The Hour Glass Inn
21 Melbourne St, Exeter EX2 4AU
$$
English
Reservations
Business Info
- Address: 21 Melbourne St, Exeter EX2 4AU
- Cuisine: English |
- Cost: | Inexpensive
- Category: Pub
- Star Rating:
- Reservations: Recommended
- Dress Code: Casual
- Meals Served: Lunch | Dinner |
- Parking: Street |
- Payment Options: VISA | Amex | MasterCard | Discover | Cash | Apple Pay | Google Pay | Debit |
- Corkage Fee: N/A
- Website: https://www.hourglassexeter.co.uk/
- Phone: 01392 258722
- Features: Full Bar, Organic Ingredients, Winning Wine List,
- Occasion: Meet for a Drink,
Photos
Business Hours
Reservations Available
- Monday
- Dinner 18:00 - 21:00
- Tuesday
- Tuesday dinner 18:00 - 21:00
- Wednesday
- Wednesday Dinner 18:00 - 21:00
- Thursday
- Thursday Lunch 12:00 - 14:00
- Thursday Dinner 18:00 - 21:00
- Friday
- Friday Lunch 12:00 - 14:00
- Friday Dinner 18:00 - 21:00
- Saturday
- Saturday Lunch 12:00 - 14:00
- Saturday Dinner 18:00 - 21:00
- Sunday
- Sunday hours from 20th April 2025 inclusive 12:00 - 16:00
Customer Reviews & Ratings
4.44 out of 5 stars based on 920 votes
- Overall: 3/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 5/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 2/10
Dec 13, 2024
Molly P.
The food was very plain and unseasoned and one of the meals was missing two items from the dish. We were really disappointed with our meals.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Nov 21, 2023
Richard C.
Great food, generous portions, all very tasty. Desserts were spectacularly good!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 23, 2024
Richard W.
Lovely place. Lovely people.
One of the very few real gastro pubs in the area.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 4/10
- Value: 6/10
Oct 16, 2023
Sophie J.
Food was ok but pub lacks atmosphere, is very dark and gloomy and not very comfortable.
Food ok but not special.
Lovely staff tho and great service.
- Overall: 0/10
- Food: 0/10
- Service: 0/10
- Ambience: 4/10
- Value: 0/10
Jan 25, 2025
Jane R.
Order was not taken properly so some food was an hour late . It seemed like we were genuinely eating someone else's leftovers to disguise the mistake. It was cold and stale and disgusting. They didn't charge us full price but this was a very disappointing experience. Will NEVER eat here again.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Aug 27, 2023
Sarah C.
Loved our evening at the Hour Glass. The Rarebit and the three ways with lamb were all excellent. And my husband really enjoyed the Orzo with tomato. Lovely flavours. Very friendly staff. Slightly struggled to read the menu (small print) and the ladies loo needs better lighting and a hook for a handbag. Otherwise we couldn’t fault it. Thank you!!
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 3/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 6/10
Aug 04, 2023
Sinead M.
Nice food but the service was so bad that when it arrived, it was only barely warm. The kitchen dinged three times for service but in the end, the kitchen staff had to bring the food to our table themselves. If you’re going to charge 10% service by default (as we were), you need to ensure the service you provide deserves that. Shame because the food was very nice.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 04, 2024
Martin F.
Kate and her team deliver a service way above what I expect from ‘just a pub’. Full marks!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Dec 10, 2024
Marc S.
We had a such a great time and can't thank all the team enough for the quality food and service.
Many thanks,
Marc
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 23, 2023
Jessica T.
A super friendly tasty place for Sunday lunch.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 6/10
Dec 02, 2024
Paul W.
The price of the wine on offer seemed out of step for the venue, in that it is basically a pub/restaurant, rather than an upmarket eatery, but I do accept that the food is far better than normal "pub grub".
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 13, 2023
Stuart D.
The food is consistently good. The staff are attentive, patient and efficient. The ambience is lovely, calm, good humoured, really perfect for a Sunday lunch. The value is also very good because there is never anything not eaten. It is perfect. 10 out of 10. Best Sunday lunch in Exeter.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
Mar 24, 2024
Julia M.
Excellent all round. Service really good which makes a nice change. I struggled with the menu a bit so chose Broccoli to start which although delicious was expensive for what it was. Would like to see more variety of meat in the mains but not a big deal. Other than that a great evening!
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
Dec 19, 2023
Clare E.
Great atmosphere. Food food. We've always loved this puba and feel it's back on track again
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 23, 2023
Max R.
One of my best eating out experiences - love this pub!
- Overall: 1/10
- Food: 0/10
- Service: 3/10
- Ambience: 5/10
- Value: 0/10
Sep 20, 2023
Gill H.
We were looking forward to our Sunday lunch having eaten at the hour glass before and really enjoyed it. The table was booked for one and the very pleasant front of house took our order. After about an hour the food still hadn’t arrived. We were supplied with dominoes at some point so it clearly had been noticed that we hadn’t had our food. Finally we were told that our order hadn’t gone through to the kitchen and would we like to reorder. Despite being really hungry by now the answer was no.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Oct 07, 2024
Victoria S.
Great atmosphere . The second time that we have had Sunday lunch here . The first time we came 2 weeks ago , the food was very good , this time however we found the beef to be very fatty and chewy .
Apart from this it was a lovely experience.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 9/10
Jul 09, 2023
Gavin T.
Really very good meal. It is a short menu but done exceedingly well. I really recommend the Hourglass
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 10, 2024
Tony B.
will come again
- Overall: 5/10
- Food: 6/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 5/10
- Value: 6/10
Dec 13, 2023
Claire W.
Thought we were having 2/3 course Xmas menu but because we arrive with our dog we had to set in bar and was only offered the simple bar menu! Very disappointing!
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 7/10
Nov 04, 2023
Canilla D.
Nice but pricey
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 14, 2023
Emma W.
Our meal was simply outstanding. I had the vegetarian option of Cannelloni of roasted squash, shallot & cheese curds, sage, pickled mushrooms & Old Winchester - in a lot of places the vegetarian option is more of a token gesture of providing something vegetarian on the menu - not here! It was sensational, so tasty! My pudding of brown butter cake with dark chocolate crémeux, roasted pear, stout caramel, hazelnut tuile was also totally sublime. What a great chef :) We're already booked to go back in two weeks time. PS the dogs also love this place as they always get a treat!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 20, 2024
Hendrik V.
Great atmosphere, friendly staff, excellent food.
- Overall: 3/10
- Food: 3/10
- Service: 1/10
- Ambience: 3/10
- Value: 2/10
Dec 20, 2023
XMAS - Jeanette C.
I cannot recommend eating at The Hour Glass. I think all the problems are down to bad management, from the extremely slow service, untrained staff and horrible toilets.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 30, 2024
Lucy P.
The food is fabulous! Really delicious and well cooked
- Overall: 5/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 5/10
- Ambience: 4/10
- Value: 3/10
Apr 24, 2024
Helen S.
It was a slightly frustrating visit:
The table wasn't ready when we arrived so we were moved from one table to another in the bar. We were told that someone would come and talk us through the allergens and take our order, this didn't happen.
When we eventually reached our table, the noise level was high and conversation felt like a bit of a struggle.
It was a significant Birthday for me, this infirmation was asked for at the time of booking, but the staff seemed oblivious. At the end of the meal we were asked if we were celebrating anything. It seems odd, even intrusive to ask for this information at the time of booking if the intention is to do nothing with it.
Given the noise level and general lack of readiness, we felt that the prices for food were pretty high. It gives the air of a convivial pub, and perhaps the prices ought to be more in keeping with those found in a pub rather than a smart restaurant.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 6/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 6/10
Aug 05, 2023
Brian S.
We were quite disappointed with the food. I had rib eye steak costing £28. more expensive than most places and although it was cooked as ordered, and tasted ok, it was very chewy, not what I expected. The accompanying salad was also poor just a few bedraggled lettuce leaves!! The chips however were outstanding. My wife had John Dory, which was overcooked. The Charlotte potatoes were a little undercooked for her taste. The accompanying sauce was delicious. I paid the bill and gave a tip. However I then realised that I had not been given the itemised bill!! When it arrived there was a 12.5% service charge added, I didn’t notice mention of an added service anywhere on the menu. The result being that I paid a cash tip AND a service charge!! We will not be in a hurry to return which is a shame as there is huge potential here but
the food was not as good as we anticipated, and after all that is the reason for going there.
Sorry if this is somewhat negative but it is an accurate reflection of our experience on the night
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 16, 2025
CARINE H.
Wonderful pub in a great location. Great food, beer and friendly staff
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Apr 02, 2023
Andrew R.
Lovely food, great service.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 05, 2024
Richard H.
Enjoyable meal, and cosy ambience at the Hour Glass Inn. Many thanks!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Apr 24, 2025
Charles C.
Welcoming staff. Good range of drink choices (inc Guiness Zero). Unhurried service and plenty of information re menu options.
Ample menu choices and attentive staff. Many thanks and a delight to be looked after by you all.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 9/10
Jan 02, 2024
Barbara B.
A warm welcome. Seated downstairs. Restaurant was fairly quiet as it was close to last orders. We were placed next to a large group with two toddlers which made it noisy. We could have been seated further away as no other dinners arrived after us. Staff were very friendly. Menu offered a good selection of food. Rarebit starter to share was excellent. Roast beef and pork was perfectly cooked. Cauliflower cheese was beautiful. Roast potatoes tasted a bit stale so neither of us ate these. Wine choice was good and we enjoyed the bottle that we ordered.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 6/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
Mar 26, 2023
Joanna C.
Excellent food, lovely ambience but the starter took an hour to arrive and the main took another hour to arrive and no warning or explanation given for the delay. Otherwise it was a great experience.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Mar 17, 2025
Douglas W.
Great place. Authentic food which is rare to find in Exeter! Highly recommend this place if you like good food in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 27, 2024
Lorna B.
Excellent Sunday roast. The Hour Glass always delivers. We had beef and it was tender and beautifully cooked.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 09, 2024
Julia B.
Fantastic food, excellent service and great atmosphere. Will definitely return.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 21, 2024
Ollie T.
Great food and service. Lovely atmosphere. Good enough for a special occasion but also a place to come back to regularly
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 21, 2025
Sam G.
Vegetarian option for the roast could have been a bit more interesting. The meat roast was great and dessert was excellent.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 30, 2024
Richard W.
The food and service was first class. Highly tecommended
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
Feb 27, 2024
Amanda C.
Probably the best Sunday roast. The beef was the best I have ever tasted ! Thank you. We will definitely be back when next in the area
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 20, 2024
Ian M.
Excellent in every respect. Couldn’t fault anything about the evening. Thanks again, Hour Glass.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 09, 2023
Justin B.
always very good, best gastro pub in Exeter
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
May 31, 2025
Chris D.
The food was perfect, the service great
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 01, 2023
Sue P.
Great food & generous portions - the venison was tender & delicious. Friendly service even though very busy. Lovely atmosphere.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 28, 2023
Richard K.
Great food and service offering a very enjoyable evening
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 13, 2024
Ed H.
We walked to the Hour Glass but looked like being late for our 12.15 lunch...so we rang to explain and had a lovely reply from the team there, who appreciated the call. We had guests with us, and it was their first time, and they were offered little tasters of a couple of the different beers before making their mins up which I think is a lovely touch....very little cost but much appreciated. The lunch was excellent...a couple of us had the amazing starter of Bloody mary's (true...on the menu!!!). We had beef, pork and vegetarian ...all beautifully cooked, and very generous portions!! We ate in the downstairs restaurant which has a comfortable feel...lovely staff combined to make it a fine lunch. Can't wait to return!!!
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 6/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 8/10
Sep 24, 2023
Ian H.
It was lovely to be back at the Hour Glass. The menu was interesting; venison was beautifully cooked and accompanied. The Sea Bass dish was "heavy" with an over-worked sauce- but again perfectly cooked. The service became overloaded as the room filled up and our cheese dish was "forgotten". But it was a happy place with an interesting variety of diners. We WILL go back.
- Overall: 6/10
- Food: 6/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 5/10
- Value: 7/10
Mar 16, 2025
Charles W.
Slightly unluckily the Hourglass was pretty crowded and for us, too noisy as there was one group of rather over-enthusiastic (mainly) men sitting at a table nearby. They were just talking loudly but the overall noise made it difficult for our small group to talk or listen to what we wanted to. Food was OK but sadly I expected better. The staff were very helpful and attentive.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
Jan 30, 2024
Claire O.
Lovely food, great service. Wine list a bit boring for the standard of the food!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 17, 2023
Ayca D.
Excellent food and friendly service :)
- Overall: 4/10
- Food: 3/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 5/10
- Value: 1/10
Apr 06, 2024
Samantha R.
Party of four. Food choices were the mussels in stout and homity pie. The pie was lovely but the stout sauce really didn't marry with the mussels.
Two had rib eye steak, which came with chunky chips and a huge handful of salad leaves plonked on top (no dressing). Steak was tasteless, peppercorn sauce bland and thin. Other mains were parpadelle (tasty) and lamb (well cooked, overwhelmed by greens and the potatoe very salty). Waiting staff checked if our starters were ok (they were) but didn't come back and check on mains (so no opportunity to raise dissatisfaction). Offered dessert complimentary but we declined as really didn't want to stay. One bottle of reasonable wine, a couple of pints and bill came to £235. We eat out regularly at independent restaurants and recognise quality and value for money, but this really was lacking in both. Always loved the Hour Glass but very disappointed with last night's experience. Sadly, won't be going back.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
Aug 07, 2023
Alex S.
Had mussels and a great T-bone steak perfectly cooked washed down with a bottle of Rioja wine and salted caramel Choux for desert which was to die for.
Service was attentive throughout but the downstairs dining area was a little noisy.
Would definitely recommend.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 26, 2023
Russell L.
Excellent quality food (pork main, especially), beers & port, and friendly & efficient service
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 16, 2024
Andrew H.
This is without doubt one of Exeter's best kept secrets, and long may it stay that way! The chef here is a genius, and his combination of duck breast and slow cooked duck is incredibly good. I have eaten here many times and never ever been disappointed. Sunday lunch is also wonderful!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 14, 2023
Carol B.
Genuine welcome and great food
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 7/10
Jan 19, 2025
Hazel T.
We’ll be back
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 7/10
Feb 10, 2024
Annie H.
The service was brilliant as usual, very friendly and helpful but we had to wait quite a while for our food.
I had the homity pie and the lemon tart. I think both had the same base and it was quite hard to cut
The food was delicious as usual.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 12, 2023
Cherry Anna B.
Thoroughly wonderful pub. Super friendly staff and a lovely atmosphere. Dogs welcome. Food absolutely outstanding. If only it were our local, although that is probably a good thing, as we would be in the Hourglass every night!
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 6/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 6/10
Apr 21, 2024
Jeremy H.
The first thing to say is that the food at the Hour Glass, possibly the oldest hostelry in Exeter, is really excellent (apart from the woody broccoli stalks, which were inedible). This does come at a price, and our bill for four, for a three course meal with wine, was nearly £300. The staff were friendly.
Unfortunately the almost perfect gastronomic experience was rather spoilt: first our arrival was uncoordinated with that of our fellow diners and we were sent to different areas, which we eventually resolved ourselves; second, despite the fact that almost half of the main courses are steak, no steak knives were provided; and third, we had a very long wait between our starters and our mains, and reminded the waiters about this twice. So having arrived at 7pm, our taxis, which were booked for 9:30, had to wait for us.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 21, 2024
Ranjit H.
We booked last minute for a Sunday roast whilst visiting Exeter
We were not disappointed at all. Friendly staff, food was AMAZING! And the pudding? Well i would have eaten 2 more. If its still on tje menu, definitely try the Devonshire Doughnut! You will not be disappointed. Definitely recommend The Hour Glass.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Jan 12, 2025
Zoe W.
Absolutely our favourite pub , but the roast wasn’t as good as it has been . The meat and Yorkies lovely but the roast potatoes were soggy and didn’t seem like they’d been roasted!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 24, 2024
emma c.
Fantastic meal and fantastic service
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 23, 2025
Fran L.
We had an excellent evening. Our waitress was very attentive, food high quality and the sharing pie stole the show. We will come back as such a fun evening, thank you
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 15, 2023
Robin B.
We were almost alone in the lower restaurant . Maybe balance th numbers between the rooms? Excellent food though and a great evening.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 21, 2025
James T.
A great meal at the Hourglass. It's a lovely pub and the food is fantastic. Staff are really friendly and helpful, meals are well priced, and being Exeter Brewery the beer is naturally great!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 27, 2024
Nicola J.
Visited The Hour Glass for a Sunday roast. The choices being belly pork or rib of beef. Unfortunately, belly pork was not available. This was disappointing.
- Overall: 5/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 05, 2024
Kate F.
We thought it very expensive for ambience and setting. I am never happy when 10 percent is added . This should always be left to the discretion of the customer Maybe we did not do our homework properly but it was disappointing overall because it felt pleasant, but pricey.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 05, 2024
Geraldine B.
Loved our whole evening. Especially loved the use of Devon recipes and Devon produce. Food was delicious.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 07, 2025
Adrian B.
An excellent dinner, with very friendly staff. And of course the pre dinner beer is superb too! Highly recommended!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 21, 2023
Christine M.
Delicious food and environment full of character
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 13, 2023
Matt H.
Great to have a proper traditional pub selling great beer and well cooked local food - and friendly helpful staff - full marks !
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 28, 2023
Shan M.
Wonderful place, with a brilliant vegetarian option
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
Nov 29, 2023
Martin C.
The food was great but we had to wait quite a while for the main courses to arrive. I appreciate it was a busy Sunday lunchtime though.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 15, 2023
Colin J.
Came for my Wife's birthday din dins, off back of two recommendations. We loved the layout of the place- local bar feel up top and cosy dining downstairs.
We had a fab time and absolutely loved the exquisite food and great service. This would've been all round 10's had the food been served a little bit quicker.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 16, 2023
Beth C.
It was wonderful. I would only say maybe smaller portion option for less price? And the roast potatoes could be crisper ( but this is being super fussy!)
The staff are magnificent and I think the optional service should be higher to minimum 15%.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 07, 2023
Simon C.
Marvellous Sunday lunch in a delightful atmosphere but the staff add that extra star dust that’s makes visiting The Hour Glass a memorable experience
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 08, 2024
ISABEL R.
Best thing was the friendly reception and great vibe!!
Excellent all round!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Oct 02, 2023
Karen R.
Great restaurant and pub, highly recommend
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 22, 2023
Simon S.
Excellent atmosphere, staff and food. Most highly recommended
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 05, 2023
Rob B.
Excellent meal
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Nov 21, 2023
James H.
We had a great time · a little pricey but on balance the Hour Glass won on points
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Feb 24, 2025
Edward M.
We had a Sunday roast, pork belly, good, but would have been nice to have had a choice with chicken.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 25, 2023
Jonathan P.
We chose the HGI for its focus on organic, locally grown food, which we commend. The chef's experience at some top restaurants also sounded promising. We had dined at the HGI twice under previous owners and were excited about the new offering. The HGI is a pub at the front and a restaurant at the back. We dined in the restaurant part but felt we experienced an average pub standard of service. The young waiting staff were pleasant but not accomplished at table service. For example, "No worries" as a response to 'Thank you' is fine for your mates but not appropriate in a restaurant setting. Mussels (pleasant) were served without a spoon to enjoy the sauce. We found one in a nearby canteen of cutlery in the absence of any waiting staff who did not appear to ask how the food was until payment time. We were waited on by 3 (or was it 4?) waiting staff whose attention lacked coordination. The food was good in parts. The homity pie was delicious in every respect. The duck breast with smoked beets was disappointing. The duck was excellent but the smoke flavour of the sauce overpowered the duck. I asked where the smokiness came from and was told it contained pureed smoked beet. The overriding flavour to my palate (others might disagree) was of a synthetic/chemical flavour (liquid smoke product?) but was perhaps simply too much of the pureed smoked beet. I like smoked foods so this excessively strong flavour was a disappointment. My wife liked the cod although it was a rather small piece. The puddings were disappointing and looked like they had been thrown together at the last minute. I don't remember seeing or tasting any fennel seeds on the Autumn pavlova option, which was mostly a huge meringue, and the brown butter cake (part of the other pudding we chose) was dry. We would go back for the locally-sourced, organic aspect but the cooking and service did not meet our expectations.
- Overall: 3/10
- Food: 0/10
- Service: 6/10
- Ambience: 5/10
- Value: 0/10
Apr 18, 2023
Rebecca T.
No chef but went ahead with the order anyway the steak was awful
Cold over cooked just not worth the £28
Needless to say we didn’t pay for the food. Staff were really friendly actually felt really sorry for them. Very disappointing
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 17, 2024
Amanda H.
Delicious food and ambience. This is the third time I have visited and never have I been disappointed.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 29, 2025
Lesley S.
Wow. If you’re in Exeter and enjoy reasonably priced great food then you need to book and experience the brilliant food and service at The Hour Glass Inn.
Highly recommend.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 04, 2024
Caspar W.
Service drinks and food all really good. I wish there were more plant based options.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Jan 24, 2024
Zoe W.
Wonderful as always ! Perhaps the only criticism would be the roast potatoes ! They weren’t crispy enough, everything else .. the quality of the meat , the starter of homity pie , the pudding absolutely outstanding ! Service always excellent
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Apr 23, 2024
Brian W.
Brilliant service, the food was excellent. We had the rib eye steak and it was one of the best we've had for a long while. Great welcoming atmosphere, definitely a hidden gem.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 14, 2023
Diana S.
Lovely experience. The food was delicious and the service friendly and professional.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 19, 2025
sarah s.
We were a group of 6 and everyone agreed the food, service etc was amazing, well done! I would only say the one thing was the presentation of the affogato the ice-cream in a highball wasnt great, the dessert was still lovely..even though you had run out of amaretto! :-)
- Overall: 6/10
- Food: 4/10
- Service: 6/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 3/10
Feb 20, 2025
Joanne F.
I thought the service, although pleasant, was not of a standard I would have expected. The server was polite and courteous but didn't seem knowledgeable about the menu and drinks. I wasn't keen on the starter I had, and the food in general seemed very expensive for what it was. With the steak, I would have personally expected and preferred thinner cut fries, I don't think the huge chips (effectively roast potatoes) work very well with something as heavy as steak, I couldn't finish it all which felt like a waste. The red wine 'jus' was very thin and watery.
The biggest problem was that my partner did not get the dish he ordered. The dish advertised on the menu was pork belly and mustard cassoulet. The dish he was given was standard cassoulet of Toulouse sausage, confit duck leg and haricot beans, no pork belly or mustard. I feel we were mis-sold, frankly. I doubt we will come back to eat here again.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 12, 2023
Rachael G.
Fantastic food, and friendly service. We couldn’t decide what to choose as everything sounded delicious. The mussels, monkfish and autumn baba were stand out dishes for us.
We will definitely be back!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 9/10
Mar 20, 2024
Clare F.
Delicious roast beef, with plenty of vegetable. Very pleasant and helpful staff
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 07, 2024
Maria N.
Everything was fabulous but especially the mussels and homemade bread
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 17, 2025
Heidi M.
Had a fabulous evening on Friday - the staff were really welcoming and attentive. The food was exceptional from the starter to the dessert - we would highly recommend the Hour Glass.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 18, 2024
Colin T.
We have been to the Hourglass several times now and it never disappoints. Although small, the menu offers a good choice and everything is top quality. Staff are friendly and helpful and the pub itself has a great atmosphere. We will be back !
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Oct 23, 2023
Elisabeth S.
We had a good evening in excellent ambience. Staff are excellent, but there are not enough, making thing a bit slow!
We definitely come back!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 0/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 21, 2023
Jane P.
Fabulous Sunday lunch. Fabulous customer service.
- Overall: 5/10
- Food: 5/10
- Service: 5/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 0/10
Jan 13, 2025
Carolyne W.
Not sure how honest to be but white wine and rose wines were limited Starters were delicious Main courses arrived 1.5 hours after arrival we arrived at 1.30 to a table that we were told had been taken by someone impersonating us and our food finally arrived at 3pm ! After constantly chasing And what i rcvd didnt have the correct ingredients in totally shocking and without any reasoning The manager that handled the situation was very poor Such a shame