Where To Eat In Exeter? 10 Best Places | [Updated 2024]
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Wondering where to eat in Exeter? We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 best eateries you need to visit, trust us, you won’t be disappointed!
Exeter is one of the oldest cities in England and the county town of Devon, the city is very well known for its stunning cathedral and excellent food scene.
The city itself is brimming with history, with plenty of things to see and do while living in your luxury student accommodation in Exeter.
Whether you fancy tracing JK Rowling’s Harry Potter inspiration or feel like treating you and your friends to a delicious meal around the buzzing Exeter Quay, it’s safe to say, this city has it all!
In recent years, Exeter has really come into its own, with a thriving independent food scene and a growing coffee culture…
1. Red Panda
Fancy some Asian street food? This small but booming eatery is one of the most popular lunch spots in Exeter, with an influence of Hong Kong and Manilla style flavours.
Red Panda originally started up in Lyme Regis, when James McCarthy’s wife opened the first Red Panda!
The couple met in the Philippines, with James having lived in Hong Kong and Manilla for roughly around 20 years.
Everything cooked in Red Panda is Vegan, whether it’s eggless mayonnaise or fish-sauce free kimchi.
We’d highly recommend Bao, a soft steamed bun served with greens and a choice between aromatic pork belly, chicken adobo, teriyaki tofu or if you fancy a kick, spicy tofu.
If you’d prefer a sandwich, we’d urge you to try the Bahn Mi Sandwich, which is a baguette served with mushroom and chestnut pâté, mayonnaise, cucumber, spring onion, coriander leaves, chilli, along with a choice of pork belly, chicken adobo, chicken, or tofu.
All meals come in salad boxes to eat in or take away, with a seating area outside the shop.
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Address: 29 Gandy St, Exeter EX4 3LS
2. Harry’s Restaurant
Situated on Longbrook Street in the heart of Exeter is Harry’s Restaurant, an independently owned and run eclectic restaurant that sources local ingredients.
Harry’s is the ideal setting for laidback brunches, lunchtime dates, intimate dinners and quick bites.
Rated as one of the best restaurants in Exeter on Trip Advisor, this delicious restaurant has established itself to be the go-to dining den in Exeter.
With a super varied menu and very generous portions, there really is something for everyone when visiting here!
From the lunch menu, we’d highly recommend the Devon crab linguine with chilli, lime, ginger, cherry tomatoes, and white wine.
Other notable meals for lunch include “the big cheese” burger, with Barber’s mature cheddar, and the spicy sizzling fajitas if you love a bit of spice.
If you feel like treating your friends to dinner, the sirloin steak has sterling reviews amongst visitors as well as the sweet potato and bean chilli.
Get yourself down there with your pals, you won’t regret it!
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Address: 86 Longbrook St, Exeter EX4 6AP
3. The Gandhi Indian Cuisine
When it come’s to where to eat in Exeter, The Gandhi Indian Cuisine should be on your list.
This place has a menu that features dishes from across different regions of India, all with deliciously fresh ingredients.
Bookings are essential here, its growing popularity has given it a buzzing atmosphere with a tasty menu to match.
For main courses, the chicken shashlik is highly popular amongst guests, made with chicken cubes grilled with pepper, tomato
and onion that have been marinated in freshly ground spice and yoghurt. Sounds delicious, right?!
Easygoing venue prepping classic curries, tandoori dishes & house specialties, plus veggie options. The best part is, if you don’t see a dish on the menu that tickles your fancy, they’ll happily let you ask for it to be made!
Address: 7 New N Rd, Exeter EX4 4HH
4. Conservatory Restaurant
This popular restaurant is located on North Street, not far from local theatres, and galleries, as well as bars and pubs.
The Conservatory has light, airy surroundings with relaxed furnishings and a generally chilled vibe, perfect for students.
You really do get what you pay for when you visit this restaurant, the a la carte dining set menus are ideal for pre-theatre dining too, if you feel like splashing out!
Mike Barry, owner and head chef is a great believer in providing a wonderful dining experience for all and has worked at several fine restaurants including Malmaison Hotel in Birmingham.
The menu boasts delicious fresh fish from St Ives, including a pan-roasted salmon fillet with crushed new potatoes, chorizo, peas, and fresh green vegetables.
For dessert, why not try the white chocolate cheesecake with pineapple, coffee & rum granita?
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Address: 18 North St, Exeter EX4 3QS
5. The Daisy Cafe
Everybody loves home made food! So why not take a trip to the award-winning Daisy Cafe on Fore Street?!
This cafe is located away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, and has students and locals alike coming back for more, having currently been voted the Number 1 Restaurant on TripAdvisor.
Whether you’re after a bite to eat at breakfast, a big slab of cake or something yummy to eat at lunch with your mates, there’s tons to choose from. They even have a cute outside courtyard area to sit in too!
For lunch options, we’d recommend you try the jacket potatoes, freshly made sandwiches, paninis or toasted sandwiches.
Other tasty sweet treats include the big breakfast, because who doesn’t love a full English to start your day?
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Address: 98 Fore St, Heavitree, Exeter EX1 2RS
6. Herbies
Located smack bang in the middle of the city, Herbies is in an ideal location, providing moreish vegetarian and vegan meals.
There’s a huge range of dishes available on the menu, whether it’s a spinach and mushroom lasagne or a Moroccan tajine, they’ve got it all!
Popular dishes include the Greek vegetable pie, and the falafel wrap for a nice light lunch.
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Address: 15 North St, Exeter EX4 3QS
7.Bistro du Vin Exeter
Bistro du Vin in Exeter offers a cosy French dining experience in a beautiful setting.
The menu features traditional French dishes with a modern touch, using local ingredients.
You can enjoy starters, hearty mains, and delicious desserts, all prepared with care. They have a great selection of wines that go perfectly with the food.
The atmosphere is relaxed, and the service is attentive, making it perfect for both quiet dinners and casual meals with friends. If you’re in Exeter and want to try French cuisine, Bistro du Vin is a great choice!
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Address: Magdalen St, Exeter EX2 4HY
8.Opa’s Gyros 2 Go
This independently owned restaurant is the perfect place for Greek and Mediterranean food lovers, with an abundance of fresh ingredients from local suppliers in every dish.
You’ll find this place situated on South Street in the city centre, just a 3-minute walk from Exeter Cathedral.
To start, we’d recommend the pan-fried squid, followed by a main course of moussaka with Greek fries – sounds yummy right?
They also have a fabulous range of drinks on offer like wines from not only Greece, but Cyprus, France and Italy as well as Greek beers, Mythos and Efes!
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Address:2 South St, Exeter EX1 1DZ
9. Sabatini Exeter
If Italian food is your thing, then this restaurant is a MUST! It’s the city centre’s only independently owned family Italian restaurant and it’s just truly fabulous.
Their menu is extensive with the likes of fresh Pasta, Risotto & Artisan Pizzas available seven days a week. We’d recommended the linguine with Devon white crab in a garlic, chilli and brown crab sauce.
This place is authentic in their cuisine and their interiors are stunning, you’ll be eating in luxury for sure.
It’s the perfect place to go with friends or family for a special occasion. They even do a bottomless brunch on a Sunday if you’re up for it!
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Address: 16 Catherine Street, Exeter EX1 1EU
10. Al -Farid
It’s no doubt that Meze is a tasty dish to enjoy, and Al-Farid have a vast array of Meze on their menu for you to dig into, whether it’s hot or cold.
Based on Cathedral Yard in Exeter (right next to the famous cathedral) is Al-Farid, offering exotic tastes of Morocco and the middle east.
As well as Meze, this eatery also has some delicious tajines on their menu, named after the earthware pot in which it is served.
We’d highly recommend the hummus and tzatziki Meze with some tabbouleh on the side for a flavoursome experience!
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Address: 3 Cathedral Yard, Exeter EX1 1HJ
And we’re done, the hunger can come to an end! We hope you enjoy heading out from your student flat and trying out these recommendations this academic year.
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