please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Nice pub, but a bit expensive on the food front.
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Not a bad pub to head for while on a walk. There's a decent front snug bar and a rather bland back bar. The beer isn't bad (Otter), but neither is it over wonderful (£3.20 pp).
The food is outrageously expensive and is of rather small portions for what you pay, so take your own and sit in the garden or buy some from the nearby shop. However, the food is very good (poncy), but probably not what is needed for the sort of passing trade they get.
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Lovely looking place in a beautiful part of Devon.
Sadly we found the interior not a nice as the pretty exterior so we had our drinks outside it in midwinter!
A little too touristy too
5/10
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Pleasantly surprised on my first visit here for a couple of years. The pub has changed hands a couple of times since my last visit, and the atmosphere is much improved. It was nice to be served by someone with a local accent, and there were several locals at the bar, not always the case in the pricey villages of Devon. The village now seems to have the pub it deserves.
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What a gem! A delightful pub tucked away in a gorgeous Dartmoor village. A charming and pretty barmaid provided the icing on the cake - what a member of staff to treasure! On my visit, Otter Ale and Bitter were on offer - in superb condition.
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Stayed in Lustleigh for a holiday in July and visited this pub on 2 occassions - the food was good and also the beer - a good pub in a lovely Devon village - the cricket field is next to the pub so if you are lucky you may get the chance to see a local game on a Sunday afternoon.
kewar - 27 Jul 2010 21:02 |
My wife and I paid a visit to The Cleave Inn recently and had another fabulous time. Things are really happening for the new owners, I met with the new chef who started recently, apparntly he used to be the head chef at River Cottage so is really into local food cooked really well. Can't speak highly enough of the effort and the change that has been put into this place.
Am very lucky that I don't have to travel too far to go back!
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Just to let you know that my comment below regarding �3.99 for Cheesy Chips is incorrect, actually a portion of chips or chips with cheese are �2.
If only i could go back now and have another pint of Taylor Landlord!
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Visited The Cleave on Saturday 13th June, what a change and a good one at that! Since the old Landlady has left the new couple/family that have taken on this beautiful pub have really made an effort to get it back to how it used be a long time ago! the pub it's self is probably in arguably the prettiest village on Dartmoor, Lustleigh is an oustanding place and the pub sits opposite the Parish Church and next to the Cricket Pitch. Myself and my partner had our children with us and they were happy for them to be in the bar and never said one thing to us, the place was packed as you would expect on a nice sunny day. The beer was well kept with 3 ales on hand pull, Taylor Landlord, Otter Ale and Otter Bitter all in good condition, there was a bellringing competityion on at the church and the pub usually closes in the afternoon, however they kept the pub open all day which says something about the new owners! the food looked very good although i didn't eat but was told that �3.99 for cheesy chips was a little over board, apart from that i can honestly say that this pub is on the up and i now well worth a visit at any time of year!
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Having read about this pub via another website, I can honestly say that its a real delight! The staff, in honesty are very, very strong and when we recently visited the place was heaving, so there was a slight delay in the food (which was worth the wait!)
This is a real find, and whilst it is a bit off the beaten track, I'd certainly recommend it for a visit. Also, worthy mention on the quality of the Real Ales, you can not beat a perfect pint of Otter Ale on a sunny afternoon (apart from a second one, of course!)
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My husband and I called into this pub one January Sunday lunchtime without any prior knowledge of it. Although we didn't plan to eat, we're very glad we did!
As keen walkers, real ale fans and amateur cooks we often find ourselves trying new places, and unfortunately we're dissappointed more often then not. This was not the case at The Cleave. All food is locally sourced and the friendly team can tell you where everything comes from, so if you want to know the provenance of the food you're about to eat then you shouldn't have any problems. Generous portions of piping hot and well-cooked roast beef with all the trimmings, followed by an equally lovely dessert and accompanied by good Otter Ale - lovely!
The team here is new and as far as I know have no plans to turn The Cleave into a ghastly-gastro; this is very much a country pub in a beautiful setting that also happens to have a good food service.
We would certainly go back and intend to do just that within the next few weeks!
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After reading the most recent review my friends and I were excited to visit The Cleave, meet the new owners and try the new food. However, on arrival the welcome was less than warm, and the food, which was apparently cooked by an award winning chef ,was less than satisfactory .The price has gone up and portion size down. As for the decor, it leaves much to be desired. We shan't be revisiting.
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After reading the other reviews, I am pleased to report that this beautiful pub has now changed hands. A recent visit offered excellent food from a new chef, a newly decorated interior and extremely welcoming staff. This great little pub has been revived and the atmosphere now matches the awesome location. Worth a visit!
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Thatched pub in a quite stunning location. Church, pub, tea shop, cricket pitch and a few thatched cottages make up this gorgeous village within Dartmoor National Park. Great area for walking, and dogs are welcome inside. The pub itself looks inviting enough from the outside, and once inside, the beer and food very acceptable. If the pub has a problem, I would put it down to the somewhat strained atmosphere between the staff.
Worth bearing in mind that the pub keeps some odd hours, not opening on Sunday evening, or all day Monday. Can also close for weeks here or there during the winter.
Worth a visit for the location alone.
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Arrived at the Cleave to catch up with some old friends on a summer evening. We soon left for another venue after the lady behind the bar was curt and unhelpful. after ordering about �20 worth of drinks we asked for some chips to go with it (as were advertised) to be given short shrift. Real shame, bcause the setting is beautiful. we will not return and neither will our friends.
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Lovely Sunday lunch - friendly staff but somehow lacks a little atmosphere - can't quite put finger on what. However, fantastic haddock and chips - worth paying that little extra for.
anonymous - 8 Jul 2007 22:19 |
lovely location, fantastic to sit outside with a cold drink with the dogs on a summer evening. Food not great fruit salad with everything including the steak and pepper sauce (all on one plate??). Interior lacked the charms of the exterior and had eau de chip fat.
anonymous - 12 Sep 2006 14:59 |
Quaint old pub but short on homeliness. Non-smoking throughout. Most locals drink further afield.
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Lovely pub, but don't go out of your way for the beer. Not that well kept. Typical tourist food trap.
anonymous - 8 Aug 2006 17:09 |
Lovely old thatched pub, inglenooks etc. Serves Landlord and Otter beers and good wine list. Very good food - huge portions! Serve great coffee. It's in a good area for walking, and dogs are welcome too.
Jules - 8 Apr 2006 13:28 |
