The Blue Ball Exeter

The Blue Ball Exeter reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. B

   Barrie

   Devon1 review

   4.0

   Dined on April 27, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   Food good quality and nicely presented. I had some Roast Beef which was delicious, but had to remove about 20% which was just gelatinous Fat. Yes I know it gives the flavour, but I don't want to swallow great gouts of it. There was no Ale available only some IPA & Lager which disappointed me, and the price of the wine was ridiculous. This was £6 a bottle stuff with a £25 corkage charge. We're not trying to impress anybody here. A decent house Merlot at @ c£17 would easily suffice. And the final annoyance was the Service Charge added to the bill. Oh how I hate that. Me as the customer judges what level a 'Tip' should be. It's moral blackmail to have your customers ask the waiter to take this addition off the Bill.... because it's embarrassing. Nice meal spoilt by aggressive charging. Next Roast I'll have out will be at an honest to goodness Carvery.
   

   The Blue Ball ExeterResponded 4 days ago

   Thank you for your feedback. We are glad you found our roast beef to be delicous. It's fresh, local produce & yes the fat is essential for flavour. We ensure there is plenty of beef on your plate to balance this which suffice's for most diners. With the ale, we usually have x3 available but being busy with the finer weather meant we went through our barrels far quicker than expected & the new barrels not rested enough. We weren't prepared to serve sub-par ale because we were in a hurry to get it on so apologises on this. To touch your point on our wine. These bottles are certainly not £6 a bottle by any stretch of the imagination & we wouldn't serve anything so cheap & nasty. As for the service charge, unless eating at a chain / pile it high establishment, this is not uncommon & optional.
   

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2. R

   Richard

   Yorkshire6 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on April 21, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great stop off on the way down the M5. Great food, friendly service at a reasonable price. Would have stayed longer if I could.
   

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3. J

   Jackie

   Hampshire1 review

   5.0

   Dined on April 19, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Incredible welcoming. Despite being a match day, extremely well organised with serving beers. Lovely live entertainment, great atmosphere. The evening meal was delicious, seasoning and cooking well judged. Again staff attentive and friendly
   

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4. C

   Christine

   Devon1 review

   4.0

   Dined on April 17, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   Thoroughly enjoyed the meal we had here. Two had cod, one had grilled chicken and the other John Dory. The portions of cod and chicken were very generous but the John Dory was rather small. Lovely sauce with the cod and everything else was very tasty. We have small appetites so what we had was plenty and it was very pleasant sitting in the conservatory (with a large roof light) . We arrived early and were able to sit at our table for coffee. Well priced food and we would recommend The Blue Ball.
   

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5. N

   Nigel

   London3 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on April 16, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Service and food were really good - Nice to see the extension and modifications that have been made. I will return again very soon!
   

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6. L

   Les

   London2 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on April 8, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   Pleasant but average pub food and atmosphere. Slightly small portions throughout and a bit pricey for what it was. Service fast and friendly.
   

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7. C

   Charlotte

   Devon1 review

   5.0

   Dined on April 7, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Such a nice pub to visit ,great staff and service
   

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8. T

   Tina

   Devon2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 6, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   As always, welcoming and friendly staff, Babs and Josh are so hospitable and accomadating. Food was delicious. Will always be a number one pub to return to as we've done for years!
   

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9. J

   Jenny

   Devon1 review

   4.0

   Dined on April 5, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Friendly, excellent food, interesting flavours, good presentation
   

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10. K

    Katie

    Devon1 review

    3.0

    Dined on April 3, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4

    Tasteless expensive burgers Meagre portion of chips with fish of the day
    

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