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The Cosy Club stands proudly in a grand old hospital building, now a stunning venue that combines historical character with eclectic charm. Located just a stone’s throw from Exeter Law Courts at 1 Southernhay Gardens, this much-loved eatery is a delightful fusion of rich heritage, playful interior design, and a menu that caters to every craving.
First Impressions: Quirky, Elegant, and Warm
Stepping into Cosy Club Exeter is like entering a storybook filled with mismatched lampshades, velvet upholstery, leather bar stools and vintage portraits watching over you with quiet curiosity. The space is vast, with soaring ceilings that echo with laughter and conversation, yet it manages to feel intimate and inviting. The building’s historic bones, once the city’s hospital, have been thoughtfully preserved, with clever nods like hospital-style lighting now repurposed over the bar. It’s this blend of nostalgia and imagination that immediately sets the tone for a memorable visit.
Set in a stunning red-brick former hospital building, Cosy Club Exeter charms you the moment you walk in. The space is filled with mismatched vintage lampshades, leather sofas, animal heads on the walls, and portraits from a different era all watching over you. It’s eclectic, welcoming, and full of personality. But what really made the day shine was the food—and the joy of sharing it with a group of seven hungry, happy people.
Industrial Grandeur Meets Whimsy
Cross the threshold of Cosy Club Exeter and you’re instantly immersed in a world that is anything but clinical. Instead, it’s playful, eccentric, and delightfully rich in detail. The bar and lounge area is your first stop—a welcoming space with button-tufted leather sofas, studded bar stools, and soft lighting that creates a golden warmth. There’s a sense of grandeur without pretension, comfort without clutter.
And yet, if you look closely, the echoes of the building’s former life are still visible—not least in the old hospital lighting, now cleverly repurposed as industrial-style pendant lamps and wall-mounted fixtures. These vintage touches provide a beautiful contrast to the more whimsical décor elements that Cosy Club is known for.
A Dining Room Like No Other
Beyond the bar, you enter the main dining room—a vast space, almost double the depth of the lounge, and bustling with energy on any given evening. A long banquette bench subtly divides the room into two main zones, allowing for both intimacy and scale. The high ceilings give the room an airy, open feel, perfect for big gatherings or long, leisurely meals.
It’s in this space that Cosy Club’s signature style really comes to life. Random portraits, both of noble faces and forgotten characters, stare down from the walls, sharing space with painted landscapes, vintage posters, and a playful menagerie of wall-mounted animal heads—stags, antelope, warthogs, and other curious creatures—all adding to the sense that you’re dining in a curated dream.
Quirky Elegance, Thoughtfully Layered
Cosy Club’s interiors across the country are famous for their quirky, maximalist aesthetic, and the Exeter location is no exception. Every corner seems to tell a story. Every lamp, frame, and fixture feels chosen, not just placed. The layered lighting—a mix of ceiling lamps, low-hanging pendants, and glowing wall lights—casts soft pools of light that make the large space feel… well, cosy.
This combination of eclectic design, period pieces, and historic architectural features makes for an atmosphere that is truly one of a kind. It’s not just about dining; it’s about dwelling, soaking in the textures and tones of a space that holds as much personality as the people within it.
Rich in History
The building that now houses Cosy Club Exeter was once the X-Ray, Radium and Electrical Treatment Department of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. It was officially opened on 5th June 1925 by Countess Fortescue, a significant moment funded through the tireless efforts of Mr Philip F. Rowsell, J.P., who raised over £11,000 during his mayoral term from 1921 to 1924. That sum not only funded the construction but left a legacy—an endowment set aside to continue benefitting the department well into the future.
The department, with its then cutting-edge medical facilities, was a gift from Marianne Sanders in memory of her husband and son, who had both served as presidents of the hospital in 1878 and 1893. Today, though the hum of hospital machinery has long faded, the structure stands proud—a striking red-brick, four-storey building—testament to a bygone era of innovation and community care.
A Menu that Delivers
From eclectic tapas to hearty mains, the food here is as varied as the decor—and just as full of character. One Google reviewer raved about the buttermilk chicken and panko-covered cod and chips, calling Cosy Club their “go-to” Exeter restaurant. Another highly recommended the slow-cooked ox-cheek ragu pasta, and it’s hard to ignore the enthusiastic mentions of standout seafood dishes like sea bass with roasted potatoes in a creamy sauce and salmon done just right.
If you’re in the mood for comfort food with flair, the chicken burger is a towering delight, though one diner cheekily noted it might benefit from more width than height! And for those with a sweet tooth, don’t skip dessert. The apple tart comes highly recommended—flaky, flavourful, and well worth the indulgence.
What We Ordered
On a recent visit to Cosy Club Exeter, we had one of those rare dining experiences where everything came together beautifully. Here’s what we ordered and why we’ll definitely be coming back.
1. Aubergine & Butterbean Tagine
Served with spiced cumin yoghurt, fresh coriander, chermoula dressing, and a soft laffa flatbread, this dish was a fragrant, hearty delight. The aubergine was beautifully soft, and the butterbeans added substance and texture. The flavours were warm and well-balanced, and the flatbread was perfect for scooping up the rich tagine and sauce. A top choice for anyone looking for something comforting but a little different.
2. The Cosy Butcher’s Brunch
This one was a showstopper. Packed full of savoury goodness, the plate came loaded with:
- Treacle-cured pork belly chop
- Two Cumberland sausages
- Smoked back bacon
- Two eggs any style (we tried scrambled, fried, and poached)
- Chorizo beans
- Hash browns
- Buttered sourdough toast
The pork belly chop was a highlight, succulent with a hint of sweetness from the treacle cure. The eggs were cooked perfectly to each person’s preference, and the chorizo beans added a smoky, spicy kick that tied it all together. It’s the kind of brunch that keeps you full for hours, in the best possible way. Of the seven of us in the group, two ordered the Buther’s Brunch.
3. The Garden Brunch (Vegetarian)
The veggie counterpart to the Butcher’s Brunch didn’t skimp on flavour or variety. It featured:
- Veggie sausage
- Egg any style
- Avocado & pea mint crush
- Beans
- Hash browns
- Mushroom
- Roast vine tomatoes
- Buttered sourdough toast
The avocado and mint crush added a fresh brightness, and the veggie sausage held its own beside the robust flavours on the plate. This dish really stood out as a thoughtfully balanced vegetarian option—not just a ‘meatless version,’ but a delicious meal in its own right.
4. Slow-Cooked Ox Cheek Ragù
Rich, tender ox cheek, cooked slowly until melt-in-the-mouth soft, paired with fresh rigatoni pasta, red pepper pesto, and a generous grating of parmesan—this dish was rustic and indulgent. The red pepper pesto brought a welcome sweetness and slight heat, lifting the depth of the ragù without overpowering it. A truly comforting dish that felt like a hug in a bowl.
Drinks & Cocktails: Something for Everyone
Whether you’re popping in for pre-theatre drinks or planning a full evening, Cosy Club’s bar doesn’t disappoint. The espresso martinis are popular, but the real show-stealer seems to be the Cherry Bakewell cocktail—a unique, nostalgic tipple that’s as fun to sip as it is to say. Prices are reasonable for central Exeter, with cocktails offering both creativity and quality.
Service & Atmosphere
Throughout the meal, the service was excellent—attentive without being intrusive, and always friendly. The staff were more than happy to accommodate different egg preferences and ensured we had everything we needed, including coffee and drinks as the meal progressed. Despite it being a busy lunch service, everything arrived in good time and beautifully presented. The space itself, with its high ceilings, vintage touches, and playful quirks, created a relaxed, feel-good vibe. It’s easy to see why this place is such a favourite for everything from brunches to birthdays.
Verdict: A Memorable Lunch with Great Value
For a group of seven, the meal was fantastic value, especially considering the generous portion sizes, quality of ingredients, and the overall experience. Whether you’re into meat, vegetarian dishes, or just love a beautifully made brunch, there’s something here for everyone.
Cosy Club Exeter offers more than just food—it’s a place where good company and good atmosphere come together in a setting that celebrates history, flavour, and fun. We’re already planning our next visit.
A Place to Return To
What Cosy Club Exeter does so well is create a space where past and present meet with harmony and flair. The team has taken a building with serious historical weight and transformed it into a vibrant, joyful venue—without losing its soul. It’s a place where you can sip a Cherry Bakewell cocktail beneath century-old beams, or eat buttermilk chicken surrounded by relics of the past.
So next time you’re in Exeter, take a detour to 1 Southernhay Gardens.
Location Information
Website: Visit Cosy Club Exeter
Address: Cosy Club, 1 Southernhay Gardens, Exeter EX1 1SG
Contact: 01392848744
Google Maps: Find it on Google Maps
