Why Ashburton Is a Food Lover’s Town
Tucked away on the southern edge of Dartmoor, Ashburton is often described as one of Devon’s best-kept secrets.
Visitors are usually drawn here by the beautiful surroundings, independent shops and historic charm. Spend a little time in the town, however, and you’ll quickly discover something else: Ashburton has become a wonderful place for people who appreciate good food.
What makes it special isn’t a single restaurant or attraction. It’s the collection of passionate independent businesses, producers and people who genuinely care about quality.
As locals ourselves, one of the things we love most about Ashburton is that every business seems to have its own story. There is a real sense of pride in what people do here, whether that’s serving exceptional coffee, sourcing beautiful local ingredients, creating handmade products, or simply offering a warm welcome.
Food isn’t the only thing Ashburton does well. The town has long been known for its collection of antiques shops, attracting collectors, interior designers and visitors who enjoy uncovering unique finds. We often think there’s a connection between the two — both good food and antiques celebrate craftsmanship, character and stories worth sharing. It’s part of what gives Ashburton its distinctive charm and makes it such an enjoyable place to spend time.
On any given day, you might find yourself browsing the shelves at Ashburton Delicatessen, picking up fresh seafood from The Fish Deli, enjoying a coffee at The Old Library, or, after a busy week, treating yourself to a takeaway from our personal favourite, Shahnaz Tandoori.
What we particularly love is how these businesses contribute to the character of the town. Rather than competing to be the biggest, they focus on being the best version of themselves. That independent spirit runs throughout Ashburton and helps create the warm, welcoming atmosphere that both locals and visitors enjoy.
Of course, Ashburton’s location plays a huge role too.
We are fortunate to sit between Dartmoor and the South Devon coast, surrounded by some of the country’s finest produce. From fresh seafood and artisan cheeses to outstanding meat, vegetables and seasonal ingredients, there is an abundance of inspiration on our doorstep. For chefs, it’s a wonderful place to live and work.
At Kore, seasonality sits at the heart of everything we do. Our menus are shaped by what’s available, what’s tasting its best, and what feels right for the time of year. We believe food is at its most enjoyable when it reflects the place and season in which it’s served.
When we created Kore, we wanted to contribute something special to Ashburton’s food scene.
With just 22 seats, we’ve intentionally kept things intimate. We wanted to create a space where guests can slow down, connect with friends and family, and enjoy thoughtful, chef-led dining experiences in a relaxed setting. It’s a different pace from larger restaurants, and that’s exactly what we love about it.
We created Kore to reflect many of the things we love about Ashburton — warmth, craftsmanship, seasonality and bringing people together around a table.
We hope visitors discover a little of that spirit while they’re here.
If you’d like to learn more about what’s happening at Kore, you can explore our upcoming events and experiences on our What’s On page.
Featured illustration by Teresa King