The Punchbowl Reviews Summary

Service

Pros:

• "Fabulous service. Fish n chips are the way to go for sure and the serving is large so bring an appetite!"
• "Held an event here recently. Really lovely people, very helpful and positive."
• "Excellent staff, excellent drinks and excellent food."
• "Incredibly helpful and friendly staff (including the security guy who helped in flagging down a taxi when uber kept on letting me down)."
• "The Punchbowl hosted us for a private event last night and offered such warm and friendly service, great food and a beautiful space to bring our group."
• "The staff was friendly and offered great help in terms of selecting food and ale."
• "Service was great & wine choice was excellent."

Cons:

• "Didn't even had the chance to get in as the black guy at the door with the white beard was so awful straight away!"
• "The service was ok, although a bit slow even if the restaurant was not full at all."
• "Had to chase waiter down for every drink and after waiting for 10 mins to order a drink, after 25 mins it still hadn’t arrived."
• "The same barman Marco, who served me on Sat, has a bit of a can't be bothered attitude."
• "Went there today and was very disappointed with the attitude of the restaurant manager who tried to push us out of our seats to accommodate his friends."
• "Don't try booking a table here.. emailed days ahead to book a table for 8 and got no response."
• "Booked 2 tables for my company only to be told when we got there 10mins early, that the tables had given away."

Atmosphere & Decor

Pros:

• "Cozy atmosphere and an open fire was a bonus."
• "The decor here is traditional, even though the pub has been altered several times over the years, the pub retains many of its original features."
• "It has a lovely atmosphere. Really cosy, it's quite small inside but that adds to the experience."
• "The Punchbowl is a nice cozy spot for drinks, happy hour or a nice cozy dinner."
• "The pub's interior is cozy and inviting, with wooden paneling, low ceilings, and vintage furnishings that transport you back in time."
• "Just an amazing pub!"
• "Terrific pub offering traditional pub atmosphere downstairs and quieter cosy dining upstairs with a good menu."

Cons:

• "Restaurant could use some updating, but it has been around for several hundred years, so in line with authenticity."
• "The restaurant is located on the first floor and if you need to use the bathroom you have to navigate a further 2 floors up on some very uneven stairs to a rotten sewage smelling bathroom."
• "Not as good as it was!"
• "Dull atmosphere and not as friendly and welcoming as it used to be."
• "Sadly, the pub appears uncared, the charm is missing."
• "Rather grubby and the fact the bar maid thought it was acceptable to grab a slice of lemon with her grubby fingers and plonk it in my wife gin and tonic ..erm no tongs and sanitiser please."
• "The basement a bit dirty .. but apart from that I great place .. great atmosphere .."

Food & Drink

Pros:

• "The portions are generous, and the presentation is elegant and refined."
• "Hearty and high quality food."
• "The Punchbowl serves up classic pub fare with a modern twist."
• "The most incredible fish and chips, anywhere! Staff and owners are all about customer service and making you feel welcome and cared for."
• "The food was the shining star of the night - everyone loved it and they literally did whatever we wanted."
• "The food is very good gastro pub style there is a good range of beers including three real ales, plenty of gins and a good wine list."
• "Delicious with quality pieces of beef inside the pie and an oyster on top."