If you've been flirting with the idea of veganism for a while but haven't been able to take the plunge out of fear of living a life without pizza, fear no more - The Flat is here to save the day.
One mightn't ordinarily think that pizza, one of the standout heroes of melted-cheese foods, could possibly taste good without stretchy, creamy mozzarella melted all over it. Being an unwavering meat-eater myself, I was skeptical when a friend told me that I just
had to try this place. But as an unapologetic lover of all things hip, I let myself be led into The Flat on Fore Street in Exeter on a Friday night.

The Garlicky and the Truffle
The interior didn't disappoint, with its wood panelled walls and counter, indoor plants and cute succulents on the table, the place is all laid-back cool. We perused the short but perfectly adequate menu and all decided upon pizza. With a bottle of Sangiovese (£17) and some olives and nuts (£3) to start, all that was left to do was catch up about our hectic weeks while watching our pizza bases being handmade.
When they did arrive (it was a short wait) the pizzas were a joy to the senses - lightly charred, generously topped and smelling divine. We ordered the 'Smoked' which is topped with smoked halloumi, mushrooms, hickory sauce and red onion chutney in vegan (£9 / £11), the 'Salty' with sun dried tomatoes, capers, fresh chilli and parmesan (£7.50 / £9.50), the 'Garlicky' with courgette, aubergine, red onion, mixed seeds and garlic oil (£8 / £10), and finally, the 'Truffle' topped with blue cheese, radicchio, courgette, pine nuts and truffle oil (£9.50 / £11.50).

The Smoked pizza, veganised

The Salty
Admittedly, I didn't order my pizza to be vegan but I did try the Smoked in all its vegan glory and I was suitably impressed. There may not have been any stretchy gooey-ness happening but it was chock full of tastiness.
The Flat does other foods too, namely pasta. Everything on the menu is meat-free and can also be made gluten-free. Most of their wines, beers and spirits are also either vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free.

The drinks selection
Find The Flat at 142 Fore Street, Exeter. They're open Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm - 10pm. Check out their menu ahead of your visit
here.
PS: They also do takeaway.