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Ratings and reviews

Travellers' Choice2023
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
About
A small licensed riverside cafe. Offering good quality, local produce. Outstanding location with plenty to do for the entire family. See you soon!
PRICE RANGE
US$8 - US$18
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
CUISINES
Seafood, Cafe, British
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
Reviews (199)
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199 results
Traveller rating
151
23
10
6
9
Traveller type
Time of year
LanguageEnglish
Traveller rating
151
23
10
6
9
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All reviews cake fish stew tacos sardines pizza bruschetta fries beautiful location delicious food light lunch waters edge hadn t lovely lunch great setting cafe restaurant sunny day sit outside
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Reviewed 21 October 2023

Always worth the trip down from Exeter! We received the warmest welcome from the owners, the staff are always so friendly and helpful. We sat in the covered heated outdoor tent looking over the dart, the views were amazing and so was the food. Thanks...again for a lovely lunch. XxxMore

Date of visit: October 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 20 September 2023 via mobile

Visited with friends for lunch menu and received the usual lovely reception from the staff. My smoked mackerel hash with leaf side salad was delicious. Great real cider and beer from just up the road. My wife had lime with angostura bitters which was fantastic....Our friends burgers were reportedly excellent and home made. Look forward to returning when we are next in the area.More

Date of visit: September 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 13 September 2023

we dropped in here for lunch, lovely table in the marquee by the water. Two of the party were dairy free and we excitedly read the menu seeing great options for us. The butter bean soup with salsa verde was tried by us all and...was fab, the braised fennel pasta was lovely and fresh and light and the best pasta I’ve eaten during two weeks in Devon, and none of the warm focaccia was left which says it all. Highly recommend for food, setting and staff, thank youMore

Date of visit: September 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 13 September 2023

On holiday nearby and delighted to find this lakeside area. Lovely to watch children successfully crabbing and others having fun in some of the many small boats available to hire. The cafe is great and very busy.

Date of visit: September 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 11 September 2023 via mobile

A first time visit for us on a beautifully sunny day. We both ordered the potted crab- v tasty it was too. Shame the pot was topped up with toasted breadcrumbs though & not sure what purpose they served.

Date of visit: September 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 9 September 2023 via mobile

We have been here before for lunch and the location, staff and food where excellent. Went for Dinner last evening and were disappointed. It seemed like organised chaos. They took ages to bring out the starter. My wife’s curry arrived ages before my Pizza. I...just don’t think there were enough staff. Shame. We will give it another try and hope things improve.More

Date of visit: September 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 8 September 2023 via mobile

Great spot, friendly staff and ample parking! Beautiful place to spend a few hours. Scenery is beautiful and lots of families crabbing along the dam wall.

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 5 September 2023 via mobile

Always fabulous any time of day. Brilliant staff and service, delicious food and drinks. Wonderful atmosphere. The best coffee anywhere!

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 2 September 2023 via mobile

Great breakfast on bank holiday Monday. I opted for the Mackrell fillets, 3 decent sized one turned up, with a perfectly cooked egg on gluten free toast. What more could you ask for? Just wish this place wasn’t 4 hours from home, otherwise we’d be...here more often!More

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 27 August 2023 via mobile

Great location and interesting but slightly limited lunch menu. Middle Eastern style food which was delicious. Perhaps could add one simpler item as well as one pizza choice for younger family. We were scouting for places to take family in the future. Not a problem...today as we all really enjoyed our food but would hesitate to return with children. Will check menu prior to booking againMore

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 20 August 2023 via mobile

Always visit Stoke Gabriel every year on holiday and nip in The River Shack Great memories every year of crabbing with the family and a nice light bite in The River Shack Love the village and the vibe Be back next year

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 10 August 2023 via mobile

Lovely location on the River Dart. We kayaked to the shack for pizza on their Thursday pizza night. Limited menu but fab pizzas. The special spiced lamb pizza was a triumph. The loos were less of a triumph but probably heavily used by passes by...but I chose not to use them!More

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 4 August 2023 via mobile

Beautiful surroundings.. delicious food.. attention to detail.. friendly service.. probably a well kept secret.. Will be back. Thank you

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?
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Reviewed 30 July 2023 via mobile

Called in for coffee and cake on a sunny afternoon. Lovely setting beside the river. Busy when we got there but quickly got a table for coffee & jam/cream scone. Will return for pizza soon.

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 30 July 2023 via mobile

Beautiful breakfast, pancakes were delicious, yoghurt and fruit very tasty! Lovely spot of weather good. Great staff, especially Polly 😊

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Questions & Answers
Ask a question
AbigailA648
16 May 2022|
Answer
Response from Helen D | Reviewed this property |
No, but there is a very good caravan site nearby.
0
Votes
valeriehD4856TR
22 October 2020|
Answer
Response from charbuckland | Reviewed this property |
The staff use the portaloo (hired by the river shack) to limit contact with customers due to coronavirus. The owners don’t actually own the toilets on the property, they are owned by the same man that owns the car park
-1
Votes
Tubs02
9 September 2020|
AnswerShow all 2 answers
Response from valeriehD4856TR |
Yes its a privately owned car park 35 to park whether its 1 hour or all day still £5
0
Votes
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THE RIVER SHACK, Stoke Gabriel - Updated 2023 Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about The River Shack

Yes, The River Shack is taking precautions against COVID-19. A full list is available within the "safety precautions" section of this page.

The River Shack is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4.5