Coffee & brunch

12 Bar Social
Independent and full of personality, with a strong music focus (yes, the LPs are real). Friendly, relaxed and a good spot to sit with a coffee if you want to read, work, or just soak up the atmosphere.

Arrietty
Just around the corner from us, known for exceptional pastries and beautifully made coffee. Ideal for a slow morning or a quick pick-me-up on your way into town.

Cosy Club
Set in a striking historic building slightly off the main high street, with an impressive bar and plenty of space. A reliable choice for brunch, coffee or cocktails later in the day.

Common Beaver
On lovely Magdalen Road (“The Village”), this independent café serves consistently good coffee in a bright, neighbourhood setting. A favourite with locals.

Casual & midweek favourites

Harry's Restaurant
Smart but relaxed and family-run, with a lively atmosphere and broad menu. Conveniently located at the end of our street — ideal for an easy evening out without venturing far.

Pho
Fresh Vietnamese cooking that works well for lunch or an informal dinner. The outdoor seating is particularly nice on warmer days.

Eat on the Green
Locally run and set opposite the Cathedral, with lovely views and a historic setting. A good choice if you want something relaxed but still distinctly “Exeter”.

Portal Pizza
Widely considered the best pizza in the city and hugely popular for good reason. Located on Magdalen Road, it’s lively, informal and worth planning ahead for.

Date night / special occasion

Sabatini
A cosy, intimate Italian restaurant serving classic dishes in a traditional setting. A long-standing favourite for a relaxed evening.

Côte
French bistro style dining with excellent Cathedral views. Stylish but approachable, with a strong wine list and reliable menu.

The Ivy Exeter
Set in a striking building with beautifully designed interiors. A good choice for afternoon tea, cocktails or a more dressed-up evening out.

Rendezvous Wine Bar
One of Exeter’s most well-rated restaurants. Refined British cuisine, a carefully chosen wine list and a lovely garden in the summer. Not the cheapest option — but reliably excellent.

Pubs & local character

Turk’s Head
A quirky Tudor pub with low beams and plenty of character — and its own brewery on site. A proper historic Exeter experience.

Cuckoo Taproom
Independent and intimate, specialising in beers you’re unlikely to find elsewhere. Small, friendly and a good place to try something new.

Darwin’s
A relaxed gin-focused bar with warm, cosy surroundings. Perfect for a pre-dinner drink — especially if you’re waiting for a table at Portal Pizza next door.

The Holt
A lively pub with classic atmosphere, good food and a spacious courtyard area. Particularly popular when the weather’s good.

International flavours

Al Farid (Moroccan)
An atmospheric restaurant in a period building, with distinctive North African interiors and authentic dishes. A genuinely different dining experience.

Goto (Japanese)
Unassuming from the outside but serious about its food. A small, independent Japanese restaurant known for quality and friendly service.

Namaste (Indian)
A classic British-Indian restaurant with a welcoming atmosphere and well-executed favourites. Dependable and comfortable.

iFood Thai Taste
A very popular Thai restaurant just around the corner from us, known for generous portions and bold flavours. Convenient and often busy.

Riverside & outdoor spots

Crave
A stylish tapas restaurant near the Quay with a lively bar and a relaxed, sociable feel. Great small plates, good cocktails and plenty of indoor space make it just as appealing in the evening as it is during the day.

Mango’s
Set in the old quay cellars with lovely views and a distinctive setting. A good option if you want somewhere slightly different by the water.

Topsham Brewery
Independent and slightly Berlin-esque in feel, with a large outdoor beer garden on the Quay. Regularly changing beers and a sociable atmosphere.

River Exe Café
A genuinely unique experience — a restaurant on a barge in the Exe Estuary. Seasonal, locally focused menus and a memorable setting. Best reached by water taxi from Exmouth.