Restaurants in Exeter: Cockles, coffee and culinary excellence

Renowned fine-dining restaurants, bustling pub bistros, and unmissable seafood hotspots mean that Exeter’s thriving food scene will satisfy the appetite of any hungry gastronome. 

Tucked away in the west quarter of the city, Angela's can be easily missed. Go out of your way to find it, however, as this dinky seafood restaurant serves some of the finest fish in the country.

From scallops to monk fish, John Dory to turbot, the catch on offer at Angela's is as fresh as it gets – everything on the menu having landed off the boat the same day. The extremely popular (and extremely delicious) mussels are caught at nearby Elberry Cove (a 45-minute drive away) and the equally delectable crab is netted at Labrador Bay.

If seafood doesn't take your fancy, Angela's fine selection of meat is guaranteed to satisfy your appetite instead. Melt-in-the-mouth steak is Pedigree Long Horn or Angus Beef from the surrounding village of Sampford Peverell, whilst lamb, pork and duck is also sourced locally.

38 New Bridge Street, EX4 3AH. http://www.angelasrestaurant.co.uk/<o:p></o:p>

The Exeter branch of Chandos (there are Chandos delis in Bath and Bristol) opened its door back in 2007 in the new Princesshay shopping center. The perfect pit stop amidst a day of shopping, Chandos serves fresh bread, pastries, artisan cakes, homemade sandwiches, coffee, local ales and wine. If you've no time to stop, you can take away their tasty baked goods, or stock up on authentic local and international produce such as wonderful French cheeses, juicy Spanish olives, soft Italian pastas, English chutneys, and Exeter's finest organic fruit and veg. If you can't decide on what to get, do ask the friendly staff to tell you what's in season and to talk you through their favourite delicacies.

Chandos also plays host to many events throughout the year, including wine tasting, beer tasting, and a festive food showcase.

1 Roman Walk, Princesshay, EX1 1GN. http://www.chandosdeli.com/locations/exeter-princesshay/<o:p></o:p>

Located on North Street, The Conservatory has been treating hungry diners to exquisite plates of seasonal, regionally sourced food for over a decade. Now one of the must-visit restaurants in Exeter, The Conservatory uses ingredients from local suppliers to fill their varied and colourful menu, which features dishes such as oven-roasted hake with bacon and leek fricassee; pork loin with celeriac purée and crispy kale; and orange crème brûlée, blackberry soup and clotted cream.

Though the food is obviously the star of the show here, the building itself is somewhat of an attraction too. Some parts of the dining room date back to the 17th century, whilst a fully restored original Tudor wall is a wonderful focal point. That's if you can take your eyes off of the food, that is.

18 North St, EX4 3QS. http://www.theconservatoryrestaurant.co.uk/<o:p></o:p>

This fantastic little bakery, which is just a stone's throw from Exeter Castle, is the brainchild of locals Oliver Coysh and Tom Oxford. Obsessed with fine textures, innovative flavours and simple, natural ingredients, the pair make sumptuous tray bakes for wholesale, which can be ordered from their website.

For passers-by however, there's a small café attached to the bakery where you can indulge in Monmouth coffee, organic herbal tea and freshly-baked snacks. What's on the menu changes daily but previous offerings have included pecan and sour cherry blondies; pink chard and ricotta frittata; lemon polenta cake; apple and walnut croissants; and beetroot, cheddar and rosemary “sausage rolls”. The mouth waters…

1B Central Crescent, Queen Street, EX4 3SB. http://explodingbakery.com/<o:p></o:p>

The restaurant at this Devonshire inn was awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand back in 2015 (for offering outstanding value for money), as was the pub, which serves a smaller, more traditional menu over the bar. Both menus are seasonally-driven and brimming with locally-farmed produce, so exactly where in The Jack in the Green you dine doesn't matter – the food is fantastic all over.

Falling under the category of modern British, the bar menu features favourites such as homemade Scotch eggs and freshly-caught cod with chips, whilst the à la carte ramps up the gastro excellence with plates of lamb loin, sweetbread and black olives; and gin and ginger-cured salmon with pickled cucumber. If you've got room to fill, there's a six-course tasting menu for just £45 per person, which can also be paired with house wines.

The Jack In The Green Inn, EX5 2EE. http://www.jackinthegreen.uk.com/Home <o:p></o:p>

Has that whetted your appetite? If you’re planning a trip to Exeter soon then you’re guaranteed a wonderful stay at our Exeter Rougemont Hotel. The Rougemont makes for the perfect weekend break spot as well as a wonderful wedding venue. Discover more here.