snacks to main meal. I couldn't fault their Sunday lunch - plent of meat and veg and all very hot as it should be. I would thoroughly recommend this eatery.

Excellent for plants and their restaurant is very good for lunch choices, Well worth a visit at this time of year for a good choice of plants.

Having visited Otter Nurseries restaurant at Ottery St Mary on many occasions and always had a reasonable meal we tried the Torbay version as we were in town.

What a great garden centre this is. Love it. Not too large, helpful staff and excellent plants. Also a very pleasant café with competitive prices. Bought loads of plants here today and then had coffee and scones (even though the paninis and quiches looked very tempting, but we will go again!)

Lovely Garden centre and shop. Lots to see but not to big. Everything for the garden plus household goods. Very nice cafe with great foods and coffee with fabulous views.

We visited Otter Nursery on an extremely wet day in mid January. We come here in season to browse around and buy a few plants, of which there is a good selection on offer. This visit though we were coming mainly to get out of the house and have a light lunch. Because of the awful weather, we thought we might have the restaurant to ourselves and were very surprised by how full it was. The staff said they were surprised too. My husband had the steak pie and then we added chips and a salad to it. I had macaroni cheese, garlic bread and salad, and we had cappuccinos. All in all, it was a pleasant meal and nice to get out, but nothing outstanding. The restaurant is laid out attractively and the staff are friendly. I feel the restaurant could benefit by having a little more to offer in the way of cooked meals like the macaroni cheese. We have been before for lunch and also have had coffee and cafe on occasions. The cakes are always very good. We will of course come again as we do like the nursery, and we will visit the restaurant again.

...But I had a pastie which was from a company called CHUNK , but I am afraid was not good quality ,for the price .!

This is a small garden centre but stocks most items that a gardener would need. It's not really a place to wander around for an hour and browse. The staff are helpful. The shrubs and trees outside seem quite expensive for the quality but the plants under cover are good. There is a small cafe which is very popular.

I was hoping To find some special plants to take back to London. Bog standard plants but lots of Chrismassy stuff to buy. Enjoyed the scenery en route

Food is good and cakes are lovely, the only problem is you need to time it right. It gets really busy and crowded, that it can be hard to get a table. I've yet to find a time when it's quiet and they have not run out of some of the food on the menu, but if you can get a table earlier enough you will enjoy.

This is a lovely garden centre with lots of choice of good flowers and plants. The restaurant is also an excellent choice with great food and beautiful views over the countryside. Great place for a Saturday afternoon lunch

We give this one star as we cannot give a minus.