My friend was celebrating her birthday, and thought she’d try The River Exe Cafe for her birthday meal. The cafe is located up on the River, floating, just up from Exmouth. It is very popular so a booking is essential, as is a water taxi, that is unless you own your own boat, in which case there are mooring facilities around the edge of the cafe.
It was early in the season when we went, so warm clothes are necessary for the boat ride, and also as a precaution in the cafe.
The boat ride over to the cafe adds to the special experience, because you weave through moored boats, past The Warren ( a bird reserve) and as you look to your right, you get a glorious view of Exmouth.
The cafe is fairly small and made of wood, but the views from it are out of this world. Sometimes you can even see Sammy the seal swim past!
Our table was located more to the rear of the cafe where there were slight gaps in the boards under your feet, so warm clothes were a god send!
The menu is mostly seafood, which is what you’d expect from this sort of restaurant. We ordered fresh prawns as a starter, which were delicious. For our main course my husband and I shared a mixed seafood paella. It was bursting with gorgeous fish, and I can honestly say it was the best one I’ve tasted. My friend had spider crab, and was given nutcrackers to help crack the claws. She enjoyed it, but would have preferred our dish, as to get the crab meat out of the claws was very tedious.
As the evening went on, the gas fires were lit, which added to the atmosphere, and gave added heat!
We all shared a bottle of wine which was of average price for the situation of the cafe.
As the darkness descended, the shear beauty of this place abounded. In the distance was Exmouth, the lights shimmering in the water. By 9.30 we had finished our wonderful meal, and our water taxi was waiting for us to climb into. Blankets were available just in case you were cold. The trip back in the darkness was great, the lights of the town just beautiful!
This isn’t a cheap evening out, but for a special occasion, it’s worth every penny in its uniqueness.
