On The Waterfront

Mention On The Waterfront to anyone in Exeter and they will know of its excellent pizzas. On the chilly night we visited, lights sparkled on the quay and a cobbled path led us to the restaurant, housed in a 19th-century warehouse. As soon as I entered, I was charmed by the exposed brickwork and original features that blended seamlessly with the decor, which included mirrored lampshades, driftwood and snazzy booths. The atmosphere was buzzing, and we took our seats in The Boat Room – a plush, intimate space with nautical touches.

On The Waterfront has been open for an impressive three decades, and the extensive, mouth-watering menu has recently been revamped to celebrate this achievement, incorporating more veggie and gluten-free options alongside old favourites like moules frites and the pizza burger. I kicked off with tempura vegetables with chilli and soya dip, while my dining partner had chicken liver pâté with red onion marmalade and sourdough toast. My No Meat Aloud pizza promptly followed; a garlic-butter base topped with butternut squash, spinach, ricotta cheese and a smattering of rocket. Meanwhile, my partner sampled the baked salmon and samphire served in a creamy crayfish sauce on a saffron risotto cake. Fit to burst, we shared a salted caramel brownie with vanilla ice cream and raspberry sauce for dessert.

On The Waterfront has an amazing selection of food with a great range of drinks to match and can be found in an irresistible setting. In fact, I’ve already planned to return when the sun is out and dine al fresco on the quay.