British, Modern Restaurants in Exeter
1. Lympstone Manor
British, Modern restaurant in Exmouth
Courtlands Lane - EX8
“The entire experience is extremely memorable” at Michael Caines’s “beautiful country-house hotel” which has “a lovely setting overlooking the River Exe”. (“Our meal began with Champagne and canapes in a wonderfully styled, tranquil lounge with perfect views out over the estuary and across the Lympstone vineyard. The sun was setting across the estuary and the voile floor-length curtains at the open French windows were billowing gently”). “The whole package has continually improved since opening in 2017”, according to one regular, and it’s “a classy experience that’s hard to beat”. “The cooking is of the highest quality, championing everything in the region, so it’s best to ignore your inner accountant and just ride the wave of the Estuary tasting menu”: “a masterclass in how to use top ingredients and complement them with exceptionally well-balanced sauces”. “Predictably it has a huge price tag” (£180 per person for the à la carte or £240 per person for the tasting menu) but no-one this year begrudged paying it. It’s one of the top-20 most commented-on destinations in our annual diners’ poll and satisfaction levels are impressive (“one of the best meals I’ve ever had”) so we share the puzzlement of some reporters at why it’s not more accoladed in some obvious quarters: “I‘m always surprised that the Michelin inspectors only award this establishment a single star”; “the food is easily two star, so no idea why Lympstone only has one”. Perhaps if Michael were French it would help…
2. Rendezvous Wine Bar
British, Modern restaurant in Exeter
38-40 Southernhay East - EX1
“There‘s a dearth of good restaurants in Exeter, so Rendezvous stands out” – a “lovely little place tucked away downstairs” and fusing a “charming” and “calm” restaurant and wine bar. “High-quality locally sourced ingredients are cooked carefully and imaginatively” and abetted by an “interesting wine list with a good selection by the glass”.
3. The Salutation Inn
British, Modern restaurant in Topsham
68 Fore Street - EX3
“Good-quality food at reasonable prices”, including “brilliant local seafood”, is the attraction at this restored Georgian inn from locally born chef-patron Tom Williams-Hawkes (ex-Gordon Ramsay and Gidleigh Park) and his wife Amelia. In summer 2024 they rejigged the venue to operate as a café by day and a restaurant by night, with a new bar area.
4. The Jack in the Green Inn
British, Modern restaurant in Rockbeare
London Road - EX5
It’s all change at this well-known Exeter pub and restaurant (handy for the M5) where, in April 2024, longtime owner Paul Parnell, who ran the venture with his wife Judy for over three decades, handed over the keys to young couple Craig & Miranda Griffin. Easing the transition, Craig was head chef under the former regime for several years (his wife serving as pub manager) so we’ve retained the venue’s rating despite the change of ownership. According to the new website, “pub grub classics are given a delicious kick up the backside”, and there’s also a £65 per person tasting menu.
5. The Five Bells Inn
British, Modern restaurant in Clyst Hydon
2023 Review: Landlord James Garnham took over this lovely thatched pub in his boyhood village with his wife Charlie five years ago, building an excellent reputation for its food and hospitality. “We have now visited 3 times in as many weeks – which says it all!”.
6. The Ring Of Bells
British, Modern restaurant in Crediton
The Hayes, Cheriton Fitapaine - EX17
“Such a good spot, always developing and always aware of customers’ needs and likes”, say fans of this thatched country pub, which landlady Binka Caven has restored in stages since bringing it back to life 10 years ago. The building was originally five Tudor-era cottages, knocked together into a pub during the 1800s.
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