Exeter
Independent food and drink in Exeter
Every independent food and drink business in Exeter in The South West Guide - 79 in all, across places to eat, places to drink and the makers behind them. No chains, no listings for sale.
Somboon Thai Shop
Half Thai grocery, half noodle bar - everything from the noodles to the sauces made fresh in house, daily.
18g Coffee Roasters
Coffee roaster and shop on Magdalen Road named for its precise 18g dose per cup.
Al-Farid
Moroccan restaurant near Cathedral Yard, known for its tagines and atmospheric, authentically decorated dining room.
Apple Blossom Deli
St Thomas deli known for homemade sausage rolls, focaccia and a well-loved coffee and walnut cake.
Arcadia Exeter (by Utopian)
Small plates and craft beer bar tucked off the High Street, run by local coffee/hospitality group Utopian.
Aris Healthy Life Food Store & Cafe
Organic food store and cafe on Sidwell Street, strong on ethically sourced ingredients and vegan options.
Badavis Lounge
Cocktail and hookah lounge on Longbrook Street, praised for warm, family-like service.
Baobab Deli
Small independent deli on Fore Street, fresh-cooked salads and baklava, praised for generous portions.
Boatyard Cafe and Bakery
Artisan bakery and cafe on the Quay at Haven Road, known for weekly-changing pastries and fresh sourdough.
Chapters Coffee House
Family-run coffee house on Warwick Way, bakes handed down three generations, a real community hub.
Choy's Fish & Chips
Small, cash-only chippy in Wonford praised for hand-cut chips and generous portions.
Cosy Corner
Chinese restaurant on Sidwell Street, popular with the local Chinese community, known for roast duck and pork.
Crankhouse Coffee Roastery
Independent coffee roastery with an in-house roasting room you can watch working.
Crossed Anchors Brewing
Independent brewery on Water Lane leading the regeneration of Exeter's canal side, known for beer flights.
CUCKOO Taproom and Bottleshop
Independent craft beer taproom and bottle shop on Paris Street with a constantly rotating tap list.
Darwin's Bar
Cosy cocktail bar on Magdalen Road with an imaginative small plates and gin selection.
Devon Coffee
Compact specialty coffee shop on Queen Street, known for carefully extracted espresso.
Dinosaur Cafe
Small Mediterranean restaurant near New North Road, known for mezze, halloumi and baklava.
Duke's Deli
New independent sandwich shop on Paris Street, already known locally for its generously filled steak and meatball subs.
Eat On The Green
Cafe right by Exeter Cathedral, known for its cream teas and views over Cathedral Green.
EXE Coffee Roasters
Independent coffee roaster on Heavitree Road, roasts and grinds to order.
Fishes Ltd
Independent fishmonger in St Thomas known for fresh fish and knowledgeable advice.
Fresh Pasta and More
Independent fresh pasta maker in Exeter serving pasta dishes made in-house.
Goto
Owner-run Japanese restaurant on New Bridge Street, known regulars by name and consistently excellent ramen and sushi.
Gray's Devon Cider
Traditional family cider maker on a working farm near Doddiscombsleigh.
Greendale Farm Shop
Large independent farm shop near Exeter with butchery, deli and fish and chips restaurant.
Hanlees
Deli and salad bar on Bedford Street, popular for build-your-own salad boxes and toasties made fresh daily.
Herbies
Long-running vegetarian and vegan restaurant on North Street, tapas-style small plates menu.
Hook Fish and Chips
Fish and chip shop on South Street known for fresh fish, homemade tartare sauce and halal options.
Hops + Crafts
Exeter's only dedicated independent craft beer bottle shop.
How On Earth Vegan Deli
100% vegan deli on South Street, known for loaded sandwiches, salad bowls and a strong community feel.
iFood Thai Taste
Thai restaurant on Sidwell Street known for beautifully presented dishes and a fresh, high-quality menu.
ISCA Restaurant and Bar
Restaurant and bar near the Science Park, praised for its festive/seasonal menus and family-friendly atmosphere.
Istanbul Restaurant
Turkish restaurant on Sidwell Street, known for its mezze platter, mixed grill and Turkish breakfast.
JingDou Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Owner-run Japanese and Chinese restaurant tucked at the end of the High Street, sushi and sashimi praised as some of the best in the area.
Kpots Pottery
One-woman pottery studio, Kate makes original tableware for everyday use.
Littlestone Coffee Roasters
Small-batch coffee roaster in Marsh Barton known for its bespoke monthly blends.
LUNA CAFE
Stylish, healthy-focused cafe on Queen Street, known for granola bowls, juices and generous brunch plates.
M & J Gibbins Butchers
Independent butcher in Pinhoe using top quality local farm meat, known for homemade pies.
Mango's Cafe & Bar
All-day cafe and bar on the Quay at Kings Wharf, a long-standing local favourite for brunch.
Naturally Bread
Home-run vegan bakery known for celebration cakes and savoury baguettes, delivered locally.
New Inn Alphington
Village pub in Alphington known for generous gastro-pub portions at fair prices.
Nicola's Chocolate
Small-batch chocolate maker on Blackboy Road known for unusual flavours like dulse seaweed.
Oriels Exeter
Cocktail bar and live music venue on the High Street, known for bottomless brunch events.
Ping's Restaurant
Long-standing Chinese restaurant on Sidwell Street, praised for genuinely authentic (not westernised) cooking.
Pink Ginger Flower Cafe
Independent matcha and Japanese tea cafe on Paris Street known for its roll cakes and birthday cakes.
Portal Pizza
Neapolitan and NY-style pizza on Magdalen Road, started as a lockdown idea and now a genuine Exeter favourite.
Pullo
Natural wine bar and cheese shop on Fore Street, owner personally selects every wine on the list.
Rendezvous Wine Bar
Cellar-style wine bar and restaurant on Southernhay East, owner-run with a strong wine list.
Rogamo
Owner-run Chinese restaurant on Sidwell Street, all hand-made noodles cooked by the owner himself - a genuine hidden gem.
Rull Orchard
Regenerative cider and perry orchard, award-winning, known for its Glow and Moonlight styles.
Sabatini
Family-run Italian restaurant on Catherine Street, known for its set lunch menu and consistent, no-fuss cooking.
Sacred Grounds
Vegan cafe and live music venue in McCoys Arcade, known for its vegan egg royale and seasonal menus.
Shimizu Sushi
Independent Japanese restaurant near Sidwell Street with an unusually large authentic menu, from okonomiyaki to ramen to sushi.
Smart Fish Bar
Neighbourhood chippy in Exwick, known for freshly cooked chips and a large gluten-free menu.
Smith's Wines & Spirits
Independent wine merchant on Magdalen Road known for personal recommendations and deep knowledge.
Southwest Coffee Co
Coffee wholesaler and barista training academy in the City Arcade.
Sprout
Small vegan cafe right by Cathedral Yard, known for salads, quiches and Portuguese custard tarts.
Sundays
Surf-themed cafe on the Quay, family-run, praised for vegan-friendly food and warm service.
The (Tiny) Tasting Room
Small cafe down an alleyway near the Cathedral, known for homemade cakes and a genuinely warm welcome.
The Exeter Brewery
Exeter-based brewery, home of Devon's first organic ale, with a Thursday and Friday taproom.
The Fat Pig
Cosy pub just off the High Street, known for its Sunday roasts and seasonal small-plates menu.
The Fish Supper House
Owner-run chippy near Exe Bridges, cooked in beef dripping, regularly named among the best fish and chips in Devon.
The Flat
Independent vegetarian pizza restaurant on Fore Street, locally famous for its crispy, fresh-topped pizzas.
The HeaviDeli
Owner-run deli in Heavitree stocking local Devon produce, fresh sandwiches and gourmet coffee.
The Ocean Club
Independent cocktail bar on the Quay known for fresh-made cocktails and karaoke nights.
The Press House
Cafe on Fore Street in a former letterpress workshop, known for a calm atmosphere and excellent brunch.
The Robin's Nest
Family-run cafe in Pinhoe with a play area for kids and homemade baked goods.
The Secret Garden
Garden cafe on Pennsylvania Road with views over Woodbury Common, known for cakes and a peaceful setting.
The Sidwell Street Bakehouse
Small bakery on Sidwell Street known for its sourdough and doughnuts.
The Sunset Society
Locally owned coffee shop near Old Tiverton Road with a retro surf vibe and a loyal student following.
The Thatched House
Historic thatched pub in Exwick known for its carvery and strong gluten-free and vegan options.
The Undergrad
Independent cafe by day, bar by night, in The Depot near Exeter Central - known for its bacon pancake stack.
Thunderflower Distillery
Independent distillery based at Mercury Business Park, Exeter.
Topsham Brewery
Independent brewery and taproom on Exeter Quayside, known for stouts, IPAs and hefeweizens.
Trailways
Cash-only traditional greasy spoon in Pinhoe serving hearty, cheap breakfasts.
Turk's Head
Historic pub on the High Street with its own on-site brewery.
Tyepyedong
Long-running Asian fusion restaurant on Sidwell Street, a genuine Exeter institution for noodles and stir-fry.
VEG BOX
Vegan and vegetarian cafe on the Quay at Haven Banks, dog-friendly with river views.