The Maltsters Arms

We went to the Maltsters for a family roast, the service was great and all the staff were very friendly and helpful, eventhough a very busy afternoon. The food was amazing, quality beef and pork, with plenty of veg to go around 7 of us. We felt the price was quite high, before we ate, but afterwards felt it was well worth it! Everyone left full and happy! A great experience.

Absolutely fantastic evening. I can honestly say it was the best food I've ever eaten the chef is very talented. Service was exceptional as was the welcome. Everyone was extremely welcoming and friendly. It was an amazing evening and cannot recommend highly enough. Will most certainly return at the first opportunity. Thank you to everyone!

We had such a lovely stay and dinner at this pub. All the staff were really friendly, the room was so comfortable and the meal delicious. I highly recommend this place for a romantic escape! The dog was made to feel very welcome too.

We came here last night for a meal with friends and wow the food was incredible! We had small plates, starters and mains and everything was truly delicious! Service was great and very attentive and friendly. Location is stunning by the water and the ambiance is great. Highly recommend and we will be back!

It's rare you go somewhere and every tiny little detail is right. This is one of those places. Food was absolutely delicious. The team could not have been more friendly and welcoming. The atmosphere was homely, comfortable and relaxing. What an absolute hidden gem in Devon!!

We had the absolute best time at The Maltsters Arms. The food was incredible – the lamb was beautifully tender and full of flavour, and the mussels were simply divine. To finish, the pecan and maple pudding was to die for! What truly made the evening so special was the team. From the moment we walked in, everyone was so friendly and welcoming. Our lovely waitress Annie took such great care of us, and Andy, the general manager, checked in on us throughout the night to make sure everything was perfect. Their kindness and attention to detail made us feel so at home. The atmosphere was wonderful, and you can really tell how happy and passionate the team are about what they do. It was a 10/10 experience from start to finish – we’ll definitely be back and can’t thank The Maltsters enough for such a memorable evening!

Stunning location beside an estuary. Truly peaceful. Wonderful, helpful staff. Really good food, beautifully presented. All this and very reasonable prices too. Booking essential

I have not visited since the days of Floyd and he woudl certainly be proud of what they are doing. The menu was exciting to the point that we wondered if some things would work, but they did and combined with great local ingredients, excellent service in a beautiful location, it was a great lunch.

Great experience — the staff were amazing, and the food exceeded expectations. It’s honestly underrated despite the strong reviews.

Fabulous 'locals' pub with great service, great team and amazing food. The braised Ox cheek is the best. Idyllic setting and brilliant rooms.

Droped in for a kayak in the creek..asked if I could park in pub carpark. No problem! Despite not actually being open they made me a free cuppa too! What lovely staff. I will return soon for paddling and lunch/dinner with my wife!

We went out of our way to make a first return in 31 years! Very glad we did. A smashing place. We stopped for lunch. The new (3 weeks) owner was very welcoming and helpful. The food was fantastic- we had monkfish madras and lemonade battered fish and chips - both superb. Great ale and wines too. A super spot by the river and a great cosy interior. Would thoroughly recommend!! Access road narrow in places - but you knew that, you’re in the South Hams!

A fantastic visit. Discovered this place on a ride out i and made a note of the amazing location along the river. Being mother's Day, I decided to treat my Mother and have to say it was a 5 star experience. From the funny and helpful barman to the delicious and passionately created Sunday roast. We all went for the lamb, one of the best roasts I've had. Each element of the roast was perfect and expertly cooked. Thanks for an amazing Sunday

The best pub Sunday Roast we’ve had for ages. Faultless service in a legendary setting. The staff went out of their way to give us all we wanted. Delicious food, locally sourced. First class!

Excellent food, brilliant hospitality and choice of local beers. Visited area for the week and ate here twice. Had the Christmas menu which was outstanding value and excellent quality food. It’s dog friendly and we were able to sit in a quiet area of the pub which was perfect for us.

One of the best places in the world to eat and stay over. We absolutely adore The Maltsters Arms - the food and menu is exceptional. If you are able, and are only carrying a rucksack I'd recommend taking the approx. 3 mile walk from Totnes along the marked trail - you'll encounter stunning scenery and a couple of wonderful pubs en route before being greeted by the stunning setting of The Maltsters Arms.

Fabulous food, incredible location. The burger was one of the best burgers I've ever had, just everything in the right proportions! My wife loved the lamb and thought the Crème Brulee was exceptional, so much so that we returned the next day just for dessert! Whilst we didn't have a boat, you can in fact reach The Maltsters Arms by boat and dock right outside!

For me personally, it was everything I needed. A lovely dog-friendly stay in a beautiful location. It can be a bit hairy to get to with some small country lanes. I'm used to these but others may find it a bit daunting. The pub/Hotel is located right by the river so you have small boats mooring up alongside. The staff were all really lovely and so welcoming. They were lovely to our dog as well. We had 2 rooms booked, one much smaller than the other. Ours was lacking in windows but that's just the layout of the building but my parents room was really nice with lots of space and a big bathroom too (theirs was an upgrade though so this wasn't unexpected). The food was very nice, highly recommended the cod and chips and the breakfast was great with lots of options to choose from and all freshly made. There's very little phone signal but there's free WiFi to help with this.

Have meant to do this earlier but been so busy, anyway called in early July to see the Pub once ran by the famous chef "Keith Floyd" how nice to find a room dedicated to the great man, with photos and clippings , so nice . Enjoyed a lovely lunch of local Mussels which were excellent, lovely location , very pleasant staff and great food! and being an avid "Floyd" fan eating in his dedicated room was a real treat, will certainly call again when in the South . Many Thanks to the staff and excellent Chef! Best Regards - Martyn Hamer.

Based in Cornworthy, the Maltsters Arms is located right alongside the estuary, with views across the river and countryside. I have visited this pub both during the summer and winter, I would say two contrasting experiences depending on the season, during the winter it is a very cosy pub, not too busy (from what I saw) and during the summer the attention is towards the riverside with revellers making the most of the numerous benches provided by the water, perfect for a sunny day. The bar itself sports a number of local and international drinks, and from what I saw was well stocked with spirits and a number of different wine options. The food was pretty good also, in the past I have had fish and chips which which I recommend, didn’t have food this time around however the menu looked exciting. There is a handful of parking spaces available to patrons however due to popularity during the summer months you might struggle to find a space. I would recommend this pub to anyone looking for a waterside pub, located in the countryside with good food and drinks available.

We been there this year end of May 2024 with my family to attend a wedding at Kingston Estate. We took two rooms and the room was very clean and tidy. The service and the Restaurant was very efficient and welcoming. Thank you to the management 🙏

Have known the Maltsters for years and it’s had ups and downs but the current business is great with super food great staff and those views are still stunning

What a fabulous location on the edge of Bow Creek, a very warm welcome from all staff, a great menu, we had Sunday roast Wow delicious..could not fault the food or service. Look forward to our next visit, thank you Erin & Matt and the team.

Our second stay here and when i return home, I will be booking a third for early 2025. Such an amazing, beautiful experience staying here. The food is absolutely divine. The staff are just fantsdtic. So polite, so helpful, nothing is too much trouble. The young French gentleman, Cyril, was on his own this morning, yet provided the highest standard of service to us. A real gentleman. We stayed in The Nightingale room, which was huge and overlooking the river. An absolute joy to awake, draw back the curtains and take in such a view. We cannot recommend this venue highly enough.

Sunday lunch (roast beef) was first class and that is praise as South Hams has some great venues - high quality food, lovely atmosphere, excellent service and good value - really enjoyable and thoroughly recommended. Well done new owners Matt, Erin and team. Debbie & Rupert.

We were a walk-in for an evening meal. The pub wasn't particularly busy but it took an hour from our arrival to our main course arriving. Two tables that arrived after us were served well before us (one with food before we had ordered) and my beer order disappeared for 20 minutes. Once the food arrived it was excellent, just a *very* slow start. Didn't order dessert as we had a 40min walk back and didn't want to risk another long wait for food and a walk in the dark...

Beautiful location. Welcoming friendly staff. The only thing that let it down was that the roast, is quite small for the price and only comes with a small veg plate to share between 2. The roast itself was delicious but yeah not overall filling

The staff are great, the pub is lovely, but the food was different than the online menu which was a bit annoying, we still liked the food they served, the road down isn't great, the views are great, dogs are allowed, the prices are ok, they add 10% to your bill for the staff which is ok as I always add 10% anyway. They had lots of staff so you're served fast, the food portion size was good, I would definitely come again. Thank you.

Lovely pub with B&B overlooking the river. Room we had was a twin. Nice size, plenty of storage, a chair, TV, tea and coffee making facilities. Small skylight rather than a window. Bathroom was a decent size. Shower is in front of the window, neither the cubicle or window is frosted so remember to drop the blind, just in case. Bathroom could do with a makeover but was clean and functional. Dinner got busy, so book, the food was fantastic. Had a brew by the river afterwards. Didn't have breakfast as we needed to be away before it started, they did offer to do make us a sandwich to take but we declined. Network signal isn't great, so it's a good place to unplug. Would stay here again.

Went for some food and drink during our recent visit to the area. a cozy place with good food and drink options. Spiced date sponge was tasty. When we went it was pouring but i can see that on a summer day this place would be very popular with benches by the river.

The bar server checked with the chef to find out which meals he could provide gluten free, they have gf buns and I enjoyed the cheese burger/ chips. Served plain, no side salad. We sat by the river watching the wildlife, which was a little breezy but dry, there is a sheltered area and lovely views from inside.

It was ok. Good service, nice view. Roast beef a little tough, Yorkshire puddings slightly overcooked, vegetables delicious. Pudding was good but a bit steep at £17.50 for the signature dish. Nice enough.

We've been going to the Master's Arms for a few years now and recently visited for Sunday Lunch. The pub's location is unique and it is still a really nice place to visit. The prices have risen considerably in recent months and the website menu didn't reflect the prices on the day. If you are charging £28 for a main it should be very high quality. The beef and the pork were both excellent but the accompanying vegetables were poor. You don't want to be pedantic but 4 roast potatoes between 3 people seems a little meagre. Most of the vegetables were undercooked and not worth the price. There is a service charge automatically added (I know this is fairly standard) but the service was below average with gravy coming quite some time after the mains and we had to ask three times for the bill. Again this could sound fussy but if you're paying a premium the service should be on point. I would go back for a drink but not for food.

I give it a three star because we have visited by boat many times and the outside space is so poorly maintained and dirty with glasses and packets of crisps it’s overwhelming disgusting. Yet you walk up to the bar and the young staff all sat on their phones doing the absolute bare minimum. Honestly It took 3 of them to work out how to make an Aperol Spritz. The manager or owner arrived and they quickened up slightly but honestly you need to train your staff! The food here I must admit is always very good but seeing all the piled up dirty dishes and glasses as you walk from the outside area inwards might make you think again. Sorry to be harsh but someone needs to say it. I wasn’t the only one in the beer garden discussing it!

This is a lovely location and the staff are amazing but..... The whole place could do with a deep clean, decorate and an update. The rooms are very dated and there is some seriously bizarre furniture. The carpets are disgusting, they don't look like they have been cleaned since fitting. It's a real shame as it would not take a lot of effort to make this a 5 star all round.

We have been coming here for quite a few years and used to love the Sunday lunch. This year, when we visited in August, we found that the pub had changed hands. The prices of the Sunday lunch have increased ALOT. We wanted to give it a go but we were left very disappointed. The meals certainly were not worth what we paid and were not a patch on what they were before. I ordered a roasted vegetable dish which was the only vegetarian option, and the portion size was tiny. Whilst it was tasty, I was left really hungry. My husband and two sons had the adults roast. Whilst the meat was cooked brilliantly, the gravy came late, the vegetables were hard and they were given 4 roast potatoes between them. They used to leave feeling fully, but again the portion size was poor. No apple sauce came with the roast pork like it used to either. If you are going to charge these prices, the portion size really needs looking at. It's really sad as we loved it here but certainly won't be coming here for food again unless the prices reflect quality food and service. We would however come for a drink. Such a shame as we loved it here.

Lovely pub in an idyllic location, let down by some poor service and overpriced, mediocre food. We were greeted by a a waitress who looked down her nose at us, who ignored our request to a pre dinner drink in the bar and showed us to the table. When we asked for a glass of wine we were only offered the house option, (when later a much friendlier waitress offered a wine list) and we had to remind the server that she hadn't asked about allergies. Starters were delightful, the crab cakes particularly, however the main courses were hugely disappointing, one of us went for a 48 day ages fillet steak which came to the table embarrassingly overcooked, when this was returned, the second steak was tough, I'm not exaggerating to say that an Aldi steak is better - But doesn't cost £50. Irrespective of us informing them of a paprika allergy, one of our party had a reaction, thankfully mild, but it was denied that any was in the food. They removed the service charge as a gesture, which I wouldn't have paid anyway. The rest of the staff seemed very welcoming and friendly, so I think we got unlucky, but I'd say overall the Maltsters is not worth the money.

Had lunch which was overpriced with small portions. The butternut squash with mushroom only gave you 1 mushroom with very small cubes of squash for £23. The fig tart slice was also quite small. Rather disappointing. The beer took ages to arrive. A let-down all in all.

I don’t usually leave reviews but felt I had to. We waited 15 minutes to be acknowledged for our reservation. High chair was absolutely filthy with food still stuck in it, I used so many wipes to try and clean it and was still reluctant to put my baby in it. The carpets really weren’t great either. We had a Sunday dinner, the meat & yorkshires were lovely but the vegetables really let it down. All of the veg was served in 1 dish and looked like it was cooked for someone with swallowing difficulties as it was so mushed. I had to spit the cabbage & carrot mash out. The parsnips were still raw in the middle and looked like they’d been cooked on a radiator. Someone with us ordered the burger which they said was lovely. Location is great but would never return due to the food.

First and last visit here. Car crash stuff unfortunately. Awful. I don't usually leave bad reviews but felt I had to for the price of it here and the way it's marketed to be ran by a top chef- Obviously not. (Important to note the reviews they keep boasting of online are 7/8 months old and came from when the previous Chef was at the helm. NOT the current chef. Blatantly misleading) I had the fish for main which was just a piece of fish (raw in the middle I might add) in a tomato sauce that tasted o bit like a thick Heinz tomato soup, no seasoning at all or anything resembling an ounce of flavour. It was just a very plain boring tasting dish with a shockingly disgusting presentation. My plate can only be described as resembling that of a mucus plug. My partner got the steak-I've never tasted steak so chewy in my life It was like rubber and obviously a very cheap cut of steak. As for the roasted squash, I couldn't get my knife through it, a hacksaw might have it. The accompanying sauce was putrid and tasted off. Clearly no tasting by the chef before anything had been sent out. Our experience really was terribly disappointing. We were actually thinking of booking the private room for my father's 80th but will be avoiding that based on the food and service we received last night. Given the place was not that busy it is completely inexcusable. Asif the overpriced and inedible food wasn't enough - To top things off a rat ran across the dining room when we were eating.

Never been so disappointed. As someone who goes here every year with my family for thr past 3years, we've loved going to the malsters. The service was lovely. The portions were good for the price. But currently with the new owners, it did not impress me- the service was terrible and didn't acknowledge us until we spoke. We had booked week before yet, we were cramped in a corner and the table meant for 8 which was next to us was split into 2 so two families were on the same table which in mind they did not know eachother. The portion of the food was very little- curry with no rice (I mean that's just one thing) but for the price it was not worth it. I'm not happy. Won't be returning sadly. It was a place we loved but now turned to something you'd see in London which is not ideal considering people leave there for a reason.