The Guardhouse Cafe Brixham

Maybe it’s just me but whenever I go somewhere for a day, perhaps a wander round an estate, to the beach or for a tree climbing, rope swinging experience I always expect much more from the on-site café than it delivers. I never learn and take my own food though, I just wash the cardboard sandwich down with terrible coffee and have done with it. However, don’t despair and think all is lost because I have good news. There is a café which could rival any of the best and it’s located at a popular walking spot in Brixham, Devon.

I think The Guardhouse Café is flying the flag (literally, it’s terribly windy up there) for cafés everywhere and here’s why. Firstly it’s on the top of Berry Head so you can’t escape a bit of a walk to get to it which means you have to reward yourself with a nice bit of cake. Secondly the people who work there couldn’t be more helpful; they’re always moving the tables and chairs around to fit in the next lot of people who walk through the door. Thirdly the food is not your run of the mill, standard café fare; it’s so much better.

We actually set off at 7.45am on a Saturday to see the sunrise before heading to the café for breakfast. Sunrise was a roaring success and I saw so many things I wouldn’t have seen had I set off later: the birds waking up and a whole pack (apparently it’s a ‘flight’) of doves swooping overhead coupled with the seals in the harbour made me feel Attenborough-esque. We arrived at the café at 9.30am and they didn’t start serving hot food until 10am but with freshly squeezed juices and coffees (and the view) it wasn’t a problem.

There are two menus; the one with the full English breakfasts, eggs benedicts and what not and then there’s the blackboard. What a choice, and having been before, I know it changes regularly. I ordered The Catalan (roasted cherry tomatoes, Serrano ham and olive oil drizzled toast) as it’s something a bit different to start the day. It was a really generous portion, the tomatoes were grilled enough to be warm but not so hot that they burst and burned your mouth, the salad had a great dressing on and with the sundried tomatoes it was a great combination. With very good coffee and a fresh raspberry and apple juice it is probably one of my favourite breakfasts.

The other breakfast options were porridge (with apple and cinnamon, honey or maple syrup), cinnamon toast or green fritatta, something to keep everyone happy! If you’re down in Brixham I would thoroughly recommend a wander over to Berry Head for a stop in the café, it’s dog friendly too, but if I were you I’d take a book, have a seat after breakfast and then stay for lunch.