Devon welcomes its second Brightside Roadside restaurant

Loungers, the leading national all-day café-bar and restaurant operator based in Bristol, has opened its second site in Devon and third Brightside overall.

Following on from the opening of Brightside Saltash, which opened in June, and Brightside Exeter, which launched in February, Brightside Honiton now welcomes travellers on the A303. 

Replicating the interiors from its Exeter and Saltash sites, once inside, visitors are transported back in time by a look and feel that is nostalgic and familiar, yet fun and modern, evoking memories and excitement of childhood road trips. 

A look that has already become a favourite with Brightside visitors, the almost-cinematic interior scheme takes inspiration from the 1970s and 80s, caravan interiors, classic road trip movies and memories of roadside dining and holidays from a bygone era. The walls are panelled in rich cherry wood veneer inset with British landscape artwork, stone, and a vintage countryside view mural, while the floor is covered in wooden parquet.  

The dining area is furnished with creamy Formica=topped tables, with mid-century inspired dining chairs, and booths upholstered with orange and brown striped train seat fabric. The nostalgia continues in the bathrooms complete with 70s bathroom fittings and terrazzo flooring. Outside is a real treat with crazy paving flooring, caravan awnings to the windows, concrete leaf block screen walls and raised planters creating a restful alfresco oasis.  

Alex Reilley, Founder and Chairman of Loungers plc, said: “The south-west is now well served by Brightside, so travellers heading down to Cornwall and Devon will be able to experience our reinterpretation of roadside dining. We’re opening Honiton slap bang in the middle of the summer holidays, so holidaymakers can rest assured we’re there to make their day that little bit better! We’re renowned for good old-fashioned top-notch hospitality and really excellent, wholesome food. Throw into the mix warm, welcoming and stylish surroundings and you’ve got something really special.”

Brightside’s menu features elevated comfort food with a twist – breakfasts with potato croquettes and a tasty new take on the classic tinned tomato, incredible burgers, sourdough pizzas with homemade San Marzano tomato sauce, and an updated ham, egg and chips, featuring treacle-cured pork belly, waffle fries and a charred pineapple and chilli salsa. Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy a delicious selection of sunny sundaes, the Brightside Brownie with soft serve ice cream and chocolate sauce, or a slice of cake for the road. Brightside will be family-friendly, with lots on offer for little ones. There are also plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. 

Sure to be popular with locals and those living nearby as well as holidaymakers, there’s the After School Club where kids enjoy a free meal from the Bright Sparks menu with every adult meal (Wednesdays from 3pm) and Twice the Slice! – any two pizzas for the price of one (Tuesdays from 4pm). 

Alex Reilley continues: “We’re looking forward to meeting lots of locals. Brightside is an excellent place to take children for a treat on a rainy day. We’ve also noticed our ‘Instagrammable’ interiors are proving a hit on their socials for those wanting to eat somewhere a bit different.”  

Brightside will share the same core values as Loungers’ Lounge and Cosy Club brands – a focus on all-day dining to appeal to a broad audience, a fierce commitment to value-for-money, run by teams that deliver exceptional service. Brightside restaurants will be friendly, warm and wholesome and will endeavour to bring back the pleasure of heading out and exploring.  

Loungers believes there is scope to create a truly national brand and has ambitious plans to roll out Brightside to all corners of the UK.