Olive Lounge

Olive Lounge is a small independent restaurant on Exmouth's High Street, run by owners Mal and Lisa, who are usually on the floor themselves rather than out back. Mal's cooking draws on international experience picked up across Europe, and the menu moves around the Mediterranean rather than pinning itself to one country - beef lasagne alongside seafood paella, mezze-style sharing plates, fresh seasonal produce handled simply and left to speak for itself rather than dressed up.

Dietary needs are taken seriously here rather than treated as an afterthought, with vegan and gluten-free options built into the regular menu instead of a separate list. The restaurant opens Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm, and booking ahead is recommended - it is a small room and it fills. There is a cocktail list alongside the food, and gift vouchers if you want to send someone else for the evening you enjoyed. It's ranked among the better-reviewed restaurants in Exmouth, and the welcome from the owners is a big part of why.