Exeter is home to a wide variety of restaurants that offer all the diversity you could want for a satisfying dining experience throughout your holiday. You'll find traditional British fare, of course, along with high-end pubs, but Exeter is also home to stunning European eateries and establishments offering both fine dining and casual dining experiences.
Whatever you feel like eating, you won't have to go far to find it in Exeter, especially if you visit one of the local favourites. Here are 10 places locals love to eat in Exeter.
- 1
The Conservatory
Taste the Mediterranean
- Food
The Conservatory offers high-quality Mediterranean eats in ornate, intimate surroundings that are perfect for a romantic night out. When you walk into this restaurant, you'll notice massive windows covered by blinds and towering exotic plants illuminated by mostly natural lighting. This romantic setting complements the delicious food that's focused on proven methods and fresh local ingredients without coming off as pretentious.
The Conservatory evokes a relaxed atmosphere where you can take a European tour with dishes from Italy, France and beyond conveniently located across the street from Guildhall Shopping Centre.
Location: 18 North St, Exeter EX4 3QS, United Kingdom
Open: Tuesday–Saturday from noon to 2 pm and 5.30 pm to 9 pm (closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Phone: +44 (0)1392 273858
Map - 2
Jack in the Green Inn
Find quality at a local pub
- Food
Jack in the Green Inn is a pub a few miles west of Exeter where you can have a pint and enjoy fresh, high-quality food masterfully made with fresh ingredients. This restaurant makes it a point to utilise only the freshest ingredients available, and they've established a local network of suppliers to accomplish just that.
Some of their suppliers have been with them since the very beginning. On the menu, you'll find classic pub food elevated to a high level, including rack of lamb, duck and a catch of the day among others.
Location: London Rd, Exeter EX5 2EE, United Kingdom
Open: Monday–Saturday from 11 am to 2.30 pm and 6 pm to 11 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 10 pm
Phone: +44 (0)1404 822240
Map - 3
Five Bells Inn
Try a top gastropub
- Food
The Five Bells Inn is a delicious gastropub that offers award-winning customer service and food that's made from local ingredients with a changing menu by season. The quality of the food is impressive, especially considering how well they adhere to fresh standards, and their service is impeccable. They cater to those with food allergies, taking you through the menu to find everything that's safe for you to eat.
Don't forget to try out Devon's Best Sunday Roast as well in this thatched farmhouse environment that's equal parts welcoming and charming. It should be no surprise that they were considered one of the top 50 gastropubs in 2020. Five Bells Inn is about a half-hour drive from the city centre.
Location: Clyst Hydon, Cullompton EX15 2NT, United Kingdom
Open: Tuesday–Saturday from noon to 3 pm and 6 pm to 10 pm, Sunday from noon to 4 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +44 (0)1884 277288
Map - 4
The Daisy Café
Relax with home-cooked comfort food
- Food
The Daisy Cafe is an independent community cafe that strives to be accessible and offers quality British cuisine that the whole family can enjoy. Their breakfast is particularly appealing, and you'll find a fulfilling lunch menu as well with sandwiches, fries and other cafe delights.
Their speciality is coffee and sweet treats, so be sure to try out a pastry when you visit if you want to get the full experience of this welcoming cafe. You'll even find gluten-free options to enjoy just a few steps away from the Heavitree Pleasure Ground.
Location: 98 Fore St, Heavitree, Exeter EX1 2RS, United Kingdom
Open: Monday–Friday from 8 am to 3 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +44 (0)7752 181957
Map - 5
Michael Caines Restaurant
Try fine and casual dining options
- Food
- Luxury
Michael Caines Restaurant is part of the celebrity chef's massive restaurant empire and offers both fine dining and casual dining experiences. With the chef's exquisite attention to detail that's shown off in his television programmes, you can be sure that all the food at his namesake restaurant is top of the line. You don't have to opt for fancy and proper dishes, however, as a more accessible and relaxed menu is also available.
This restaurant, much like the Michelin-starred Gidleigh Park where Caines worked for over 20 years, features chefs who were trained personally by Caines. It's located just a few miles south of the city centre.
Location: Courtlands House, Courtlands Ln, Exmouth EX8 3NZ, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0)1392 256299
Map - 6
Bridge Inn
Taste family dedication
- Food
The Bridge Inn is a family-owned pub in Topsham that offers authentic British fare and cask ales that will make you feel as if you've stepped into the past. This stunning restaurant has been owned by the same family for more than a century.
Their dedication, experience and adherence to age-old traditions make this pub a nice break from some of the chain restaurants in the area. Plus, their classic pork pies and ever-changing selection of regional ales are sure to leave travellers coming back for more.
Location: Bridge Hill, Topsham, Exeter EX3 0QQ, United Kingdom
Open: Monday–Thursday from noon to 2 pm and 6 pm to 10.30 pm, Friday–Saturday from noon to 2 pm and 6 pm to 11 pm, Sunday from noon to 2 pm and 7 pm to 10.30 pm
Phone: +44 (0)1392 873862
Mapphoto by M J Richardson (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
- 7
Red Panda
Enjoy an Asian-inspired lunch
- Food
Red Panda is an accessible and delicious Asian-inspired restaurant that specialises in Southeast Asian and East Asian fare with a street food aesthetic. It crafts simple yet elegant dishes made with premium ingredients that are all sustainably sourced.
Red Panda also strives to source locally when possible, though some of the ingredients used in Asian cuisine aren't exactly common in the English countryside. You'll also find several vegan options available here as well as gluten-free options. Red Panda can be found just a few blocks to the north of Exeter Cathedral.
Location: 29 Gandy St, Exeter EX4 3LS, United Kingdom
Open: Monday–Saturday from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +44 (0)7535 403780
Map - 8
On the Waterfront
Experience waterside elegance
- Food
On the Waterfront offers a varied dining experience with pub cuisine as well as pizza, seafood, and more along with scenic views of the water and a welcoming interior. The pizza is a local favourite, but you'll find a satisfying experience no matter what portion of the menu you order from.
Being this close to River Exe in the Quay, the seafood collection is particularly impressive. The interior is interesting as well, as it's located within an old wool warehouse with plenty of exposed brick and warm lighting.
Location: Southern Warehouse, 4-9, The Quay, Exeter EX2 4AP, United Kingdom
Open: Sunday–Thursday from noon to 10.30 pm, Friday–Saturday from noon to 11 pm
Phone: +44 (0)1392 210590
Mapphoto by Roger Cornfoot (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
- 9
Harry's Restaurant
Find high-end and plentiful portions
- Families
- Food
- Luxury
Harry's Restaurant is a high-end establishment about a mile from the city centre that offers quality British fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They utilise seasonal produce and a carefully built network of suppliers to ensure that their high standards of quality are always met.
In addition to their dedication to quality, the restaurant offers a welcoming atmosphere, making it a popular destination for friends and family to spend time together. Plus, the varied menu virtually ensures that there's something tasty for everyone to enjoy.
Location: 86 Longbrook St, Exeter EX4 6AP, United Kingdom
Open: Tuesday–Friday from noon to 2.30 pm and 6 pm to 9.30 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 9.30 am to 11.30 am, 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm, and 6 pm to 10 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +44 (0)1392 202234
Map - 10
The Restaurant at the Salutation Inn
Enjoy a historically influenced menu
- Food
The Restaurant at the Salutation Inn offers high-quality pub food and more made from local ingredients and ingredients brought through the area by traders. Located in Topsham, this restaurant and its previous incarnations have seen many traders and seafarers make their way through, bringing all sorts of items with them.
Combine this with the local offerings, and you get a delicious menu expressed in 5, 7 or 9 courses. With this kind of variety, you can delight your taste buds for hours.
Location: 68 Fore St, Topsham, Exeter EX3 0HL, United Kingdom
Open: Wednesday–Saturday from noon to 2 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm, Sunday from noon to 2 pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Phone: +44 (0)1392 873060
Mapphoto by M J Richardson (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified