No 21 Cathedral Yard Cafe & Bistro, Exeter

There can’t be many restaurants in Devon that can rival No. 21 for superb views. Slap bang in the middle of Exeter’s Cathedral Yard, No. 21 has an enviable position overlooking the magnificent 12th century church of St Peter. Combined with the range of food on offer, it’s an essential stop when you’ve tired of shopping, and a lovely place to lunch on a sunny day.

Head chef Jason Turton trained just down the road at St Olaves Hotel, and he’s brought his passion for all things seasonal and local here too. He sources meat from city butchers J&A Gibbins, and sausages come from the award winning Westaways in Newton Abbot. The menu caters for the variety of people that pass through this beautiful part of the city.

Shoppers on a mission might plump for the light snacks of sandwiches and baguettes, which come with crunchy chips and salads bursting with colour. Those enjoying a lazy day out may go for the more substantial specials. These change daily – though popular dishes such as the toasted bacon and brie ciabatta and succulent crab sandwiches are rarely off the menu. The wine list suits this café-restaurant well; it’s small but the offerings are well chosen, and range from the intriguingly named Furious Boar rosé to Chilean merlot and a South African chenin blanc.

For most of the year No. 21 is open for general dining during the daytime only (private parties are welcome any night of the week by appointment), but as spring arrives, the restaurant will also be open on Friday and Saturday evenings when the light and airy space is transformed into a more intimate bistro setting – bag the window table if you can.