Customer Comments

Hi Rob and your Team, Thanks a lot for the delicious dinner we had at Steps Bistro.
Steps was the only restaurant in Torquay we were twice for dinner during our 10 day holiday.
For me and my girlfriend the Steps is excellent value for money and simply the best we have been in Torbay.
I also made a recommendation in tripadvisor. Best regards Rolf 2nd July 2009

Dear Rob, Thanks for a fabulous evening on Friday. Everybody had a really great time, and when the young people of Torquay serenaded our oldies as we crossed the road opposite Hoopers, it kind of added that extra touch !! If we ever come back to Torquay we will be sure to pay you a visit. All the best,

Hi, We ate at your restaurant last Friday night, the food and service was superb. The goats cheese and salad was stunning the best salad I have ever tasted. Will be telling everyone who is off to Torquay about this little hidden gem. Thanks. Deb Senatore

We met Rob when we popped in on Saturday to book a table for that evening, and we were surprised with the ambience of the bistro and the fantastic value for money that he offered. He is so enthusiastic, and has given the restaurant a real comfortable feeling and when we ate his food, Wow! We had the set 2 course menu and could not reach the 3rd course, he promised us generous portions and he wasn't joking, absolutely loved his Chicken Roberto, his travels to Italy influences his cooking as the chicken was tossed in thyme and garlic and was stunning, and his wonderful homemade chips, hardly anyone does homemade chips anymore and they were super! Please put this on the main menu Rob as it was delicious. Can't wait to eat there again. Fantastic quality and value by someone who clearly cares about the customer!
See you soon, Lili and Chris, Cornwall

Steps is a great place to eat, high standards, we eat there only five days a week that's due to good service good food Rob and his team are all great. One week we ate six days in a row and one party in evening I must be rich? not at all steps is value for money try it for yourself all the best Rob from Tony Julie Katrina John Benjamin

We found this by recommendation whilst on holiday from Suffolk. It is well hidden away but worth the effort to find. Lovely surroundings with everything done to a very high standard. We arrived at an awkward time of day and our party had a variety to teas, snacks, lunchs and sweets yet the staff were not fazed by our odd selection and were extremely friendly and accomodating.

Great food, mainly traditional English/Italian and very reasonably priced. You won't find much better and we'll definitely return when next in Torquay.

We locals try to keep these little gems to ourselves but once you have been to Steps you're inclined to boast about it. The food which is freshly cooked and made with mainly local ingredients (in season where possible) is superb. Everything about the place suits your every mood. Whether it is for a quick office lunch (which you can 'phone in and pre-order), a leisurely, relaxed meal with a group of friends, mid shopping snack on your own or a special occasion celebration Steps is where to go. I have done all of the above including our silver wedding anniversary last year and can, therefore, highly recommend all.
Rob is the owner/chef and has that magic touch which is what gives Steps the special X factor that many try to achieve but sadly never will. He and his staff very quickly become friends and you are always made to feel special without intrusion or lack of quality, service and attention to detail.
Try the burger with mushroom or pepper sauce (not your burger in a bun made with plastic ingredients) or any of his soups with homemade breads. Where else can you eat such quality at such reasonable prices. I dare you to go there and try to disagree with me. You won't be able to.
I'm a Steps addict and once you've been so will you be. Lorraine Goodrich

Meal was fantastic, excellent value for the money, staff were very friendly, helpful and attentive, the facilities and decor were above standard all together the occasion was an absolute joy. Thanks Rob for the recipe I will keep it a secret, and hope to see you again soon for another fantastic experience.

Have eaten here many times before, when going out for a special occasion in the evening. But today my wife and I were walking past the Steps Bistro at lunch time, saw their board outside, and went on in. As always the place was spotlessly clean, and tastefully decorated. We found that the lunch time menu was as excellent as the evening menu. This means that you can enjoy the same high standard of food and service that you would expect of a top notch restaurant, but as you eat a snack for lunch. The food is very reasonably priced. The quality, presentation, service and attention to detail are excellent. Proving that if you love your food this is the only place to eat both night and day. Whatever the occasion.
Will be going back again soon.
Carole & Adrian (Paignton)

Had a fantastic evening. The service was superb the food was perfect. Without a doubt the best restaurant i have been to in Torquay in a long time :-)

Took my husband out for his birthday last Saturday and chose Steps Bistro as we had heard good reviews about it but had never tried it. Called to make a booking, spoke to a lovely guy who was very friendly and professional. Walking to Steps on Saturday night we bumped into friends of my husbands, who had just eaten there who highly recommended it also.
We had starters of breaded mushrooms and jalapeno peppers which were good size portions but once the main courses arrived I realized that I should've just had a main course! My husband had steak, lyonaise potatoes and vegetables, which he highly recommends. We particularly liked the fact that the price of steak INCLUDES a sauce of choice and that everything including the bread is homemade! I had the Spinach and Ricotta cannelloni which was not only a very generous size portion but came complete with garlic bread & dressed salad. All in all a bit of a feast - and delicious too. The waiter was very good and very friendly. The chef is a lovely guy too who came out to chat - would definitely go back again and would recommend anyone to try. They have a website with an up to date menu on it and the choice is great. Give it a go, we definitely will go again!

I did say that I would send feedback; on behalf of myself and all the members of Wycombe Area MG Car Club that dined at STEPS on 7th Sept 08, a huge thank you for going the extra mile. Not only did you open especially for us you also produced a bespoke menu, you arranged the seating so that for once we were all able to talk to and enjoy each others company and then treated us to a superbly cooked meal served by friendly and efficient staff, it truly was one of the highlights of our weekend in Torquay. Thank you all very much for making it an evening to remember.
Regards Roger Anderson

We would like to thank you for the hospitality and excellent quality of food we received in Steps when we visited on Saturday 21st February before heading onto the Pop Goes the 80s concert at the Princess Theatre.

My husband and I enjoyed our first weekend away together since having children 17 years ago, with the meal at Steps adding to the experience and we look forward to our next visit to Torquay and Steps.

Lorraine Goodrich

This must be one of the best Restaurants in Torquay if you have not had the Steps experience then take yourself along and get it.......They change the menu regularly and each time you think oh no my favourite is not there so you choose something else and true to form you have a new favourite dish - so this is never ending - Service is great and the Chef will always come and have a friendly chat - if and when he can get away from his very busy Kitchen - phone and book - we go for lunch but I have had very good feedback about the evening and weekend meals.....Great.

Recently visited Torquay for the weekend and was recommended by hotelier . A party of four of us arrived just before opening. We were made most welcome by the owner and the food and the ambience was superb. Better still was the bill which represented excellent value. Will definitely visit again the next time we are staying in Torquay.

10 out of 10 thank you Paul (Redditch Worcs)

08/11/08 Rob I would like to thank you and your staff for a wonderful evening at the Steps Bistro. The Rotary Club of St Neots St Marys attended a conference in Torquay in October and 30 of us enjoyed a meal at your restaurant on the Friday evening. All the members and partners have nothing but praise for the quality of the meal , the ambience and the service - first class. Will definitely recommend to friends and family.

01/11/08 Hi there Steps team, you really are a watering hole in an oasis!! to dine with you once is a pleasure, but to dine a second time in the space of two days is a delight! Everything is to perfection and you rice pudding is to 'die for'. Many thanks for two wonderful dinners and I wish you every success. The menu is creative and suitable for every taste.
well done and thank you - Jane Evans from Walsall

31/10/08 Hi Rob,I would like to say Thank you for making Celia’s Birthday so special. The personal service, attention and welcome that you gave were outstanding. Only to be followed by the high standard of food that we have become so Accustomed to. Once again thank you and your staff for such a great meal.
Regards David & Celia

As regulars to your bistro we felt qualified to give our candid opinion on our findings.
We are always met in the pristine restaurant in a very friendly manner by either the front of house staff or sometimes the owner Rob. The service is second to none and the food is not only variable but always excellent & very reasonably priced.
We have spread the word & know for a fact that all our recommends have been equally more than happy with everything at Steps Bistro. Many thanks Rob & staff and see you again soon.

Our venue for tonight’s review was the hidden gem that is Steps Bistro. It is not often that you visit a restaurant which immediately has a very positive first impression - lovely atmosphere, a warm welcome, wonderful food beautifully presented and clean and efficiently run. Tucked away just off Torquay harbour side – away from the busy hustle and bustle of the harbour life Steps is the perfect venue for any occasion!

I have been looking forward to doing this review, Steps has always had a positive reputation but like any business over the last five years it has seen some major changes, for those of you that have not experienced the new Steps I would thoroughly recommend it. It is bright, modern and now quite spacious. Steps has undergone a complete refurbishment and the whole feel of the new Steps is very intimate but still managed to keep the little bit of magic that it has always had.

The menu is very comprehensive with a good selection of various meats and fish. To start I chose the Avocado with Prawns & Brixham Crab With Marie Rose Sauce and my partner went for one of her favourites Deep-fried Camembert Served with Sweet Chilli Dip.

There are a good selection of wines and drinks to suit all tastes and budgets and I may had that even though there was only one waitress on that night the service was attentive and excellent.

For main course my partner chose the 10oz Rump Steak, served with French Fried Potatoes and Salad and decided to have the Stilton & Port Sauce. This was cooked to perfection and the Sauce was just amazing and full of flavour. Being a lover of fish I choose the Local Bay Scallops served with French Fried Potatoes and Fresh Vegetables. The texture and flavour of the Scallops has to be one of the best that I have ever tasted. The presentation and the freshness of the vegetables was second to none.

We decided to share a dessert and opted for the Home Baked Chocolate Fudge Brownie with Salcombe Dairy Vanilla Ice Cream & served with Belgium Chocolate Sauce. Once again we were served with another fantastic home cooked dish which was a definite must for chocolate lovers. The Brownie was crunchy but chewy and was delicious with the Belgium Chocolate Sauce and Vanilla Ice Cream.

Steps are open for Lunch 11.45 to 2.30pm and for Dinner from 6pm till late Wednesday to Saturday 12.30 to 7.30 on Sunday. As with the dinner menu there are a wide range of home-cooked dishes on the lunch menu to suit everyone’s tastes and occasion.

Steps Bistro has an up to date website with various information about the Bistro and you can take a look at the menu – which I think is an excellent idea.

At the moment Torquay is on the verge of a major positive change and it is businesses like this, with quality and service that will no doubt be pushing this town in the right direction.

Well done Rob, I hope your business goes on from strength to strength, I shall most certainly be recommending you. Jamie Sinclair

My husband and I came in for dinner on Sunday 5th October. We both had the
cod which was the best we have ever tasted. The service from the waiter
was excellent and the food amazing, and the atmosphere relaxing..this was
our first visit but certainly not our last.
Caroline and Chris Bradshaw Torquay

I decided to have Sunday Dinner at Steps and I am so glad I did .I had the Cod, my Sister had the Beef in Sauce and my Aunt had the Beef Roast, the vegetables were cooked to perfection, not over cooked but lovely and crispy also the Sauces were very tasty and best of all Home Made! When I revisit my Grandmother I will have a date in my Diary for another meal at Steps! Thanks Chef and Colleagues........Jennie Rose Hertfordshire

Having visited your restaurant for lunch, often with friends, upwards of a dozen times over the past few months I can honestly say that I have never experienced such a consistently high quality luncheon experience and at such good value for money. Thanks very much to you and to your fellow team members for the time and effort you each continue to invest in our dining enjoyment! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
John Twine Torquay