Best Pubs in Exeter 2026: 18 Locals, Gardens and Taprooms

The Pub Is Still Britain's Greatest Social Institution

There are plenty of places to meet people in 2026 — apps, coworking spaces, running clubs, pottery classes. But nothing has replicated what the pub does. A good pub gives you permission to sit with someone for hours, to nurse a drink and talk properly, to arrive alone and leave feeling like you belong somewhere. No booking required. No agenda. Just a table, a couple of pints, and the kind of unhurried conversation that rarely happens over a screen.

Exeter is blessed with pubs. Proper ones. Not identikit chains with laminated menus and TVs bolted to every wall, but independent, characterful places where the landlord knows the regulars and the beer is chosen with care. From medieval backstreet locals to converted warehouses on the quay, the city has a pub for every mood and every kind of catch-up.

We've organised this guide by what you're actually looking for — because the best pub depends entirely on what you need that evening. Whether it's a long, quiet chat with an old friend, a big group gathering, a solid meal, a sunny beer garden, or a serious craft beer selection, Exeter has you covered.

If you're new to the city and building a social life from scratch, becoming a regular at a good local is one of the simplest things you can do. And if you already have mates here but keep defaulting to the same place, this guide might just expand your rotation.

For a Long, Quiet Chat

Sometimes you need a pub where you can actually hear each other. Where the music is low, the lighting is warm, and nobody's rushing you to finish your drink. These are the pubs for the conversations that matter — the ones where you catch up properly, not just exchange headlines.

The Hour Glass

Tucked away on the corner of Melbourne Street and Colleton Row, The Hour Glass has been pouring pints since 1846. Owned and operated by Exeter Brewery, it's a small, wedge-shaped pub with wood-panelled walls, an open fire, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you immediately slow down. The beer is excellent — five regular cask ales brewed just up the road — and head chef David Knapman has brought proper culinary credentials to the kitchen. Dinner is served Thursday to Saturday evenings, with lighter bites and snacks available the rest of the week.

It's the kind of place where two hours pass without you noticing. If you've been meaning to have a proper conversation with someone — the kind you keep postponing — this is where to do it.

The Oddfellows

Just off the high street on New North Road, The Oddfellows is an independently run gastropub that manages to be both relaxed and interesting. Downstairs is the main bar — open fires, good ales, a menu that's earned a gold award from Taste of the West. Upstairs, there's a speakeasy-style cocktail lounge with a distinctly different vibe. Outside, a courtyard and terrace offer a quieter option when the weather's kind.

The Oddfellows opens at 5pm on weekdays and from noon on weekends, which makes it ideal for a proper Thursday evening session or a long Sunday lunch. Their roasts, with Yorkshire puddings and rich gravy, are the kind of thing that turns a casual catch-up into an event.

The Fat Pig

Hidden away at 2 John Street in Exeter's west quarter, The Fat Pig is a freehouse that takes its craft seriously. This isn't a place that does things by halves — they run their own onsite brewery, distillery, and smokehouse. The gin, moonshine, rum, and vodka are all made on the premises. The ales are brewed in-house. The meat comes from named farms: rare breed pork from Haldon Hill, beef from Moretonhampstead, game they shoot themselves.

The menu is small but entirely homemade, and the atmosphere is the kind of unpretentious warmth that only independent pubs can pull off. It's rated among the top restaurants in Exeter on TripAdvisor, which tells you something about the food. But it's the character of the place — tucked away, unshowy, fiercely local — that makes it special for a proper catch-up.

For a Group Gathering

Getting a group together is harder than it should be. Diaries don't align, someone always cancels, and half the pubs in town don't have a table big enough for six, let alone ten. These places can handle the numbers and the noise.

The Imperial

Love it or have complicated feelings about it, The Imperial is undeniably useful for groups. This Wetherspoon occupies a Grade II* listed building on New North Road that was originally built in 1810 as Elmfield House before becoming a hotel and, eventually, a pub. The interiors are genuinely impressive — a barrel-vaulted conservatory, an orangery designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and a ballroom ceiling by Robert Adam. It's not your typical Spoons.

The prices are low, the space is enormous, and nobody's going to give you dirty looks for being a group of eight who've commandeered a corner. It won't win any awards for atmosphere, but for sheer practicality when you need to get everyone in one place without breaking the bank, it works. There's a reason socialising on a budget matters more than ever.

Samuel Jones

Set in a former bonded warehouse on Exeter Quayside — built by the city's former mayor and wine merchant of the same name — Samuel Jones is a St Austell Brewery pub that does relaxed smokehouse-inspired dining. The space is big enough for groups without feeling cavernous, the beer garden looks out over the water, and the menu is built around shareable plates, build-your-own burgers, and smoked meats that encourage a communal, unhurried meal.

It's family-friendly, dog-friendly, and has the kind of laid-back quayside atmosphere that makes it easy for everyone in the group to feel comfortable — even the ones who took some convincing to come out.

On The Waterfront

Also on the quay, On The Waterfront occupies a Grade II listed former dock warehouse with long arched tunnels forming the backdrop of the dining rooms. The space is big enough for parties of up to 100, but it doesn't feel impersonal. The pizzas are famously enormous, the bar is Cask Marque accredited, and the heated terrace offers views over the water that make you forget you're minutes from the city centre.

It's dog-friendly in the bar and terrace areas, and the all-day opening hours mean you can gather here from lunch through to late evening without being shuffled out.

For Historic Character

Some pubs earn their place on a list not just for what they serve but for where they have been. Exeter's history runs deep — the Romans were here, the medieval wool trade made the city wealthy, and the Blitz devastated the centre in 1942. The pubs that survived carry centuries of stories in their walls.

The Ship Inn

One of Exeter's oldest and most famous pubs, The Ship Inn on Martin's Lane is a Grade II listed building dating back to the 16th century. Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh are said to have drunk here — and while that claim is made by approximately 200 pubs across Devon, the Ship has more historical credibility than most. The pub was frequented by sea captains during Exeter's years as a major port, and the low-beamed, timber-framed interior still feels like somewhere you might overhear a maritime plot.

The beer selection is solid, with a mix of national and local ales, and the food is honest pub grub. But the real draw is the atmosphere — it is a pub that feels old in the best possible way, the kind of place where you slow down simply because the building tells you to. If you have visitors from out of town and want to show them a pub that tells Exeter's story, this is where to bring them. For more of Exeter's fascinating history, our Roman Exeter guide and walking tour of hidden gems are worth exploring.

City Gate Hotel

The City Gate on Iron Bridge is a Young's pub that combines the reliability of a well-run chain operation with genuine historic character — the building sits beside Exeter's old city wall, and the large beer garden is one of the most pleasant in the city centre. Beyond the usual pub offerings, the City Gate runs regular quiz nights, live music, and community events that give it a social dimension beyond just food and drink.

For Live Music and Events

Some pubs are not just places to drink — they are places where things happen. If you want a pub that offers more than a pint and a chat, these venues combine great drinks with regular entertainment.

The Old Firehouse

On New North Road, The Old Firehouse is a live music institution. Electrifying Friday night sessions, soulful Ex-Tunes every Sunday, an open mic night, and the legendary "Terry and Jude's Crazy Quiz" on Mondays — there is something happening almost every night. The range of ales and ciders is impressive, the prices are reasonable, and the 14-inch square pizzas are the stuff of local legend. The student-friendly vibe keeps the energy high, and the mix of genres — funk, reggae, soul, jazz, hip hop, rock 'n' roll — means you never quite know what you will walk into.

For the full breakdown of Exeter's live music scene, including the Old Firehouse, our live music venues guide has you covered.

The Stand Off

The Stand Off on Longbrook Street was founded by professional rugby players Gareth Steenson and Carl Rimmer. It functions as a sports bar — seven screens, a giant projector, a deep connection to Exeter Chiefs — but the live music every Friday and Saturday brings in some of the best bands around. The homecooked food uses locally sourced ingredients, and the draught beer, cider, and cocktail selection is better than most dedicated music venues manage.

For Proper Pub Grub

A good pub meal is one of life's genuine pleasures. Not fine dining pretending to be casual, but honest food done well — the kind of meal where you leave full, happy, and slightly surprised by how good it was.

The Prospect Inn

Sitting right on the quayside overlooking the River Exe, The Prospect Inn is what you'd call a proper pub. Old school, friendly, relaxed, and serving honest homemade food with locally sourced produce. Devon-crafted ales, lagers, and gins line the bar, and the food is good value all day. Live music adds energy on certain evenings, and the outdoor seating on the quay is brilliant when the sun's out.

It's closed on Mondays, but Tuesday through Sunday it's one of the most reliable spots for a meal that feels like it belongs in Devon — not a menu designed by a head office somewhere else.

Mill on the Exe

Spread across two floors next to Blackaller Weir, the Mill on the Exe is a St Austell Brewery pub housed in a former paper mill. The original water wheel is still visible in the garden. The menu offers contemporary takes on pub classics, the bar serves award-winning St Austell beers alongside local ales and wines, and the location — a stone's throw from both the city centre and Exeter St David's station — makes it wonderfully convenient.

If you're looking for a pub that bridges the gap between a casual pint and a proper meal out, the Mill does it well. It also has eleven bedrooms, which makes it useful if you're hosting friends visiting from out of town. As we've written before, the dinner table can be a kind of sanctuary, and the Mill's riverside setting adds to that feeling.

For Beer Gardens and Outdoor Drinking

When the Devon sun comes out — and it does come out, despite what people from elsewhere might assume — there's nothing better than a beer garden with good company.

Double Locks

This is the one everyone knows, and for good reason. The Double Locks sits on the banks of the Exeter Ship Canal, accessible by a flat thirty-minute walk from the quay along the towpath (or you can drive via Marsh Barton, but walking is the whole point). The beer garden is the biggest in Exeter — sprawling, right on the water's edge, with covered and heated areas for when the weather turns.

Built in 1701 as a cottage for the canal lock keeper, using small Dutch bricks that had been ship ballast, the Double Locks has a history that matches its character. The food is seasonal British, the ales are local, and they host regular events including cask ale festivals, cider festivals, and an annual dog show. It's family and dog-friendly, and in summer it feels like the best pub in Devon.

The Turf Hotel

If the Double Locks feels like a pilgrimage, The Turf is a proper adventure. This Grade II listed pub sits on a spit of land where the Exeter Canal meets the River Exe, near Exminster — and it's completely inaccessible by car. You walk, cycle, or take a ferry from Topsham. That inaccessibility is part of the magic. By the time you arrive, you've earned your pint.

The beer garden is enormous, the cask ales are excellent, and in summer they run cook-your-own BBQs that are the stuff of local legend. It's been run by the Redfern family since 1990, and it has the feel of somewhere that's been loved, not just managed. If you're looking for an afternoon that feels like an escape from everything, this is it.

Two things to plan around, though. The Turf is seasonal — its published 2026 hours have it closed through January to April and again through November and December, with Mondays and Tuesdays off in May and June, so it is a late-spring-to-autumn pub rather than a year-round local. And there is genuinely no road to it: the only ways in are on foot, by bike, on horseback, or by boat, with the ferry from Topsham the easiest option. Check their hours and the ferry timetable before you set out, because there is nothing else within walking distance if you arrive to a locked door.

The Lighter Inn, Topsham

Down on Topsham Quay, The Lighter Inn is a relaxed village pub and restaurant overlooking the Exe Estuary. The outdoor seating catches the afternoon sun beautifully, and the views across the water towards Exminster Marshes are genuinely lovely. It's the kind of place where you order one drink and end up staying for three.

Topsham itself is worth the trip — a pretty riverside village with independent shops, excellent food, and a pace of life that feels a world away from city centre Exeter despite being just a few miles downstream.

For Craft Beer and Taprooms

Exeter's craft beer scene has grown quietly but impressively. If you care about what's in your glass, these places will keep you happy.

Topsham Brewery Taproom

Located on Exeter Quayside between the river and the canal basin, Topsham Brewery is something of a local cult classic. They brew everything on site — milkshake stouts, juicy IPAs, hefeweizens, crisp lagers — and the quayside beer garden is perfect for catching the evening sun with a fresh pint. The atmosphere is friendly and unpretentious, and you'll often find yourself chatting to strangers, which is rather the point of a good taproom.

Exeter Brewery Tap Room

Just 200 yards from St David's station on Cowley Bridge Road, the Exeter Brewery Tap Room is open to the public on Thursday and Friday evenings from 5pm. The space has been recently extended and offers their full range of award-winning ales and keg products, including their organic lager and Devon ciders. They serve Tom's Pies with mash and proper gravy, which pairs remarkably well with a freshly poured pint. It's also available for private hire, making it a solid option if you want to organise something a bit special for a group.

Beer Cellar

Tucked away at 2 South Street with a second entrance on Cathedral Green, the Beer Cellar is a specialist craft beer bar that's been championing interesting beer since 2014. With six cask beers, nine craft keg lines, and over 100 bottled beers and ciders, the selection is serious without being intimidating. The staff know their beer and are happy to guide you through the options. It's small and cosy — more a place for two or three friends than a big group — but the quality of what's on offer makes it worth seeking out.

Why the Pub Still Matters

In an age of WhatsApp groups and video calls, it might seem old-fashioned to argue for the pub. But there's something about a shared physical space — no screens, no agenda, no time limit — that creates the conditions for real connection. Research consistently shows that face-to-face socialising does things for our mental health that digital communication simply can't replicate.

The pub is democratic. It doesn't require planning or expense. You can stay for one drink or four. You can come alone and bump into someone you know, or arrange to meet and end up joining another table. It's one of the few remaining public spaces where showing up is the whole point, and where the barrier to entry is as low as walking through the door.

Exeter's pubs are a big part of what makes this city feel like a community rather than just a place where people happen to live. Whether you're here for a quiet pint and a long conversation or a rowdy evening with a group of mates, there's a pub in this city that's exactly right for it.

If you want to extend the evening beyond the pub, explore our cocktail bars guide for Exeter's best late-night options, or check out the wine bars guide for something more refined. For a midweek brain workout, our pub quizzes guide covers every quiz night in the city — Monday through Sunday, with venues, times, and formats. And if the weather is kind, some of these pubs pair beautifully with a walk along the canal and quay — arrive on foot, earn your pint, and enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

And if you're looking for more structured ways to meet people over food and drink in Exeter, we might know a thing or two about that as well.