The South West Guide
The 12 best places to eat in Exeter
Ranked by Google rating and review volume, cross-checked against what we know from the listing itself. Not a paid placement. See how we choose.
- 1
Exeter's original Thai restaurant, running since 1995 from a 1540 cottage beside the Cathedral. The address alone tells you this isn't a recent arrival.
- 2
Sidwell Street's other serious Thai kitchen, built around fresh, high-quality plating rather than volume.
- 3
Family-run Italian in Pinhoe, fresh pasta and pizza off a small, focused menu - the kind of restaurant that does fewer things properly rather than a long menu adequately.
- 4
Longbrook Street institution since 1993, now sharing a road with sister restaurant Arrietty.
- 5
Quayside small plates, seafood and sharing steaks, voted Devon's Best Restaurant.
- 6
Melbourne Street pub pouring since 1846, part of the Exeter Brewery group - proof a brewery-tied pub can still earn its place on merit.
- 7
The South West's first dedicated board game cafe, 300+ games alongside burgers and cocktails on South Street. Not a gimmick that happens to serve food - a genuine food stop that happens to have games.
- 8
Vegan cafe and live music venue in McCoys Arcade, known specifically for its vegan egg royale.
- 9
Mediterranean plates near New North Road - mezze, halloumi, baklava - in a genuinely small room.
- 10
Moroccan tagines by Cathedral Yard in a dining room built for atmosphere as much as the food.
- 11
Just off the High Street, known for Sunday roasts and a seasonal small-plates menu that changes enough to be worth repeat visits.
- 12
Award-winning South Indian on Guinea Street, built around fine dining rather than the curry-house format most South Indian restaurants default to.
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