Situated in the Guildhall shopping centre on Queen Street, next to the Exeter historical Guildhall, surrounded impressive Roman columns, is the Exeter edition of the ever-popular Franco Manca pizzeria. The chain has taken over the UK with their stunning sourdough, curated from 100% Italian flour, sourced from the Pivetti family in Bologna, and an 18th century starter, by the founder Giuseppe Mascoli. An authentically made Neapolitan pizza to rival other Italian exports, Franco Manca has truly captivated the nation with over 50 locations.
The restaurant is located within walking distance to the Exeter Cathedral, and the stunning greenery that envelopes it. There’s loads of shops around for some retail therapy fuelled by pizza, all set within the buzzing heart of Exeter. The pizzeria itself has some real character, with rustic wooden accents, and bright lighting, creating a familiar feeling. The smell of pizza is homely and comforting, while the wide variety of toppings is exciting and taste bud-tantalising.
Choose from seven distinct pizza versions which includes the traditional, but always satisfying margherita, or you can choose from the daily specials listed on the huge blackboard hanging proudly on the wall. The chefs and founders have taken great care in selecting the best ingredients from some amazing locations, from Somerset to Sicily. The variety of colourful and tasty options is abundant, and you can tell the difference from basic pizzas toppings to Franco Manca’s levelled up ones. From Calabrian anchovies to Colston Basset stilton, the flavour profiles are enthralling.
The sourdough itself is a fascinating process too. The chefs work with military precision to make fresh batches of dough every single day, to be proved for a minimum of 20 hours for a slow rise that makes the experience so good. If you’ve never been to Franco Manca’s before, you’re in for a treat.