Exeter restaurant named among best in the South of England

An Exeter Thai restaurant has been named as one of the best in the South of England and Wales. The popular spot has built up a cult following of loyal customers, with multiple reviews saying it serves the "best Thai food in Exeter".

Earlier this week, Deliveroo revealed the winners of their 2024 Restaurant Awards, which had various national and regional titles up for grabs. They were decided by customer votes and a panel of judges who looked at brand personality, food quality, packaging and presentation, customer reviews and environmental consciousness.

Among those shortlisted was Exeter's iFood Thai Taste, who were in the running to win Best Thai in South England & Wales. The restaurant made it into the top three, alongside Koh Thai in Bournemouth and Lemongrass in Brighton.

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While iFood Thai Taste narrowly missed out on the top spot to Koh Thai, it did achieve the impressive accolade of being the only Devon restaurant to feature that highly in any category. This will come as no surprise to loyal customers who leave rave reviews online.

On the Deliveroo app, one customers wrote: "Some of the best Thai food I've ever had, definitely recommend". Another said: "Top tier food, small menu but every dish is incredible".

A number of locals have given it the high title of "best Thai food in Exeter", or even the "best food in Exeter". One customer said: "Always the best Thai food in Exeter! Delivered quickly, hot and super delicious". Another added: "The best food in Exeter and been consistent for years with the great tasting and good value for money dishes. Cannot recommend enough!"

The restaurant opened in the circular building at the top of Sidwell Street in 2017, before expanding into the premises next door in 2019. It was first opened by Risa Pipatsirikajohn who came to Exeter around 20 years ago as a student.

Speaking to DevonLive in 2019, Risa said: "This place used to be a sandwich bar. I used to walk past and used to buy sandwiches. One day I said I would be happy to take over. I went to London after my studies, but we came back [to Exeter] and set up a family.

"The lady [at the sandwich shop] became unwell and asked me again if I still wanted it, I said 'yeah, why not'. Our little takeaway was busy and customers were saying why not have sitting area.

"Then one day I said to the tattoo shop next to us I would take over if they moved, and the same day they came to me and said they were moving because the space was too small for them. It just happened, it was the right time."

Deliveroo's Restaurant Awards were first launched in 2018 to celebrate the most-loved restaurants on the app. This year, there were 60 awards up for grabs, with more than 66,000 customers voting for their favourites.

The most coveted award was the Independent Restaurant of the Year 2024, which went to Yeeros, a family-run restaurant in Dublin, Ireland, serving up a modern take on Greek street food. This award was also broken down by region and went to Dhamaka Restaurant in Bristol for the South England and Wales region.

The category was judged by food critic and writer Jimi Famurewa and Deliveroo's founder and CEO Will Shu. Jimi said: "It’s been an honour and a privilege to tour the UK & Ireland to meet some of the nation's best restaurateurs in the running for Deliveroo’s Independent Restaurant of the Year.

"Crowning the winner was challenging; every finalist blew me away with the taste, quality and standard of food they serve to neighbourhood doorsteps, along with their commitment to their customers and the local community.

"The winners, Yeeros, ticked every box for me - innovation is at the heart of everything they do, from their food to their packaging, and most importantly, everyone who orders from Yeeros becomes part of their family. Congratulations, Yeeros and all the other finalists, and thank you to Deliveroo for trusting me to crown the winner."

The full list of regional and national winners can be found here.