While the yearly tradition is something we wholeheartedly look forward to, this year it will no doubt feel somewhat different here at Harry’s. It is most definitely the time to indulge, there’s no changes there, but this year has challenged us to think outside the box in terms of how we are going to run the show, in order for us to keep our team and community safe while cherishing our guest experience and expectations.
Yes there will be a slightly smaller (but no less delicious) menu, seating spread across the main restaurant and function room and rules & regulations to stick to for everyone’s safety, but it won’t stop us doing our utmost to ensure everyone has a jolly good time here at Harry’s this Christmas. The halls will be tastefully decked and you can expect our usual fare with a seasonal twist on classics to grace our carefully curated menu. Think Maple Drizzled Sprouts, Truffled Cabbage, Breaded Turkey Burger, Cranberry Sorbet and our popular Winter Spritz - a magical fusion of Devon Red Cider, Aperol, Otima Tawny Port & Prosecco - sweet sweet heaven.
Above all, although we are unable to accommodate parties as we usually would, we aim to spoil you with great food, good times and a local sense of community to the folk of Exeter and beyond, safely. The warmth and joy that brings family together for a wholesome meal, for us, is what it’s really all about.
Peace of mind
We strive to provide the safest possible environment for your visit during the festive season and beyond by providing temperature checks upon arrival, easy access to hand sanitiser, one-way traffic where possible, installed screens, reduced touching points and increasing levels of cleaning and disinfection throughout the restaurant.
We also kindly ask and trust that our guests will comply with the Tier 2 Government Coronavirus restriction.
For a full breakdown of our safety and wellness measures, please keep scrolling.
We’re here to ensure everyone has a really safe and enjoyable visit to Harry’s this Christmas – if you have any questions, please just ask. Just like at home, we want our guests to feel safe, comfortable and to be able to relax and enjoy what we do best – looking after you!
As is our custom, our wonderful hardworking team will be taking a well deserved few days off over Christmas. We will be closed 24th, 25th, 26th December 2020 and 1st January 2021.
We can’t wait to welcome you back and celebrate the festive season in true Harry’s style - let’s raise a toast to our health, our heroes and a brighter 2021.
To book, contact bookings@harrys.local – dates are filling quickly, so please get in touch!
To ensure the safety and confidence of both guests dining and our team working, we have implemented the following measures aligning with strict Government hygiene and health and safety standards. Your wellness is our priority.
Our in-house and team safety measures...
Thorough and updated training for staff on essential hygiene & respiratory etiquette
Mandatory daily and pre-shift Covid-19 symptom testing & tracking, and handwashing every 30 mins for our team
Deep cleaning the restaurant after each day plus and extended deep clean every Monday (closed to customers)
Same but different – we’ve rearranged areas, increased space for you, facilitated one-way traffic wherever possible and installed screens
We’ve carried out a full COVID-19 risk assessment in order for us to reopen safely
We’ve adapted shift patterns for our front of house and back of house teams, enabling them to return to work safely
You can now dine Al Fresco! Perfect for summer evenings, dine outside the front of the restaurant, complete with blankets if you need
We have introduced thermal cameras and temperature scanning technology and may be obliged to refuse entry for everyone’s safety.
Seating has been adapted to comply to physical distancing for staff & customers for the entire duration of the meal
Customer tables will be disinfected immediately upon departure & left for a minimum of 5 minutes before being re-sat on
Any member of staff displaying symptoms will be sent home to isolate appropriately
Reservations are required. Unfortunately, we can no longer accept walk-in reservations. You can book online, by phone and email
We have our own in-house COVID-19 Champion! A dedicated member of the team committed to ensuring all wellness is to the highest standard
We have introduced disposable menus which are made from FSC certified paper and recycled after use
Please enter the restaurant wearing a face mask and only remove it when you are seated. Face masks must be worn at all times when you are not seated including on the way to the toilets
All staff members will also be wearing a face covering
Additionally, we ask that guests adhere to the following house rules for your own safety...
Please arrive for the time you booked your table – regrettably, we don’t have a bar or waiting area available
Use our hand sanitiser stations provided around the restaurant to wash your hands regularly throughout your visit
Table service only – please do not come to the bar or approach staff members
Use contactless/card payment whenever possible (the card machine will be disinfected after each use)
It is our guests’ responsibility to ensure they’re remaining within their social distancing bubbles at all times
There might be a small queue – we really appreciate your patience.
Please wait to be greeted
Follow the bathroom protocols. Hand sanitisers are available on entry, exit and on your table
Maintain physical distancing and follow queue markers
Please do not dine with us if you are displaying symptoms of Covid-19. We will be scanning customer’s temperatures upon entry and may be obliged to refuse entry for everyone’s safety
Please enter the restaurant wearing a face mask and only remove it when you are seated. Face masks must be worn at all times when you are not seated including on the way to the toilets
All staff members will also be wearing a face covering
See you soon!
Although there are some changes in the restaurant to ensure absolute ‘gold’ standard in safety and hygiene, we are doing everything we can to make our new normal feel as normal as possible, and we want to assure you that clinical is not the atmosphere we are going for. We want you to feel safe, comfortable and relaxed - see Harry’s as your safe haven from the outside world.
Thank you for sticking with us, we look forward to welcoming you back to Harry’s to raise a glass with us once again.
Sam and team x
To book, contact bookings@harrys.local – dates are filling quickly, so please get in touch!
