Restaurants we like
walking distance
This is one of the funkiest restaurants in Exeter. Open Wednesdays to Saturdays, with a tasting menu at lunch and dinner at insanely reasonable pricing (dietary requirements catered for). The food is interesting, sophisticated and delicious. The atmosphere, especially in the evenings, is full-on, to put it mildly.
A new addition to the light food and serious drinks scene of Exeter - and so handy! As you might expect, this little place majors on it’s gins and is serious about a neighbourhood ambience. Closed Sundays and Mondays, light food on Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
Good hearted, sincere food given a quasi-New York vibe in a recent make-over. You’ll get: burgers, slaws, nachos and Cesar salads. Enormous portions! Something of a local tradition and very popular with Uni students and their parents. Charming, long-term staff. Closed Monday and Sunday evenings.
Another local tradition, RdV has been on the Southernhay scene for around 20 years (and could well have been lifted straight out of an early ‘80s text book). Owner and maitre’d Gemma is a great host, and an experienced chef - so the menus are knowledgeably local and seasonal. Wines are equally carefully curated - it’s just the ticket for the lawyers who make the bar their office during court lunch hours. Closed Sundays.
A newish kid on the block, bijou and well thought-out vibe. Small plates are tasty and generous. The massive ‘Detroit style’ pizzas are humongous. We include this as our chosen pizza place (amongst many in Exeter) because of the evident care in the food and the personal attention of owner Luke front of house. Closed Sunday.
Décor is insanely busy but in the right kind of way (we think) and the food is fresh and authentic. One of the rare ethnic restaurants in Exeter. Right on Cathedral Close so the merest totter from SH. Open daily.
A personal favourite of Team SH for comfort Korean food, freshly made and served in a hip setting in one of the upcoming areas of Exeter.
Closed Sunday and Monday.
by car, taxi, train…
It’s always great to find a restaurant with a chef/patron combo and this is it. Around 15 mins drive. Nice, personal and attentive service and good menus, based on local produce. Lunchtime is casual - evenings still (we understand) have “date night” potential. Open Tuesday evening, lunch and dinner Wednesday to Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday.
A newcomer and well deserving of a check out while mooching around the gorgeously picturesque streets of Topsham. Both brewery and taproom, with daily changing specials on the small menu, this is evidently a passion-project, with some serious commercial nous behind it. Open daily from 12 noon.
Got to love fish and chips by the sea and Mich Tonk’s outlet in Exmouth is the best of the nearby bunch, on the grounds of location and staff. Make sure to ask for a table in the conservatory, overlooking the estuary and enjoy the comings and goings of the small boats/ferry service! Outside tables in Summer are a plus. Easily accessible by a pretty train ride from Exeter Central.
Closed Monday and Tuesday lunchtime.