The Curator Cafe in South Hams

We wanted a quick brunch and ordered the Baked Eggs. We were told it would be a 20 minute wait to allow it to bake. Fair enough! However when the dish arrived the sauce was watery and thin with no depth of flavour. The haricot beans were like bullets and the eggs were underdone. It tasted like a rush job as if a tin of tomatoes had just had the beans and eggs added. Not a sauce on which any time had been spent. Very disappointing!

A lovely setting at the bottom of the High Street with a lovely outside seating area under the shade of trees. Inside is also great with seating on a lower and upper floor. Coffee was good, nicely poured. I had the baked eggs and beans/tomatoes nice although very dry not enough Tomatoes used to ensure the Beans didn't dry out! Service was friendly, efficient and good

It is so dependable, and the food is lovely. The coffee and pastries are the best in town. The egg and salad dishes are healthy. It is relaxing upstairs.

Great food and coffee but the staff are unwelcoming and the ambience is pretentious. Always willing to give places the benefit of the doubt but I've been consistently disappointed for the reasons above.

Iced latte took 30 minutes to arrive and even then it had the wrong milk. Waited another 30 minutes and it was finally correct. Do not recommend if on strict timings.

Nice to have a cafe that serves sourdough. I’m allergic to most other breads so to be able to have a breakfast without the hassle of a choice without bread was really nice. The poached eggies were cooked perfectly and avocado and roasted pepper was amazing. The portion sizes were huge too it could easily serve 2. Decor and vibe really chilled nice place for breakfast, pastry’s and coffees. Glad they are dog friendly downstairs :)

Still the best around and great food, pastries, and coffee. However, removed one star, as coffee cups are very thick, absorbing the heat from the coffee so it’s lukewarm, and of course less coffee in the cup. Shame as it’s a great flavour.

Was our favourite place for Sunday breakfast, but last Sunday there was no chef and this Sunday they have run out of food by 10.45am. Hope it's gets back to it's usual standard soon as we loved coming here

A must in Totnes, coffees excellent, two each of course, atmosphere warm and friendly. Smiling staff are always appreciated.

Superb coffee and snacks available. Superb service always provided with a smile. Seating is available inside on two floors and outside in classic pavement cafe style. we chose a table and placed our order at the counter. the order was served promptly at the table.

This is a pop up cafe inside an existing shop . Lovely relaxed atmosphere and a great selection of cakes, we had a custard and raspberry cake and a frangipani both were fantastic. I’d come for cakes alone ! The coffee was also great though

Only stopped for a morning coffee but very impressed. Excellent coffee and friendly, efficient service. There was a nice atmosphere and it was pleasant sitting outside watching the world go by, will return.

We eat there often during our 90-day visit to Totnes. Whether it be a roast beef sandwich, poached eggs, or pesto linguine pasta -- all freshly made -- and accompanied by flat white coffee. Sit upstairs to watch the chefs. On a warm day, sit by the window and crack it open. Other days, sit inside downstairs on at a streetside table for people watching,

Busy cafe on The Plains. Great coffee, friendly service. A good little menu on a Sunday morn, but was surprised I couldn’t swap out a poached egg for a fried one?

By far the best coffee experience in Totnes. Cake are yummy too. always served with a positive attitude

Came here with family who live local while out for a walk. Lovely cafe serving great coffee. Friendly, chatty and helpful staff serving. Absolutely loved the little cakes filled with custard and cherry - pity they are not bigger!! Pleasant atmosphere - sat inside yet there is plenty of seating outdoors too. Great stop.

Lovely little cafe in Totnes. Dog friendly outside and downstairs. We had coffee and cake all of which were delicious! Would visit again.

Relaxing Afternoon Every time I come to this wonderful cafe in Totnes am I received amazing service and there's always a smile from the staff members the place is relaxing clean and very fresh with a comfortable urban twist the mocha I've had recently is being beautiful chocolate has been warming and tasty and the ambience of the whole of this cafe is just right up my street the table seating outside when it's not raining. Inside is comfortable and very fresh with also that early almost like an Italian feel being in Italy.

Wow, this was some of the best coffee we have ever tasted! Smooth, strong and a perfect pick me up. Picked up some beans for home too.

Fab coffee and delicious sandwiches. Ideal for me to grab and go. Recommended for individuals, couples and families. Dog friendly too.

I'm a right coffee snob and I couldnt fault the flat white. The breakfast was Nduja on toast with poached eggs. I'd never had Nduja before. Seriously delicious spreadable salami with a kick of spicyness. Loved it.

Took my mum with dementia out for a nice coffee or so I thought but was given the wrong order, they charged me for the coffee I hadn’t asked for then took away the cup I had paid extra for, and when I commented on...

It's our go to 'Al fresco' coffee shop, best coffee around, always has that nice feel to it. Staff are always friendly, feels really laid back......?

Quick service, really excellent coffee. Good upstairs space with spaced out tables. Highly recommended.

Great take away seevicev and love this place for it’s great coffee however.....avoid the cherry & custard tarts!! What a rip off @ £2.50 a pop, as small as can be and with 1/2 a cherry as filling (no trace of any such custard) so...

First off you can see by the other low star reviews that the management don’t even care to respond. Paper cups! For artisan coffee!!! Who are you trying to rip off I mean kid!!!? I sat outside and my wife went in to order. I...

I love this place! Delicious coffee, friendly staff and dog friendly. Lively location with a choice of indoor and outdoor seating, will certainly return.

Great place for coffee and cake. Lovely vibe from the place with lovely staff. Will definitely return when we are next in Totnes.

Fantastic little cafe. Friendly staff, lovely food. The Poached Eggs on Sourdough toast with various toppings are to die for. We went to a Michelin Star restaurant on Tuesday night as part of our trip and the food at The Curator is the best we’ve...

Fantastic cafe serving some top coffee!! Service was also incredible! Lovely place to sit and watch the world go by in Totnes with friends!! Highly recommend

I've been a regular patron of The Curator since it opened, I just love the vibe, the food is amazing including the bread they produce locally, and hands-down the best oat lattes.

Came by a needed coffee and a reasonable lunch snack. Some tables came clear and were resanitised swiftly so we sat and one of us was coaxed into the shop. Sadly a few minutes before we arrived the coffee machine had broken down. Help had...

I cannot fault the quality of the well made Coffees and selection of Pastries and Cakes on offer at the Curator, definitely my go to place when in Town.

Have enjoyed taking a break here several times a year since soon after it opened but today was the first time this year. Sadly disappointing. They had some tables distanced outside but they together with the shop space were all a bit bleak. Mood of...

Bad attitude, Terrible customer service, I went in for a coffee, only to ask why they were using paper cups such a waste of paper, I asked why they don’t use cups like most places in Totnes I was told because they don’t want to employ someone to wash them up it was cheaper to use paper ones, I then left to discover a great Cafe down the road that did use cups and obviously employing someone

Popped in for a coffee and cake. Amazing Muffin and lovely staff. Sat outside and enjoyed the warm sun. Highly recommended

Unfortunately we arrived too late for food, which was a real shame as the menu looked gorgeous, se we just had a coffee. Wow what a coffee, really delicious fragrant and very tasty with no butter after taste. Staff very friendly, a great little find.

Called into Totnes early, desperate for coffee. I ternet searches showed the Currator would be open from 7:30. Pleased to see a group of people sat outside sipping the nectar of life. Yet as I reach fir the door THEY inform me they aren't open till 8. So they were the staff. When I said that the opening time listed in several online locations is 7:30 I was given the one word answer "Covid".I'm not an idiot. It takes 30 minutes to heat up a commercial barista. Why are the staff sat on their backsudes outside drinking coffee in full few of the public but not going to serve them? If your machine is on and you have coffee and there is no work to be done why can't you just sell me coffee? If you have to reduce hours to protect your staff because of Covid then why have your staff come in early, switched on the barista, and sat around together drinking delicious coffee???The whole place stinks of bad attitude.

Came here for a drink. Very nice chai latte. Only two allowed in the shop at a time and plastic screens up to protect you and the staff. Plenty of seating outside. Nice place to come and chill. Chocolate brownies are lush too!

Had a couple of cappuccinos which were lukewarm at best. Took them onto the river area to drink so not that far. Would have gone back and complained but you have the social distancing queue again. Wouldn’t return

Again, as normal our first stop in Totnes! Had the mozzarella, tomato and salad focaccia-very good, but not as good as the Italian BLT! Very good coffee. Plenty of seat available on the pavement

What a horrible experience, young lady with blond hair and glasses was positively rude and very unhelpful with the most disgusting attitude, it was truly a unpleasant experience, the young lady also had the cheek to ask her colleague if she was being unprofessional, which isn’t good now is it??? Hope people learn how to conduct themselves a bit better in hard and uncertain times :/

The Curator Cafe is Totnes’s hidden gem. They serve incredible brunches, presented in a superb black pan that is as practical as it is stylish. The cafe has a great ambience, fast service and friendly staff. Drinks are also excellent too.The establishment has a fantastic decor, with fitting industrial style lighting and a great collection of artwork which contributes to a brilliant culinary experience Would highly recommend if looking for a cafe or casual dining experience in the Totnes area.

I visited a few weeks ago and am contemplating writing this message, one blonde female member of the staff, referred to my friend (who has mental health issues), as a wilder-beast. I am very outraged by this, as her appearance wasn't up to par either. she looked bad too.

Visited here quite by chance looking for good coffee , my husband is very fussy about coffee. Now visit it every time we are in Totnes . Lovely gluten free cakes. I think it would probably do vegan food , need to check. Diana, Dartmouth.

Visited late Saturday afternoon for a coffee and cake . We selected a small table in the corner by serving area . My 75 year old mother tripped on a cable for radio hanging down from shelf . She is recovering from a replacement knee and was very unsettled . Male member of staff abruptly ordered her to plug it back in ,no concern for her welfare at all . I then waited to order coffee at the serving area and was ignored by both members of staff whilst one fiddled with the radio and then announced to the colleague that SHE has broken it . We immediately left the coffee shop and will not recommend based on attitude not food or drink .

Our second visit - and confirmation the coffees here are very good indeed (as others have stated). The weather was warm enough to sit outside in November, as this is a popular cafe! I also had the mushroom bruschetta which went down very nicely!

We were told by a local that this was the best place in Totnes for coffee - they were right.The best coffee for me a coffee snob and thankfully the best hot chocolate for my wife so no complaints.Spoilt for choice with Italian delicacies or home made looking cakes.We think you could not leave a poor choice as everyone we spoke to really enjoyed what they had eaten.Great friendly cool staff so when in this area this place is a must visit!

I arrived early in Totnes to do a talk at the Library, so naturally looked for a great cafe. The Curator was perfect - open past 5pm, the BEST coffee I've had in a long time, and delicious cake (possibly polenta and with pear) - delicious and a big slice.Charming staff. Amazing decor.

Above the cafe - an open kitchen so you can watch the team working. Food was tasty Italian - southern style.

Always the first stop when we go to Totnes. Great Italian BLT (Italian bacon, sun-dried tomatoes and rocket on focaccia bread). Great coffee. Dog friendly

Always worth a visit, one of the better coffee shops in Totnes, although a new No1 coffee shop opposite the church has opened up the hill, that might give it a run for its money.

Ok for locals who sit there drinking the free water, or using the WiFi without making a purchase of food or drink.

Nice coffee, with out a doubt the best in Totnes. But, how long does it take to make a bloody coffee. Nobody queuing or waiting. Over 15mins.. good job it's a nice place to sit...

Whether you fancy one, if not the best coffees in Devon, some fantastic bakes ( by the owners own bakery around the corner ), brunch, lunch or dinner, this place never disappoints.

Don’t expect pizza,this Italian restaurant is one of a kind,menu is outstanding - different class,imaginative,well presented and delicious. Can see the food being prepared in the small kitchen where staff work together to produce outstanding food. Restaurant uses first class produce including locally produced ice cream. If you are in Totnes this is a must,Matteo and his team cook with a love of food.Just a shame we live so far away in Hampshire otherwise this would be our regular place.

It used to be my favourite cafe, but now it all depends on who makes the coffee, there are some young girls working there now and my last coffee was weak and cold. The Italian guy makes perfect coffees!

My chosen meeting place for 6 of us converging on Totnes for the day, as it serves the most gorgeous coffee. But on a very wet day, we were all squished in on a small table. Two friends enjoyed scrumptious cakes and it has a vibrant, friendly atmosphere.

I often have coffee here and it usually very good, but yesterday it was served luke warm with a very chipped mug. Hope this is not the begining of the end!

I make a point of visiting this cafe every time we visit Totnes - great coffee, laid-back vibe, friendly staff.

I've just read the review below. I disagree strongly. This Cafe is delightful and they care about coffee. They specialise in Italian blends, and they take care in preparation just like speciality coffee shops do, who work with much lighter roasts and complex flavours. I can understand how it can take some minutes to make coffee well. A good cafetiere at home can easily take 8 mins. So if you don't like the Curator, chances are you don't care about coffee. Solution? Go to a chain and order in minutes. But don't kid yourself it's the same! And please think twice before slamming people who try to do it well.

20mins to deliver 4 coffees on a quiet Tuesday morn. When it arrived lukewarm and weak as nats urine. (Wannabe) Hipster Rubbish.

The biggest thing we took away from this place was how enthusiastic and passionate the staff were about the products and food.

Great coffee, Italian BLT and dog friendly. Can be busy at lunchtimes. Good range of cakes and meals.

Always drive past here and liked look of so grabbed a takeaway when passing recently. Loved the coffee great staff and really nice room. Will come back for lunch one day!

At the end of an afternoon in Totnes, and having found the People's Cafe shut, the heavens opened and The Curator had the good fortune to have tables indoors as well as outside. I squeezed in among a number of other weather-dodgers and ordered a coffee, adding a syrupy cake to mix with it. The coffee really was good and gave me the kick I was after at the end of a tiring afternoon. The cake was ok - maybe it would have been better when it came out of the oven an hour or two earlier, but no complaints....I'd go back just for the caffeine!

I don't even like coffee and this is the best coffee ever! I only drink it here!!! A must visit place, esp when the sun shines

Seeing a very busy restaurant is often a good sign that it's worth a visit. When we first ventured in for a coffee all the tables were full and there was a queue to the door so we decided to look around the shops and return later. When we did, there were several tables free and only a short queue so we grabbed the opportunity to sit down and I ordered two cappuchinos and two servings of poached eggs and crispy prosciutto. Before it was served, the restaurant had once again filled up with a queue restored.

The coffee was quite nice, but the food was just okay. The poached eggs were done well, but the avo on toast wasnt generous with the avo, plus it wasn’t very toasted. I probs go back for coffee but not food. The hairy barista coffee down the road is really good!!!

Having fallen off a ladder six months ago and breaking both heels I’m on the road to recovery, literally. It’s baby steps... cycling from ivybridge to the curator cafe and back. Really look forward to the cortado and almond slice, rain or shine. The coffee really is epic, lovely place to stop and watch the world go by. Indoor and outdoor seating. Really friendly staff. Make this a must stop if in the area.

Always good,very often great music,always great Baristas and coffee .The curator ,downstairs ,is what you want it to be ,whether time to catch up with friends or just be transported away from the problems of life for a while! All is possible here,staff are always pleasantly personable but not intrusive ,today exceptional music and coffee and a time to be transported!Every thing they do here is an art .

This little cafe is one of those places where people come in and stay. Once you get a table it's hard to leave because it's a relaxing atmosphere. It's by far the best place around but grab a table when you can. Been here many times and you see the same people spending time here relaxing. It does do limited cakes and snacks. Very individual. Highly recommended

Six of us decided to have an evening meal in the upstairs restaurant It was full which meant it was slightly cramped and the chatter and laughter level was high. Quirky but it was reassuring to see what was happening in the kitchen. The one waitress was working incredibly hard looking after everyone. Four had the Italian Experiences Menu (IEM) @ £35 per head; another the Ox Cheek @ £15. Our vegetarian had the Squash Tart @ £11 with cauliflower @ £7.50. Two managed the gelato scoop which was pronounced excellent and made in Totnes. To wash this repast down we had two bottles of Verdicchio Classico @£25 per bottle.Total £238. Overall mixed reviews about the food some subjective like could have done with more herbs and also portion sizes - the IEM was thought to be expensive choice for what it was. Overall four out of the six said they would not revisit.

I visited this cafe for the first time yesterday, the cafe has a lovely warm friendly atmosphere, the coffee was just divine, will definitely be back

I have been here so many times and each experience has been very different which I like. On this occasion, the first course, a pasta dish, was a little undercooked, a little bland, perhaps just not to my taste? We moved on to an amazing tart, wow, vegetarian, brilliant, so beautiful yet perhaps a little on the small side for the greedy of this world. Anyway, small is beautiful. We also had a vegetable dish, chard with lemon. That was also totally scrumptious. The dessert, GOD GOD GOD was absolutely gorgeous I don't remember exactly what it was called but it was astonishing, something with chocolate. Wine as always was excellent. I know I am giving 4 stars which is unusual for me but I would gently say ....the pasta sauces need a little uplift. Everything else was amazing. The person waiting tables was flabagastingly good. So much fun, doing it all herself. Deserves a medal. I have been here about 15 times in 3 years. It used to be very inconsistent but I think they got rid of a chef or two. I believe the owner was in situ on this evening. Amazing ambience. Lovely people. SUPER GOOD COFFEE.

I have been here so many times and I always want to give it another chance. I think our last meal sums it up. The first bit, pasta, was terribly bland and I would almost say I could have done a million times better but perhaps I was missing a key note. If we had left it at that then we would never have visited this place again. No, we moved on to an amazing tart. Wow, vegetarian, brilliant, so beautiful yet SMALL SMALL SMALL. Perhaps small is beautiful. We also had a vegetable dish, chard with lemon. That was also totally scrumptious. We had the dessert, GOD GOD GOD absolutely gorgeous I don't remember exactly what it was but it was gorgeous. Wine was excellent. I know I am giving them 3 stars which is unusual for me but I would seriously say ...pull your socks up with the pasta courses. Everything else is amazing. The person waiting tables was flabagastingly good. So much fun, doing it all herself. Deserves a medal. I have been here about 15 times in 4 years. It used to be very inconsistent but I think they got rid of a chef or two. I believe the owner was in situ on this evening. Personally, I am always willing to keep going back in the hope that the chefs making the pasta will sort it out. Go there. Amazing ambience. Lovely people. SUPER GOOD COFFEE.

Ran out of restaurants/cafes along main shopping street in Totnes so ended up here. Had beautiful medley of mushrooms on thinly sliced homemade bread. Pesto pasta was freshly made (Could have had more basil flavour) and sandwiches with focacia were tasty. Overall a real treat.

Friendly efficient staff, top quality coffee, cakes and sandwiches which never disappoint. The only frustration is during the winter months when ' The Apple Mac' brigade set up camp and hog the tables inside. Restaurant is great upstairs as well.

Although this cafe has a range of Italian dishes, we only go there for the Italian BLT. Not disappointed in an way and the coffee was good as always. Seating inside and out, and dog friendly

Visited as a family for lunch in the upstairs part of the cafe. Party ordered poached eggs with various toppings and pasta, which wad all well presented and delicious. Only given 4 stars as I thought the service was not as good as I would expect (young lady was on her own and made an error with the drinks order, which was quickly rectified). Toilet was a bit grotty as well. Overall, the food was the best bit about the visit.

You are spoiled for choice in Totnes when looking for lunch but this is definitely worth sampling if you want authentic Italian food, freshly prepared, and superb coffee. It knocks all those pseudo-Italian chains which dominate most HighStreets into a cocked hat. We had crispy focaccia stuffed with Mozzarella and roasted tomatoes alongside bruschetta with funghi porcini. Both were made to order and full of deep flavours. The bruschetta was made with toasted sourdough and covered with a generous pile of freshly sauteed wild mushrooms, spiked with garlic. Simple but so well done. Great relaxed vibe, too, with tables outside, locals reading the papers and staff happy to chat and engage. Un'esperienza davvero autentica!

Very small place, but the food was superb. Italian chef creates beautifully presented and taste food at a fair price. Nice atmosphere suitable for couples and small groups of adults - not for kids.

The quality of coffee, snacks and cakes is excellent and the atmosphere is good with both inside and outside tables. Many customers seem to stay for some time, laptops and tablets abound.

Popped into Totnes was in need of a coffee discovered this great little cafe which serves an excellent coffee.

Thr brst coffee I've had in years and always worth a visit. Friendly efficient staff and reasonably priced also has lovely cakes to have with the coffee.

I love this place, staff are always super friendly, love that the menu is small and usually end up sharing several things with friends because we still can't decide. Everyone I've taken here has loved it!

I always come here for a latte or hot chocolate when I'm in Totnes because they taste great! Staff are always very friendly when I get served. Drinks are presented well and I love the decor in the place!

Seating upstairs as well as downstairs. Had a chai latte and a brownie. The brownie was really nice the chai latte wasn't strong enough for me unfortunately. I like my chai lattes quite strong but the one here was weak. I liked the ambience of the place and I like the decor etc. Probably would try a different drink next time. Not the cheapest place here but not mega bucks either. All in all a nice place and I would come back again.

Love the curator, fabulous coffee and bean blends to buy and yummy pastries and cake. My fav office away from the office .

Great place for coffee and a snack, popular with the ladies calls who know where to go. Small inside but very friendly and great selection of cake they make good coffee and hot choc

Been before so expectations were high. The wine price was expected (high)but not the time that our order took to arrive, 42 minutes from the time we sat at our table, but more importantly the size of the portions, one and a half small slices of bruschetta and a tiny quantity of mushrooms really did disappoint. Taste of this and the soup of the day was OK but the portions set a new level for the meaning of a light lunch.

The coffee is really good, and we tried a doughnut which I believe was an Italian version which had a hint of lemon and was delicious.

faultless,great coffee,and lunchtime menu or just excellant cake.Great staff and busy pleasant atmosphere

The cafe has a quirky design, with loads of interesting artifacts adorning the walls. The service was quick and friendly, despite being really busy on a Friday morning!

Nice ambience, good Italian style coffee. Lunch menu looked inviting. Good to hear italian being spoken in the kitchen!

This is a friendly and cosy coffee shop in a good location in Totnes, just at the bottom of the hill. Staff are lovely, service is prompt and friendly.

popped in with 3 other ladies for coffee and cake . Staff lovely, prices good , coffee great, we shared delicious cakes .While an accommodating space i sense if a wet day would have been cramped . loos at rear, no signs! The clientele seem to sort out seating in a random way which is delightful. seems to have good vegan options so will bear in mind .

This is a super place to hang out with friends. There is great coffee and delicious Italian snacks and their biscotti is always freshly baked. Super efficient staff are friendly and helpful with suggestions. This is the place to meet for good coffee and long chats and a catch up with friends. Lots of outdoor seating in the sun d in rainy weather there's inside seating and an upstairs area too.

Had a family meet up for breakfast. Excellent coffee great range of Italian variations on poached or baked eggs. But most of all everything is served wonderfully by the friendly and very knowledgeable staff. Great local ingredients and bread straight from their own bakery around the corner in Ticklemoor St. Bit of an institution this place so young children pile in next to people working away on their laptops or ploughing their way through a weekend newspaper.

Went early in morning already popular. So had coffee and croissant outside under the trees. Pleasant. But road busy.