Seventh Gold in a row for Donkey Sanctuary restaurant

For the seventh year in a row, The Donkey Sanctuary’s on-site restaurant, ‘The Kitchen’, has been awarded a Taste of the West Gold Award.

The venue in the heart of the Sidmouth sanctuary picked up the Gold Award in the South West Café/Tearoom category, in the 2025 Taste of the West Awards.

The latest Gold Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of staff, who pride themselves in providing delicious locally sourced food alongside excellent customer service to their visitors. It follows on from another ‘Gold’ in the Hospitality Cafe Awards category, in the 2025/26 Food and Drink Devon Awards earlier in October.

Lisa Keech, Food and Beverage Manager at The Kitchen, said: “We are so proud to once again come away with a Gold Award from the Taste of the West Awards, after our recent success in the Food and Drink Devon Awards.

“In what is becoming a golden year for us, such recognition means a great deal to the whole team and a fitting reward for all our hard work.”

The Kitchen serves up fresh, local, seasonal produce, alongside unparalleled coast and country views, with diners safe in the knowledge that every penny of profit supports donkeys and mules here in the UK, and across the world.

Following their visit to The Kitchen, Taste of the West judges commented: "We had a lovely visit, the café is well presented, and the staff were friendly and efficient.” They added: “The food was good quality, nicely presented and good value for money."

The Donkey Sanctuary restaurant is open every day, except Christmas Day, from 9am to 5pm with last orders at 4.45pm. The sanctuary is free to visit, as is parking and dogs on leads are welcome. The Kitchen is open seven days a week from 9am - 5pm, with last orders at 4:45pm

For more information, please visit The Kitchen | The Donkey Sanctuary