With graduation behind me, it’s a good time to reflect on all the culinary delights the city of Exeter has to offer.
And with three years of quick coffees and high-street study spots, here’s my top 5 coffee shops and cafes in Exeter (in no particular order).
Nestled in the infamous Gandy Street, Chococo is an award-winning chocolatier-cum-coffee shop with children’s summer workshops, fondue for two and a gift shop featuring pick-your-own truffles and lovingly iced ‘Exeter’ chocolate slabs.
I’ve visited a number of times – whether for decadent hot chocolates in the winter or rich ice creams in summer. With impeccably friendly staff and a colourful setting, Chococo is easily a firm favourite for those with a sweet tooth!
A little more off-the-beaten-track, The Glorious Art House sits along Fore Street in all its artsy splendour.
Reminiscent of the Brighton Lanes, the brightly painted walls and a gathering of eclectic furniture make for a quirky cafe setting unlike any other in Exeter.
With seating upstairs and outdoors, they offer sweet treats, a warming lunch menu and dare I forget, gloriously indulgent hot chocolates.
Mine and Matt’s personal favourite (as the location of our first coffee date) is this modern-rustic coffee bar, sitting proudly in Exeter’s high street.
With its ‘coffee shop by day, wine bar by night’ affair, Arti’s is a unique and thriving business revitalised by offering acoustic jazz nights and private party hire.
One time Matt and I witnessed the day-to-night transition – it honestly felt a little magical to see the lights dim, the music change and the coffee-and-cake combo morph into wine and antipasti boards.
As a frequent customer, I can also vouch for their breakfast and brunch menu. Matt opted for the American-style pancakes with bacon and maple syrup, and I went for the eggs royale (the smoked salmon of the eggs benedict family). At £6.50 each, this was a treat for us both. Matt’s American dream hit the spot and my fresh smoked salmon and creamy hollandaise were a delight.
Sadly no photos for this one, but hidden behind the Princesshay shopping centre is the always-thriving coffee chain – perfect for a catch-up or quick lunch.
With rustic furniture and a huge range of hot drinks and freshly blitzed summer smoothies on offer, Coffee #1 is Exeter’s catch-all cafe – drawing in everyone from families, textbook-laden students to exhausted shoppers looking for respite.
Having heard about it from friends, the Exploding Bakery always the one I kept meaning to visit – and only got round to it towards the end of my time in Exeter.
Primarily a wholesaler, they specialise in cakes to eat-in or take-away – and I can heartily recommend the slice of salted caramel brownie.
Beside Exeter Central station, this one has a low-key chilled vibe, perfect for people-watching and letting time float by. Though it does get busy, to me this one has ‘me time’ written all over it – for those coffee-and-book-reading moments when you want to have a breather from everything else.
The Culinary Carousel 