Devon may be known for its cream teas, rugged coastlines, and moorland hikes—but tucked among the surf towns and sleepy villages, a different kind of slow-living is taking hold: low-and-slow smoked brisket.
From countryside smoke shacks to beachside BBQ trucks, Devon’s brisket scene is heating up, driven by passionate pitmasters and a growing appetite for bold, smoky, fall-apart beef. Whether you’re a local, a campervan roamer, or a foodie on the move, Devon’s got brisket worth the detour.
🐂 1. The Pig & Pallet – Topsham
This rustic smokehouse-meets-butchery in the charming estuary town of Topsham is a must-visit. Their beef brisket is smoked in-house, carved thick, and served with serious soul—whether in sandwiches, on loaded fries, or as part of a proper BBQ platter.
The vibes are laid-back, the meat is locally sourced, and the flavour speaks for itself.
📍 Topsham Quay, near Exeter
🔥 Pro tip: Try the brisket & beer pairing menu—they often feature local craft brews.
🛻 2. Grillstock Smokehouse – Exeter (Events & Pop-Ups)
While Grillstock has evolved from its original Bristol roots, it lives on in smoky pop-up form at Devon food festivals and private events. Their brisket is pit-smoked the Texas way—bold bark, deep flavour, and a juicy finish that needs no sauce (but they’ve got great ones anyway).
📍 Check Exeter food festivals, beer events, and pop-up markets
🔥 Pro tip: Ask about the “brisket bomb” if it’s on the menu—cheesy, meaty, smoky bliss.
🍖 3. The Smokey Cow – Newton Abbot
The name says it all. The Smokey Cow is a South Devon treasure—an artisan smokehouse with a focus on ethically sourced local meat, smoked to perfection. Their brisket is rich, tender, and served with everything from charred corn to cornbread, depending on the season.
📍 Newton Abbot
🔥 Pro tip: Book ahead for their “BBQ Feast Nights”—they’re often brisket-heavy and sell out quickly.
🍺 4. The Dartmoor Inn – Lydford (BBQ Garden Sessions)
Set on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, this beautiful inn serves up seasonal BBQ weekends in its garden during the summer. The brisket is often slow-cooked over oak and served with local greens, cider glaze, and firepit potatoes. It’s a high-end twist on down-home BBQ.
📍 Lydford, Dartmoor
🔥 Pro tip: Combine with a day’s hike across the moor, then reward yourself with brisket and a pint.
🧡 Honourable Mention: Devon’s Hidden Smoke Scene
Devon is full of passionate backyard pitmasters and small-scale BBQ caterers who bring brisket to life at:
- Farmers markets in Totnes, Barnstaple, and Crediton
- Surf festivals in Croyde and Woolacombe
- Brewery taprooms in Dartington and Plymouth
Some sell brisket boxes on weekends, others appear at wedding venues or campsite feasts—ask around, and you might just stumble on your new favourite.
🥩 What Makes Devon Brisket So Special?
It’s the combination of passion, patience, and produce. Devon’s best brisket comes from local grass-fed beef, smoked low and slow with a blend of woods and spices that highlight the meat, not mask it.
Add in the sea air, the rugged landscapes, and a county-wide appreciation for craft, and you’ve got a brisket scene that’s laid-back but seriously flavourful.
✨ Final Thoughts: Brisket in the Wild South West
Devon isn’t just for hikers, surfers, and scone debates. It’s also a quiet powerhouse of low-and-slow BBQ, with brisket that rivals any smokehouse in the country.
So whether you’re chasing the coast, exploring the moors, or just hungry after a day on the trails—follow the smoke, and you’ll find brisket done right: tender, smoky, and cooked with love.
Got a secret smoke spot in Devon? A van by the beach with a brisket sandwich to die for? Tell us—we’ll bring the napkins.