Painted Fan

The Painted Fan has been one of Barnstaple's most enduring Chinese restaurants since the 1970s, housed on Holland Street just off the town centre. The menu covers the full breadth of British-Chinese cooking — king prawns in black bean, crispy duck, and a wide selection of combination sets — but the real draw for regulars is the all-you-can-eat option, served in smaller plates ordered from the full menu rather than buffet-style, priced at around £17 a head. Reviews consistently praise the generous portions and the relaxed dining room, while the family behind the counter bring decades of familiarity with local tastes. It is a sit-down restaurant with a takeaway service, fully licensed, and open evenings throughout the week.