Reviews
In just one year since opening the Restaurant was named 'Best Restaurant' in the North Devon Food and Drink Awards and received a Taste of the West Gold Award for its use of local produce.
James’s restaurant is featured in the current additions of both Michelin Guide and the Good Food Guide.
In 2010 James received a 'top diner rated' award from Top Table, the leading restaurant on-line booking website.
On the top travel guide website, Trip Advisor, James is rated in the top ten of over 850 restuarants featured for Devon. Click here to see top rated Devon restaurants.
Below is a selection of quotes taken from reviews posted on third party websites by customers after eating with us. By clicking on the website titles you will be able to see all reviews of the Restaurant on these sites.
Trip Advisor
10.07.09 West End food and service without West End prices
04.07.09 One of the best meals we have ever eaten
17.06.09 A culinary experience not to be missed
Eat Out Devon
15.07.09 Looking for somewhere that has excellent service and exquisite food then look no further than James Duckett at the Old Custom House
13.07.09 Anyone with an interest in great food should try this place - like us you will be impressed
17.06.09 We cannot recommend it highly enough, it is not just a wonderful restaurant, it is an experience to go there
Top Table
23.08.09 It was by far the best estabishment for miles around and was such good value. The service was spot on and food was wonderful
30.07.09 Well up to London standards and a great asset to the Town
04.03.09 James Duckett at the Old Customs House is a lovely restaurant and the food and service is excellent
15.02.09 If you are a serious foodie, then you must visit James Duckett at The Old Custom House for wonderful service and assured cooking of the highest order
Sugarvine
22.08.09 We found the food imaginative (e.g. cinnamon parfait) and exceptionally well prepared (e.g. a crab bisque that was both light and intense) and the service was attentive and friendly without being over the top. For the quality of the food, the prices are fantastic. Dinner for six, not counting wine was £150 and lunch for five was £70. This was outstanding value
07.08.09 The seven course tasting menu contained some of the most beautifully cooked dishes we have ever had. From the salmon amuse bouche to the final triumphant liquorice laden dessert, the menu was both beautifully balanced and cooked
17.06.09 The Lunch time menu offers wonderful dishes at incredible value and the dinner menu is hugely tempting, in fact, everything we tasted was divine, and exquisitely presented
Restaurant Guide
10.07.09 The food is perfectly prepared, cooked, served and presented
04.01.09 In James Duckett, Barnstaple has a secret that needs to be spread. Honestly, his cooking is the best non-Michelin food we've had! He makes great use of local ingredients with imaginative twists
North Devon Journal
11.09.08 The Old Custom House is a rare treat of a restaurant. The food oozes classy ingredients, freshness, imagination
Bilby Bites - food blog
29.08.10 I think if North Devon wasn’t so beautiful, we might not have seen him in the West Country, but thankfully, once again, the amazing local produce and picturesque location have lured a great chef to the area
