
The Botanist Exeter
Quick info
About The Botanist Exeter
On The Guildhall Shopping Centre in Exeter, The Botanist Exeter is a gastropub-style restaurant known for its hanging kebabs, served on a hook rather than a plate. The halloumi hanging kebab and halloumi panko kebab both arrive with fries and a sweet chilli and ginger sauce. Elsewhere the menu runs to camembert baked into a sourdough loaf with chutney, pork belly bites, and roast meals such as belly pork and beef. Brunch and botanical cocktails round out the offering. The room seats diners at table service, with staff on hand throughout, and live music runs on Friday nights for an added draw. Desserts arrive with attention paid to presentation. The space gets busy at times, and dogs are welcome throughout.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingPaid parking lot
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsHigh chairs · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention halloumi hanging kebab, live music, pork belly bites and camembert baked sourdough.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention halloumi hanging kebab, live music, pork belly bites and camembert baked sourdough.
Customer Review Summary
The halloumi hanging kebab draws repeated praise, with diners calling it delicious and filling, while the camembert baked into sourdough with its chutney and the pork belly bites also earn specific mentions. Close behind, live music on weekend nights and an upbeat, stylish atmosphere come up again and again as reasons the evening feels special, alongside consistently attentive, friendly service from the waitstaff. Roast meals like the belly pork and beef are singled out at lunchtime too, and desserts are repeatedly described as pleasantly presented. Celebratory touches stand out: one diner's cake was placed on a platter for a birthday, and a manager comped a free dessert for the celebrant. One reviewer's only complaint was that the restaurant ran a little chilly, otherwise the meal was excellent. Multiple visitors mention being seated during busy periods without trouble and returning happy despite arriving in a bad mood, with one describing help taking celebratory photos from a staff member.
Customer Review Summary
The halloumi hanging kebab draws repeated praise, with diners calling it delicious and filling, while the camembert baked into sourdough with its chutney and the pork belly bites also earn specific mentions. Close behind, live music on weekend nights and an upbeat, stylish atmosphere come up again and again as reasons the evening feels special, alongside consistently attentive, friendly service from the waitstaff. Roast meals like the belly pork and beef are singled out at lunchtime too, and desserts are repeatedly described as pleasantly presented. Celebratory touches stand out: one diner's cake was placed on a platter for a birthday, and a manager comped a free dessert for the celebrant. One reviewer's only complaint was that the restaurant ran a little chilly, otherwise the meal was excellent. Multiple visitors mention being seated during busy periods without trouble and returning happy despite arriving in a bad mood, with one describing help taking celebratory photos from a staff member.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Michaela and Katie were so amazing I don’t think I have seen a team so close like this in a while. I had the pork belly bites the sauce was actually amazing. Would definitely recommend for anyone who visits Exeter”
- Google user
“We had a fantastic meal at The Botanist. The live music made for a brilliant atmosphere, the food was delicious and the whole evening was lovely. Liv was a fantasic server - friendly, helpful and all around lovely. Thank you.”
- Google user
“We had such a lovely time last night. The service was great and the food was incredible. The waitresses were extremely lovely and accommodating and really made our visit easy and lovely. Huge thank you to Katie for helping us with everything we needed.”
- Google user
“Recommended to us by the other couple in our party of four, go here for the best lunchtime food in a very handy and attractive City-Centre setting. Staff are attentive, and enjoyed serving us with enthusiasm. Excellence all round.”
- Google user
“I came into Botanist in something of a bad mood due to having a challenging day and left very happy. The atmosphere of the restaurant was absolutely wonderful, with live music, with an upbeat vibe. Service was both quick, friendly, and attentive - I especially want to mention my server Lily who ensured our table was brilliantly looked after. Food was tasty and very filling! The Halloumi hanging kebab left me feeling very sated, and tasted delicious. The camembert baked into a sourdough loaf was clever, and the chutney it came with was to die for! 10/10; I really recommend coming here for dinner!!”
Highlights
“Gastropub-style dining, kebabs, brunch & botanical cocktails in a striking interior.”
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Live music
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Paid parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
Show more amenities
- Dine-in
- Kids' menu
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Casual
- Onsite services
- Offerings· 13
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Free water refills
- Happy hour drinks
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Planning· 1
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Dining options· 7
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Facilities· 2
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
- Highlights· 7
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Rooftop seating
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 2
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Family-friendly· 1
- High chairs
Location
Restaurants near The Botanist Exeter
- Babylon4.91,1670.2 mi£10–20
lamb chops and ribs, complimentary lentil soup, mixed kuzi and shish
- Harry's Restaurant4.71,1680.4 mi£30–70Reservations
arancini, ribeye steak, calamari
- New Jumbo takeaway3.61351.4 mi£10–20Vegetarian options
chicken curry supreme, pale soggy chips, duck in bbq sauce
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Botanist ExeterOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.1803 | — | £20–30 | halloumi hanging kebab, live music, pork belly bites |
| Babylon | 4.91,167 | 0.2 mi | £10–20 | lamb chops and ribs, complimentary lentil soup, mixed kuzi and shish |
| Harry's RestaurantReservations | 4.71,168 | 0.4 mi | £30–70 | arancini, ribeye steak, calamari |
| New Jumbo takeawayVegetarian options | 3.6135 | 1.4 mi | £10–20 | chicken curry supreme, pale soggy chips, duck in bbq sauce |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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