Best Restaurants in Exmouth, Devon: local top spots!
Are you looking for the best restaurants in Exmouth?
Whether you’re on holiday in the East Devon beach town or are living here (like me!), there are so many incredible eateries to enjoy in this town.
I’ve made it my personal mission over the last few months to eat at all of these restaurants, so I can offer my balanced, unbiased opinion of them (it’s definitely been one of the perks of my job!).
I’m vegetarian, and I normally eat with my partner who is pescatarian, but all of these restaurants apart from Sundowners cater to omnivores.
Plus, sometimes we’ve been eating with meat-eaters, so I’ve heard a little about their dishes too.
So, if you’re wondering where to eat in Exmouth, here’s Go South West’s pick of the finest!
Best restaurants in Exmouth
Spoken
Phone number: 01395 265228
Probably my favourite all-rounder restaurant in Exmouth, Spoken is a staple of the local community.
With a variety of meat, fish, veggie and vegan dishes, this restaurant mainly focuses on tapas.
We’re talking crispy patatas bravas, rich halloumi, creamy hummus and stuffed vine leaves.
Spoken is also a bar, and they have an extensive gin selection. In fact, the owner also runs the Quayside Distillery in Exeter.
They even have non-alcoholic gins; I’ve been trying to drink less recently, and their rhubarb and ginger non-alcoholic gin is incredibly realistic.
In the summertime, they have outdoor seating and in the winter, people are welcome to drink indoors.
They also do a few fun events throughout the year, like this paella day in the summer!
Vino 32
Phone number: 01395 277888
Another strong contender for my favourite Exmouth restaurant, Vino 32 serves Asian fusion food, including deliciously rich udon noodles in spicy sauce and rendang.
There are a few veggie and vegan dishes, with plenty for meat lovers too.
The food is a lot more authentic than other Asian restaurants in the UK (I’ve been to Malaysia a few times so can verify this!), but Vino 32 is also famous for its wine.
It has drinks from all over the world within the shop – so whether you fancy a shiraz or a sauvingnon blanc – or even a local English wine – there will be something on the list!
The Chronicle
Phone number: 01395 488015
The Chronicle is a 1930s-themed eatery sitting by Manor Gardens.
It takes its name from the fact that it’s on the site of the old Exmouth Chronicle office.
It’s famous for its steaks, but also serves up delectable seafood dishes and veggie options – I had the mushroom stroganoff when I visited, along with a HUGE portion of camembert to start.
You can see my full review here.
Bumble and Bee
Phone number: 07500 039399
Sitting in Manor Gardens, this friendly cafe serves excellent breakfast stacks (basically stacked fry ups!), with options for meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans. Or, opt for their breakfast baps!
They also serve cream teas – remember to put your cream on first, you’re in Devon – along with lunch specials like vegan and standard fish finger sandwiches, BLTs and vegan meatball ciabattas.
There’s also excellent coffee any time of day!
Bumble and Bee has two other restaurants – Bumble and Sea, which serves coffee and cake near Orcombe Point, and Bumble and Tee, a cafe in Phear Park.
Postcards Cafe
Phone number: 01395 487100
Perfect for a budget-friendly breakfast, Postcards Cafe is a travel-themed restaurant in the heart of Exmouth town centre.
You can get breakfast here for as little as £3, and either sit outside and enjoy the local atmosphere, or enter inside, check out their range of postcards and see the huge world map.
The menu is mainly vegetarian and they have plant-based milks for coffee (along with dairy milk).
Sundowners
Phone number: 01395 487080
Sitting right next to Exmouth market, Sundowners is an all-vegetarian breakfast, lunch and brunch restaurant in Exmouth.
Enjoy paninis and salads here as you look over the main square of the town.
I particuarly love their breakfast wrap, which comes with vegetarian sausages, tofu scramble and mushrooms.
Saveur
Phone number: 01395 269459
Saveur Restaurant has two AA rosettes; it’s a small affair with only a few tables and chairs and limited opening hours. But, as you’d expect from an award-winning restaurant, the food is divine.
I enjoyed a truffle gnocchi when I last visited, along with a beetroot starter and cheeseboard for dessert.
They also have an extensive wine list, with drinks hailing from Lebanon and other global destinations.
You can see my full Saveur Restaurant review here.
The Mexican
Phone number: 01395 223388
While The Mexican isn’t my favourite restaurant in Exmouth, it’s a good family-friendly establishment with an extensive menu.
Plus, it has an outdoor garden with heaters – this was a godsend post-lockdown when we could only eat outside!
The menu isn’t really Mexican (part of the reason why I’m dubious about it – I used to live in Mexico!); it serves steaks, a selection of burgers and tapas-style dishes.
The only thing remotely Mexican are the fajitas, but these are very much Tex-Mex anyway (none of my Mexican friends have ever eaten fajitas!).
However, the food is decent, it has a welcoming atmosphere and there’s something on the menu for everyone. And sometimes, that’s what you need from a restaurant!
The Grove
Phone number: 01395 272101
I’ve tried to stick to independent restaurants on this list, but I’ve made an exception for The Grove, which is part of the Youngs on Tap pub franchise.
I’ve always loved the menu here – it’s very much pub grub, but has a range of veggie options including a delicious vegan burger – and there’s a balcony with amazing views over the estuary.
If you’re visiting in winter, they have a roaring fire downstairs and a hearty menu that changes seasonally.
Rockfish
Phone number: 01395 272100
Rockfish is a West Country-based seafood restaurant chain.
They have a branch in Exeter – I actually wrote a full review of it – but I’ve visited the Exmouth branch too.
With gorgeous views over the Exe Estuary, Rockfish Exmouth couldn’t be in a better location.
Their menu includes fresh fish straight from Brixham (Devon’s fishing port, and one of the largest in the UK), calamari and mussel dishes and some vegetarian options.
I went with my partner and mum, both fish eaters, who absolutely loved the fresh seafood.
I have had their Bombay veggie burger which was also very tasty!
Krispies
Phone number: 01395 278823
I couldn’t have a list of the best restaurants in Exmouth without including one or two chippies, could I?
While Krispies is only a takeaway joint, it serves mouthwatering fish and chips, and is a must-visit for any Exmouth visitors.
As a local, I really have to refrain from getting their incredible chips too often!
They serve double battered chips, which taste as good as they sound – double the crunch but still plenty of fluffiness.
Don’t just take my word for it – Krispies has been voted the best fish and chip restaurant in the country.
Proper Fish and Chips Co
Phone number: 01395 743217
Krispies vs Proper Fish and Chips… which is better?
My grandma lived in Exmouth for the last 40 years of her life, and she was a Krispies gal, through and through.
But recently my partner and I have tried out Proper Fish and Chips, and they do rival Krispies!
As a vegetarian, I think that Proper has better options for me (although I’d love to see either Proper or Krispies offer vegan fish with banana blossom or tofu, you can’t get this anywhere in Exmouth at the moment!).
However, the Krispies double battered chips are really incredible… and while I’m sure they’re worth health-wise, if I’m getting fish and chips, I usually want to go all out!
Mickey’s Beach Bar
Phone number: 01395 206888
I was in two minds whether to put Mickey’s Beach Bar on this list.
Run by celebrity chef Michael Kaines, it sits right next to Exmouth Beach and definitely has one of the best views in town.
However, I’ve never actually eaten there (I find the food menu a little uninspiring and overpriced), and it’s been a bit of a talking point in the community due to it being eons above the price of a standard restaurant meal in Exmouth!
I have been to Mickey’s Beach Bar for drinks, and do enjoy sipping a glass of wine while looking over the beautiful beach.
Maybe I’ll eat there in the future and be able to say whether it really is worth it – but for now, I’m including it on this list for the view!
If you’re staying at Devon Cliffs Holiday Park, it’s the closest restaurant on this list to you.
Now you know where to eat in Exmouth!
Whether you’re looking for casual dining or something a little fancier, this list of restaurants in Exmouth should have something for you!
Be sure to check out my Exmouth travel guide for more information about holidaying to this town, or check out my Devon archives, which are full of local tips.
If you have any questions about travelling in South West England, feel free to reach out on Instagram – I’m happy to help!
