A welcoming Devon pub offering reliable, generously portioned comfort food, strong family and dog-friendly credentials, and good value, with isolated cleanliness and parking caveats.
The Tally Ho! Inn delivers solid food quality anchored by consistently praised pub classics, roasts, and generous portions, supported by notably attentive service that keeps diners satisfied. A riverside garden setting and relaxed atmosphere add appeal, though the venue keeps just short of the very top tier through modest design distinction and limited service expertise beyond warmth and responsiveness.
The Tally Ho! Inn is a relaxed, traditional Devon pub where the welcome is often as appealing as the plate: reviewers describe friendly regulars, chatty staff, a cosy interior and a large sunny garden. It is especially attractive after a riverside walk, with one visitor summing up the experience as a place where the atmosphere feels warm, companionable and easy to settle into. The food is classic pub comfort rather than culinary theatre: roasts, fish and chips, burgers, lasagne, steak, pies, chilli and substantial cheesy chips. The cooking earns unusually consistent praise for this category, with good portions, sensible pricing and several successful specials. The current menu broadens the appeal with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free choices, including a listed separate fryer reported by diners. One cleanliness complaint about sticky tables and poorly washed glasses is specific and serious enough to check, but it is isolated within this sample. Families are particularly well served: the menu includes fish fingers, cheeseburgers, sausages, vegetable burgers and chicken nuggets for £7, while reviews repeatedly praise the play equipment and garden. Adults can choose proper pub meals without forcing children into adventurous eating, making this a strong option for family lunches, casual celebrations and dog-friendly outings.
Area vibe: Regional city centre and surrounding residential suburbs with a relaxed, provincial feel.
Safety: Generally safe, well-lit residential streets with regular foot and car traffic in evenings.
What's nearby: Near Countess Wear suburb, close to M5 access, local shops, River Exe and suburban housing; not in city centre.
The strongest choices range from hearty fish and chips and steak to a well-priced vegan chilli, with a few dessert standouts too.
Expect an easygoing family-and-dog-friendly pub, but keep variable parking, busy-period waits, and one cleanliness concern in mind.
Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diners have multiple proper mains to choose from, plus a separately reported fryer.