about The Salty Sparrow

It was on a chance visit to Tuckenhay near Totnes back in 1992 where I was fortunate to meet one of my food heroes Keith Floyd at his then pub, ‘The Malsters Arms (Floyd’s Inn.)’ My passion for cooking really fueled the pot so to speak. After copious amounts of wine and sharing stories with the wonderful Mr Floyd, it confirmed what I knew what I wanted to do – open a small bistro.​

Cooking and the joy of sharing simple but good food with friends and loved ones is a memory that goes back to being a small child. My parents were and are fantastic cooks and my culinary education started young. I am Australian born to a Danish father and Australian mother and with that alone I was born into a fusion of flavours. My father’s work as an artist took us around the world before we settled a couple of decades ago in the UK. My culinary education and quest never subsiding. A detour into a career in the financial sector  took place before my vision could finally evolve. Patience was needed and the right time.

During this time and on the side of a career, I have been fortunate to cook for Loyd Grossman, Tom Parker Bowles and Phil Vickery all for ITV, as well as film a commercial showcasing one of my recipes for Marks and Spencer. I have also extensively travelled the globe gaining further experience in kitchens including  Australia, Italy, France and Thailand where I also taught Thai cookery classes.

Cooking is an evolving education and I am learning new and wonderful flavour combinations every day. Too often food can be presented in a stuffy and pretentious  manner. That’s not what the Salty Sparrow is about. Our emphasis is on the enjoyment of simple food done well; the star of the show is the ingredients themselves. Good produce speaks for itself which is why we go to great lengths to ensure what is lovingly prepared on your plate has also been lovingly grown or produced. It’s all heart from the field to plate. Our venue maybe small but that’s why we like it. This way all our focus and energy can be put into the dishes we create to be enjoyed in an intimate setting, where we want you to feel relaxed and at home.​

We have seating for 16 in the bistro cafe with an additional 4 smaller tables in the enclosed secret courtyard (weather dependent).

It may have taken many years since that first visit to the region in 1992 and falling in love with this beautiful area, and in particular Brixham, but here we are. We made it! We have been welcomed with open arms from locals and visitors alike and all the team here at The Salty Sparrow look forward to welcoming you to our little bistro cafe near the harbour.

We are currently open during the evening from Tuesday to Saturday and on Sunday lunchtimes. We close on a Monday except for Bank holidays where we will close on a Tuesday instead. We welcome private bookings for your celebration events with exclusive use of the venue incorporating your taste and budget.

We absolutely adore children and dogs but we are restricted due to health and safety. For this reason regrettably, we are unable to accommodate high chairs. `Small well behaved dogs kept on leads are welcome in the courtyard garden and the bistro (space permitting).

Make a reservation by phone or drop on by – we look forward to looking after you soon.

– notes from Samantha, chef & proprietor of The Salty Sparrow.