The Smuggler's Rest

The manager and his staff were absolutely brilliant and couldn't do enough for us. I assume that vintage inns are running the restaurant without enough staff and it's very unfair on the staff having to deal with the complaints. There was a 15 minute wait when we arrived to get a table which was booked and to order drinks. We ordered food at the bar but sadly when it arrived 4 out of the 7 meals were cold. Two had beef which was so tough we were unable to eat it. I am not one who likes to complain but I did have a quiet word with the manager and things were dealt with. The Smugglers rest is a lovely venue and we were looking forward to our family gathering. I feel Vintage inns need to support their lovely staff and give them the back up to run the venue as it should be. I would certainly hesitate in recommending it to anyone.

Dined here several times always hoping the next would be better. Occasionally had a reasonable meal. Under staffed. Long wait to be seated,long wait to have order taken.
And long wait for food to arrive. Had Christmas dinner, was terrible. Turkey dry,veg hard,sausage and stuffing I couldn’t cut. Sent it back. I did get a free dessert for compensation, although it didn’t improve my experience. Will not visit again, they have used up all their chances.

Not as good as expected. No chicken available, run out of cream and coffee machine turned off at 10pm

My experience was so disappointing. Not enough staff, long wait for food, lots of dishes no longer available, food very bland, tasteless, unimaginative. One of our party ordered the Caesar Salad and it came minus the lardons, anchovies and croutons!

Pleasant enough evening, 3 lamb shanks were only luke warm. But my friends wouldn't complain. I had cod and chips which was hot and very tasty. Service was quite slow but we were a group of 6 who where busy chatting so it didn't matter too much.

Cosy, friendly atmosphere. Great food. Good service.

Extremely disappointed. Despite booking a table, when we arrived we were told that we had to sit in the bar area and order our own food as there was no waitress service in this area. The food took 40 minutes to arrive and one of the meals was wrong and had to be changed. The food was also cold.

THINK SERVICE COULD BE AT THE LEAST 75% BETTER NO CUTLERY ON TABLE ASKED BUT NEVER CAME STARTERS NOT OVER WARM AND THEY NEVER CLEARED THE DISHES TILL THEY BOUGHT THE MAIN COURSE. WHICH WAS AGAIN LUKEWARM AND NOT PRESENTED WELL IE I HAD STEAK WAS GARNISHED WITH 2 RED LEAVES AND NO OTHER SALAD , FRIENDS FISH CHIPS ALMOST GHOST LIKE AS NOT YELLOW AND CRISPY.
OTHERS ALL HAD FAULTS CHICKEN PIE PASTRY NOT COOKED THROUGH ALL SOGGY.
Hunters chicken looked as others did thrown on plate

All 5 of us ordered a different meal and all very happy. The mini pud with coffee was very mini but tasty. Service very good, surroundings and decor cozy.

The food was excellent and staff very pleasant and helpful