Brightside Reviews 

Called in later in day basically dirty glasses and cutlery took 2 different staff members to sort it. Not the best food been in here several times when Sonia I believe her name is use to be manager and everything was perfect but gone down hill since she left. Stood waiting to pay for a while the manager on duty stood watching us but never came over had to ask a staff member to take our money its a shame as use to be perfect stop off.

We have recently been visiting Brightside in passing as have been using the A1 more. What a great roadside restaurant! The branch at the old Ram Jam Inn site near Stretton is amazing! Staff are professional, kind and have excellent customer service skills. Service is always fast and the food is delicious. This children love visiting; we have been a few times and always had a good experience. Prices are reasonable too.

Ate here (Honiton) on our way to holiday (27.6.26), and the way home (4.7.26). Very clean, tidy retro feel. Toilets very clean. Service welcoming and efficient. Food was very good quality, served quickly, piping hot! Fabulous service. Thank you.😊❤️

Just had a great meal! The Berries & Maple Mascarpone Pancakes were a standout-super tasty with fresh fruit, and I'd absolutely recommend them. The Brightside Breakfast my wife had was perfectly cooked too. Service was spot on, with friendly staff who made us feel welcome. Just a small hiccup with the coffee; it could have been hotter and stronger for my taste, but overall, it was a solid experience!

More Like Darkside Than Brightside

We visited Brightside (Trerulefoot) specifically for a one-off evening out to take advantage of their advertised 2-for-1 pizza offer. What followed was one of the most baffling and disappointing hospitality experiences I've had in a long time.

We arrived at around 7:45pm on a Tuesday evening. The place was virtually empty, with perhaps 15–16 customers scattered around a large dining area. The car park was also far from busy, so there was certainly no indication that they had been rushed off their feet.

Following the signage, we stood at the "Please Wait to Be Seated" area. Multiple members of staff walked directly past us, close enough to brush shoulders, yet not one acknowledged us, greeted us, or even made eye contact. We were made to feel completely invisible.

Eventually, a young member of staff appeared and asked, "Do you have any allergies?" After we replied no; excellent she said and started walking away before casually mentioning that if we were there for the pizza offer, they only had one pizza dough left.

I asked what exactly that meant. The answer? They were effectively out of pizza.

Let that sink in. A restaurant promoting a pizza night had run out of pizza by 7:45pm. On a quiet Tuesday. In a restaurant that appeared largely empty.

How does that even happen?

There was no apology, no explanation, no attempt to offer an alternative, no effort whatsoever to salvage the situation. Why not offer the remaining pizza and substitute another main while honouring the promotion? Why not make even the smallest gesture towards customer service? Instead, we were left standing there in awkward silence.

We simply turned around and left.

The entire experience screamed poor planning, poor management, and poor customer care. From being ignored at the entrance to discovering that the headline item being extensively promoted was unavailable before 8pm, it felt as though nobody involved at Darkside had given any thought to the customer experience.

We made a special trip for this offer, extended our journey just to get to there, and left without even sitting down. A complete waste of time and fuel.

Based on this experience, "Darkside" would be a far more appropriate name.

Visited the diner for the first time last evening, looking for a quick bite before a music gig in Honiton.
Although the decor and lighting were reminiscent of Little Chef, it was spotless inside and we were warmly welcomed. On browsing the menu, the server asked abou allergies, and as my wife has a severe allergic reaction to mussels we pointed this out. He pointed out there was a barcode on the menu to scan, select the relevant allergy and it would then list all of the safe menu choices. Never seen this before, so good start. We ordered drinks then food, egg mayo sandwiches, one with fries. The food came, and with a little cocktail stick red flag in one, indicating the diligence when preparing the food. The sandwiches were excellent, big chunky doorsteps overflowing with filling. The fries were hot and tasty. The toilets were also immaculate which at 6pm is not always the case in many establishments. A very good experience and we will return next time we are heading to Honiton for music.

Drove past many times but never stopped stopped this morning for breakfast at the restaurant on the a303 and what a fantastic experience food was amazing service fantastic very quick and the premises so clean you could have ate of the floor just wow will be returning

We went to Brightside Ram Jam. We cannot praise this restaurant enough. The staff were friendly and helpful. There was a selection of books for children plus colouring activities. Also, nappies provided for baby change, if required. The food was hot and delicious. Well done Brightside.

I had been visiting Brightside Saltash regularly ever since it opened. And I always had the Big breakfast and tea for one which comes in a small tea pot big enough for two cups of tea. However the Tea is very weak and I always ask if they can put an extra tea bag in the pot, as I like strong tea. On a few occasions I have been told " I will have to charge you for it" And I discovered that I had been charged £2.85 for a teabag!!! how petty and greedy does a company have to be? Whenever I ordered the breakfast I ask for no tomatoes with mine, but I don't get a discount and I am still charged for them!
I emailed Brightside to complain, but they couldn't even be bothered to reply. Needless to say I don't go there anymore.

The diner is clean, well decorated and larger than it looks from outside. The food is good and the prices are reasonable . Even on father's day they fitted us in a busy lunch time for a table for two.
The only downside was that the food was much later than the drinks but again it was busy so accepted that.
The toilets were very clean, no smells and the cubicle was roomy and not cramped like most are.
Overall, was very impressed and will be back again.

So I stopped into Brightside I Honiton on the A303, on my way down to Torquay today. It was not just that all the staff were lovely and helpful, or that the place was spotless. No, it was that there was a great menu and my food was excellent. I chatted with the staff and I now know the business is new, so wish you all every success.

Stopped at the Hinton branch, on A303, on the way back from Exeter. I had the brisket burger and my son the hot honey chicken burger. Both fantastic.

Staff were great, food was brilliant, superb location.

Will definitely stop here next time I am in the area. Can’t fault it.

Great job guys.

On our journey down, & on return from, St Ives we visited the Saltash restaurant. Loved it! Plenty of space, friendly efficient staff, great food, decent toilets. We were not surprised by this as we are fans of Lounges which have the same owner. Also visited the Exeter restaurant on return - not as impressed here. Food was still good but staff didn't seem as committed.

We had a lovely breakfast here, the berry & mascarpone pancakes were the best I’ve ever had; although very rich and filling. My husband had steak & eggs & it didn’t disappoint.

They were very busy on the bank holiday Saturday. We were told about the 30 minute wait and we were happy to wait. They needed more staff as the poor waitresses struggled to keep on top of everything but were trying their best. Lots of tables needed clearing & food was waiting at the service hatch.

We didn’t mind waiting as we were in no rush and enjoyed the food. The staff were polite and helpful.

We called for lunch today,and were really happy with our experience the welcome from the staff was great the food was delicious,and the whole place is spotless with muted music ,recommend it 100%, thank you we will call again

Exeter branch opposite race course.
Menu poor. Popped in for a light sandwich and cuppa tea. Smallest item available was a burger. Asked for basic light sandwich and offered sausage or bacon, not light when on long travel. What if I was vegan, nightmare.
Place was empty, understandably. Young staff very untidy in dress as no dress code and screaming coming from kitchens. What looked like manageress sat playing with mobile phone and unprofessionally chewing gum. Very loud music which may be okay for youngsters in busy restaurant but not for tired travellers no wonder place was empty, ended up leaving with headache and sadly will not be returning.

Visited the new Brightside Diner on the A303 near Honiton, and wow, what a fantastic experience.
The decor is amazing, really authentic but in no way cheap, made it feel like going back to my childhood!
The service set up/model and staff are great, really friendly, smiley and make you feel welcome. And best of all, the food. Really great food and drinks, especially the coffee, and the portion sizes left me very full!
Will be back again very soon!!