Far away from home, you might not expect to find medhu vada, dosa, chole chaat or even authentic biryani. But Exeter’s vibrant culinary scene has it all! In this blog, we'll guide you through the best spots to indulge in authentic South Asian flavours, from cosy eateries serving up delicious food to well-stocked stores brimming with spices and ingredients from home. Whether you're craving a comforting plate of hot biryani or looking to stock your pantry with unique groceries, our favourite places to eat out and shop in Exeter will ensure you enjoy the tastes of South Asia in Exeter.
Namaste
This is the most popular South Asian eatery in Exeter. Located in Guinea Street, right in the heart of the city centre, it offers authentic Indian food. Namaste also serves a wide variety of dosas and super delicious biryanis (probably the best in Exeter). It is a fine dining restaurant with a well-lighted trendy interior, perfect for your ‘gram. They get very busy on the weekends, especially during South Asian festivals, so booking ahead is highly recommended. You can also order by directly calling the restaurant or through delivery apps.
Spice Aroma
After Namaste, the second eatery worth mentioning will be Spice Aroma. With a Bangladeshi chef running the kitchen, you can expect authentic Dhaka biryani. You can also ask them to customise the spice according to your taste! They have excellent chaats on the menu. Their vegetarian samosas are also really good, and you can order a cup of chai to go with them. Spice Aroma has a modest interior, but the delicious food more than makes up for it. They also provide home delivery, or you can order via delivery apps.
Gurkha
Gurkha has two locations: Gurkha Salute near St David’s railway station and The Gurkha Kitchen on Heavitree Road. The latter is more of a snacky place, while the one near the railway station serves mains and sides as well. Their speciality is Nepalese cuisine, but they also offer Indian, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani dishes. The price can be a little expensive, but if you are looking for a Chinese flavour that matches the little roadside stalls back home (especially Momo and Thukpa), this is the place to go!
Gandhi Indian Cuisine
Gandhi is located on New North Road, near Exeter College. With cosy interiors, it is also one of the best places to eat South Asian food. The menu features dishes from different regions of India, and the chef maintains the authentic taste of each region. However, the minimum dine-in order is £8.95 per person (drinks not included). The vindaloo and rezala at Gandhi’s are a must-try. You can order takeaways online via food delivery apps.
Other places to eat: The Bengal Indian Takeaway, Ganges Restaurant, Curry King, Tamarind Bay, Bombay Spice Indian Restaurant.
Continental
If you would rather cook your own South Asian meals at home, Continental is the best place to go grocery shopping. Located on Old Tiverton Road, they stock everything—from MDH masalas to Lijjat papads, whole spices, different types of pulses, pickles, and Ching’s sauces. You can also find frozen parathas that only take 15 minutes to cook. If you are feeling snacky, they also have great offers on a wide range of mixtures from brands like Raju, Aakash and Nature’s Bazar.
Heera
Although it is not as big as Continental, you can find a range of South Asian grocery items in Heera, from authentic masala and daal to ready-to-eat food. You can also find freshly made snacks like jalebis and mithais to satiate your sweet cravings. It is conveniently located on Wells Street.
I hope you enjoy exploring some of the places in this list!