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I'm not familiar with that area of the UK although it looks beautiful. In most of the large cities you can find American chains including Starbucks. Also, Indian and Chinese food can be very good there.

If you are going to Devon you must get the Cream Tea (scones, clotted cream and strawberry preserves). Cheeses are good. Fish N' Chips. Indian food. Stick with that stuff and you'll be set but you'll also gain weight!

Pub food is usually decent if you stick with the basics.

I used to work in Devon, actually, so I might be of some help here. First, their breakfasts are much like our own, and usualyl include toast and jam, tea or coffee and maybe yoghurt or eggs. The heavier "English Breakfast" is mainly for holidays, special occasions or Sundays. Scones and clotted cream are very traditional in Devon and are usually served at tea time in the afternoon, but again, mainly for special occasions.
The rest of the food is going to be very basic: fish and chips, kebab shops, sarnies (or sandwiches on what look like modified hamburger buns), dry cereal for breakfast if you like that (try the Wheatabix, it's lovely), pot pies, and lots and lots of Indian and "Italian" food (read: spag bol - spaghetti bolognese).
As a warning, English food can be very heavy and in Devon, they use a lot of cream and butter, so if you like healthier foods, mind that aspect.
Otherwise, depending upon where in Devon you are, they also have all of the standard fast food options and starbucks, but they also have Cafe Nero, which is great and Pret a Manger (which is how a fast food place should be - McDonald's take notes).

Have a great time! You will enjoy it. This time of year in Devon is beautiful!

Devon grows excellent strawberries, and they're very proud of them. About the most exotic you'll run into are Chinese and Indian restaurants. Just remember that biscuits are cookies, chips are actually french fries, and so on - some of the food names are a little different. Very little ice in one's beverages, generally; it's not unusual to drink a soft drink at room temperature. I have never seen iced tea outside of hotels catering to Americans. In my experience, the American chains' products are not the same as they are here, although I haven't done Starbucks. But both the names and the products themselves are often different. I'm quite fond of Pret a Manger.

Devon is lovely, lovely country, and the people are very hospitable. You'll have a great time.

I lived in the UK for two years. My observations:

1. The English breakfast was actually more commonly eaten than you might suspect, eggs, bangers, toast, and a weird stewed tomato--at least amongst my male friends who drank :p Ordering white coffee with cream, although decadent, is nice to try once.

2. Pub culture is a must-experience--remember beer is served warm rather than icy cold as it is here. Also hard cider, shandys very popular.

3. I liked the food a lot--especially the sandwiches in plastic containers. For some reason, I've never had sandwiches quite as nice as the kind I got in Boots (UK drug store) and Pret-a-Manger!

4. Indian food is a must try, even if it's not big in the area where you are, so much better than the U.S.

5. Much easier to be vegetarian there than here.

6. Sainsbury's, Tesco's--my favorite grocery stores, along with the Marks & Spencer's food court. If you're dining in, definately visit a UK supermarket! The prepared foods are awesome compared to here.

7. Jacket potato--with an assortment of toppings are a big street food, usually served unless you ask with Flora (butter spread). Try some cheese and Flora on a potato once--decadent, yes, but sooo good.

8. Chips from a proper 'chippy' are a must.

9. As are flapjacks, much more so than scones, a wonderful kind of oat bar.

10. For diet food Boots' 'Shapers' sandwiches and prepared meals are great.

11. And above all, why would you go to Starbucks or McDonald's?

12. Oh, and I found Italian, Chinese, and Mexican food VERY bad in comparison to here.

Thank you so much for all of your help, you are great. I do not eat fast food here in the US, (I do frequent Starbucks) I was just curious about the UK. Like I said, I have never been and I had heard that English people eat a lot of organ meats, sausage and cheese. The only meats I eat are fish and chicken, and I can't eat cheese so I had this fear that I would be served kidneys, gizzards, and stilton at every meal and was hoping for a source of cheap nourishment, even if it entailed a grilled chicken sandwich. Your posts have put me at ease. I love Indian, Mexican, Italian... and plan to try new things (except meat and cheese) while I'm there. My friend that I'm staying with also just emailed me to ask if I had any food preferences/dislikes so I am feeling much better now. Does anyone have an idea for a good gift to bring his mother? If it is something American it will have to travel well or I would love suggestions to purchase when I arrive. Thank you so much for all of your help, I am really looking forward to my trip.

drink a Scrumpy Jack hard cider for me while you're there.....i can't seem to find any here in the Satate !!!!

My European friends love it when I bring maple syrup as a gift. Just don't put it in your carry-on! (You can get it in tins as well as glass, if you worry about that.)

Hi
My name is Richard and I'm the editor of the local newspaper here, the North Devon Journal. I got a google alert on your comment and thought I could perhaps offer you some reassurance!
You'll have no problems in Ilfracombe, or anywhere else in North Devon. Ilfracombe is a working fishing port, so there is plenty of fish available! If you walk down the harbour you'll find plenty of places to eat fish - both of the fish and chips variety described by previous respondents, but also some good and well cooked fish of all different knids in restaurants there. I don't know if you've heard of the British artist Damien Hirst, but he has a restaurant on Ilfracombe quay, which is excellent if a little pricey for everyday eating. I can also recommend a place called Espresso Bar and Grill - I had a whole crab there for lunch one day, and it was fantastic. I have it on good authority that a place called No 6 is also excellent, serving imaginitively prepared local food.
I don't think there are Starbucks or other American chains in Ildfracombe, but you'll manage fine. It is worth shopping around and I'd be lying to you if I suggested that everything you could find to eat in Ilfracombe would be top-notch, but I guess you need to shopp around wherever you are. If you're a real foodie and prepared to travel there are loads of brilliant restaurants in North Devon. Remember, if it seems to cheap to be true, it is probably rubbish!
Most of us don't eat cooked breakfasts all the time, however if you're staying in a hotel or bed and breakfast it will normally be offered as standard, along with other alternatives.
Pasties, yep, you ought to try them, and the cream teas are to die for - quite literally as too many of them are likely to have a serious impact on your arteries!
We do drink warm beer - that's real ale. But there is lager, which is cold, or Guinness and other stouts and plenty of local ciders and things to try. English wine is also up and coming - make sure if you want to try it you go for English, not British wine. English wine is made from English grown grapes at English vineyards. british wine is made in Britain from concentrate shipped in from abroad, I believe.
Hope you have a good time. If you want to know more you can look on our website, www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk - the food reviews might be interesting in the What's On section.
Good luck!

Curry!! Yum!

If you eat anything-eat some chocolate and don't miss out on the clotted cream! Both are more than delicious.:)

Have fun and Enjoy!