I went to the little-known roadside diner that feels like being in Stranger Things – the food takes you back in time
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STEPPING into the diner, a warm glow of burnt oranges, rustic reds and mellow yellows surrounded me, along with 70s-style decor of rattan lampshades with giant globe bulbs.
It really did feel like entering the set of Netflix's hit TV show Stranger Things - yet I was actually in a roadside cafe in the UK.
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Brightside diner features a 70s interior like it is part of the set for Stranger Things
Credit: Cyann Fielding
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Inside, there are warm oranges, yellows and reds as well as rattan lampshades
Credit: Instagram
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The menu offers a wide choice of pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and more
Credit: Instagram
Brightside in Exeter, Devon, feels like a retro Little Chef, an iconic motorway cafe chain that sadly stopped trading by the end of 2018.
Even the toilets at Brightside felt like a fun throwback with avocado-coloured sinks set against a mustard yellow tile backdrop.
I often skip past roadside cafes and restaurants for fear that the food will be poor and the prices will be high.
But Brightside wasn't like this.
The menu features an extensive range of options through morning, noon and night.
I opted for the 'Hot Honey Fried Chicken Burger' (£14.95) and my parents opted for the 'Chicken Caesar' pizza (£13.95) and the 'Dirty Brisket Burger' (£16.45).
Whilst we may not have had Eggo waffles (made popular by Stranger Things' Eleven), the dishes we did order hit the spot.
My chicken burger with honey offered a great twist on normal flavours.
And for the brisket burger it was even a winner with my dad who is quite picky when it comes to burgers.
The pizza was a good size as well, and really felt value for money.
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Along with our food we tried out two of the diner's mocktails - 'Strawberry Smash' and 'Pop Goes Summer'.
Both mocktails cost £6 and were made with Ceder's non-alcoholic spirit.
Pop Goes Summer had an extra layer of fun, with popping candy around the rim of the glass.
As for Strawberry Smash, it was a great mix of strawberry, pineapple and lime.
Moving onto dessert, we shared the 'Berry Ice Cream Sandwich' (£6.95) and a 'Banoffee Sundae' (£5.95).
The berry ice cream sandwich was essentially a giant profiterole with soft serve ice cream, berries and meringue.
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There are also some great mocktails on the menu
Credit: Instagram
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Outside there is a large garden, with plenty of seating and vibrant parasols
Credit: Instagram
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Even the toilets feature a fun 70s design with avocado-coloured sinks and mustard yellow tiles
Credit: Instagram
Both desserts felt like the ultimate childhood throwbacks.
It might be just me, but I don't see banoffee desserts around much anymore, so this treat really did transport you back in time.
When the bill came I was pleasantly surprised, as all of that came to around £68.
The price was less than I had expected thanks to their Thursday offer that lets you buy a dessert for £1 alongside any adult main meal.
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The diner is also dog friendly and has activities available for children
Credit: Cyann Fielding
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The desserts include a berry ice cream sandwich, which was a great childhood throwback
Credit: Cyann Fielding
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We tried the brisket burger and hot honey chicken burger which were great
Credit: Cyann Fielding
This wasn't the only great offer the diner had - on Tuesdays, you can buy one pizza get one free after 3pm.
And on Wednesdays, kids eat free after 3pm, making it an affordable option for families needing to take a break on the motorway.
Outside the diner there is also a brightly coloured seating area, with large parasols so you can get some fresh air too.
Dogs are welcome too, and there is plenty to keep the kids entertained with Brightside branded merch to peruse and a number of books available to borrow whilst you sit and eat.
Whilst the diner isn't your typical American-style joint, Brightside definitely mixes the best of British 70s/80s culture with retro American diners.
I personally think Eleven would love it... as well as everyone else in Hawkins.
There are three Brightside diners located across Devon and Cornwall, and a fourth location can be found in Rutland, just under an hour from Leicester.
The diner in Exeter was the first location to open, opposite from Exeter Racecourse, back in 2023.
There is also a 'Karen attraction' in the UK that Brits can't get enough of.
Plus, the best pubs in the UK have been revealed – is your favourite boozer on the list?
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