Whether you prefer to dine in or takeaway, Indian cuisine is amongst the nation’s favourite options for lunch and dinner. While the southwest of England might be more famous for its Afternoon Tea, Devon’s capital city, Exeter, has a brilliantly diverse array of restaurants and isn’t short of superb Indian eateries. Here are some of Exeter’s best Indian Restaurants.
Namaste Exeter South Indian Restaurant
India is an incredibly large and diverse nation and as such its cooking is representative of this diversity. Namaste Exeter specialises in South Indian cooking and is a down-to-earth and incredibly hospitable eatery in the heart of the city.
The cooking at Namaste Exeter is authentic and prepared with love, care, and attention. The restaurant has even won awards for its cuisine and with both dine-in and takeaway options available there isn’t an excuse not to sample the delights of this restaurant’s cooking. Namaste Exeter also welcomes private parties, and functions, and caters externally.
Location: 1A Guinea Street, Exeter, EX1 1BS
The Gandhi Indian Cuisine
Indian food is so incredibly diverse that it can be a challenge to pick what to eat. Thankfully, The Gandhi Indian Cuisine’s menu comes with handy visual aids to help you choose which dish takes your fancy.
The restaurant itself is an easygoing place with a friendly atmosphere tailor-made for relaxing in the company of family and friends. The menu is full of traditional Indian favourites with classic curries, tandoori dishes, and house specials all made with flair and panache.
Location: 7 New North Rd, Exeter, EX4 4HH
Tamarind Bay
Opened by three friends, Lookman, Kam, and Sai, Tamarind Bay is not just a restaurant, it’s a labour of love. The outlook on cooking at Tamarind Bay attempts to steer the restaurant’s cuisine into a more refined approach – with health, sustainability, and fresh cooking prioritised.
The chefs at Tamarind Bay choose to use less oil, sugar, and salt during the cooking process and hope that this inspired approach to culinary expertise sets them apart from their competitors. Thankfully, it does. The Indian and Bengali food at Tamarind Bay is packed with flavour while the portion sizes give you plenty of bang for your buck!
Location: 88 Fore St, Heavitree, Exeter, EX1 2RR
The Gurkha Kitchen
Inspired by Nepalese cooking, The Gurkha Kitchen captures the essence of the Himalayan region with flavoursome dishes packed with authenticity and passion. Like Indian cooking, Nepalese cuisine is distinctly flavoursome and uses many unique spices to create some truly showstopping dishes.
The Gurkha Kitchen is located in the Heavitree area of Exeter, and prides itself on its ambient and welcoming atmosphere, while its menu is expansive and caters to most dietary requirements. Guests with nut allergies, however, are advised to talk to a staff member before choosing a dish.
Location: 164 Heavitree Rd, Exeter, EX1 2LZ
Curry King
Marrying Indian and Bangladeshi-inspired cuisine to delicious effect, Curry King in Exeter seeks only to use the freshest of locally sourced ingredients in their cooking.
Curry King’s superb curries are, indeed, fit for a king, with Tandoori varieties sitting alongside menu classics such as Tikka Masala, Madras, Kurma, Jalfrezi, and Shashlik. The restaurant is a fantastic option both to dine in and takeaway.
Location: 49 Fore Street, Exeter, EX1 2QN
Spice Magic
The inventively named Spice Magic is a restaurant that prides itself on flavour. Indian cooking is among the most flavourful cuisines in the world and with the plethora of spices used in each dish on the restaurant’s menu, the food is indeed magic to taste.
Spice Magic has been serving delicious Indian cuisine for more than twenty years making it one of the oldest Indian restaurants in Exeter. Spice Magic is a takeaway restaurant so doesn’t cater to those who would prefer to dine in, but the food is delivered piping hot and ready to eat at home.
Location: 139 Fore Street, Exeter, EX4 3AN
Argee Bhajee
While the names of Indian restaurants in Exeter vary in inventiveness, Argee Bhajee certainly takes the crown for a witty moniker. To make things better, the restaurant’s food is even as good as its name.
The restaurant isn’t just inventive when it comes to names. Argee Bhajee is pushing boundaries with its cuisine, looking to prioritise healthy cooking using less oil and fat. The restaurant has a relaxed and jovial atmosphere to dine in with friends and family. Takeaway options are also available.
Location: 13 Buddle Lane, Exeter, EX4 1JU
Ganges Restaurant
Ganges Restaurant in the heart of Exeter is a stylish eatery with fine dining at the core of its ethos. The restaurant’s relaxed and sophisticated approach to serving delicious Indian food is a riposte to the takeaway culture often associated with the cuisine (however, takeaways are also available).
All the food at Ganges restaurant is meticulously prepared and reasonably priced to boot. With Indian classics and house specials adorning the menu, there’s something for everyone at Ganges Restaurant.
Location: 156 Fore Street, Exeter, EX4 3AT
Spice Aroma
Spice Aroma does authentic Indian cooking with a no-fuss attitude prioritising rich flavours and spices on a varied, mouth-watering menu. The restaurant is a favourite among Exeter locals with fantastic service accompanying its brilliant food.
With classic starters, sharing platters, and vegetarian options available, Spice Aroma is undoubtedly one of the most reliable Indian takeaway restaurants in Exeter.
Location: 152 Sidwell Street, Exeter, EX4 6RT
The Bengal
The Bengal Exeter specialises in Indian curry, kebab, and Biryani dishes making it a carnivore’s paradise. The restaurant’s cuisine is one of Exeter’s most-ordered takeaways and for good reason. The cooking is always “lip-smacking” with an emphasis on eating heartily.
Ordering from The Bengal is quick and easy from its website making it one of the most convenient choices when thinking about what to order on a Friday or Saturday night for takeaway.
Location: 48 Fore Street, Exeter, EX1 2QL