Exeter is renowned for its glorious architecture, vibrant student life, and mouth-watering restaurants and cafes. The nightlife in Exeter isn’t bad either, and after a big night of socialising in the town’s various pubs and clubs, there’s nothing better than indulging in a spot of breakfast to settle the stomach.
Luckily, Exeter has an abundance of cafes and bistros that specialise in all things breakfast. From fry-ups to eggs any style, to a good old hot mug of tea, Exeter has it all. Here are the best places for breakfast in Exeter.
Brody’s Breakfast Bistro
Brody’s Breakfast Bistro has one goal in mind, and that’s to make breakfast the highlight of your day. The bistro has it all, and proudly wears the badge of “home of the unlimited breakfast.” The unlimited breakfast means unlimited, and depending on your appetite, you could be turning breakfast into an all-you-can-eat, all-morning affair.
If fry-ups aren’t your thing, then Brody’s menu has all the American-style diner favourites, from French toast to waffles with ice cream, and pancakes.
Location: 23-24 Queen St, Exeter, EX4 3SH
Boston Tea Party
With a unique, sociable atmosphere, and located in the heart of Exeter city centre, Boston Tea Party has been a staple of Exeter’s cafe culture for decades.
The cafe has ample seating over two floors and is always buzzing with conversation and a laid-back feel. The menu at Boston Tea Party celebrates everything that’s special about the southwest of England, using locally sourced ingredients in their mouthwatering breakfasts, brunches, and lunches.
Location: 84 Queen St, Exeter, EX4 3RP
Sacred Grounds
Situated in the must-visit McCoy’s Arcade, Sacred Grounds is without a doubt the best place in Exeter to eat the breakfast favourite, Eggs Benedict. However, no eggs were harmed in Sacred Grounds’ “Eggs Benedict” as the cafe’s ‘eggs’ are vegan and created in-house using silken tofu.
Don’t take our word for it, the vegan eggs cooked at Sacred Grounds are so innovative that the cafe has been the recipient of numerous awards for their forward-thinking approach to culinary expertise. Other highlights on Sacred Grounds’ menu include their “Smoky Beans,” chestnut mushrooms on toast, and their vegan egg Royale, which substitutes salmon for “carrot lux.”
Location: McCoy’s Arcade, Exeter, EX4 3AN
The Daisy Café
Away from the hustle and bustle of Exeter’s busy town centre, The Daisy Cafe is a charming, tranquil retreat tucked away in the Heavitree district of the city and has been featured in BBC’s Good Food magazine.
Boasting a beautiful seated garden area, The Daisy Cafe is perfect for a spot of breakfast or brunch on a sunny spring or summer morning. The menu at the cafe is filled with breakfast favourites, while their fry-ups are brilliant palette cleansers and perfect for curing a hangover.
With gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian breakfasts on offer, using only organic, locally sourced ingredients, The Daisy Cafe is as wholesome as it is hospitable and delicious.
Location: 98 Fore St, Heavitree, Exeter, EX1 2RS
Eat On The Green
Situated on the cobbled grounds of Exeter’s eye-catching Cathedral Green, Eat On The Green is the perfect place for a spot of breakfast or brunch while watching the world go by.
Eat On The Green offers a brilliant breakfast deal with a Full English Breakfast or Veggie Breakfast, plus any hot drink for only £10, so you can save some money for an afternoon of shopping in Exeter’s vibrant city centre.
The offer is for the early birds. Breakfast means breakfast at Eat On The Green, as the £10 breakfast deal is only available until 10am. Regardless, if you’re a late riser there’s plenty more to tuck into on the cafe’s varied menu.
Location: 2 Cathedral Cl, Exeter, EX1 1EZ
Bills Exeter
Renowned nationwide for its enterprising approach to breakfast, brunch, and lunch, Bills has become synonymous with good food and a relaxed, hospitable atmosphere.
Founded in Lewes, East Sussex, Bills now boasts restaurants all over the country, and Exeter’s Bills is one of the best around. Located in the heart of Exeter’s vibrant city centre, Bills is a great place to fill up for breakfast or brunch before hitting the shops.
The menu at Bills is always a treat for the tastebuds with all the breakfast classics from Full English to Eggs Royale to get stuck into.
Location: 32-33 Gandy St, Exeter, EX4 3LS
Dinosaur Café
Exeter’s Dinosaur Cafe may be prehistoric in name, but it’s forward-thinking by nature. The breakfasts at this local favourite are hearty and filling, with a range of delectable dishes on its menu.
The Dinosaur Cafe puts a continental spin on the traditional fry-up with a mouth-watering Turkish breakfast available alongside classic local staples. The cafe is a family-run, independent business and encapsulates everything unique and diverse about Exeter.
Location: 5 New Rd, Exeter, EX4 4HH
Mangos Café and Bar
Situated on Exeter’s historic quay, Mangos has been serving up delicious breakfasts, brunches, and light lunches by the waterside for nearly a decade.
The quay is a sought-after location for dining out, with its tranquil atmosphere and a plethora of cafes, restaurants, and bars. Mangos combines all three with a varied breakfast menu and a stocked-up bar to entice visitors to make a day of it on Exeter’s famous quayside.
Location: Kings Wharf, The Quay, Exeter, EX2 4AN
Cosy Club Exeter
The Cosy Club Exeter may be cosy by name, but it’s grand by nature. Situated on the converted ground floor of the old Dean Clarke Hospital’s Halford Wing in Southernhay, Exeter, Cosy Club is a treat for the senses as well as the tastebuds.
The menu at Cosy Club is full of breakfast staples with tantalising Full English dishes loaded with meats, while vegetarian, and vegan options are also available.
Relax in Cosy Club’s spacious cafe and enjoy a special atmosphere amongst friends and family in the heart of Exeter.
Location: 1 Southernhay Gardens, Exeter, EX1 1SG