Restaurant @ Thirty‑Four is Exeter College’s award‑winning, student‑run training restaurant — a celebrated showcase for future hospitality talent and one of the region’s most impressive examples of skills‑led dining. Located in the Laurence Building on the Hele Road campus, it is home to the prestigious Michael Caines Academy, where young chefs and front‑of‑house professionals train under industry experts.

The restaurant has earned major national accolades, including the AA College Restaurant of the Year 2023/24 and an AA Highly Commended College Rosette, placing it among the top hospitality training restaurants in the UK.

Seasonal, Skills‑Focused Dining With a Devon Heart

@ Thirty‑Four offers refined menus that celebrate seasonal produce and classical culinary technique — all prepared and served by highly trained students developing their craft in a professional setting. The environment is modern, bright and polished, reflecting a dining room that feels every bit as elegant and ambitious as many commercial fine‑dining venues.

Menus evolve regularly to explore new themes and flavours, ranging from beautifully crafted canapés and seasonal starters to fine‑dining mains and imaginative desserts. The kitchen team often incorporates ingredients foraged or sourced locally, reinforcing a Devon‑led approach to freshness and sustainability.

The restaurant offers full lunch and dinner menus, with student chefs and front‑of‑house staff rotating through responsibilities as their training progresses. This gives diners a unique, behind‑the‑scenes glimpse into the development of future chefs, restaurateurs and hospitality leaders.

Eat & Drink at Thirty‑Four

Lunchtime menus are created and executed by first‑year students under the guidance of expert tutors. Guests can expect well‑balanced seasonal dishes, two‑course express lunches and freshly prepared options such as paninis and light plates during term time.

On Wednesday and Thursday evenings, the restaurant transitions into a fine‑dining venue run by more advanced Level 2 and 3 students. Guests can enjoy multi‑course tasting menus, theme nights, and beautifully plated seasonal dishes that rival those of professional restaurants in creativity and execution.

During term time, the restaurant also opens for coffee and house‑made pastries, giving visitors a casual way to support the students and enjoy high‑quality baked goods in a relaxed settin

Serving full menus, open both lunch time and evenings on selected days.

You can also sign up for a wide range of evening classes, open to the general public, taught by the college tutors

Exeter | East Devon | Restaurant | Fine Dining | Cookery School