Reviews in Exeter

Visited twice in two months. Both occasions were disastrous. There is an obvious serious Management failuire at this establishment. My advice, Go anywhere else and receive better service and value. My latest visit was 13/07/2012 - never again.

We booked the private dining room at 1pm today Sunday 8th April for a party of 11 for my fathers 75th birthday. We chose Southernhay House because we wanted top quality dining for my fathers landmark birthday; he has previously visited Burgh Island and we were looking forward to a similar experience at Southernhay House. Unfortunately, we were very disappointed with both the service and the quality of the food and came away wishing that we had booked a different venue. Service was very slow - when we arrived we were left waiting for about 20 minutes and had to ask someone to come and take our drinks order. One of the food orders was wrong - I ordered the breakfast for my son and it was served with a fried egg instead of scrambled and he did not receive a sausage as you had run out.The home made baked beans looked and tasted disgusting. Some of the food was served nearly cold. The yorkshire puddings served with the roast dinner were virtually inedible. The roast dinner itself was not bad but not what we would expect from somewhere that is classified as "fine dining".The toast for the breakfasts had obviously been forgotten and was brought out about 10 minutes into the meal and without butter, which we had to ask for. We asked for someone to come and take another drinks order and were kept waiting for another 15 minutes. Generally, the food and the service was average at best. We complained to the waitress and she did reduce our bill, explaining that they had staffing issues. However, all in all it was a very poor dining experience and not what we expected at all.

After reading reviews, we decided to booked Harrys Restaurant for 4, two weeks before. First impression always counts, on arrival my husband approached the gentleman on the bar and assumes we did not booked but realised quickly we did, we were seated on another room, my party thinks this is an overflow room (restaurant still quiet as our table is booked for 7 p.m.) floor dirty with chips and pieces of tissues scatter around.We were reading the board on the wall with menus and drinks and we notice cage on the ceiling with cobwebs and dust. Our orders taken, food warm not hot, the waitress very helpful. Very disappointed with our experience and we will not come back again and will not recommend with friends. City council pls visit and inspect for cleanliness.

The whole family love the restaurant we go there as much as we can for birthday ect excellent food! We are going there to night

fab fry up

*DREAM LOCATION* - Set on the breathtaking River Exe Estuary, (Exmouth, Devon) – A Unique location on Devon’s only floating cafe – Specialising, where possible, with locally sourced, fresh ingredients and produce, and a menu from, Grilled/BBQ fish, meats and of course Exmouth’s Award Winning Mussels

A very good meal at this new Turkish restaurant. Location not brill as difficult to park but food was lovely. Not got alcohol license yet so literally popped next door to offy to get some beers!

what an amazing find this was, the staff are so attentive, the food delicious, an amazing selection of real ales (someone really knows how to nurture them) relaxed and welcoming, our first visit and definitely not our last, big shout for the mount radford

had lunch in Torquay and the food and service was excellent.

When do you know Exeter is finally a fully fledged cosmopolitan city?... When you get a brilliant Japanese restaurant. Polo is just the best Sushi chef and Roey a fabulous hostess, ( Polo always makes me my favourites, including a very special sweet freshwater eel and beautiful octopus Nigirizushi) There is always a selection of freshly caught seasonal delicacies and you know that the southwest of England produces some of the best freshly caught fish in the world!!! For the non Sushi lovers there's a selection of Tempura, Steaks, Japanese curries and lots more on a varied and delicious menu. You've got to Love it. 10/10

About 4 months ago I moved to Exeter. I am from Berlin in Germany and the only thing I really missed here was Sushi. We went to this Restaurant today the first time and I cannot wait to go again. The food was very fresh and so good. The staff is really nice and helpful. I highly recommend this place.

I have been living in Devon for 16 years having moved from the Midlands where I was brought up to enjoy good Indian food by a father who had served on the sub-continent and was something of a missionary. I had given up on finding an Indian restaurant that could be described as good. In my book that means serving up Indian regional cuisine properly cooked and spiced accurately enough to present how it is supposed to be. I had been forced to lower my sights to find one of the three pot bog standard variety that have dulled pallets to the extent that the majority seem to like them. Since moving to Exeter three years ago I have ruled out all the restaurants in town which, with the greatest respect to them and their customers, did not fill me with joy. Only Real India was good enough to warrant a return visit but although an above average example of the standard formula, it still fell short of my expectations of Real India. I visited the Ganges on Monday night and was amazed; so amazed that I got back and started to write a review. I then thought that I had better try it again as I may have been the equivalent of de-mob happy. So I went again last night, just to see if the first visit was a fluke. It was not. I had King Prawn Kebab cooked in a tandoor on Monday which was fresh, succulent and accurately spiced; followed by a Lamb Malabar which was again as it should be coconut based but not dominated or sweet, a hint of curry leaf and a well roasted masala with good chilli bite. It was not red-hot as billed but it was appropriately spicy. Had this been cooked by Aktar's team at Lasan in Birmingham or Vivek Singh it would have been more chilli hot but I thought perhaps the Ganges were being cautious given that this was Exeter. This might cause some of their Korma's to be a little on the bland side but I will try one soon and raise this with them is this suspicion proves to be right. I had an excellent Bhindi Bhajii side, Pillau Rice and a Chappati which they made for me although it was not on the menu. All the accompaniments were cooked to a high standard, as were the chutneys which came with the Papads, all very different from standard bottled fare. Last night I had a Sheek Kebab which was good followed by Kozhi Varuthacha Kolambu from the Chettindau region which was excellent, with equally good Palak Motor Paneer, Pillau rice and a paratha. The latter experience confirmed that the first visit was not a fluke and I thoroughly enjoyed both of my dining experiences. I am with the majority of the reviewers here, and I am extremely picky with my Indian food as you may have gathered. I never thought I would see the day when I could say this; but this is a very good Indian Restaurant in my own city. No longer will I have to wait for London trips or visits to Birmingham in order to find an excuse to visit Lasan or the Maharaja. I can eat good regional Indian cooking on my own doorstep and I intend to do so when time and funds permit. I am happy to recommend it to anyone who is not easily satisfied with the average.

Fantastic, beautiful home cooked carvery, staff fantastic. Location so clean and friendly. Our favourite place for food and drink BUT you do need to book for Sunday lunch - it's so popular

11a doesn't look anything special from outside but what a great place inside. Well worth a visit for the pizza.

Really fresh, delicious fish and warm and light, well cooked and flavoured rice - would have been pleased to receive this sushi in Japan. A cut above several London-based restaurants. Great attention to detail in the dishes, this isn't Japanese food by numbers, was a very pleasurable dining experience over and above satisfying a washoku craving! Had lunch menu - good value. Prawn tempura light and crunchy, generous portion, tofu salad delicate, authentic flavours but showed originality in presentation. Worth seeking out for quality of cooking and ingredients, compares well with other local restaurants in price range.

Saw the write up in the E&E so just had to visit had some fantastic sushi and the service received from Polo & Roey could not have been better. Looking forward to having lunch there again soon. No need to go to Plymouth when we have our very own Japanese restaurant here in Exeter.

Highly recommended! I had the lunch deal; two courses for £12, and was absolutely blown away!! Very clean, tidy, relaxing atmosphere. Great, authentic tasting food. Polite and helpful staff. Reasonable prices. Overall a 9/10 experience!

Very good service indeed. They've only just opened when we went, so were eager to know how we found it in a nice way. The food was excellently done. The tempura scallops were especially good. They even made a good octopus sushi, which most places fall down on.