Fans of quirky pizzas and Lebanese sharing platters in picturesque settings, welcome to Exeter. Few places in the UK can boast the type of scenery as this lively student spot in Devon. Whether you are near the sea, in the countryside or just looking for the best restaurants in Exeter, our guide highlights the very best in class.
The Botanist is a bar and restaurant in Exeter city centre with a fresh feel thanks to its exotic plant game and heated outdoor area decorated with fairy lights. As well as traditional British bites and its famous hanging kebabs, mixologists are also on hand to make your fave refreshing cocktail too, or an innovative concoction like the Poppy and Pink Gin Punch.
Cosy Club Exeter is a slice of history served with a side of style, tucked inside the Halford Wing of the old Dean Clarke Hospital. Step inside and you're greeted with a vibrant mix of velvet lampshades, mismatched furniture, and characterful interiors that make every meal feel special.
Whether you're here for a lazy brunch, a leisurely lunch, or a candlelit dinner, the menu delivers hearty British favourites with a modern twist, from stacks of pancakes to flavour-packed mains. When the weather's good, head out to the terrace for al fresco dining that's as pretty as it is peaceful, making this one of Exeter's most inviting dining destinations.
YO! is the iconic Japanese restaurant with a conveyor belt full of tasty sushi and teriyaki. When you're in need of a gyoza, sashimi salad or katsu curry bowl, make this your go-to destination for lunch in Exeter city centre.
Overlooking the bay in elegant Sidmouth, the Hotel Riviera's AA Rosette restaurant has long earned its reputation for refined, coastal-inspired cuisine. Led by an executive chef with a flair for combining international influences and classic English cooking, the menu showcases the best of local produce, with a special emphasis on fresh seafood.
Open to non-residents, the restaurant offers both à la carte sophistication and more relaxed table d'hôte lunch and dinner options, ensuring something for every occasion. Whether you're seated in the bay-view dining room, the airy Regency Bar, or out on the terrace during summer, each dish is thoughtfully prepared, beautifully served, and perfectly matched with an extensive wine list.
Old Firehouse serves 14" pizzas with a special house tomato sauce. In this atmospheric, independent restaurant you'll find a few quirky combinations to tuck into, with roasted butternut squash and artichoke toppings sure to catch your eye.
Comptoir Libanais is one of the best chain restaurants in Exeter, with a huge range of mezze platters from the Middle East. If you don't fancy sharing the three-course feast menu, give the aubergine tagine or halloumi and olive wrap a go.
The Conservatory Exeter whips up mains like slow-roasted pork belly, whole plaice and grilled Meditteranean vegetables in a tranquil, light setting. Take advantage of its evening menu where three courses will set you back £30.
Rockfish offers up an amazing deal of sustainably sourced seafood with unlimited chips. As one of our favourite restaurants in Exeter Quay, it has an enticing selection of starters and mains too. Coastal delicacies like vegetable tempura and half-shell scallops are well worth a try.
