The Ivy Exeter

Walk past the Queen Street car park end of the High Street and you'll spot The Ivy's brass signage doing its understated thing. Inside, it's all Art Deco touches and well-dressed diners taking their lunch seriously—this isn't a chain trying too hard, it's the Ivy Collection doing what they do best: elevating the everyday without the stuffiness. The room hums with energy without feeling frantic, and whether you're after brunch, a business lunch, or an evening out, the kitchen delivers Modern British cooking that tastes like someone actually cares. Their cocktail programme is genuinely solid, not just Instagram bait. You're paying for the experience and the execution, and mostly you won't feel ripped off.