May is shaping up to be an exciting month for the Plymouth dining scene with city-wide food festivals and new restaurants in Sutton Harbour. The city’s events calendar always heats up as we get closer to summer and this year is no exception.
This month is bound to be a firm favourite for foodies, so let’s take a look at what’s on.
Food Festivals
A staple of the Plymouth dining scene is its food festivals. There are a number of different markets and fairs throughout the summer season. Outside of May, you can find regular food markets at locations like Royal William Yard, just a short ferry ride from Sutton Harbour. In Sutton Harbour itself later this year, in September, we will again be supporting the ever-popular Seafest. If you love food and are keen to try out some staple dishes from different countries, you can find them in Britain’s Ocean City. If your stomach is already rumbling, what’s coming up soon?
Flavour Fest, City Centre: 31st May – 2nd June
For 2024, the largest food and drink festival in the South West just got even bigger. An iconic part of the Plymouth dining scene, Flavour Fest will return to the city to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
From the 31st May until the 2nd June, you can find the festival in its usual place stretching from the Piazza to the Sundial. Additionally, this year there will be an entertainment zone opposite the Civic Centre. This will be a place to relax and listen to some live music while you tuck into your food.
Expect to find over 80 stalls offering fantastic local produce with tasting sessions and themed demonstrations from the region’s top chefs. New for this year you can also book a masterclass, and take part in workshops or children’s activities.
This year’s event is sure to be a great one as they celebrate 20 years.
Pirates Weekend, Sutton Harbour: 18th – 19th May
While Pirates Weekend is more about fearsome fleets and flags than food, it’s still a great chance to sample what’s on offer at Sutton Harbour. With all of the entertainment, trails, historic ships, and sea shanties to see, it’s easy to work up an appetite. Or, if you’re running in the Pirate Fun Run or just all cheered out, it’s the perfect spot for a well-deserved rest and some refreshing beverages.
All of the usual food and drink outlets will be open for the weekend and ready to serve coffee, food, and ice cream! Plenty of the eateries offer outdoor seating but will also have space for you to take a break from the swashbuckling indoors. If you’ve still got plenty to see, you can also grab food and refreshments to go.
Check out our guide to Plymouth’s scenic waterfront dining venues for some inspiration. If you’re bringing your trusty sea dogs along, there is also plenty of dog-friendly dining in Sutton Harbour.
New Restaurants
The Plymouth dining scene has just grown again with the introduction of two new eateries close to Sutton Harbour.
MINT is a restaurant serving premium coffee, food, and cocktails in the former Quay 33 building on Southside Street. Their light and airy feel is perfect for a boozy brunch or an evening meal close to the sea. They’re already offering a huge menu with options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Plus, as summer rolls in, they’re looking to extend their outdoor seating so you can enjoy your meal alfresco.
Just around the corner, next to Rakuda Bar, you will find new neighbours Relish. A burger bar with bite, expect to find a cool atmosphere, dirty fries, chargrilled chicken, and drinks. They’ll be serving cocktails as well as beers, wines, and spirits too. Perfect for grabbing a bite on the go or to kick off your evening, Relish is open from 12pm until late.
New Menus and Dishes
During this time of year, Plymouth’s dining options get a bit of a shake-up with a menu refresh. Springtime sees plenty of Sutton Harbour’s eateries introducing new dishes or bringing back old favourites.
HonkyTonk Wine Library have the perfect pairing for a glass of wine while the weather is warming up. Order their Shawarma loaded fries tipped with Moroccan spiced lamb, tahini, yoghurt, chilli and garlic mayo and spring onions.
Boston Tea Party have brought back some firm favourites and introduced some new dishes for spring. A smoky salmon hash, a new House Salad, and the return of the popular Quesadilla with a spicy black bean and melted cheese filling. Plus, check out the new cakes for dessert like the Blueberry Bakewell.
Fig&Thyme are now offering their classic sharing board as well as a new board for one. You can have sourdough bread with a gooey boiled egg and smoked salmon with a side of house garlic butter, a yoghurt and granola bowl with fresh fruit and a pastry all to yourself! Other new additions to their menu feature buttered crumpets with avocado, smoked salmon, poached eggs, and hollandaise sauce topped with house dill oil.
Just up the road from Fig&Thyme, the Bottling Plant has been busy launching a new menu too. Their chefs have worked hard to offer new small and large plates, desserts, sandwiches, and brioche rolls. There are also new sides, cream teas and sharing platters available. If you’re looking for fresh, local ingredients served close to the harbour, this is the place to be.
Celebrating Milestones
This year marks one year since the Armado Lounge opened in the Old Fish Market building on the Barbican, alongside The Cornish Bakery and Pavers. The restaurant offers a solid menu consisting of brunch, sandwiches, flatbreads, burgers and more. To celebrate their birthday, they’re going to be hosting a birthday party for everyone to join on the 25th May.
In the daytime, diners and partygoers can expect to find a kids’ craft table, a dog competition, raffle, live afternoon performance and games all throughout the day. In the evening, there will be more live entertainment as well as plenty of birthday cocktails up for grabs. We have also partnered with the Armado Lounge for an exciting competition to win a meal for two and a cocktail each. All you have to do is like this post on the Sutton Harbour Facebook, follow us and Armado Lounge on Facebook and Instagram and tag who you would bring in the comments. The competition closes on Monday 27th May and the winner will be announced on Tuesday 28th May.
Overall, the strength of Plymouth’s dining scene is one to be celebrated with plenty of great places to grab a bite to eat. Sutton Harbour has so much to offer when it comes to places to eat in Plymouth that it is a must-visit. Whether you’re after global cuisine, a sit-down meal or a takeaway by the water, deliciousness and good times are guaranteed!
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