Island Restaurant Paignton zoo

You're sitting by the water at Paignton Zoo, fork in hand, watching ducks paddle past while kids press their faces against the glass excited about what they've just seen. Island Restaurant does the job brilliantly—it's not trying to be fancy, just reliable comfort food in a setting that makes the day feel special. The menu's straightforward stuff that works: sandwiches, salads, hot meals that won't break the bank (we're talking £ territory). The real draw is that you don't have to trek back to Totnes Road or the seafront for a decent lunch when you're already inside the zoo gates. It's the kind of place where you genuinely don't mind queuing because the views distract you.