An intimate, open-kitchen Italian restaurant delivering unusually thoughtful, seasonal food and warm service, but reserve ahead, expect sharing-style portions, and budget carefully for wine and service charges.
Emilia delivers exceptional food quality anchored by house-made pasta and seasonal produce, paired with attentive, knowledgeable service that consistently impresses diners. The open-kitchen bistro setting creates genuine charm, though modest space comfort and split opinions on value for money prevent a higher tier. Strong execution across core dimensions makes this a reliable destination for refined Italian small plates.
Emilia is a tiny, warm Ashburton restaurant where the kitchen is part of the show: diners sit close to the chefs, watch sauces and pasta come together, and settle into a rustic room that reviewers often compare to a little corner of Italy. The mood is intimate and welcoming, with service frequently described as knowledgeable and genuinely friendly. One recurring practical note: this is a small room, so booking ahead is sensible. The cooking is seasonal, Italian-led, and more adventurous than a standard pizza-and-pasta trattoria. House-made pasta, ragu, seafood, offal, bitter greens, fruit, nuts, and carefully balanced vegetable dishes are central to the experience; the menu rewards diners who enjoy sharing several plates and trying unfamiliar combinations. Most reviewers find the flavours exceptional, but a minority feel the portions are too modest for the pricing, particularly when wine and service charges enter the equation. The current menu offers a £40 set menu as another way to structure the meal. Families should approach with some caution. The menu has simple-enough elements such as bread, pasta, gnocchi, ice cream, and familiar meat dishes, but it is not built around a children’s menu and many preparations feature bitter vegetables, seafood, offal, pickled ingredients, or complex sauces. It is better suited to adventurous older children than very young or picky eaters; contact the restaurant ahead if a child needs a plain or modified dish.
Area vibe: Picturesque market town and Dartmoor gateway known for independent shops and historic buildings.
Safety: Generally safe and quiet after dark with limited late-night footfall; main streets are well-lit.
What's nearby: Close to Ashburton town centre, independent cafés, pubs, antique shops, and access to Dartmoor National Park trails.
Start with house-made pasta and seasonal vegetables, then leave room for a distinctly Italian dessert.
This intimate, adventurous restaurant rewards flexible eaters, but its small portions, added costs and compact room are worth planning around.
Expect an intimate open-kitchen experience where the chefs are part of the evening and the room feels unmistakably small.