The Hourglass in Exeter

Don't ask for small pot of cream with your desert unless you'd like to be told "that's how it comes". Poor service from a waiter with poor attitude.

Lovely little pub just up the hill from the quays, and the beer selection was worth the walk. Food looked and smelled good (wasn't eating), and the staff were very friendly.

Absolutely lovely place - roast beef Sunday lunch was to die for.

Great local pub close to the town centre... Bit of a walk downhill. Great ales on cask. Quiz night on Mondays so sat outside as didn't get involved.

Fantastic food. A real buzz to the place. Dog friendly upstairs too. Good beer from the Exeter Brewery.

Always a pleasure, good beer, good service, lovely old pub.

Nice little pub, the drinks were a bit expensive but the atmosphere was brilliant ! We sat by the open fire and I shared some stories. It felt like the right place for weary travels to come for a drink !

We visited after a local recommendation and we were not disappointed. The team were excellent in every single way. Friendly, approachable and absolutely charming. Our servers were professional and on point all evening. We had a relatively large group and we were looked after with zero fuss. Food was outstanding and gave us plenty to discuss as we ate. Excellent portions and superb detail on every dish.

The food was amazing and the pub itself is so lovely and quirky, it gives a proper traditional feel to it. However I wouldn’t say it’s family friendly.. they only had 2 high chairs, so if it wasn’t for another family giving up theirs due to no longer needing it, my toddler would’ve had to sit on my lap. I was also disappointed/surprised to see they had no baby changing facilities. They did offer me to go upstairs for privacy which was nice but with it being a restaurant I think changing facilities are essential. I would say both loos could fit a pull down changing unit so might be worth considering.

This was our second visit in three weeks, firstly for drinks and on the second occasion for Sunday lunch, this pub has a lovely ambience and has kept all of its Olde Worlde charm, the service was friendly and attentive, the beer was very good, with a wide selection of ales, the Sunday lunch was the best that we have had in a long time and was cooked to perfection, it is hard to find pubs that tick all the boxes and do the simple things very well so well done to the management and the staff at the Hourglass for putting the effort in and making this a very good experience

Ok. 2nd time at the Hour Glass and primarily to introduce my brother and sister in law to the experience. Friday night is another level here...absolutely buzzing atmosphere, great selection of beers, diverse clientele, attentive and kind service, incredible food, and all reasonably priced. We had the chips (divine), the homity pie (richly delicious) the broccoli and curds (lush), the bread (chewy and satisfying), the monkfish (carefully prepared, delicate and rich), the mussels (stout cream sauce that should be illegal), the Devon dumpling (just order it, you will not look back) and the Thunder & Lightning (tangy, sweet and unique) Wonderful service from folks that really care with a well curated wine list. Go. Just go and see what you think. You won't be disappointed...just thrilled you found a perfect venue. (The pics are from the last time I was there, but I ordered mostly the same stuff.)

Nice, authentic pub, delicious, locally sourced food and always a great atmosphere! Highly recommend it!

Food and service were exceptional. Table of diners to our left who seemed to think it was OK to shout at each other made it impossible to have a conversation!

Beautiful pub - very atmospheric!

£21 for a roast was very expensive, so will not be going again, shame as the place was lovely.

Best pub in Exeter. Shhhh....it's a secret.

Quite bizarre !! We have been searching Exeter for iconic unusual pubs with character and something different. This really cute little pub fits all the criteria. It is so hidden away in a back street above the river Exe and in all our years of strolling around Exeter we didn't know it existed. So quaint, steeped in history and it has a real fire. Nice real ales and friendly bar staff and......although we haven't tried it.....there is a restaurant too . But we will be back to sample the menu which looks absolutely scrumptious....and in a good way.....different and varied....

Lovely pub with roaring fire would highly recommend!

Very atmospheric backstreet pub serving Exeter Ales beers.Plenty to choose from.

This has to be the go to pub in Exeter. Lively & packed on a Saturday. If you want to eat make sure to book a table well in advance.

Very cosy, venue, traditional and quirky. Beer tasted great.

Great atmosphere, i went there with my partner. We only had some drinks but the food they served to others looked delicious 😋. Service was great, we enjoyed our time there and our doggy was allowed too 🥰

Great staff one of the best in Exeter

Excellent venue, seating was a little cramped but with such a large party, it was inevitable. The food was delicious! Very good quality meal, the meats didn't come out at the same time as the vegetables and there was quite a wait for gravy following that. I'd definitely return as I'd like to try other foods not just the Christmas meals. Staff were friendly and accommodating and the room was very quaint.

Great little pub! Great for a few quiet drinks with friends. These kind of pubs are in short supply in Exeter.

We had a great lunch here at the beginning of December. With excellent, friendly service, we particularly liked having a smaller menu (choice of meat or veggie) with the focus being on delicious well cooked, tasty food. Highly recommended ⭐️🌟⭐️🌟⭐️

Wonderful Friday night vibe. Alan's beers are great.

Possibly the best Sunday roast I have ever had. The beef was superb, and I can’t remember another establishment caring enough to offer organic chicken. Fantastic Exeter ale and friendly staff. Lola the cockapoo also had a fine time. Thank you!

Great little pub, wonderful Sunday lunch & good ales...all locally produced. Friendly, efficient service. Lovely laid back atmosphere, dog friendly too...a proper pub!

Just a great local pub. Good beer selection and great atmosphere

Outstanding food but severely let down by by its very poor management which badly mishandled our attempt to make future bookings resulting in us cancelling them and leaving as very disgruntled customers which absolutely nobody cared about .Their critical and press success clearly means they no longer care about whether customers do or don't return which is a great shame as the chef here is outstanding but badly let let down by his front of house colleagues

We had a lovely evening here on a busy Friday night. Really warm welcome at the bar and the place was buzzing. Quite hot in the bar area though! We went downstairs to the restaurant when we were ready and it was a nice atmosphere...

A lovely atmospheric pub, with excellent beer from Exeter Brewery. Excellent food, we ate cod followed by Devon Dumplings that were great light and tasty. Helpful staff in a busy environment. We will return.

I love this place. Went on a busy Saturday night for a family birthday celebration and the atmosphere had a lively vibe. Ate downstairs for the first time which was great. Food was imaginative as always with excellent flavour combinations and the ingredient quality and...

We popped in her to meet friends while on a day trip to Exeter. The staff and locals couldn't have been more friendly and welcoming to our little band of grockles and the beers we tried were all superb. Our only regret was listening to...

A friend excitedly told me about this place I "had to go" in Exeter. We were travelling back from a birthday celebration in Bath but my friend was so effusive in his praise we booked a table to stop in for lunch on the way...

Cosy place for our novel writing meet ups !! . Friendly staff..great atmosphere

Excellent gastro pub in the old part of Exeter sandwiched between Holloway St and the Quay. Food is excellent and atmosphere is brilliant. We went for Sunday lunch. Great vegetarian roast and traditional roasts, plus a good drinks menu as well. You won’t be disappointed. But I would book just in case

Excellent gastro pub in the old part of Exeter sandwiched between Holloway St and the Quay. Food is excellent and atmosphere is brilliant. We went for Sunday lunch. Great vegetarian roast and traditional roasts, plus a good drinks menu as well. You won’t be disappointed....

What a nice pub dinner place. Great atmosphere; good food well presented and reasonably priced wines. Four of us had a really nice evening

Top pub, beautiful old world decor. Intimate cosy atmosphere. Lovely local ale. What's not to love?! Came in for an afternoon pint and well worth the trip. One of the best pubs in Exeter that I've been to, if not the very best!

Food is wonderful; the menu is an interesting list of what's fresh and local on the day and is beautifully cooked.

What a fab recommendation. Stayed nearby this week and our host recommended this restaurant. Really friendly service. Our party had the steak, lamb and lobster orzo risotto. All absolutely lovely. Would highly recommend.

We used to visit this pub regularly when we lived on The Quay but haven't been for sometime. Despite this we were sad to hear that the previous owners were leaving and the pub may close so were thried to hear Exeter Brewery had taken...

The Hourglass Inn is an exceptional place to eat and drink in Exeter. Lovely service, fantastic decor, great value wine and the food- amazing. Can’t wait to go back next year!

Had family evening meal. Most eaters were downstairs but space roomy and had separate bar. Basically worked our way through the menu but enjoyed the sardines and beetroot starters and the John Dory, Hoggett and Steak mains and all the puds washed down with good...

Superb Sunday lunch and service!

We sadly missed our opportunity to have lunch here. We got caught up and the kitchen closes at 2pm on a Saturday but the food does look lush!

Lovely atmosphere, lovely staff, love the menu. Will be back!

I don't know of any other proper pub in Exeter any more - this place is the last and I can't recommend the Hour Glass highly enough, it is worth taking a trip specifically just to visit. I didn't get to try the food, I'll need to come back for that another time, but the drinks are great, the set up is wonderful, and the atmosphere is perfect. I really miss this kind of pub and will be back as often as I can. If you're nearby you genuinely can't do better, do yourself a favour and, if you can find somewhere to sit, get in there. Between the Hour Glass and the Topsham Brewery, Exeter Quayside is the best place to spend your time and hard earned money. And the walk between the 2 is mind blowing too so take in both while you're here.

Lovely meal at The Hour Glass. Can recommend both the Risotto and the Turbot. Very friendly pub with lots of character and multiple areas to drink and eat. Will certainly be going back in the not too distant future.

Finding really good food in Exeter and the surrounding area is hard. Places call themselves gastro pubs and then you get a choice of fish and chips or a burger. The Hourglass, however, has been reborn and is the real thing. The food last night...

5 of us went here for Sunday lunch. 2 of our number had the belly pork, 1 the vegetarian option, 1 the beef and 1 the chicken. These were all of the 4 options available. The beef & chicken were absolutely fine, beef spot on. Unfortunately the pork belly was really salty and we should have sent it back, but the waiting staff did not return to ask how our dinner was. The vegetarian option was grilled cabbage with same vegetables and separate gravy. This was overpriced for replacing meat with cabbage. Beer was good at £4.80 a pint but bitter shandy was £5.20, £3 for the lemonade element. There is automatic 10% service charge added. Reported problem with pork when paying bill and was just told they would let chef know. Not really a helpful response, get the chef to try it and then decide whether we should have been charged for it. Would definitely like to go back as lovely ambience and staff were friendly, but £128 and people leaving disappointed will make us think carefully.

An absolute delight. Superb food and service thank you. We will be back very soon!

Went to the Hourglass on Friday night. It was a warm summer evening and it was a little quiet. It shouldn’t have been, the meal was excellent. We have had a couple of mediocre meals there since it reopened after the pandemic but this was...

I simple loved the ambience. Staff was very friendly too

Excellent pub. Excellent ales. Excellent food. Excellent, friendly staff

Went to The Hourglass following a recommendation from a friend. The staff were so friendly and couldn't do enough for us . We were quite a large party for dinner , the food was amazing, ambience delightful , wine delicious. Definitely the best meal we...

A great place with exceptional customer service. A warm welcome from all staff who did everything to make it an enjoyable experience. The food was first class and reasonably priced considering the high standard.

Really nice place, going to miss it.

Absolutely LOVE this pub. Great choice of local beers, really pleasant staff and wonderful food. A true hidden gem in the heart of Exeter.

Great selection of local ales - proper old pub for proper beer.

Great local serving up brilliant in-season food. Friendly and efficient service and a cool cross-section of the community and City that use it.

We just love this place. Pleased the new owners have not changed a thing. Only niggle was that we had specifically booked a table for 5 but there was not one laid up for us. Matter soon resolved by the lovely bar manager and the food was great

Pleasant early evening drink with friends. Great service and good range of beers

Great local pub with a nice atmosphere and range of drinks. Good menu, although more expensive than typical pub food (but deservedly so)

Incredibly delicious roast. Went as a group of 5, we had 3 gluten free and one onion and garlic free, everyone was accommodated for. I’ll be going back again as soon as possible, it’s really one to not be missed!

Great pub. Lovely atmosphere and good food.

I recently visited with high hopes of enjoying a satisfying meal, but unfortunately, my experience left much to be desired. Although the establishment boasts an impressive selection of beers, it falls short in other areas, resulting in a one-star rating. The food was a major disappointment, as my £20 main course of meat pie and mash arrived lukewarm. The portion sizes were shockingly small, as I managed to finish the dish in a mere eight mouthfuls. The baby mash lacked substance and was no more than a tablespoon, while the filo pastry barely covered the minced meat. The accompanying steamed vegetables did little to redeem the dish. Service was another area where the gastro pub failed to meet expectations. The decision to have bar staff also waiting tables resulted in a disjointed and frustrating dining experience. It seemed as though the establishment was more interested in encouraging patrons to spend on starters, mains, and puddings, rather than providing a quality meal at a reasonable price. What was most telling was the empty restaurant on a Friday night, a clear indication that other diners have had similar experiences. It would be far more beneficial for this gastro pub to focus on serving solid main courses and treating customers with respect, as this would undoubtedly lead to repeat business. In summary, while the beer selection is commendable, the lackluster food, poor service, and exorbitant pricing make it difficult to recommend this gastro pub. I hope the management takes note and addresses these issues in order to provide a more enjoyable dining experience for future patrons.

Very friendly staff with relaxed atmosphere.

drinks quite expensive, 9pounds plus for a vodka and lemonade, nice bar downstairs, havnt tried the food, I'd have to get a mortgage first....

Fabulous back street pub visited on vinyl night in the cellar bar great atmosphere and people

If I could give less than one star I would. This was one of the worst meals we have ever had. The food was expensive, cold and there wasn't much of it. It was returned but was not any better second time around. Basics were...

We were sat in a quiet part of the pub enjoying chatting with family. We were asked to vacate that quiet area so it could be cleaned and sit in the noisy part of the bar. 2 customers were moved so we could have a...

We were sat in a quiet area of the pub and forced to move to a busy part as the land lady decided she wanted to close part of the bar. When we asked why we were met with hostility, at this point we left...

Great service and choice of ales. Food a little pricey but good.

We havent been here for a few years, last time we ate here was a disaster, under new management, a very disappointing experience, that was 2019! Recently we had seen positive adverts for the hour glass, so we gave it a try, we waited a hour for our starters, which were nice, my husband, his mother and I had the lamb for main and we all agreed it was the best lamb we had ever had, it just melted in our mouths and was full of flavour. Our puddings were ok, but unfortunately my thunder and lightning desert was burnt. The staff were excellent, ambiance was excellent, they took the price of my pudding of the bill and offered us to share a fresh pudding, we declined as it was quite late already. I can't fault the staff, and as I said the lamb was to die for. Would I go back? Yes I think I would.

If you are searching a quaint pub with a lovely quirky touch, visit this one. Just spent a lovely lunch there whilst visiting daughter at uni for 21st and Mother’s Day combined. Excellent food locally sourced and the service was faultless - cannot recommend enough 🤩

Great food, great atmosphere, great staff, definitely on the list to return

Great pub. Friendly staff, good Sunday lunch with a welcoming atmosphere.

A big Thankyou to the staff at The Hourglass Exeter who, on Friday night, kicked out a man who was being creepy and abusive towards me and other female friends/customers. And then walked us halfway home as they knew he was hanging around. You helped...

Incredible old school cosy pub, exceptional French style supper, excellent and knowledgable staff! What a find in Exeter.

Went for the roast with friends and kids and dog! Amazing vibe, felt"proper". While 100© family friendly in attitude and service, no kid portions or child friendly starters/sides on the menu meant we had to ad lib a bit (but they loved dessert!).

It looked so inviting from the outside so I popped in for a quick pint on a cold winters night warm welcome great beer what's not to like

Glass per an hour. Good idea 🎉😎 awesome service as always!

We were a group of 5 - atmosphere and beer were fab - dinner was a disaster! We ordered 2 steaks and 3 cod. Steaks were incorrectly cooked and not as ordered and cod was so salty all 3 of us left it. Chips and...

Great beer and lovely atmosphere

This is a special gem in Exeter I highly recommend it any day any time ❤️❤️❤️

Fab atmosphere, great food and beer

Great quiz night and friendly atmosphere.

This is a wonderful and traditional corner pub, thankfully saved from the jaws of the greedy pub co. A short menu that bodes well. Determined to return following our visit and review of the 27 February it pains me to reduce my rating from 5...

Absolutely love the hourglass. Delicious food and great service

I often bring friends who are visiting from a far to the Hour Glass. It's got an incredible atmosphere and a brilliant section of food and drink. Such a cool pub! You'll feel like you've gone back in time.

Great food, great beer, wonderful atmosphere. One of the last proper pubs in Exeter

A wonderful traditional pub with excellent food and beer. Local ales. Local seasonal menu. Not cheap. Worth every penny

Very busy. Had come across this little gem unexpectedly. Serves real ale but had no real ciders on. Very popular judging by the number of customers already seated. Does do food. Simple home-cooked fare. It was well worth a visit.

We booked Saturday morning after reading the menu the night before. The menu descriptions were quite understated, but interesting. 4 main courses were offered and each of us chose a different one. All were very tasty. My roast celeriac and cavalo Nero with mushroom sauce...

Really great pub hidden away in Exeter, great place to go to meet up with friends you haven't seen in a bit, fairly priced alcohol with a huge variety (aside from cider), the chips there are great and highly recommend going just for that

Great that this pub has survived. I met there with friends and planned to eat as well as enjoy a few beers. Beer prices were ok, £4 a pint, but the food was very expensive to us. I can only assume that the owners are trying for a more upmarket clientele rather than 4 middle aged friends who like good beer and a burger and chips type meal at a reasonable price. If you want fine dining and good beer, then please go, as it really is a lovely pub that simply has to survive.

Me and my partner visited the HG for a meal on Saturday night. We had three courses each and every mouthful was a delight. Excellent staff and I would highly recommend this to everyone.