The Monkton Inn in Taunton Deane

Very good restaurant, it’s a perfect place to taste good food

First t bone steak I ever had it was banging chef mandy u cooked this well to my.likeing it's the best steak in town I loved it really nice atmosphere and really enjoyed 😉

I met up with a friend I haven't seen in years. Great company, amazing food 👍💯

Love everything about this place. The food is truly amazing, the staff is super friendly and the atmosphere is so relaxing and cosy 👍👍👍 well done!

A wonderful find in a village on the first night of a stay.

We were here 3 times and had really nice dinner and lunch. Food is very tasty, the only thing is that some portions are a bit small for adult person, but appart from that, we would recommend eating here. Service is realy nice and they went even above and beyond for husband's birthday, with bringing desert with candle and singing a song. Garden is nice and peaceful, as well as the inside. All in all, good place to visit

A lovely Italian restaurant. Excellent menu. Would definitely visit again.

Amazing food and lovely wine, had a great lunch date

Went for lunch 14.03.25 3 courses all delicious and very well presented. Service polite and pleasant. Would definitely return

Lovely period pub, good reasonably priced meals. Friendly staff and plenty parking. Did have a little issue finding the place using just sat nav,but got there eventually

Excellent itialian I'm the heart of Monkton Heathfield. The quality of food is excellent, the team are very conscious of delivering the best service. Would 100% recommend 👌

Outstanding food, great service and a new favourite

Great food and super friendly service at Il Basilico. Reasonably priced, large portions and very tasty. Would go back again and again.

We are happy from our visit in II Basilico.Tasty food, kind staff, clean place, very dark car park,no light at all.

It was an absolutely lovely delicious Italian meal. The menu had a great variety of choices. And service friendly and prompt.

Absolutely cracking place! We were staying in an AirBnB literally up the road and wandered in one night. Don't let the modest exterior fool you. Inside was warm, welcoming and felt much larger than the outside let on. Great service, great hosts and really great food and a very reasonable price. 100% recommend. If we're in the area again we'll definitely be back!

Great atmosphere wonderful staff and a pleasant time as always

Lovley Italian hidden in the sticks . We visted here on holiday seeing family , found via Google and glad we went . Food was Lovley and so was the atmosphere. Would highly recommend and we will certainly return on the next trip down

Delicious food and friendly staff in a comfy environment. Ordered the goats cheese salad and my wife had the fresh ravioli, extremely tasty.

The perfect Italian food! Staff is great. Very nice restaurant

We pop over a few times a year and they never disappoint us. Thank you ❤️

We were in the area and visited il basilico. It was great - very good food and very friendly staff. Husband enjoyed his food so much that he had a second mains as a desert! And he ate it all!

Amazing! Lovely food, and really friendly staff. We had some of the seafood dishes which were great and fresh tasting. My partner had the pistachio canolo and said they were the best pudding he'd ever eaten.

Lovely food , location and service.

Very quiet lunchtime. Food is fantastic and service was good

We stayed within walking distance in an airbnb and what a gem of a place. Absolutely delicious food and friendly staff who gave good advice. Definitely go again

London prices in the west country! Food definitely not worth it either.

I have been twice to the restaurant. The first time I had a reasonable risotto. The second time I went with my step mother who had the Sunday toast that caused her to be sick. I will not be returning to eat here, based on this experience.

Unfortunately too loud in the beer garden for my liking! It seems like a bunch of guys has taken over a place. Couple of times I had been there it's been similar. It's a shame but I think it's needing up it's vibe.

Good area far from the city calm, rustic environment possibility to eat out restaurant enjoy garden with fresh food good service. Super recommend!

Great food, service and atmosphere. We'll be back for sure.

Thank You for allowing St Giles ,To hold the Dog Show at your place today 👍 And great food & service,Many Thanks 😊😊

We really enjoyed our meal and we will be heading back soon for another

Lovely place, great food and atmosphere

Had the pleasure of having dinner here when we were staying at a beautiful airB&B nearby. The food was great, the service was superb, and the venue was beautiful! Highly recommended! 👌🇮🇹

Amazing little find off the beaten track

Absolutely lovely food, friendly atmosphere+brilliant service. We had a table of 10 people, who had starters, mains+desserts. Even with so many various dishes ordered no-one was left waiting. Would highly recommend.

Food was very good. Service was prompt. Staff willing to engage.

Most expensive dish in the main course, "Rack of Lamb" turns out to be two tiny chops. Very mis-leading and a clear rip off. I paid the bill and far from my table, I politely asked the Head Waiter to address this with the management. He followed me to my table and made a scene in front of my 13 year old daughter. Awful experience POST SCRIPT: Having read the proprietors response to my review, I can agree that I went to the bar and bought whiskey and drank it; everyone who knows me knows I drink whiskey, including my family. The rest of the proprietor's reply is entirely fabricated and it's a shame he's decided that resorting to character assassination is preferable to listening. I did not address his staff other than to politely order food and drink. I waited until the end of the meal to raise my observation and I did this well away from everyone in the dining area. I spoke to him AFTER I had paid the bill and left a good tip. In fact, I did everything possible to be discreet and polite; then the proprietor followed me all the way back to my table and started to deliver an embarrassing lecture in front of my daughter, at which time I asked him curtly to leave and he did. At no time was I abusive, drunk or belligerent. The fact that the proprietor chooses to address this by fabricating stories tells everyone a lot more about him than it does me. He clearly does not like to hear from anyone and is prepared to use embellishments to cover his tracks. Basillico is a good restaurant and since my review I've recommended it to several people without hesitation. But I won't take down this review in order to hide the childish story this person chooses to make up about me. Anyone who wants to speak to him themselves can decide what to believe; I am not alone in this experience.

We came here several times last summer and the food was great and value for money. Did a five star review on FB then. Tonight we came for a birthday celebration and unfortunately it’s not as good now. Food took forever to come. My Husband had the squid infused ravioli with Sea Bass. Six tiny bits of ravioli and a bit of sea bass you could lose in a filling, looked completely lost on the plate and for £26 was an absolute rip off. No check back to the table. Three of us had Salmon - nice pieces of salmon, dumping of green leaves, slice of lime, chips and sauce.But all three plates had very different portion sizes. Other dishes were nice looking and well presented. Desserts were good. Waiting staff were attentive, other staff (Managers possibly) just sitting around.

Excellent food and friendly service, will definitely be going again

What a lovely find this was! We were staying nearby and got recommended this place, and it was so great that there has been talk of going back to the area to stay just to return to this restaurant. Amazing food, lovely staff (shout-out to Kate!) and great atmosphere. Not many vegan options on menu but when we enquired staff were happy to make menu changes.

Il Basilico is a great place for yummy pizzas and tasty food. The people who work there are really nice, and the place feels cozy and welcoming. Plus, they have a big garden where you can sit and enjoy your meal outside in the fresh air. If you want delicious Italian food in a friendly atmosphere, Il Basilico is the place to go!

Nice food, everything seemed to have squid in it 🫨 ... But risotto was good. Disappointed, we were there for a birthday and no little extra.

Nice food but drinks are too expensive. Great hosts but need a lightbite lunchtime menu and cheaper drinks options

Tucked away in the heart of West Monkton, this charming Italian restaurant was the perfect choice for my boyfriend's birthday celebration. From the rustic ambiance to the exquisite dishes, every moment was enchanting. The attentive staff and heavenly tiramisu dessert added to the experience, making it a truly memorable evening. It's a hidden gem that captures the essence of Italy, and we can't wait to return for another delightful dining experience. Also the pina colada's were amazing...

Delicious food and wine. Truffle fondue special starter was a highlight

For Mother's day, not only did they happily welcome us in last minute, but also served us with care, we were always checked on (but not pestered) and the food was excellent. The price was extremely reasonable for the quantity and quality they provided. I had a starter as my main as I was very satiated walking out. Recommend highly to anyone.

A very special dinner, absolutely delicious 😋

Visited here last night for the first time. What an absolutely fantastic place! The food was amazing, genuinely the best lasagna I've ever had! The staff are welcoming and friendly and the restaurant is beautiful. I can't believe I didn't know about this place sooner! I will most definitely be back again soon!

Went for dinner with friends as was staying in the area and had a great evening. The staff were very attentive, they could change most things on the menu to accommodate a vegan diet and was very good quality food for the price. Also can recommend the espresso martini!

Probably one of the best meals I have ever had.

I invite everyone to Basilico, taste and atmosphere of Italy, very nice customer service. Delicious dishes and desserts, it's clean, the waiters are very friendly, the food is fresh and well seasoned. We came back here again to see that it is definitely tasty! //I invite everyone to Basilico, the taste and atmosphere of Italy, very nice customer service. Delicious dishes and desserts, it's clean, the waiters are very friendly, the food is fresh and well seasoned. We came back here again to see how tasty it is

It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a three course meal as much as I have tonight. 😋 The food was to die for. I can highly recommend their homemade Calamari Fritto, the creamiest and tastiest Seafood Risotto and the most indulgent Tiramisu. The portion sizes were generous, and the prices totally reasonable. I will definitely be going again. Nico, our waiter was very attentive, welcoming, and friendly. It's a 10/10 for me!

Monkton's best kept secret!! Authentic Italian homemade food, lovely service from Nico and a very satisfied family! The bruschetta was incredibly tasty and well presented. The risotto allo scoglio was to die for - they definitely don't skimp on the seafood! Rounded off by the best tiramisu I have tasted yet. Just two suggestions - dim the lighting to set the mood, possibly some candles? Change your menu/prices on your website. We were seriously impressed and will be booking a lovely table with you again very soon. Should also mention that this restaurant is dog friendly, Nico was very attentive to Peanut and gave him a few treats! Dog lovers/parents, Il Basilico will be your new favourite restaurant!

Lovely place. Will come back. Recommend 👍

Really rather average, and disappointing pizza. The bases were clearly not made in-house (uniform thick base and bready inedible crusts), which is very poor for an Italian restaurant, its one of the things they absolutely should get right. One waitress was responsible for the entire restaurant, which, whilst she was great, is just not on. She has ro rush everywhere and you always feel you are squeezing any requests in as an inconvenience. Atmosphere was "bright". I unscrewed the lamp above our table - we were seeing light filaments in our vision it was so bright. Finally got a bill for £45 for two pizzas, two pints, and a lime and soda.... £3.95 for the lime and soda.... that's just taking the... and to add salt to the wound, you can't just do contactless, you have to select "No service/tip" on the machine before it'll scan your card. Won't be returning. Back to Ciao Amore. Real Italian fresh made pizza.

Disappointed with my main meal,the salmon was over cooked, a bland looking & tasting plate.

Thank you very much for all your smile. We had a very very good diner. We've been hadding a good time with family. Thank you for letting us eat again. Arrivederchi !

Highly recommended. Exceeded expectations. Seven of us - three generations - had a very good meal. The Fruitti di Mare pizza was possibly the best I've had. Generous portions, good, relaxing atmosphere and excellent team. To be visited again.

Amazing menu, good food, relaxing atmosphere and excellent service. I recommend it. Even my grandson had fun... Delicious pizza and nice playground ....🙂

Delicious food and fantastic service. Olivia really looked after us and was so accommodating. Friendly, attentive but not over-bearing. We had a pre-schooler in our party and found the whole experience very family friendly for lunch.

Great food , good service. First time eating here for a family meal , highly recommended.

We had a spontaneous date night and il basilico did not disappoint 😍 We would highly recommend if you like Italian food and a romantic atmosphere

On a visit to the area for a long weekend and was recommended this lovely Italian restaurant/bar by the B&B owners. Some of the best options and nicest food I've tasted for a long time. Lovely friendly service, what else could anybody want? Fantastic...

Lovely staff, incredibly friendly and welcoming. Food was very good. Main was brilliant but the dessert was only mediocre - nothing wrong with it but it wasn't outstanding ( but still better than a lot of pub grub). I will definitely be going back and am more than happy to recommend going there.

Exceptional Italian restaurant in a rural location. Really attentive service, excellent value set menu and great choice of food on the full menu. The burrata and calzone was fabulous. Dog friendly and overall great experience!

This was a surprisingly good Italian. We had a great relaxed long lunch with some fantastic pasta and risotto dishes. All the staff were very friendly and helpful. Overall excellent.

A little gem. Wonderful atmosphere. Friendly staff, especially our waitress Abby who definitely knows how to read a room and was lovely. Food to die for. Every starter, main and dessert for the three of us was perfect. We will definitely be returning.

Not an authentic Italian Fritto misto as starter was good albeit small - definitely not the usual size of such a plate. Pizza toppings were great but base felt like it came out of a freezer pack. Tiramisu a disaster. Full of cream, no taste of mascarpone - if you know the difference, you know!

Delicious food, reasonable prices, relaxed atmosphere and dog friendly!

Had a fabulous meal here last night , special thanks to Abbey (aka Bob) For looking after us so well

They forgot to bring one of the plates, and when it arrived, everybody else has already finished the food. The risoto that I ordered was just black pepper, no other taste than that. Beautiful place and nice staff.

One of my new favourite Italians in and around Taunton. A true hidden gem. Insanely good pizza and the lasagne is so delicious

We had an amazing meal here for our anniversary. The food was delicious and will presented. Our waitress was brilliant. Great service and lovely atmosphere.

What a gem of an Italian restaurant tucked away in the heart of Monkton. Every member of staff went above and beyond to ensure we were catered for and the food was outstanding. We will definitely be returning!!

Fantastic meal cooked perfectly. Attentive and friendly staff. Will definitely be back

Been here several times, the food is amazing best Italian I have been to.

Great staff, amazing food and service. Will be back again on the regular

Can highly recommend this restaurant. Food was great, best Lasagne I have had in a long time. Staff are very friendly and understanding. Only complaint is; not the easiest place to find but worth the journey.

Riza and the team once again gave us a lovely evening of dining. Great venue, beautiful food and the staff are all do very lovey

Really nice atmosphere. Staff were really friendly and service was quick. Food was lovely and the price was more than reasonable. Will be going again for sure.

All the food was so delicious! But my husbands two dishes he had; the steak tartare and The Pork belly, dauphinoise potatoes, apple and crackling with an amazing jus.... was just *chefs kiss* 🤌We will definitely be back again soon! @ilbasilicomonkton

Had a family meal here. Fabulous food, it would be a challenge to take in all the different aromas and not eat something. Everything we had was really good. Lovely atmosphere and attentive but discreet staff. Make yourself happy - eat here, you'll love it!!!

Evening was perfect. One criticism was the table was small for four

We have been here multiple times and it never disappoints. All of the staff are extremely friendly, especially the manager. Food is always excellent, especially the lasagne and pizza and their wine selection is extensive and again, delicious. Very friendly and accommodating restaurant with a great atmosphere. Would recommend to anyone.

We (party of 4) had lunch here on the 2nd of August 2023. The owner greeted us warmly, we had cannelloni, steak, pizza and a salad. All beautifully made; with pure, fresh ingredients. Quality is outstanding. Eating was an absolute joy. Next to this: This place served the best coffee by far I had in our 2 week stay in England. I would definitely recommend all who are in the neighbourhood to visit this place.

Lovely place, great atmosphere and friendly helpful staff

Fantastic food with great staff. Thoroughly recommend.

Great food and service. Thanks

fantastic place, we were here for the first time and we will be happy to come back, the best food at the highest level, delicious, everything fresh, served very nicely, the service is very nice, the atmosphere is great, we were super welcomed and at the end the staff said goodbye to us very nice highly recommends !!!!

Food was poor quality. Service was passable but young lady needs more support. Kitchen staff sat on oikes of rubbish outside kitchen not a good look. Toilets did not pass any cleanliness test and need a really good clean. Kichen looked chaotic from outside.

Lovely place. Friendly staff. Great food. Will definitely visit again and recommend it to friends and family

A little bit pricey but very nice food, friendly staff and lovely atmosphere.

We were first in after opening at 5pm. All was good but as you might guess, it was a little quiet.

Lovely meal on Father's Day.Great selection and efficient staff.

Food was delicious.I thank is the best Italian restaurant in Taunton (I tried all Italian restaurants in town) Staff were very friendly… It's a very nice place with grate atmosphere. Definitely I’ll come back for more 😋😋 Highly recommended

Great food and great service! Thank you

Nestled in the middle of the countryside, this Italian Pub is a hidden but well known gem on the outskirts of Taunton in Somerset. Good food and wines with a pleasant atmosphere it appeals both to the older generation and the younger folk with or without children.

Fantastic authentic Italian food but a word of warning: make sure you are hungry as the portions are VERY generous 😋