Crave only opened on Exeter’s Quayside in the summer of 2024, but has already built a cultlike following—crowned ‘Devon’s best restaurant’ by countless outlets—for its unfussy, but flavour-packed food. The team is now looking to follow up on the success with the launch of Crave @ 52 in Bristol.
“Bristol has been on my radar for a while,” said founder Sameer Shetty. “It’s a city with an incredible food scene and a real appreciation for independent businesses. We’ve built something special in Exeter, and I’m excited to bring that same feeling and the same team-led hospitality approach to a new city.”
Obviously, Bristol isn’t Exeter, and the competition is a lot here, especially on Whiteladies Road, where Crave @ 52 will open in the spring. But keeping to the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that is central to the Crave identity, the independent restaurant is looking for similar success with its close-knit team.
Taking over the former site of cocktail bars Hausbar and Kinkajou, and before that, the Indian restaurant Rajpoot, there is a long-standing food and drink heritage here. Crave will place more emphasis on small plates and seafood, with Mediterranean and Eastern influences running through the sharing menu, alongside a full cocktail bar.
Keep an eye out for a familiar face in the Crave kitchen, too. Tom Lodge is soon set to appear in the new ITV2 series The Heat, which sees ten ambitious chefs travel to Barcelona to work under multi-Michelin-star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli. He will work across both the Exeter and Bristol sites in menu development.
Crave @ 52 is due to open on Whiteladies Road in spring 2026, with booking details to be announced closer to launch. You can learn more about Crave by heading here.
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