The Blue Ball Exeter

Warm, welcoming & really relaxing Sunday lunch. Friendly staff, I didn’t want to leave! Food was amazing & I can’t wait to go back. Hugs car park & lovely accommodation. Ideal location for days at the rugby or a relaxing meal, perfect fur every occasion.

This is our second visit to The Blue Ball and the food has been nothing short of phenomenal. Every bite is devine. The staff are always very friendly. This has very quickly become our favourite restaurant that weve ever visited. It had great size portions, great prices and a nice variety of food choice for those with specific dietary requirements. We had the Valentines menu which was 3 courses and multiple choices of starter, mains and deserts. Theres also alot of parking available. We will most definitely be back again to see Natalie and the team.

We were here for a lunch/dinner and i can tell that is really good for enjoying. Cozy place and very welcoming. For the food i can give more than five ⭐️. Unfortunately we waited a long time until the food was brought, but there were a lot of people. For the dessert, we had a few of them and I can’t choose which one was better. Everything was delicious.

Having searched for somewhere near Exeter we found the Blue Ball via the OpenTable app. On arrival we were very warmly greeted and made to feel welcome. Our table wasn’t ready so we had a drink and waited (we were early!) The food is wonderful and portions are large! For starters we had the mushrooms and baked Camembert. Our mains my partner had Brisket of Beef with fondant potatoes, kale, beans and a red wine gravy. I had the Sausages and Mash, with veg, onions and that gravy. A great pub serving great food with great staff. Well worth a visit.

A spacious dog friendly inn serving good pub grub at fairly reasonable prices, with a good atmosphere too. A good pub to stop off at when travelling through. After a full day of adventuring the south coast of Dorset and southeast Devon, we left it quite late to arrange something for dinner (very last minute). Whilst heading back to Cornwall, we phoned ahead and we spoke to Lisa who was very friendly and accommodating. We actually wanted to go the Sidmouth Blue Ball Inn that we passed earlier in the day, little did we know that there are actually three Blue Ball Inns in the southwest 🤦‍♂️ So, be careful when searching and phoning to book a table 😁 Needless to say, we had already passed the Sidmouth one without realising and we were now getting closer to the Exeter one instead. Hunger was setting in! We ordered the burger with cheese and smoked bacon and the falafel burger with onions, humus, and sweet chilli. Both dishes came with chips and salad but as we were feeling quite hungry, we also had a side order of cheesy chips as well - because we’re greedy little piggies. Very tasty local produce though, good pub grub that is fairly good value for money. We had a couple pints of local ale and medium house red. I am not a huge fan of St Austell brewery as I feel they are one of the most expensive around, and there are many other better quality breweries in my personal opinion. Especially in Cornwall where there are some great free houses. Equally I have found pubs or inns taken over by St Austell brewery have usually lost their soul and traditional old ‘inn’ style in order to cater for extra dining space. But to be fair, this Inn hadn’t lost its soul, which was refreshing to see. Overall, the service was good and timely. Attentive but not intrusive. We didn’t wait long to be seated or for our food. The Inn itself is a mix of traditional and modern, but both with a good atmosphere. The older more traditional part of the Inn has a warm dark cozy feel to it. The bar, tables, and toilets are clean, and there is ample space for parking…even for larger vehicles like campervans. Although we managed to get a (good) table on a Saturday evening (very last minute), it is likely that as the season progresses, more advanced bookings would be prudent - to ensure you get a table. We would highly recommend this Inn to anyone looking warm hearty pub meal in a cozy atmosphere. Many thanks - B & A 👍 27-04-2024.

1st time in donkeys. Beautiful sunny day. The place was packed. The bar staff were lovely. There was one in particular I think she may be the land lady, Right character 🙌. I went for the cod and it was superb. Will definitely be coming back

Amazing pub. Staff are great and very welcoming Food is great had the vegan burger a worrying amount of times Lovely beer garden

Myself and a group had absolutely an wonderful meal here yesterday, the pub itself is so nicely decorated and laid out! The staff are lovely and were so helpful arranging parking for our friends vehicle also. The meal itself was top notch, the roast beef was absolutely beautiful and cooked to perfection! It is probably the best roast beef I have ever had! Lovely puddings too! All of the food was so nicely presented aswell.Great service all round! We have all said we will be back! Thank you!

My clients and I had a wonderful evening last Friday for our Christmas get together. The festive menu was great. I can be hard to please having worked in hospitality myself but we couldn’t fault a thing. Staff were great and the atmosphere was lovely. Everyone commented on how lovely it was. Thank you to all the staff. See you again soon.

Nice place for visiting and stay, we stay here for 3 nights, fresh fish food and lovely decorations. Dog friendly hotel and have function room here as well.

It was such a warm atmosphere, our server Daniel was so nice and warm! The rest of the staff were also A++++, and shout out to the chef who was also very kind. The food was amazing as well 10/10 would definitely go back!!

I don’t usually leave reviews but I came here Friday night with my friends for dinner. We were absolutely blown away by the starters/ mains and deserts. Not only was it presented so lovely it tasted incredible. Well worth the money. Will definitely be coming back soon. Thank you.

Absolutely fantastic place, we stayed for two nights for the women's world rugby cup. The food was amazing, locally sourced and standards never dropped even though on the Saturday they were catering for the Canadian team as well as other customers. The facilities were always clean and tidy and the staff even though working flat out were always smiling and attentive. The staff are a credit to Natalie who is the master of magic, come game day parking. She tucked us away to allow us to not need to worry about moving after the games. Come our Saturday evening meal (the steak is to die for ) she came over and checked we'd had an enjoyable day and that shows an extra touch on customer care. Overall I couldn't find fault with anything. Food, staff, locally sourced, car park, motorhome

Excellent hosts. Super food. And a fantastic venue for the short stroll to Sandy Park. Natalie and the team were very accommodating, allowing us to park for a couple of days whilst the rugby was on. Highly recommended. Will definitely return in the future.

Honestly can’t thank Babs and the team enough for how accommodating they were when we hosted a birthday party at the Blueball. Super friendly staff, great food and a wide selection of drinks that catered for everyone. Would definitely book an event with them again soon!

Have eaten twice there when on holiday. Warm welcome - friendly staff -nothing too much trouble - we had not booked but they fitted us I even though busy. Excellent service and food a cut above. Even roast parsnips and carrots lovely. Everything well cooked and tasty- roast beef and Yorkshire tender. One of my favourite restaursnts

Beautiful little pub, randomly situated on a little country lane. Easily Accessibility and lots of parking space. Big pub area, serving foods and drinks. There are even rooms available to stay in.

Spent an impromptu evening here, what a great decision. Beautiful traditional English country pub, so clean and well kept - sat in their stunning new extension. Attentive, friendly staff, and fantastic food from a varied well thought menu. Look forward to spending more time here, brilliant!

Stayed overnight in our motorhome in the car park. There were about 7 others with us. Motorway noise wasn't much of a problem. Pub food was absolutely excellent. A little more expensive than some pubs but really well cooked and great quality. We'll be back.

Just back from a lovely meal here. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. We would highly recommend the Blue Ball for food, service and comfortable surroundings.

Popped in for lunch yesterday, with no booking. Epic lunch (steak ciabatta and fish finger sandwich) and great selection of proper, still ciders. Friendly team. Will be back.

Came here for a celebratory lunch. It's just around the corner from Clyst Heath/Newcourt where there are no pubs. Walkable from there so long as there's no flooding at the Old Rydon Lane underpass towards the bridge. Lovely atmosphere, cosy dining rooms, beautifully presented food, fair pricing and the service charge goes to the staff. Food salt content could be a bit lower, maybe?

A Fantastic Evening Once Again! We had a wonderful meal for four last night, and as always, everything was absolutely excellent. The food was outstanding - every dish beautifully cooked and full of flavour. Even on a busy evening with so many tables in, the quality didn’t slip and the presentation was exceptional. Thank you Josh and all the team - you’re always so friendly, welcoming, and attentive. You can really feel the care and pride you all put into making sure every one is well looked after. It’s always such a pleasure coming here, and this visit was no exception. Once again a huge thanks to you all for another fantastic evening!

Having spent ages trying to find somewhere last minute for Sunday lunch, I booked The Blue Ball as it was close and within walking distance - just. And they take dogs in the bar. I wasn't expecting anything amazing, to be honest, but how wrong you can be. We had a fantastic Sunday lunch. The food was really excellent, good quality, properly cooked and delicious. The veg was still fresh and vibrant, the cauli cheese side was delicious, I can't find fault with anything. And I am picky. Staff were great, the lady, I assumed, was in charge of front of house was in firm control and our request for extra veg was dealt with promptly. We had the roast pork and the chicken roasts, excellent. I've already booked for another Sunday.

Great place! I met a friend here for Sunday lunch and the food was amazing, service was great, even though it was very busy. I also stayed in the accomodation, lovely and very reasonably priced. Would definitely reccomend and will be back

Opted to stop at this inn on the way to Cornwall on the basis of the reviews and being a very short detour from the M5. Very glad we did. Extremely nice welcome from young lad behind the bar. Good choice of ales. Shown to a really good table for us at the back of the bar area as we as our dog with us where our dog would be really comfortable. This inn is extremely dog friendly and most of the people coming in had a dog with them. Ordered two sandwiches, which whilst not cheap were high quality and therefore good value for money. I received a bacon and Brie sandwich rather than the pastrami sandwich that I ordered (how that error made was beyond me 😂) - but this was quickly picked up by our server and they offered to immediately rectify the issue. I opted to keep the sandwich and I’m glad I did as it was highly enjoyable. The young lad who took the order later came over and apologised. Nice touch, but no apology needed. Would 100% use for any other trip to Cornwall in future.

Really lovely home cooked food , and good atmosphere. The staff were so helpful we also stayed in our camper in the car park , and the staff could not have been more obliging will definitely return. Rob

We had a really lovely lunch today at The Blue Ball. Ben looked after us, he’s super friendly and helpful & nothing was too much trouble. The food was delicious really fresh and a great choice. We’d highly recommend dining here, you won’t be disappointed. Thank you to all the lovely team. Tx

Fantastic bar & restaurant! 21 of us had a meal there last week and the food, service and atmosphere was exceptional. Everyone enjoyed their food and we’ve booked again to go next month. It’s not easy catering for such a large group but everything was great. Well done Team Blue Ball and thank you for a lovely night

Popped into The Blue Ball Inn for a quick drink and was really impressed. The pub has a lovely, welcoming atmosphere with lots of character – old beams, cozy seating, and a great mix of locals and visitors. The staff were friendly and attentive, and there was a good selection of drinks, including local ales. It’s a great spot to relax, and I’ll definitely be back to try the food next time!

Me and my wife always love coming to the blue ball for our date night! It’s the only place in Exeter we go to. All the staff know us very well and for us that adds to the experience. The service is always outstanding, the food is amazing, we’ve never had a bad experience here. We recently got married and had our lunch here, Nat went above and beyond for us with decorations and making sure we had a special day! Thank you again to Nat and the team on the day for making it so special. I will always recommend the blue ball! We look forward to coming in again ☺️

A hidden gem we stumbled upon while visiting family in the area, we were looking for somewhere to stay in the camper and come across the Blue Ball Inn. From the moment we walked in we felt very welcomed. The staff were fantastic. The food was delicious and we had a great evening knowing we didn't have to drive anywhere after as they allow over night camping free of charge. The best part about the experience is that they are a dog friendly pub. Barney got loads of attention and lots of treats. We will definitely visit again next time we're in the area.

Excellent food. Nice size portions. Staff very friendly. Would advise to book though it gets very busy on a Sunday. That said there it no wait for food. Would have taken pictures of the food but it was too good to wait for that to be done 😀.

Visited the Blue Ball yesterday to celebrate my retirement. Absolutely outstanding! From the moment we arrived we were made to feel genuinely welcome. Friendly, attentive staff who clearly care about the dining experience. The food was exceptional, I highly recommend the beef bourguignon special. They achieve the perfect atmosphere, relaxed with a touch of class. Thanks to Josh and the team, this venue is unrivalled in Exeter.

Wow wow wow..what an amazing time we had for our Christmas do..the food was just insane (I can highly recommend the cauliflower starter, the turkey and the Xmas pud). Everything else looked wonderful too. The atmosphere is perfect - music, loud enough to enjoy but not over bearing so can still chat amongst your group. I 100% recommend going to try for yourselves. You shall not be disappointed 💖💖

We booked a room for the night, and can honestly say; we had a lovely stay. The room was perfect, it was like being in an IKEA showroom. Decor was so nice, and the bed very comfy 😀 Lovely ensuite too. Staff all friendly and attentive, food delicious. Highly recommended!

if you're seeking a genuine local experience in Exeter, the Blue Ball Inn is a must-visit. Nestled in the heart of the community, this charming establishment exudes warmth and hospitality from the moment you step through the door. The food here is simply delightful. From traditional pub classics to innovative dishes, there's something to satisfy every palate. The portions are indeed generous, ensuring you leave fully satisfied. Each dish is crafted with care, showcasing quality ingredients and expert culinary skills. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, perfect for enjoying a relaxed meal with friends or family. Whether you're unwinding after a day of exploring Exeter or simply craving a delicious meal, the Blue Ball Inn provides the ideal setting.

Delicious food, attentive staff, excellent service.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ On the other hand, tables are too sticky, everything gets stuck ie. Plates, tissues and shirts. The newly refurbished interior lacks a rustic country vibe.⭐️⭐️⭐️

We came here as a treat. Family were down, it was my wife’s birthday, and my father-in-law was kindly taking us out. The menu looked fantastic—so many choices that we were genuinely spoilt for choice. I had the fish stew. The broth was lovely, and the fish was okay, but the shellfish (three mussels and a langoustine) were clearly not fresh and just didn’t taste right. It could have done with a few more crostini, and I had to ask for a spoon, which felt odd given that the broth was easily the best part. My brother-in-law went for the pork. It looked amazing, and the portion size was generous, but it was dry—how does belly of pork end up dry? My wife, the birthday girl, chose the butternut squash ravioli. It looked beautiful and tasted great—except there was no mention on the menu of truffles, which were subtle but definitely there. The only food she really dislikes is truffle. Thankfully, she had garlic bread to fall back on. And my niece? She’s vegetarian, and there were no vegetarian child's mains on the menu. Lots of appealing meat dishes, but nothing suitable for her. In the end, she had plain pasta with cheese, really? In this day and age. Also starting tzatiki was good but only a few pieces of pitta. Normally I’d have said something—and very nearly did—but my elderly father-in-law was treating us, and we didn’t want to spoil the occasion. We had an okay time. The space we were seated in was beautifully decorated, and the staff were pleasant, if a little timid., teh food came fairly quickly. But it was meant to be a special treat—and sadly, it just wasn’t. And it wasn’t cheap either. And, in the end, we decided to skip dessert and beat a retreat To me, it felt like a case of style over substance. Perhaps we were too adventurous in our choices, or maybe the menu itself is too ambitious to be consistently delivered well. What initially excited me when I read the menu ultimately became its downfall. I’d like to think we’d give it another go. In my line of work, I often recommend venues for wakes and family gatherings—but I’m not sure I could trust that it would be “just okay” again. Was this a one-off, or is it a regular occurrence? Feeling sad as I wanted to come back and try some of the other things.

The atmosphere is great — it’s a cool spot with a nice outside area to sit and enjoy a drink. They have a good beer, which I really liked.However, I wasn’t happy with the food I ordered, and I even found a hair on the plate, which was disappointing. I’d recommend it as a place to grab drinks, but not for the food!