I found the most wholesome brunch spot in Devon

Just off the Devon Expressway, Riverford Organic Farmers is home to a Field Kitchen serving veg-centric brunches, lunches and supper. Expect fresh veg served in unexpected ways!

I recently visited Riverford Field Kitchen for brunch; here’s what it was like. 

Saturday brunch

We arrived on a sunny Saturday morning, and sat down to take a look at the four-course set menu. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. All food was vegetarian and could be made vegan on request.

Riverford advised that all courses are set, and they encourage visitors to try new veg – but they can accommodate for some specific dietary needs.

The courses always contain the following:

• Starter: fruits & grains (e.g. buckwheat porridge, strawberries, bee pollen) served with coffee
• Bread course: sourdough topped with veg combinations (e.g. mushrooms & kale pesto)
• Main: seasonal produce (e.g. wild garlic pannise, rhubarb brown sauce)
• Dessert: breakfast pudding

Here’s our menu for our visit on 23rd August!

Courses were served promptly, and tea and coffee is included with the meal (I was slightly disappointed that I wasn’t able to purchase a barista-made coffee, however!). 

My favourite course was the sourdough with hummus, slow roast tomatoes and za’atar, although the blueberry bostock (a cake) was delicious as well!

Lunch & supper

I’ve not tried it myself, but lunch and supper is also served, made with 100% organic ingredients grown within metres of the restaurant and served as a set menu as well.

It’s £24 per person for brunch, £34 per person for lunch and £37 per person for supper. 

Field kitchen garden

The Field Kitchen Garden is mere steps away from the restaurant – and once you’re finished eating, you can stroll through the planters and greenhouse!

Produce here includes 28+ types of tomatoes, sweetcorn, salad leaves, aubergine, squash, herbs, cucumbers, onion and chilli. It’s fresh from the soil, and Riverford try to use every part of the plant with as little waste as possible!

100% organic ethos

Riverford is proud to be 100% organic: 

• all produce is slow grown for flavour
• no artificial pesticides or fertilisers
• no GM ingredients or animal feeds
• no routine antibiotics
• free from artificial preservatives/colours
• the flower garden encourages biodiversity with up to 50% more wildlife and 75% more wild bees.

Workshops

Riverford Field Kitchen also arranges workshops! 

In the spring and summer they teach guests to grow their own cutting patch, create summer bloom arrangements and make dried flower wreaths. 

They also teach visitors how to grow veg, using tactics like vertical growing, crop rotation and harvesting.

Whether you fancy visiting Riverford for brunch, lunch or for a full day workshop, the farm and field kitchen is a glorious slice of rural, sustainable living not far from Exeter. It’s definitely worth the jaunt down the A38!