River Exe Cafe
Exmouth
www.riverexecafe.com
07761 116103
If you're after a totally new dining experience, you'd be hard pushed to find something more different than the River Exe Cafe. It is the only floating café in Devon and access is only via your own boat or the water taxi which runs regularly to and from the café.
Its location is a floating barge just off the ski lane on the River Exe, in the heart of Exmouth's watersports fraternity.
The award-winning custom-built venue has a capacity to fit 100 people, and serves great tasting, locally-sourced food. In fact, they can even name the diver who landed the scallops and the fishing boat that landed the fish.
It means the menu changes daily according to what is available from the market and local fishermen.
All its dishes are cooked in a simple and classic way that allows the food to speak for itself. It's not fine dining, but relaxed dining in a dream location.
The River Cafe has all the facilities you'd expect to find in a restaurant including a licensed bar and toilets, as well as a covered outdoor space with heaters.
What?
Its sample menu has a range of starters including ham hock and spring onion terrine, served with piccalilli, toast and a herb salad, £7.50; and grilled sardines with basil marinated tomatoes and a dressed herb salad, £8.50.
Mains range from whole locally landed plaice served with samphire, roasted new potatoes and a grenoblaise sauce, £15.95; to duo of Devon pork – pan seared pork loin and slow roasted pork belly served with a parmesan and celeriac puree, truffle infused mashed potato and a thyme jus, £17.95.
Vegetarians are also catered for such as summer vegetable risotto served with dressed pea shoots, £12.50. A children's menu is also available.
When?
It is open from April 1 to September 30 every year. For current opening hours call the cafe.
Extras?
The River Cafe regularly hosts specials and theme nights including live music, comedy nights, art classes and cooking courses.
