🍳 Full English Guide — Exeter, England
Welcome to the ultimate guide to the Full English in Exeter! Britain's most iconic meal — eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans, toast, mushrooms and grilled tomatoes — is taken seriously here. Whether you want a classic greasy spoon fry-up or a quality restaurant breakfast, this guide covers the best Exeter has to offer.
Best Spot
Drakes Coffee House and Bistro
Best Area
Cathedral Green & the Quayside
Price Range
£7–15
Must Try
A quayside breakfast with a view of the historic canal basin
🍳 What Goes on a Full English?
A proper Full English consists of the following essential components — all served hot on a warm plate with a mug of builders tea:
🍳 Must-Try in Exeter: A quayside breakfast with a view of the historic canal basin
This is Exeter's signature full english experience — the dish that defines what a great fry-up means in this city. Every visitor should try this before leaving Exeter.
🏆 Best Full English Restaurants in Exeter
These are Exeter's top spots for a full breakfast — from traditional greasy spoons to quality restaurant fry-ups:
- 🍳 Drakes Coffee House and Bistro
- 🍳 Vegbox Café
- 🍳 Exebridge Cafe
- 🍳 No 1 Polsloe
- 🍳 Cathedral Green's independent cafés
🍳 Greasy Spoon vs Quality Café vs Restaurant Breakfast
| Type | What to Expect | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 🍳 Greasy Spoon Caff | Classic no-frills fry-up, formica tables, strong tea, massive portions | £7 |
| ☕ Independent Café | Quality ingredients, better coffee, some sourcing transparency | £7–15 |
| 🍺 Pub Breakfast | Full English in a pub setting, often weekend-only, relaxed atmosphere | £7–15 |
| 🏨 Hotel Breakfast | Buffet or à la carte, consistent quality, included with room sometimes | 15+ |
💡 Fry-Up Tips for Exeter
- 🕗 Best time: 7:30–10:00am for the freshest ingredients and shortest queues at popular spots
- 📍 Best area: Head to Cathedral Green & the Quayside for the highest concentration of quality breakfast spots
- ☕ Tea order: Builder's tea — strong, with milk — is the authentic accompaniment. Never ask for herbal tea at a greasy spoon
- 🍞 Bread: White toast with butter is classic. Brown toast is acceptable. Sourdough at quality cafés signals a more artisan operation
- 🥫 Beans: Heinz baked beans are the only acceptable beans. This is a hill many British people will die on
- 🔴 Sauce: Red sauce (Heinz ketchup) or brown sauce (HP Sauce) — this is a personal and sometimes controversial choice