Expansion plans revealed for floating Devon restaurant

The River Exe Cafe near Exmouth

Exciting expansion plans have been revealed by the owners of floating Devon restaurant River Exe Café. The unique award-winning dining spot that can only be accessed by boat in the middle of the River Exe by Exmouth has teased for a few weeks about having put in place a giant yellow buoy beside the café and having a ‘major announcement’ to make.

On its Facebook page today, February 24, it has confirmed the buoy is going to be used to build high-specification floating holiday pods enabling people to enjoy an experience unlike any other they will have had before. A competition was launched to guess what it could be prior to the announcement.

The Facebook post states: “Our giant yellow buoy is not a helipad, nor a live-music/events platform or the best one of all the entries, a Devon Space Port (thanks David Clark!). Instead, we plan to create a new luxury escape, nestled on the gentle currents of our tranquil River Exe.

“Right now we can only show you a sketch, but there is lots of back work in progress! We hope our floating holiday pods will create an unforgettable experience that blends with the beauty and peace of our special Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) and the healing nature of this special spot, providing a space to let the world float by while you relax and enjoy.

“Launching in 2024, tethered to the 360-degree buoy these high-specification lodges will come with that hint of simple River Exe Café style we know you love and, of course, because it’s us, eco-innovation including leading-edge solar panel technology.

Thank you all for your creative guesses. We had such fun reading them all. Keep following us for more surprises at the River Exe Café this summer!”

The River Exe Café is currently closed for the winter season. It will reopen on April 1 and remain so until the end of September. It is already taking reservations.

It also hosts events and has advertised this year it will be holding a pirate party but the date has yet to be announced.

The café is a custom-built barge that floats well offshore in the Exe Estuary. The restaurant offers a wide range of locally sourced food and drink and is surrounded by amazing views.

It can be accessed by boat either by a Puffin Water Taxi from Exmouth Marina or via people’s own boats. The restaurant is fully covered with outside dining areas and has a new upper deck.