The Union Inn

Head up St Marychurch Road and you'll find yourself in one of Torquay's most genuinely lived-in stretches—the kind of place where locals actually drink, not tourists hunting for Instagram moments. The Union Inn slots right in here, unpretentious and welcoming, the sort of pub that's clearly been pulling pints for decades without feeling the need to reinvent itself. You'll get proper pub food done right, a solid beer selection, and a crowd that ranges from after-work regulars to families grabbing weekend lunch. It's the antidote to the seafront tourist circuit.