Taste of Sidmouth

A beach walk in Sidmouth deserves a proper reward, and Taste of Sidmouth is just the place. This family-run gelato shop sits on Old Fore Street, a stone’s throw from the seafront in Sidmouth, Devon. Dogs are welcome and it’s open every day, so it’s an easy stop whatever the weather’s doing.

Everything starts with the gelato, which is handmade in the shop every day in small batches, using family recipes, local dairy and real fruit, with no artificial additives. Cathy runs the business, while her children Sophie and Thomas make the gelato, and the team heads to Italy each winter to test out new ideas.

All that effort has paid off. The shop has a serious haul of Taste of the West awards, including Supreme Champion Product in 2023 for its Pear + Ricotta gelato and Champion Ice Cream in 2022 for its Mango Yoghurt. Choose from favourites like salted caramel, pistachio, black cherry and Biscoff, or try the flavour of the month. There are sorbets and vegan flavours too, and sundaes such as a banana split or knickerbocker glory if a single scoop won’t do.

It’s not all about the ice cream. You’ll also find coffee, breakfast baps, toasted sandwiches, pasties and homemade cakes, with hot food served every day, so it works just as well for a warming lunch after a blustery walk along the Esplanade as it does for a sunny afternoon treat.

The shop is wheelchair accessible, and the team also takes its gelato out to events, so get in touch if you’d like them at yours.