New Dottie's Restaurant Opens in Hotel Indigo, Exeter

Honouring a Local Icon: Dottie’s Restaurant Brings Heart and Heritage to Hotel Indigo Exeter.

Hotel Indigo Exeter is delighted to announce the launch of Dottie’s, a new restaurant inspired by one of Exeter’s most beloved historic figures, Dorothy “Dottie” Holman. Opening its doors to the public on 21st November 2025, Dottie’s invites guests to experience a chef-led journey through local flavours, thoughtful service, and the timeless pleasure of good company.

Open daily for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, Dottie’s offers a space where guests can pause, indulge, and savour time well spent, all in an atmosphere that feels elegant and effortlessly welcoming.

Dottie’s pays homage to Dorothy Holman, a remarkable woman whose legacy continues to shape Exeter. A nurse during the war, she embodied compassion, calm and care; qualities that flow naturally into Dottie’s approach to hospitality. As the founder and benefactor of Topsham Museum, she dedicated her life to preservation, storytelling and community, values that form the heart of the restaurant’s philosophy.

Just as Dottie cherished local heritage, the restaurant celebrates seasonal West Country produce, with each dish designed to showcase the best of Devon’s fields, coastlines and artisan suppliers. The result is a menu that feels refined yet familiar, with a touch of lived-in luxury that’s engaging and personable.

Guests are invited to enjoy Dottie’s Tipple, the restaurant’s signature liqueur in the form of a sweet honeycello. The drink captures Dottie’s language of care and preservation, offering a golden expression of her enduring influence.

From the considered details to the warm, attentive service, Dottie’s aims to carry the essence of its namesake and marks the next step in Hotel Indigo Exeter’s journey, deepening its connection to the city through food, design and storytelling. The restaurant’s interiors reflect the hotel’s signature style, and are layered with textures, soft lighting and nods to local heritage, creating a space that feels both contemporary and timeless.

“Dottie’s is more than just a restaurant. It’s a reflection of Exeter’s heart and history,” says James Gardiner, General Manager at Hotel Indigo Exeter. “We wanted to create a place that honours Dorothy Holman’s legacy of care and community, while showcasing the incredible flavours and people that make Devon so special.”

Blending thoughtful design with locally inspired flavours, Dottie’s brings a new sense of warmth and sophistication to Exeter’s dining scene. It’s more than a place to eat, it’s a celebration of connection, craft and community, inviting guests to slow down, savour each moment and experience the true character of the city.