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The Blue Ball Inn, Sidmouth, ENG

The Blue Ball Inn

4.2 (1136)
£25 and under
Pub
Stevens Cross, Sidford, Sidmouth, ENG EX10 9QL

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 10 times today

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighborhood gem
A resplendent thatched-roof Inn, located in the heart of Devon, two miles from the coastal town of Sidmouth. With eight recently renovated rooms, the Blue Ball is a snuggly, seaside treat of a place. Locally sourced seafood specials are the order of the day, supplied by renowned Cornish fishmonger Flying Fish, coupled with a well-stocked bar of real ales, liveners & pick me ups! Our cosy corners, eccentric finishing touches and curiosities make for quite the venerable experience. Only heightened by our splendid rear garden which promises to provide a welcome haven.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    £25 and under
  • Cuisines
    Pub
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 12:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    Blue Ball Inn has a lovely function room to be hired for any kind of function, receptions, celebration. Just get in touch with Blue Ball to book a viewing and discuss your event details with the management team!
  • Neighborhood
    Sidmouth
  • Parking details
    A big parking area is just in front of our Pub!
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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What 1,136 people are saying

The Blue Ball Inn reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.2
4.2 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.2Service
  • 4.1Ambience
  • 4.0Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • East Devon

    Good for groups

  • East Devon

    Vegetarian-friendly

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Blue Ball Inn offers a "lovely atmosphere" with "excellent food" and a "varied menu" to suit all tastes. Diners appreciate the "friendly staff" and "great service," despite occasional slow service due to busyness. The inn is "dog friendly" with a "great pub setting," making it a popular choice for many.
1,136 Reviews
  1. Christine

    Devon2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We booked for lunch on what turned out to be a very hot day. However it was pleasant inside and comfortable. We were well served and the food, as usual, was up to a very good standard. It is our "go to " place of choice. Christine Reader

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  2. Geoff

    Bath/Somerset1 review

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We were looking for somewhere for Sunday lunch. The meal was excellent - the food was well served, very tasty, neatly presented, good range of well cooked veg. and a superb gravy. The meat was well cooked and very tasty. Service was good with the servers polite, helpful but not intrusive. Attractive range of beers. We'll be back!!

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  3. Adrian

    London3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food, lovely atmosphere and great service. The young staff there are a real asset. Wednesday Supper club is highly recommended

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  4. Lynn

    Warwickshire1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our party of four went for a meal here while on a recent holiday. We booked a table on a Wednesday, early evening and ordered from their Supper Club menu. We all of us opted for the three courses at £25.50. We were all delighted with our food choices, quality, portion size, our drinks and the service was very good too. We told the staff member when we paid how happy and impressed we were with the food and service. If we lived nearby, I’m sure we would be frequent diners here.

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  5. victoria

    London3 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on June 14, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Good food but unacceptable service! Restaurant quiet but few staff and not attentive initially! Not greeted, had to chase drinks order, missing child’s starter! One member of staff apologised by saying that the outside was busy!! Another table'’s noise levels with children playing video games very loud ruined the lunch. Cheeses ordered were all from Lancashire! We were in Devon! Shocking.! Will not be keen to return as may have the same experience!
    The Blue Ball InnResponded on June 25, 2025
    Thank you for your review, You said the restaurant was quiet but then stated it was noisy, As for the Cheeses last time i looked Lancashire was in the UK British made. I do believe that the member of staff did try and make things better for you she even bought a cake out with a candle on, if you are going to review please mention both good and bad. and thank you for the, would recommend even after the fantastic review you gave us. thank you, jason and the blue ball team

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  6. Mary

    Devon1 review

    4.0

    Dined on June 13, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Friday night but not very busy Food good and freshly prepared Service a little slow but we weren't in a rush Good value for money ans sone ibterestongvthibfs on the menu We will return

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  7. John

    Hertfordshire3 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 12, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    A good and varied menu to suit all tastes, not your usual pub grub. Good portions, so three courses only if you are very hungry.

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  8. Lesley

    Devon3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Friendly staff, comfortable ambience and all four of us enjoyed our meal.

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  9. Gill

    Bath/Somerset3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent and inviting menu. Delicious food. Sadly no room for a pudding. We will return.

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  10. Peter

    Devon1 review

    1.0

    Dined on May 31, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 1
    We had visited the Blue Ball 2 years ago when we were in Sidmouth and as we were visiting again wanted to make a return visit as we had really enjoyed the food and atmosphere previously! I wish we hadn’t bothered, it was a disappointing and certainly not enjoyable…we certainly wouldn’t go again and wouldn’t recommend the food or experience there! We had booked a table but instead of being sat with the other diners we were placed in a bar that didn't seem to be used apart from the serving staff! We were sat on a small table right up against the bar itself. The only other people in there was a family of 4 with children and a dog! Another couple came in and were sat near the entrance. There was absolutely no atmosphere. The starter was fine but you can’t really spoil foccacia with oil and balsamic dip! My wife ordered Chicken schnitzel with chips. The chips were a very small portion but were quite dry and tasteless. The schnitzel which should have been crisp was soggy and not cooked properly. My wife had to scrape off the coating and try to eat the chicken. All it was served with was 2 smallish gem lettuces which were not pleasant and had to be left! At the end when the bill appeared and we weren’t asked did we enjoy the meal, however my wife told him it wasn’t good. He said he would tell the chef! At that point he didn’t but took 25%off my wife’s main course. We left as soon as we could and my wife started to feel very unwell and felt sick and had a very upset stomach, she had been perfectly well before the meal! This totally spoilt our evening and we stayed less than an hour before leaving and she had to go straight to bed as she was really uncomfortable. The lady of the couple was also complaining about her meal which she said didn't taste right!

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FAQs

The Blue Ball Inn is rated 4.2 stars by 1136 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United Kingdom
  3. Devon
  4. East Devon
  5. Sidmouth

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 10 times today
Google Map for The Blue Ball Inn

Stevens Cross, Sidford, Sidmouth, ENG EX10 9QL

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Sidmouth
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 12:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    £25 and under
  • Cuisines
    Pub
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    A big parking area is just in front of our Pub!
  • Payment options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Private party facilities
    Blue Ball Inn has a lovely function room to be hired for any kind of function, receptions, celebration. Just get in touch with Blue Ball to book a viewing and discuss your event details with the management team!
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