Exeter Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Exeter

February 19, 2018 Major Galusha

Exeter (/ˈɛksɪtər/ ( listen)) is a cathedral city in Devon, England, with a population of 129,800 (mid-2016 est.). The city is on the River Exe about 37 miles (60 km) northeast of Plymouth and 70 miles (110 km) southwest of Bristol. It is the county town of Devon, and the home of Devon County Council.
Things to do in Exeter

1. Harry's Restaurant

86 Longbrook Street, Exeter EX4 6AP, England Free Wifi, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments British, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch HK$55 - HK$251 +44 1392 202234
Excellent
66%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 707 reviews

Harry's Restaurant

A place to feed the soul.<br>Harry’s Restaurant in Exeter is set in the heart of the city and has been gratifying appetites for 25 years. Rated as one of the best restaurants in Exeter on TripAdvisor, Harry’s has established itself to become the go-to dining den on the neighbourhood food scene.

Reviewed By Marianne C - Burnham, United Kingdom

Warmest of welcomes, wooden floors and tables in adjoining rooms. Speciality gins served in cut glass tumblers, try the Fever Tree with grapefruit, scrumptious!
But the steak is the star.
Outstanding 20oz T bone attacked by 20 year old student with gusto and it nearly did him in. Nearly but not quite. Cooked rare and sourced from a local farmer 36 miles away (according to nice touch of acknowledgement on a blackboard) it was fabulous, £25 including frites, No extras required!
Portion of nachos to share over a cocktail hit the spot. Only crab linguine disappointed, dry, under-seasoned, not nearly the love shown to the meats, sorry.
But who cares when everything else including decent Malbec is going down a treat! Will be back, 100%. Suggest you book.

2. Dinosaur Cafe

5 New North Road, Exeter EX4 4HH, England Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Waitstaff Cafe, Mediterranean, European, Turkish, Middle Eastern, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night +44 1392 490951
Excellent
72%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 315 reviews

Dinosaur Cafe

Reviewed By Peter D - Exeter, United Kingdom

We live nearby and use The Dinosaur Cafe regularly - it is a firm favourite place to eat, drink and have a nice relaxed evening...
The welcome is warm.
The service is great.
And the food is home made...
It is an independent family business with personal service and we are fortunate in having it in our neighbourhood.

3. The Beer Engine

The Beer Engine Newton ST, Exeter EX5 5AX, England Parking Available, Free Wifi, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar Bar, British, Pub, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Brunch +44 1392 851282
Excellent
68%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
2%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 408 reviews

The Beer Engine

Cosy gastropub and brewery with a covered balcony, tiered garden and a menu of locally sourced British dishes.

Reviewed By happybigfamily2016 - Exeter, United Kingdom

We have had many evening and lunchtime snacks/meals here. The hospitality is spot one. They are friendly and attend to everything you need whether you are inside or out. We love popping out here on a summer evening and eating outside

4. Rendezvous Wine Bar

38-40 Southernhay East, Exeter EX1 1PE, England Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar European, British, Wine Bar, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Late Night +44 1392 270222
Excellent
73%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 502 reviews

Rendezvous Wine Bar

City centre cellar wine bar and restaurant with Gardens

Reviewed By Shaunalex - Exeter, United Kingdom

We visited for lunch and had a great meal, the two course fixed price menu was excellent and there was no compromise on quality or service.
There was a good selection on the lunchtime menu and those available for the fixed price were equally as appealing as the other options.

5. Conservatory Restaurant - Exeter

18 North Street | Exeter, Exeter EX4 3QS, England Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol European, British, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options, Vegan Options Lunch, Dinner, Late Night HK$188 - HK$283 +44 1392 273858
Excellent
74%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 528 reviews

Conservatory Restaurant - Exeter

For a taste of the Mediterranean without leaving the West Country look no further than Exeter’s The Conservatory. With huge windows obscured by white blinds, tall exotic plants and Swedish-meets-French countryside painted furniture you almost feel it would be a shame to call in after sunset. But come in for dinner and you’ll find yourself in an intimate and romantic setting perfect for that relaxed dinner to help you forget about bills, work and worries. Sail away on a culinary cruise through Europe as the menu takes you from Britain via France and in to Italy and beyond with plenty of local ingredients to keep the flavours fresh and delicious.

Reviewed By Justin_Dillon - Exeter, United Kingdom

I booked The Conservatory for lunch with two old friends and colleagues. I had high expectations that weren't quite met on this, my first visit, to TC. The restaurant is not that big and has some interesting Tudor panelling dating from around 1600 which has been carefully restored.
We were pleasantly surprised to see a two-course lunch menu for £9.95 and a three-course menu for £12.95. OK, so side-dishes of potatoes/root veg./greens were £2.50 each but that's still impressive. We ordered two servings of sourdough with a delicious herbed butter (£1.50 for three slices).
My two colleagues had a squash soup with chilli and vanilla which they both thought tasted a bit odd. I had a blue cheese galette which was probably a better choice. The soup came with a couple of slices of sourdough which meant that we had a glut of the stuff!
We all had the rarebit as it was the only vegetarian choice from the set menu. So, yes, more sourdough. This is something that should have been pointed out when we ordered the bread initially.
I was the only one with space for a dessert - rice pudding with raspberry jam which was just as it should be. So, overall, a relatively cheap lunch (£56) before service but I don't think we got the best out of the restaurant by sticking with the set menu.

6. The Manor Inn

Lower Ashton, Exeter EX6 7QL, England Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar Bar, British, Pub, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Late Night HK$8 +44 1647 252304
Excellent
80%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 301 reviews

The Manor Inn

Reviewed By Gerdi99 - Exeter, United Kingdom

Visited for an evening meal with a group of friends who regularly eat out together. It was my turn to choose a place to visit so a little apprehensive as I had only eaten there once before and that was for lunch. Need not have worried. A lovely restaurant with very helpful and attentive staff. The food was simply fantastic! Three of us had the rib-eye steak and I have to say it was the best steak I have eaten in any restaurant for a very long time. Not one complaint from the group and I am sure we will return. For a quality meal this is the place to visit!!

7. The Galley Restaurant

41 Fore Street, Topsham, Exeter EX3 0HU, England Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Credit Cards Seafood, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner +44 1392 876078
Excellent
81%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 804 reviews

The Galley Restaurant

Here at The Galley Topsham we want to impress you with &apos;the best of Devon on a plate&apos;. We are passionate about serving you the freshest fish and seafood, simply and stylishly presented, together with exciting meat and vegetarian options sourced from local farms so we think we have something for everybody. We have a daily changing menu which means we only serve what is in season and locally available, so you can be sure that what you are eating is of the best quality. Our a la carte menu is available at lunch and dinner. At lunch we offer a special menu of two courses for £16. So whether it&apos;s a long lingering dinner, a light lunch or a business engagement we have something to suit you. We love wine and have worked hard to create a balanced wine list that includes top favourites along with some interesting options you may not be so familiar with. We are very happy to recommend a wine to go with any of our dishes so please do ask. The atmosphere in the restaurant is relaxed and friendly. We have no dress code and we warmly welcome families with children. Great food is nothing without great service however and we put a huge emphasis on matching the service to your needs. Nigel is on hand front of house to greet you with a friendly smile and make sure you relax and enjoy your meal. With our unique location on Topsham Quay and fabulous views over the River Exe you can soak up the atmosphere of this ancient sea port from the comfort of our two dining rooms.

Reviewed By Claireee11 - Exeter, United Kingdom

We had the most amazing dinner. I had scallops and then the bream and finished with chocolate mousse. All very delicious and very pretty and imaginative. The rest of the party ate different fish and all was very good indeed. A nice friendly welcome into the newly refurbished restaurant which looked amazing. We will be back. It was worth the journey from Dartmoor.

8. The New Inn

74 Church Road | Alphington, Exeter EX2 8TA, England Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi Bar, British, Pub, Gluten Free Options, Vegetarian Friendly Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Breakfast, Late Night +44 1392 204994
Excellent
74%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 150 reviews

The New Inn

Reviewed By DollyBantry

We stopped here on a whim while visiting Exeter, based on other good reviews. What a lovely place! Bright and welcoming (certainly not old fashioned), not too busy but still obviously very popular with the locals and plenty of chat between them and staff.
Delicious pub grub! Kids meals were fresh, well cooked and just the right size. My steak was tender and juicy, perfectly cooked with all the appropriate trimmings and plenty of them. Husband's mixed grill almost defeated him but it was too good to leave anything on the plate at the end. Nice selection behind the bar and a friendly old man stopping for a chat as he tottered past. Lovely!
Exactly what we wanted, very happy with the bill too!

9. The Welcome Cafe

Haven Banks, Exeter EX2 8DU, England Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Free Wifi, Seating, Waitstaff, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Credit Cards Cafe, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch +44 1392 439201
Excellent
86%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 204 reviews

The Welcome Cafe

The Welcome Cafe is a family run independent business serving locally sourced and home cooked food, with Vegan, Vegetarian and Gluten free options available. A modern cafe selling Art Work. With Fat Roc Coffee and Teas Me loose leaf tea.<br><br>We are open 6 days a week Tuesday through to Sunday and only closed on a Monday, except for bank holiday&apos;s when we will be open. We have been struggling to change the opening times through trip advisor so hopefully this confirmation of our hours will help.

Reviewed By Lesley C - London, United Kingdom

Fantastic pumpkin soup finished with toasted pumpkin seeds and "micro herbs". Plus a cheese scone - lovely lunch. Home made and full of flavour, the herbs on top just finished it off perfectly. Great selection of wraps and things on toast. Shame we were too full to have a cake each. They all looked delicious. We had lemon and poppyseed cake. Outdoor tables full. Very friendly and helpful staff. Well worth searching the place out.

10. The New Horizon

47 Longbrook Street | Exeter Devon, Exeter EX4 6AW, England Lebanese, Moroccan, Cafe, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Turkish, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Halal, Gluten Free Options HK$31 - HK$110 +44 1392 277523
Excellent
83%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 171 reviews

The New Horizon

Are you a food lover? Fancy trying something a little different? The New Horizon cafe on Longbrook Street, Exeter serves authentic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. The food is outstanding and the service is friendly. The light salads and freshly prepared dishes are a perfect contrast to the ever growing number of fast food chains that threaten Exeter&apos;s culinary future. Next time your looking for somewhere to grab a bite to eat, try The New Horizon. The New Horizon Cafe was established in 2001 and is a Mediterranean/Arabic Cafe. All our food is prepared freshly using the finest ingredients. Our passion is making authentic Arabic cuisine. We hope you enjoy eating it as much as we enjoy making it. Sit, chat, drink coffee or tea and enjoy fantastic food in a relaxed atmosphere. Afterwards why not relax and Smoke a Shisha. Shisha is a Middle-Eastern smoking tradition that began hundreds of years before the invasion of the big American cigarette companies and is one of the most common and interesting sites of the Arab World. There are numerous cafes where one can lie on long cushions and spend the time talking to your friends and enjoying this Arab delight. Tobacco is soaked in fruit shavings such as strawberry, apples or grapes. This mixture is then smoked through a large water pipe (called a hookah). Men and women of the upper classes in the Arab world have been entertaining guests with hookah pipes for centuries. Moreover, there are hoards of Shisha purists who truly cherish this tradition no less than a Japanese tea Master or Matron. An Exeter based magazine wrote: &apos;New Horizon has maintained a quite corner of Exeters cafe life that is a little slower, a little warmer and whole lot more tasty. But be prepared to be woken up by the freshness and quality of the home-prepared food, bursting with flavours and colour. A plate of its authentic Middle Eastern salad is a memorable experience.&apos; We cater for small groups or large parties for any occasion. We take Reservations, but walk-ins are welcome. New Horizon is located just off of New Road on Longbrook street, Exeter

Reviewed By Georgia B - Exeter, United Kingdom

When we first walked in it, we thought it was closed. There were no customers, no staff and it was completely silent. It was a strange atmosphere. When one member of staff came out we took a seat on some really crappy tables and chairs. One of the chairs was actually broken.
We ordered food, but part way through ordering the lone member of staff had to go and answer the phone because he was the only one there, as in he was the chef/waiter/front of house and taking phone calls. We finished ordering and the food came out before our drinks did. So we thought they'd been forgotten. I went to the counter to ask and he responded quite rudely that he hadn't forgotten and that we had to wait. When they finally did come out, my chocolate milkshake didn't taste at all like chocolate and was overall disappointed. The food was actually alright and you had lots of choice on the menu, especially good for vegans and vegetarians. The only problem was that the lamb was a tad rough and nothing was amazingly presented but it was still enjoyable.
The main thing I can't argue with is value for money. It is insanely cheap here and will easily cost you less than £10 for a drink and main meal. Most people's cost came to around £7.

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