Eat
Devon’s pretty famous for its cream teas, but you won’t be needing scones and jam when you see the ludicrous number of traybakes churned out by wholesale cakery the Exploding Bakery. Nibble the spare bits and enjoy brews courtesy of Monmouth coffee at this café by Exeter Central station.
Whether you’re cooking your own grub or looking for an early bird’s breakfast before hitting the town, you can find local and sustainable food at Real Food Store – a café, produce shop and bakery that’s the fruit of one of the UK’s largest community-owned food projects. You’ll find it sitting defiantly in the shadow of Princesshay shopping centre.
At lunchtime, nip round the corner to Sidwell Street for an “OMG, those burgers” moment at Hubbox, where you can grab loaded dogs, crafty beers and (yep, you guessed it) delicious beef patties – all served from kitchen housed in an old shipping container, of course. If you’re hungry enough to take a 25-minute drive out of the city (or a 15-minute train and half-hour walk from Cranbrook station), you should delve into west country gastronomy at The Jack in the Green – a pub-cum-foodie’s-heaven in nearby Rockbeare. You’ll find locally-sourced tasting menus and traditional pub grub.
In case you hadn’t already noticed, homespun Devon produce is a big part of Exeter’s food scene, and The Glorious Art House on arty and independent Fore Street is no different. Add eco credentials and local art on the walls and that raw food board is looking very appealing.
