(AD) There’s something quite fascinating about naming a place after an ancient, almost mythical paradise, especially when the reality is a former restaurant that sat empty for two years. It’s a bold choice but apt given who owns it. But then, boldness is pretty much a survival trait in the hospitality world, particularly in a city like Exeter where places come and go. What’s heartening is that so far it’s a success. Now Exeter has got this distinctive spot that’s become a bit of a magnet for craft beer and lager enthusiasts, foodies like me and everyone else in between. And if the glowing TripAdvisor and Google reviews are anything to go by, it’s striking a real chord.

Situated on Northernhay Place, Arcadia now occupies what used to be Circa 1924. The renovation, realised and brought to life by Chloe Wynn of Maven Design Studios, makes use of light tones and natural materials giving the space a calm, airy feel. Reclaimed wood, soft palettes, and small details like built-in chessboards – books and board games on shelves make it welcoming and homely; on the ground floor dogs are welcome too. Before we talk about beer and food, I have to tell you about the journey that Arcadia has travelled to get to this point.

I’ll apologise now in case this is a tad waffley, but stick with me, it’s a good read!

The Brewery Behind the Bar

Arcadia is the first physical venue for Utopian Brewing, a Devon-based independent brewery that’s been building a national reputation since 2017. Their ethos is simple: 100% British ingredients, no shortcuts, and proper craft. Their craft lagers have picked up awards, but Arcadia is more than just a showcase for their wares; it’s a natural extension of the business that has a strong emphasis of provenence and sustainability in their brewing.

In early 2025, Utopian launched a crowdfunding campaign to bring Arcadia to life. It raised over £13,000 from 116 backers – many of whom were offered tangible rewards like brewery tours, private tastings, and the chance to brew their own beer. More importantly, it created a sense of shared ownership. People weren’t just investing in a business, they were helping build something for the city and for the many fans of Utopian who themselves, I’m certain, live in Exeter and the surrounding areas.

The renovation embraced energy efficiency and sustainability from the start. From reclaimed wood to composting systems, the vision for Arcadia feels/felt authentic with strong intention.

The end result is a venue is split across two floors: the ground level offers a mix of bench seating, cushions and quieter corners, while upstairs provides a more intimate setting. It’s clearly designed for conversation and connection, not just consumption.

Live music nights are in full swing, quizzes and brewer meetups add life to the venue without overwhelming it. Arcadia also has ties with the Exeter City FC fanbase and is planning to add outdoor seating and screens for major sporting events in due course. It’s hospitality with purpose; done in steps with no gimmicks or grandiose ideology.

A Venue Lager Than Life

Of course, Utopian’s lagers are the stars of the show, but Arcadia regularly features guest lines from other independent local brewers. You can order in pints, two-thirds, or halves, which encourages exploration without excess. Their state-of-the-art beer cellar features 16 draught lines, serving not only Utopian’s finest but also beers from other standout local producers that feature on the ever changing guest lines.

They’ve also made a serious effort with non and low-alcohol options. Their alcohol-free pilsner, which I had on our visit is brewed with the same ingredients and care as the full-strength version. Crisp, refreshing, vegan, and just 0.5% ABV, and a reminder that accessibility can be done properly; was one of the nicest AF pints I have had in a very long time.

Local, Seasonal, and Affordable

The food menu leans into small plates and regional sourcing. About 90% of ingredients are sourced within 30 miles via Goosemore, a local company that connects Devon growers and kitchens. It’s not just lip service as it shows on the plate in the flavour and quality of the food.

Our menu for our visit looked like this:

– Pan-fried seabass on a bed of samphire with lemon and caper butter – £10.90 (GF)

– Sticky Dartmoor farm belly pork slices on Asian celeriac and apple slaw with crackling – £8.90 (GF)

– Chicken breast in a creamy garlic and white wine sauce with chestnut mushrooms and spinach – £8.00 (GF)

– Sticky glazed chicken wings – £7.60 (GF)

– Chicken schnitzel with parmesan – £8.00 (GF)

– Chargrilled tenderstem broccoli with lemon oil – £4.50 (Vegan, GF)

Crispy new potatoes with parmesan and aioli mayo – £4.50 (Vegetarian*, GF)

Triple chocolate brownie bites tossed in warm chocolate sauce £6.5 GF

A standout for me was the pan-fried seabass with samphire and lemon-caper butter (£10.90). It’s not a strong fish in taste, more meaty, but sat on the samphire which I love and with the bright lemon-caper butter it brought a welcome zing, balancing saltiness with freshness

The pork belly with Asian-style slaw and crackling (£8.90) balanced richness with tang with the pork crackling that brought a literal snap to proceedings, and the chicken in white wine and mushroom sauce (£8.00) was a solid comfort dish and annoyingly I forgot to take a photo of it as I was enjoying myself so much – it was well balanced and sumptuously creamy, a real treat to find a version that is done so well.

The menu has a good balance of ‘food you can eat with your fingers whilst drinking’ and ‘food a bit more substantial you’ll need cutlery’ for which is important in a taproom, in my opinion. The ultimate finger food was the Sticky glazed chicken wings – £7.60 (GF) The wings came out perfectly sticky, their glaze offering a sweet-smoky intensity. They were satisfyingly messy, and each bite was a burst of rich, bold flavour

For sides we had crispy potatoes with aioli, and chargrilled  broccoli, both carefully cooked and gluten-free by design rather than demand. You can tell the kitchen is thinking about flavour first, not just covering dietary checkboxes.

Better still, the pricing is flexible. Small plates let people tailor their spend, and the three-for-£15 lunch deal is proof that eating well doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Have as many as you want, or as little. Their Sunday Roast, although we didn’t have it on this occasion, I am sure it will soon be on a ‘Best Sunday Roasts’ list in no time.

And another thing…

Arcadia has created fifteen jobs, all paying at or above the Living Wage. That matters; not just ethically but practically. You can feel it in the service which is friendly, attentive and unhurried.

The thread of sustainability, which runs deep of the veins of Utopian continues with Arcadia. The menu reduces food mileage, green travel is encouraged and through day-to-day operations, the environment echoes in the intention and the results.

It was lovely to meet Dan the manager, who you could tell through and through that he lives and breathes this business.

That investment in people extends to the venue’s social mission. Music nights support local acts, and quiz nights and meet-the-brewer events bring in regulars and new faces alike. Arcadia isn’t trying to be everything to everyone, but it’s very good at being something to many. Through the crowdfunder and the welcoming atmosphere, there is a strong desire to foster community; something that, one could argue, is becoming a scarcity in general.

The Verdict

Arcadia isn’t just a bar or a taproom or a restaurant; it’s a well-executed blend of all three, built on good ideas and better intentions. The beer is excellent (of course), the food is considered and done well, and the service feels genuinely warm, the vibe is one of genuine warmth and welcoming.

As I mentioned, ‘Arcadia’ is a mythical pastoral paradise and I think they’ve actually created something that earns the name: a space that supports its community, serves great beer and lager, and keeps things affordable without cutting corners.

Beyond the excellent food and drink, what really sets Arcadia apart for me is the sense of ownership it fosters. That crowdfunding campaign wasn’t just a fundraising tool, far from it; it created stakeholders. People who feel part of the place. That sense of connection is rare in hospitality, and it shows in the crowd: a mix of beer lovers, couples out for a midweek plate or two, groups of mates swapping stories over some drinks. Or like myself and my friend Dan, when we visited, just a couple of friends having a catch up over some solid small plates and a couple of pints.

They’ve priced things sensibly, which matters in the current climate. You can have a night out here without feeling like you need a second job. That inclusivity built through pricing, portion sizes, drinks variety, and attitude is part of why people keep coming back and they have, as I mentioned those glowing reviews on TripAdvisor and Google Reviews.

Important information

View their menu here and their website here

Food is served at the following times:

Tuesday 1700 – 2100

Wednesday 1700 – 2100

Thursday 1700 – 2100

Friday 1200 – 1430 then 1700 – 2100 (lunch time deal if marked with the bird logo its 3 plates for £15)

Saturday 1200 – 1430 then 1700 – 2100  (lunch time deal if marked with the bird logo its 3 plates for £15)

Sunday 1200 – 1600 (plated Sunday lunch)

Follow on Facebook and Instagram