El Olivo

El Olivo runs a small, popular tapas restaurant from The Strand in Exmouth, serving Spanish and wider Mediterranean small plates in a casual but stylish dining room. The menu changes regularly around fresh, local produce rather than sitting still - locally caught fish and seafood, beef stews and vegetarian options like courgette fritters all feature, alongside more traditional tapas standards such as patatas bravas and cured meats. It's built a strong reputation locally, ranked among the better restaurants in Exmouth with the large majority of reviewers recommending it, and a reputation for consistency across a menu that shifts with the seasons rather than staying fixed.

Service is a big part of the draw - reviewers consistently single out Ian and the team for making diners feel like part of the family rather than just another table passing through. Because the room is small and demand is high, it books out regularly on weekends especially, so a reservation is worth making rather than relying on a walk-in table. It sits on The Strand among Exmouth's other restaurants and bars, making it an easy stop as part of a wider evening out. 41 The Strand, Exmouth.