Venezia Exeter

You'll find Venezia tucked along Waterside, that stretch of the Exe where locals actually congregate rather than just pass through. It's the kind of place that gets rammed on Friday nights with people who know what they're after—proper Italian done well, not some half-hearted attempt at Mediterranean. The room's unpretentious but warm, service moves at a good clip, and the kitchen clearly knows what it's doing with both the classics and seasonal specials. Worth booking ahead unless you fancy standing at the bar with a glass of wine.