A place for moments that matter
Simply great hospitality
Harry’s is about doing things properly. A seasonal menu of restaurant classics, carefully sourced and thoughtfully cooked, served with warmth and attention to detail. The style is relaxed, the atmosphere easy, and the focus always on quality rather than fuss. Dishes are familiar but never careless, allowing good ingredients and sound technique to speak for themselves. It’s food that feels reassuring, generous, and quietly confident, the kind of cooking people come back for.
It's all History
Harry’s Restaurant sits within an iconic Gothic-style building dating back to 1883. Designed by architect Robert Medley Fulford and brick built over a century ago, the building was originally constructed for the renowned English architect and sculptor Harry Hems, which now adds charm and character to our restaurant.
Harry Hems started a company specialising in ecclesiastical sculpture and church fittings, which he named “The Ecclesiastical Art Works.” He opened the workshop in 1883 and extended the following year. The name “Ye Luckie Horseshoe Studio” was inspired by a horseshoe he found on his arrival into Exeter by train on the 4th of December 1866.
Harry’s “Luckie Horseshoe” can still be found above our main entrance to this day. Renowned for his charitable work, Harry Hems hosted Christmas lunches in his workshop for the elderly and less fortunate people of Exeter, inviting as many guests each year as his age. This generous tradition has evolved and continues with Harry’s Restaurant, where we now host the annual Harry Hems Night. We’re also proud to support St Petrock’s, Exeter’s local homelessness charity, in honour of the community and his kindness.
After Hems’s death, his business was continued by two of his four sons until they retired in 1938. The building changed hands several times, first being used by a boot, shoe, and leather merchant, then a local wine merchant. In 1993, the Pounds family acquired the property, marking the beginning of a new chapter as Harry’s Restaurant.
In the last thirty years, our family has put Harry’s on the map as a relaxed and welcoming restaurant with a reputation for excellent food and a carefully curated wine list. Our decor evolved from the mystery Batman cutout, which became a permanent fixture in the restaurant, to the iconic toy parrot that became an integral part of our refurbishment. Our menu has also evolved, with popular dishes like the famous Harry’s Heart Attack and our distinctive take on enchiladas making us a staple in the foodie community.
We remain a bustling and beloved destination, thriving 30 years after our doors first opened, and proudly holding the title of the top restaurant in Exeter on TripAdvisor. Our Chef Owner, Sam, continues to lead the kitchen with daughter Zoe by her side, while her other daughters ensure that every aspect of your dining experience meets the same high standards we’re known for.