Reviews of The Shinfield Arms. (Pub) in Reading (Berkshire).
The Shinfield Arms
Shinfield Rd, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9BP, United Kingdom
Description
Information of The Shinfield Arms, Pub in Reading (Berkshire)
On this page you’ll find the address, open hours, more popular times, the contact, photos and real reviews of this business.
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Map
Open hours of The Shinfield Arms
Sunday
12–10:30PM
Monday
11AM–11PM
Tuesday
11AM–11PM
Wednesday
11AM–11PM
Thursday
11AM–11PM
Friday
11AM–11PM
Saturday
11AM–11PM
Popular times
Reviews of The Shinfield Arms
Y.
If you are looking for a pub with a really good garden kind of out of the main town centre, this is the place to go. I discovered this place way before when it’s still called the Black Boy. I love the vibe and their food is great!
Staff were very accommodating as well
First time to try the mountain ribs and we thought we can finish it, dare you we didn’t! It is good at least for 3 to 4 people! It comes with chips and coleslaw too! Lots of choices from the menu. Variety of drinks as well
G. S.
Great stop off from the M4 for a bite to eat and stretch the legs. Good selection of pub classics and menus for gluten-free and vegetarian/vegan plus kids (though expect the usual fast food fare fish fingers/sausages etc). Staff are brilliant - friendly, welcoming and accommodating. Lovely and spacious, with a stretch tent out the rear and plenty of parking. Clean and tasteful decor. We will return.
B. B.
Fairly good.
The staff is great, the place has a good atmosphere.
The food is okay, I think the burgers could be a bit more tasteful.
A. I. d. A.
Four stars for the venue but three stars for the food.
First thing I liked about this place is how much parking they have for their patrons - definitely a plus.
The second thing I loved was their outdoor covered seating area. It’s such a great vibe for a restaurant. Very cool.
I came here with a bunch of friends for a lunch so what I write is based on the menu offered us during lunch.
It’s a boring menu. Two of my colleagues order fish ‘n chips and quite frankly the fish was overdone in the batter. The one colleague who had it told me later they were disappointed and would give the meal a 5/10.
I had the Mexican Burger. Basically a beef burger with some sort of mild sauce on the side. Boring. Totally.
However, it might be a totally different experience in the evening so please don’t write it off because of my review. I’m just writing about the experience I had.
R. C.
Really well thought out spaces and flows, and lots of space around. Cocktails were great (gin fizz especially), but the ribs - oh god the ribs. Order the Mountain of ribs and take home what you can't finish. They are so, so good (not too sweet). I added the chips as they seemed a fitting garnish. Can't tell you about the slaw as I wasn't able to fight my way theough to it. Staff were really good too! Ribs!
V. C.
The place was nicely decorated, and the food was delicious and the portions generous. The staff however, while nice, were inexperienced and clearly had too much on their plate. Food took a very long time to arrive and we had to remind the waiters several times of our orders before receiving them.
If they are able to bring in more staff and improve their service I would gladly give them 5 stars.
K. P.
The Shinfield Arms (known prior as Black Boy) is in a charming part of Reading. Venue is lovely, staff are very welcoming, and the food is amazing. Great spot for the family, day out with friends, or a quiet night for food and cocktails.
N. L.
The food is a little fancier than your local pub grub making it great for a family meal or a casual catch up. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options to choose from including these vegan enchiladas with guacamole and coriander rice. Super friendly staff too!
F. L.
Shelby was absolutely brilliant in serving our 7 person booking with a 3 course meal! We were there for 3hrs and she was great at keeping happy and bubbly throughout our entire time!
Food was nice and the cookie sundae for dessert was amazing!
J. G.
Popped in as were passing by for Sunday lunch just after 2pm, was extremely busy which is a good sign, would recommend booking in advance because of this. Even though there were no tables available inside we sat outside in the shelter which had heaters above the table so wasn't too cold, food was out quite quickly despite a possible 40 min wait.Dinner itself was rather nice, potatos were crisp, veg cooked just right, turkey well its turkey.
Staff very friendly and welcoming and very informative.
Couldn't fault considering we dropped in on the off-chance.
S. D.
Gorgeous pub garden and super dog friendly. We were in one of the heated booth outside last night. 4 adults, 2 dogs plus a load of food and drink. Staff were super friendly and helpful. Can't wait to go back.
S. S.
Just off the M4 and has plenty of parking. Heated booths and a gas fire pit in a well sized outside seating area.
The service was pretty good and we enjoyed ourselves here in general but unfortunately the food was a disappointment. Two burgers and two sides were all incredibly bland and absolutely not worth the money at ~£20pp. We persevered with desert which was a slight improvement but at the end, left feeling that we’d overpaid substantially.
T. C.
Just visited today with my husband and little girl. They squeezed us in, as we had no prior booking. It was probably the best roast I've had and the staff were friendly. We will definitely return.
D. S.
Was very disappointed as myself and my husband and our friends had a Christmas dinner.
The potatoes were cold and under cooked and the vegetables were hard.
E. P.
Really cute outdoor seating, great food! I had the Ribs and it was divine! Dog friendly. Staff is wearing a mask, card payment only and table service. Call to get a table outside.
M. A.
Lovey place with great evening meals, and good/friendly service in the past. Today I visited for lunch for the first time with colleagues, and unfortunately the baguette menu was a bit limited, and I wasn’t a fan of the gammon type ham provided in the panini, it didn’t really fit with the bread vehicle. We waited quite a while for food, but to be fair they were busy. Staff still excellent though
L.
So over the last month I have visited this pub 4 times for meals
1st first visit they gave me the wrong starter and didn't replace it and the burger was nice.
2nd visit the food was over cooked, dry and un-edible and took over an hour to arrive, when I spoke to the waitress she just laughed and did nothing about it
3rd visit the roast dinner on a Sunday were lovely and by far the best meal we had and would go back again for this.
4th visit the staff were rude service was also slow considering we are only give a 2hr time slot to eat they were asking us to leave before we had even finished our puddings, but the food was nice when it did come out.
So I think this places depends on the staff working that day and the meal you order to if it is good or not, the puddings have all been very nice and would recommend them of all
(Photos are from the 4th visit)
T. C.
The steak was cooked to perfection and amazing customer service...👌
J. C.
Food and service is really good , nice place to relax with friends , only downside is car park is cramped spaces small not much room for manovure. Still great place 👌
w. c.
Great burger and one of the best sweet potatoes fries.
Plenty of warm outdoor spots which allow u sit comfortably.
P. S.
Had dinner in the sun. Great food & service. Nice outside tables too, good choice of sun or shade.
S. T.
Excellent place, I've been there last Thursday for first time. Very friendly and positive staff, the food was fantastic. I could not stop eating. Was clean, warm and cozy. I will go back there definitely
L. K. B.
Cheerful, polite staff, lunch was excellent and they didn't pour gravey all over my food - some places do that despite my asking them not to.
C.
Every year 20 of us have a work Christmas lunch and every year we come out underwhelmed. But not this year. We were so impressed with the food, the atmosphere and the organisation. Usually no one can remember what they ordered because it happened so long ago so plates get mixed up and in the meantime food gets cold. Or it takes so long for the food to reach people from one end of the table to the other that again the food gets cold. But here they knew who had ordered what and called your name not the dish so when you raise your hand, it is immediately served and your food is warm and delicious. The staff was very friendly and welcoming despite the place being packed. I strongly recommend it.
P. V.
hard to find a carparking space but once parked on entering buildng warmley greeted by supervisor when seated was greeted by shelby who looked after us very professionaly and politely.nothing was to much trouble and she ensured we enjoyed the dining experience we will definatley visit again
A. L.
Turned up at 2005 for table booked for 2015. Sent to bar as they weren't ready for us. Had to remind manager that we existed and wanted to eat after 30 minutes. Then waiting no to be served and had to grab a waiter to get served otherwise we could have waited alright. Started eating at 2115. Food was OK - nothing to get excited about.
E. H.
Fresh, tasty food, attentive friendly service, and a superb outdoor seated dining area available. A really good, reasonably priced pub, with easy parking and a good location. Recommended.
p. w.
Very surprised how nice it was inside, and it's outside eating area, patio heaters and private booths looked very welcoming, large choice on the menu with my party of 5 all impressed and pleased with all aspects of our meal, definitely would visit again and recommend it
J. B.
This pub is just delightful, food is amazing. Friendly helpful staff. Cute outside area, to bring your dog even in the winter.
D. P.
Really good pub / restaurant. Came here for department Xmas dinner and was very impressed. Very busy providing a good atmosphere, service excellent and the food quality very good. Nice to find a place that can provide a really good quality meal whilst being very busy.
V. Q.
Friendly staff fitted us in with a wheelchair without booking in we called in on an off chance. Food very good staff very attentive. Will be going back.
D. S.
Very helpful and pleasant staff
Food was excellent would highly recommend but make sure you book as is very popular even on a Monday lunchtime 😀
C. C.
Lovely food and lovely friendly staff! Always an excellent atmosphere, and very busy.
M. E.
Lovely food and great service..well worth a visit! Excellent outside seating area and heated cabins
T. S.
Refurb was a success. New menu is great. Ribs are actually better than they were before. Hard to believe, I know.
Rib eye steak sampled tonight, very impressed. Pricey but worth it.
V. P.
Booked a booth for a meal and was pleasantly surprised. Food was ok, staff were awesome.
S. A.
Never once had a poor experience or less than delicious meal. Absolute winner every time! If you haven't been then go! You won't regret it. The new menu is lush 😋
K. M. D.
Loved the meal. High recommended friendly staff very helpful dog friendly pub
P. B.
Quite a frosty reception on arrival which was a shame. The food was lovely, served quickly, nice & hot & huge portions.
A. s.
Very pleasant atmosphere and helpful staff food fantastic
G. S.
Conveniently located near the motorway and nice inside. The service felt a little like walking into someone’s front room uninvited but the food was nice enough
L. L.
Excellent place, really great choice and the meals are lovely. Loads of choice for the kids and dogs are very welcome too. The booths in the tent part out the back are perfect for a little family do, i can see us coming back here plenty more times!
C. S.
Lovely outdoor space with booths and heaters, really dog friendly and we always feel very safe when we're there. The staff are nice and friendly it's a very relaxed environment and the food is good
S. H.
Very good meal with colleagues during the run up to Christmas. Roasted cauliflower and hummus followed by a main course of duck was very tasty. Local beer was good too.
R. Y.
Yayyy. Back to a form of reality. Lovely food, friendly and attentive service. Nice beer garden. Recommended...
P. B.
Good food, decent sized portions, good friendly service. Recommended!!
R. C.
I've been to The Shinfield Arms (aka Black Boy Inn) a number of times now. Personally I think it is the best gastro pub in the area. Good selection of beers and wines and other drinks. Food is usually very good. This last visit was very pleasant. The staff were all incredibly young but very friendly and the service was great! Always nice to sit outside in the sun and nice and cosy if you want to sit inside. Great place to meet up with your friends, enjoy time with your family or if you are lucky(?) enough to be single again a top place to take your date. Can't wait until I am back there next really. Couple of notes: this is a very popular venue and it gets busy. If you want to eat make sure to make a reservation before you go. The car park can also get jam packed - tip - take a taxi that way you can have those extra beers :) There is also an app that lets you book and order food and drink when you are there. Highly recommended!
A. G.
Excellent service.
Great Vegan food.
Huge outside area/tent.
I'll be back. Wish it was nearer Reading!
J. W.
Outstanding service and really good food. Unfortunately our toddler decided this was the day to start screaming at the top of his lungs when we were trying to keep him quiet. Really understanding and kind waitress made us feel alright about it even though we were embarrassed.
WIll definitely be coming back sooner rather than later.
J. L.
Very good quality food and service. Would definitely recommend. Not cheap but you get what you pay for. Mountain of ribs is unbelievable, delicious and too much for the biggest appetite
G. L.
Amiable staff, the food was brilliant as well. I would highly recommend it for drinks and food. There is a charming outdoor area with heat lamps and plenty of space. Parking can be a bit sparse at busy times, but there is room on the main road if needed.
B. D.
Lovely food, decent beer and charming staff.
K. F. m.
Lovely pub/restaurant. The outside seating is covered under a tent style canopy which gives a lovely vibe. We went on a fairly hot day and whilst we were fairly comfortable, a few fans blowing in different direction to improve airflow would have made our experience really exceptional. The menu is slowly expanding as well which has made a difference to more variety and the great choices they used to have prior to 2020!
M. S. S.
Very nice place to eat. Pleasant staff. A little wait as it was very busy but worth the wait.
D. N.
Marked five for the food which not cheap was excellent, the Shinfield Arms is a pub and where we were seated was right in the entrance to the public bar with customers making there way there, not ideal.
E. P.
Sitting outside, under cover was very comfortable. Tables sensibly spaced. The service was good as was the food and service. I had fish and chips, which was a good sized portion at a reasonable price. Easy going and friendly atmosphere.
C. G.
My usual Sunday night drinks with friend . Staff friendly pub clean and good vibe
K. C. T.
Very nice restaurant with outside seatings. Their ale is a must try
N. C.
Excellent food and service need to book a table gets very busy
J. Z.
Average level, no good or bad surprise, table service is a little bit slow even very few people in pub
M. B.
Very nice place. Food was very good, service was fast, atmosphere was pleasant- what else would you need?
E. H.
Lovely atmosphere, staff are warm, welcoming and extremely attentive. 100% recommend a visit, parking is easy too.
s. s.
Here for my birthday dinner. Its been delicious from start to finish again. We've both had 3 courses today and each course was perfect. I would highly recommend indeed. The staff are friendly and professional and always make everyone welcome.
R. S.
Gets busy so book. The outdoor area is quite something. They're very Covid aware here so quite safe. Pandemic aside they do a lovely drop of ale. The staff are friendly and the food is really good. They have parking and are sufficiently off the beaten track to have a decent pub atmosphere despite being hugely busy. I was there Tuesday having not visited for nearly a decade and my goodness, they are doing incredibly well which is great to see. As it's up the road from work this will become my local once all this nonsense has calmed down (like I say, it's pretty much a necessity to book if it's more than just you arriving).
R. C.
Very nice food. Friendly staff. I will definitely go back again.
A. T.
We met up with friends for a pre-Christmas lunch and couldn't fault anything. The service, food, atmosphere and decorations were all brilliant and we will definitely go again
G. M.
The Black Boy sits on a one way street and if you don’t know the area, you’ll miss the turning into the entrance and will have to go round again as I did!
Great outdoor space, perfect for summer. Indoors is nice too but as it was a lovely evening we ate outside in one of the booths.
The food and drinks menu is extensive with lots to choose from. I had chicken and chorizo kebab. It was a little dry but not enough to send back, l ate it and enjoyed it.
A great place to meet with friends and family, I would definitely recommend.
p. k.
Great pub good food and great service very very friendly place
S. I.
We hadn't booked but they made way for us. We had walked a longish way to get there.
I had the chef special lamb Kofta. 10/10 really enjoyed it.
R. W.
Food service was good, as was the food itself. Even though we were in a booth at the far end not visible to the staff checked if we needed anything fairly often. I'd go again.
T. H.
Had a wonderful time yesterday meeting up with friends, everything was perfect, friendly staff, good food
The outside seating was brilliant which included heaters. All the COVID regulations where strictly adhered to.
Wish I lived nearer. Thank you for making our meet-up special.
I. P.
Good pub food, reasonably priced and a good selection on the menu, the staff were friendly and made you feel welcome, would recommend a visit.
G. N.
Very nice pub. Friendly staff, good food and atmosphere. Well maintained pub.
A. B.
Although staff were very nice the service was extremely slow and were there for nearly an hour before we got our starters. With children this was just a little too long and resulted in us skipping desert as we didn't want to wait for it.
T. G. M.
Great outside space and vegan options.
P. b. 3. c. (.
Recently reopened and completely refurbed inside. Lovely decor and interior with friendly Staff and service is as you would expect with Barons Pubs - Outstanding!
J. H.
Went there for our diamond anniversary. Everything was wonderful. Food, was amazing the staff were absolutely great. We had a great day. Thank you so much.........
C. H.
Went for lunch with my daughter today, spacious outdoor space, under cover with heaters. Great menu choice and service. Fully recommend and support this business doing an amazing job during such difficult times such a lovely atmosphere - thank you
L. A.
Really like this place, great food, lovely staff and nice atmosphere. Always a pleasure.
G. G.
Had the Sunday Roast Beef.
The beef was cooked a little to well done for my taste and the roast potatoes could have been a tad more crispy. The selection of seven different vegetables went down well.
Overall I enjoyed the meal, but perhaps a sharper focus on quality rather than quantity would make ir even better.
E. F.
Excellent atmosphere, staff and the menus looks great. We'll definitely be returning for cocktails and dinner
D. E.
The black boy has always been great food and great beer. We visited on 4/7/2020 the day the pubs re opened, and we were very happy with the service we had. Booking was very quick and easy, service was fast and made us feel safe, keeping to social distance at all times. The food was incredible as always. 10/10
V. P.
Nice venue with ample sitting place inside and outside. Very good food with extensive range on the menu. Friendly and courteous staff.
S. F.
The place is nice and cozy. People are helpful and nice. But the food is nothing special. My burger was a bit dry and the food my friend's ordered didn't look amazing either. Still it is a nice place for drinks. The beer garden is really nice even on winter time!
M. A.
Really delicious food this evening, in one of the garden pods. Staff were attentive and friendly. Happy to see Covid procedures being followed which made us feel safe
A. C.
Lovely out doors seating area under cover of canopy. Fresh frosty beers and super tasty food to match. Highly recommend the Black boy.
A. I.
This restaurant was recommended to us so we booked a table for a special occasion while down in Reading. The food was fabulous. As one of our party is a Vegetarian there was lots for her to choose from not just the normal nut roast at the bottom of the menu. Very reasonably priced as just over £25.00 per head for a two course meal, a bottle of wine and a couple of beers. Staff were great and always checking to ensure all was fine.
p.
Lovely atmosphere, busy most nights.
J. W.
Great food and service. Lovely lunch!
T. W.
5/5 for the food, really excellent on the 4 or 5 occasions I've been here. Also the atmosphere is really nice.
Parking however is a bit of a gamble! The car park is not sufficient for a pub of this size and popularity. They've done their best with what they have, but if you have a choice of your main family car or the little tiny hatchback, go with the hatchback just in case.
Some bays are not large enough for many modern cars for example.
M. B.
Great staff, Fish and chip was excellent, burguer was overcooked. Not great for a £18 burguer.
..
My first time back to this pub in many years.
Great food.
A very pleasant evening spent with friends.
S. N.
Great vibe, good staff! Although some dishes can do with some improvement and slightly bigger portions would be nice. I have sent my food back a number of times before, not because it was cooked well or that it arrived cold, but simply because I expected more on my plate due to the prices you pay. Overall, lovely place!
L. D.
Pricey drinks and food, was great food, but not as good as it used to be. Lovely atmosphere. Rear garden is very chilled and relaxing.
K. S.
Fabulous pub, good food, friendly and perfect area for anyone bringing a dog. Clearly a lot of thought has been given to accommodate all.
M. C.
We turned up without a booking on Saturday afternoon. Plenty of space, good COVID restrictions in place. Food was excellent, service was really great. Couldn't find fault with a thing. Thank you for a lovely meal.
T. T.
Love what the owners have done with the place after renovation. The menu is decent and the food tastes alright - the chef could do better. Some of the items from the old menu have been taken off and the menu has lost its simplicity. The outdoor dating area is gorgeous in the summer and can get very busy.
G.
Nice enough pub. I didn't rate the food personally but many in my group did. the place has lovely facilities and I would go again
S. H.
made to feel welcome even though not eating. Sat in a cosy space
N. F.
Great to be back. Perfect outdoor space under gazebo with fairy lights, heaters and fire pit. Good measures for Covid including 1 way system. Great meal for my Dads birthday
M. D. (.
Definitely one of the best pubs around. Really nice Sunday Roast.
H. W.
Lovely food but at times the service was slightly slow. We went on a busy Saturday and had a lovely waitress who was very helpful and attentive. We all had different main meals and were happy with everything. There was over an hour wait for dessert which was no issue as we were all chatting but if you were in a rush this may be an issue. Overall would definitely recommend.
c. i.
Great evening. Already planned out return
ツ.
I came with a group of friends and we all agreed the food wasn’t as good as it had been previously. Food was very dry. Not worth the money. Such a shame as I used to love it here.
C. W.
The Black Boy has fairly recently been refurbished and is very nice, it was nice before but now it’s even more homely and relaxing with outside huts to sit in with charging points, heaters, fire pit, blankets, cushions and areas that are covered. Meals here have always been lovely. I’ve enjoyed coming here with my family, friends and work colleagues. Staff are friendly and very pleasant.
S. P.
This has a wonderful outdoor area that is a great place to have a drink. However the food is a little underwhelming and pricey for what it is. Still would recommend for drinks.
B. P.
Lovely decor, great outside area that's covered and has heaters. Clearly a lot of effort has been put in. Food was good but a bit of a mixed bag, some dishes are better than others. The goats cheese salad was really nice but the stuffed red pepper was a bit plain. The sweetcorn fritters had a bit too much batter for my liking, pleasantly surprised by the vegan nachos which were really good. Would definitely recommend and would come back again
C. E.
I've been here a few times now and it's always been a pleasant experience. First time was for a Christmas lunch and it was one of the best I've had; I normally am not beaten by a three-course meal but I just couldn't manage it all, no matter how much I wanted.
The only downside is the acoustics. The last time I went, I was in a corner, which seemed to focus the background noise on to our table. But the food more than makes up for it and I highly recommend the fish and chips.
Z. W.
Brilliant lunchtime meal for 3. Great food and very efficient staff. Superb Goose Island IPA so I had to have 2.
Highly recommended. Loads and loads of vegetarian and vegan options.
Very worth a try
F. B.
We were delighted to find this charming place at the mid point of
a long journey.
Great servers snd comfortable seating at this dog friendly pub.
The food let it down.
Not hot
No flavour
Crayfish sandwich that tasted of vinegar. Left uneaten.
On the plus side, when I brought all this to the manager's attention, it was promptly and professionally dealt with.
We'll give them another try one day.
D. G.
Good selection of Greene King drafts on tap. Great service at all times and a nice atmosphere. The bar doesn't have seating around and you'll struggle to get a table on a busy night in winter but there's plenty of outdoor seating and an outdoor bar in the summer which more than makes up for it!
Be warned: the prices here are quite high, but not exceptional for the area. Worth checking out for a good pub and grub.
M. H.
Veggie options still not great, and quite slow service
Spiced rum cocktail wasn't made with spiced rum
Waiter Logan was very welcoming and accomodating
A.
Great food. I love calamari and alot of places don't often do a great job of cooking it. But I must say the calamari here was great. The burger was a good bit of beef that was cooked nicely. Would recommend.
N. M.
Love the atmosphere and the garden shed booths are very cool! Good savoury dishes! Skip the desserts to avoid disappointment! Definitely the place to meet with your friends for a chilled late afternoon meal, giggles and munchies! Summer approved!
G. A.
We’ve been a few times since the refurb. The menu is large and gives lots of variety and it is generally busy so has a good atmosphere. I like the old fashioned skillets that several of the dishes are cooked and served in.
The wine list is very good and offers something for every wallet. The outdoor area is lovely and has little booths and patio heaters.
I’d recommend booking in advance.
K. R.
We had a Christmas meal booked for 28 people with a pre-ordered food for 8.15pm. Unfortunately, the starters did not arrive until 9.15pm and desert wasn't served until 10.30pm which was far too late. The food was lovely but it just took too long to be served. The staff seemed to be doing all they could but it looked like they had been left in the lurch a bit by management. Would consider going again as previous meals have been great.
C. C.
On the whole a good experience. Good service and very clean. Food is good but our Sunday dinner just lacked the extra wow factor to gain 5 stars. Guy on the next table orders ribs and I left full of regret for not ordering them myself as they look incredible.
Salt and pepper squid starter was spot on. Will be back for them ribs one day.
c.
First time we have been since its it's been under new ownership. Have to say it's lovely. The garden is amazing and we have spent the whole afternoon here imaging we are on holiday. The staff are lovely and welcoming and the food we have seen pass looks lovely. Sadly we haven't eaten as yet but is definitely on our to do list for next time we have guests. We have laughed with the staff and had a brilliant time and are excited to come back
K. W.
First time at The Black Boy, my main meal was exceptional. The staff were fantastic. I had my dessert which had a minor hiccup half through eating it.
The staff n manager were very hospitable. Well we are human n mishaps happen. What I had of the dessert was scrumptious. I will be recommending The Black Boy to my Aussie colleagues who will venture to England.
Thank you to all.
A. B.
Lovely place, always good service, good drinks. Good food - simple menu choices , but tastes good and portions are big. The biggest disappointment is that it’s always fully booked and it’s really difficult to get the table on the weekend.
J. R.
Myself and my husband visited last night. And were treated very well from the onset of walking into the pub.
The.bar was busy, but we got served straight away and when we told the barman we had a reservation. Set up a tab and told us to go round the corner to the hostess.
Unfortunately our table wasn't ready but the host then gave us a different table Which in our opinion was better places in the restaurant.
We both had starters., our mains were so delcious. And our puddings, yummy!
The Waitress was very attentive yet gave us our privacy, which was perfect.
We shall be visiting again.
Thanks
D. W.
We visited here for lunch given the high marks attracted in reviews. The restaurant area attracted a good number of diners. The menu is extensive. Our choice for lunches were calves liver and the pie, these were very enjoyable. I was asked how I wanted my liver cooked, pink! Amusing, as I suspect only the most basic food will be cooked on site. My liver was nice, but very thin and couldn't possibly be pick. The fare was what we would expect from a reasonabley good corporate entity, that is average. The real ale fell short of what I'd expect, 2 of them well short, no doubt at their best long before our visit.
S.
A lovely place to eat and plenty of free parking. The food was delicious and the coffee was very good.
Social distancing measures are in place so tables are set accordingly. Would definitely recommend!
S. B.
Had to send the soup back as it was cold but it was changed straight away and it did taste delicious. Also the chocolate pudding was rock hard and again it was changed straight away and it too was lovely. A few tweaks in the kitchen and I would have given it 5 stars
R. P.
Great food, the service was excellent, friendly and attentive but not overbearing and quietly in the background. Good atmosphere and brilliant outdoor seating area for a warm day. Seems popular, even on a Tuesday lunchtime in March! Very impressed on the day we went if this is representative then definitely a recommended stop.
S.
It was nice but just find the menu limiting. So many burger options, but feel there could be a bit more choice for the other mains.
P.
Food was pretty low quality, which goes against what I've heard for the most part. Satay skewers were pretty disappointing.
Can get very busy with the post-work crowd. Seating outside can fill up, but several spaces when we went.
Server was nice and was on top of everything for our table. Food came reasonably quick, little delay for one plate which they gave a heads up for.
B. S.
Incredible food. Beyond incredible service. My mate asked for a soft boiled egg added to her salad 😅 Not only did they add it with a smile, they cooked it perfectly. Highly recommend and will be back. We were a party of 7, and everyone left with a big smile! Thank you!
C. L.
The setting is pleasant but my ribs were initially not warm and then overcooked. To be fair, they didn't charge for it at the end but still an inconvenience. Too full on Sundays so make sure you book it. The space outside is very pleasant.
P. B.
Had ribeye and it was OK. Seemed short of staff, had to wait for ordering and between courses
However, the outside facilities are absolutely amazing. Seem to have catered for everyone, smokers, non-smokers, pet owners, young and old. You can see the sky and there are loads of heaters. Will be back!
G. S.
A warm and engaging welcome on both recent visits. Can't recommend the draft Goose Island IPA enough, clear tasty and refreshing. Food was plentiful looked good on the plate and wasn't long in coming. Last two visits we ate in the bar or outside! Parking for such a popular pub could be a challenge in the limited space the site offers, but worth waiting for a space to become available.
R. P.
Excellent food and service. More restaurant than pub, but if that what you are looking for, I can highly recommend
J. M.
Every dish I've tasted has been exceptional. The outside dining area is as comfortable for dogs as it is for customers! Great atmosphere, easy to get to, free parking on site. Can even sit outside in cooler months as blankets and heaters provided in the comfy booths. Blankets, beds and bowls provided for pets too!
B. L.
Disappointing. My lamb was cold. My Duck starter was very poor. Hardly any duck in it. The apple pie was big clumps of oats. Couldn't eat it. The waitress had no idea how to serve. Stretching over the table in front of people sitting on the table. Manager very nice.
G. M.
The black boy is a great place for lunch and dinner, we had lunch on a Saturday with friends. We were made to feel welcome, has a great selection of food which tastes very fresh. Sharer's are great! Local beer served and a fab selection of Gin's of course. Sure to book. Seems like a place many young parents with kids go for lunch. Well recommended.
G. C.
Helpful friendly staff. They have a great menu and the food was was faultless. Dog friendly.
L. A.
Went there for few hours with friends. Socially distanced
Under cover, heating table.
Well organised. Lovely friendly service. Food was excellent!
Definately the place to go to.
B. K.
The fish and chips where good but my friends burger was well beyond well done..
c. d.
Lovely Old Pub. A1 Staff. A1 Service.
M. E.
Stopped off here for lunch and the three of us ordered food. Took about 25 mins to get our order, a chili and cheese burger which was very tasty but slightly over cooked, a tuna baguette which was lovely and chorizo and chicken kebabs which again were slightly over cooked, but still nice. Good ambience and lovely beer garden. Limited parking, we got the last space at lunch time on a Saturday.
G. M.
A cosy pub serving an extensive menu of pub favourites and a good selection of ale. I visited for weekday lunch with a friend, it was busy which was a good sign. Our meals arrived in reasonable time, were generously proportioned and of good quality. I had the Cajun chicken and ribs combo (massive!) and my friend had the chicken burger. Puddings equally good. Plenty of parking available. A fine place to call in for lunch, we'd happily return.
D. L.
Nice pub, with a lovely "grown up" beer garden. Don't think open space for kids to play, its more tables and seats, individual booths all with their own cushions and heaters, and a few enclosed booths providing more dining. Very nice space and atmosphere, but is right next to m4 so do have a buzz from traffic. I haven't eaten here for ages so can't comment, but drinks are massively overpriced, £11 for a wine and pint of lager. Staff seem friendly.
A. B.
A lovely place with great Staff, food and all you need to have a nice time with Family and friends
M. F.
Had a lovely meal and Shelby our waitress couldn't do enough to make us happy definitely recommend
H. J.
Lovely non fussy place to eat. Despite being very busy (I had booked) we were seated and served quickly. The food was lovely, though the Meze sharer expensive for what it was . Puddings were fab. The staff remained calm, although the place was packed with large party tables. Well done to all + the excellent unseen cooks too.
I will be paying a second visit in the New Year.
Merry Christmas!!!!
Hazel James
C.
Very nice food, good value
R. S.
What wonderful experiences a pub management with vision . This pub has been tastefully extended with garden bar and seating to be used 52 wks a year.
The management and all the staff tops 10/10. The menu very nice selection. Well cooked dam good kitchen . Shame we donot have a pub like this . Back home in Dorset.
P. K.
A really nice place for Dinner.
The food was fresh and tasty lncluding a good service together with fair prices. Since this Place is very well known you should place a reservation if you aim to be more then 3 persons.
Sadly it takes some time since we got our Bill, so I have to subtract one Star..
C. S.
Busy busy. Book in advance! Lovely staff, good food, parking is limited when busy but we got a space. Prices are not stupid, good value really. Big outdoor area for the nicotine addicts. Would recommend
M. S.
The name change feels a bit silly but decent pub
B. D.
Food was great, very generous portion sizes and service was excellent and attentive.
E. M.
Lovly food great service
S. W.
Very nice pub/restaurant. Good decor and environment. Great menu with all the classic food dishes. Rump and ribs combo is spot on and great value. Excellent covered outside space with fire pit.
A. R.
10/10. This a lovely pub. Made to feel welcome as the staff and management friendly and professional. Gorgeous interior. All types of seating areas, formal and informal. Varied menu and a specials board. Relaxed atmosphere. Excellent service.
R. B.
This was my first visit since its makeover and i have to say the new owners have made quite a good job . It is bright clean and modern and when we visited was very busy . The staff are friendly and attentive even when having to rush around .Our meals were well cooked and arrived at the table piping hot which is always a good thing . Now the not so good side ... When i phoned to reserve a table for 7pm i was told the only ones available were 6.30 and 8.00 , when checking on the net there was availability at 6.45 . Oversite or overworked ? Not sure but will book online in the future . Also because of the staffs workload it took forever to get a drink and i never did receive the second glass of wine i ordered although i was billed for it . I would get a drink from the bar in future before and during my meal . Probably insufficient staff on the night i visited .
S. R.
This was our first meal out since lockdown started and I was worried about it. I needn't have been. They had it all worked out and it was fab!
Food was amazing as always too! Would highly recommend
N. C.
Great food, friendly staff. A pleasant evening.
A. T.
Beer choice good, food ok but nothing out of the ordinary. Biggest gripe though is the bar service is not so well organized. We queued for ages while a huge group trickled in and got served by both bar tenders, then when it was finally the turn of our group of ten to order they left one to deal with us one by one while the other started to serve others as soon as they arrived. Managed to order 30 minutes after arriving. Food came out all over the place. Some of us had finished eating before the others had been served. People they arrived long after us received their food long before some of our group. They need to sort out it out. This place used to be an efficient lunch time destination.
A. H.
Favourite pub to meet with friends and colleagues. Great service and amazing food. Never had any issue.
T. L.
Really nice historic pub with restaurant seating, a pleasant bar and lots of outdoor space. Wide lager selection. Just three ales, with one rotating. But you really go for the food and atmosphere. We had simple lunch dishes, but even these were a cut above. Worth the trip out of Reading to Shinfield!
H.
Very nice, pleasant friendly service and staff. Menu is alright, I wouldn't call it a gastropub any more though. Food was very good. Outside seating area is lovely if you ignore the racket from the M4. Firepit, under cover with nice areas to sit and blankets / table heaters. Will visit again.
T.
Pub I assume went under new management several years back and since then, food and service have been fantastic. Front of house staff provide great service, there was even a time when a member of the public was clearly under the influence of more than just alcohol and a staff member (with a nicely styled ginger beard it has to be said) handled the situation with the upmost levels of care and professionalism for all concerned. Ashleigh has been one member of staff who on at least 3 occasions provided use with great customer service.
Pub clearly puts a lot of emphasis on their staff and this shines through with the quality of food and service they provide. Would definitely recommend a visit and definitely book as its always been busy when we've been there.
T. M.
We came here for something to eat on the way home from watching the rugby. Really pleasant staff fitted us in and it was perfect. A roaring fire warmed us up. Both the food and the service were fantastic.
D. B.
Good pub food and friendly service, I always stop there on my way back from London. And I will keep doing it.
L. L.
Nice pub but a bit pricey
k. h.
Absolutely awesome service! Fantastic atmosphere, staff were fast and friendly and food was incredible 🙂
S. W.
Black Boy is always a winner. Great food great atmosphere, busy every night of the week.
L. C.
Nice and friendly place to stop for food. We had soup and crispy squid for starters which came out quickly, even though the pub at that time was quite full. For mains we ordered caeser salad and the jacket potato with chilli. Unfortunately that didn't appear until 40 minutes after ordering. The food was nice, it was just the wait that was a little off putting for two simple meals. Apart from that I would recommend it.
S. C. S. V.
Great gastro pub with broad menu. Restaurant area and also a great outdoor section. Good selection of wines, beers, gin and whisky. Great service. Use the Baron card for warmly dining discount.
N. H.
Lovely tasty food in a relaxing environment would highly recommend a visit .😊
D. A.
Went out for Christmas meal with the family. It was fairly busy so our table had been pushed to the bar area. After doing our initial orders we were waiting for 25 mins before we decided to go and ask about the drinks. We were charged them but no one had decided to make them. From that it went down hill. Not necicerly in the service but in the environment that we had been forced to sit in. There were a load of noisy scaffolders in the bar area talking dirty chat and swearing allot. At one point the man behind the bar did tell them to stop as it was a family bar. However this lasting all of 2 mins before it all started up again. At no point did any of the staff come over and apologise about the noise or offer us to go in the the actual restraunt area where we were expected to be in the first place. Our table had been made up of 3 small tables with not much space for the food to go and we were not facing each other whilst eating. On the whole I think it would be a nice meal out but not around any festive period. The price of the meals was not worth the experience we had. We were offered a free cup of coffee for the noise which was a nice jesture however I think the bar staff and manager could have done more to make the experience better so hence the 3 stars (was going to be 2 stars)
A. H.
Great food served by attentive, friendly staff. Warm and welcoming interior. Well priced menu with plenty of options. We didn't try the outdoor area, but it certainly looked appealing - several heated booths seemed very cosy, and a patio area covered by a large marquee with a (gas) firepit in the centre. Would definitely recommend.
D. H.
Great food and big size portions. The puddings were superb.
T.
Very good food, as usual. There is a good choice to choose from on the menu, and usually something unexpected on the specials board. When weather allows they have a great seating area outside, with its own little bar.
M. C.
I'm currently sitting in The Black Boy and I'm having a great time. The place feels like a genuine pub in an age of commercial franchises. The staff are friendly, helpful and actually provide a great service - by which I don't mean any of the customer service experience rubbish that a lot of companies enforce on their staff. The staff here genuinely seem to care - just now, the lady on the bar called over the ask if I liked the food and we had a good chat. The decor is robust and genuine without seeming fake or forced at all. The atmosphere is fairly quiet, safe and relaxed. Now, this place IS expensive, I'm not going to lie to you. It's not a cheap place to get whammed. But if you want a pleasant afternoon out in a nice place, it's a really good choice. Again food is excellent but avoid the week before payday (my bad, my bad...)
Oh, and there's free wifi, which you probably already guessed, what with me writing this and all.
M. M.
Out door space under a gazibo is perfect for social distanced meals out. Staff were friendly and food was great.
Only wish I'd left more space for the Eton mess
E. G.
Great menu. Friendly service.
C. W.
visited for the first time in about 8 months. Inside was packed so had to sit outside but there were IR heaters to take the chill off. I had cod loin which was drier than expected but historically the food has been reasonable.
H. W.
Lovely pub with a fantastic outdoor area. Food is decent and reasonably priced but decidedly pub grub.
J. T.
Food was really good, waiting staff were nice and friendly however the food did take an incredibly long time to come. We had 2 courses and we're there for just over 3 hours hence not giving 5 stars, I like the refurbishment that they have done!
X. D.
Had a really nice lunch here, we were well spaced out so felt very safe here in these covid times. The food and service were really good here
P. D.
Nice tent. Inside was full on a weekday lunch time but we sat outside the the nice tent. I had a sandwich that was ok. Can't really comment on the main meals but the fact that it was full days something. Just had a refurb. The resin bound surface at the front was nice. I wonder if I trained them ??
J. E.
A great pub restaurant, very good variety of menu at very reasonable prices. Great outside area
K.
Came as a group - Starter of satay chicken was lovely - moist and flavour was food, everyone enjoyed their starters overall. Let down by the ultimate burger, and the rib eye, tough chewy and not worth its price
M. H.
Fantastic food and atmosphere. Struggled to find a parking space in the small car park
S. R.
Busy but food wasn't worth the money
S. N.
A very warm and cozy spot.
S. D.
Always a pleasant experience. Really tasty food cooked well. Not the cheapest local pub. Amazing outdoor area for adults.
Parking is generally a bit of a nightmare though.
a. s.
Great grub, the inside decor nice and the outside area massive, fairly good service, and the prices are relatively reasonable. It's probably the best bistro pub in close proximity to the likes of Green Park and South Reading/Earley, and one I repeatedly head back to.
Only problem I've ever had there is other clientele being rude and loud, and there's not a lot the restaurant can do about that!
G. G.
Good food, think it was better with the old owners, but still nice.
Had the roast, really nice and good portions. Disappointing crackling though (hence 4 not 5 stars).
K. R.
Food very mediocre....defo microwaved cheap food. Wouldnt eat here again. Staff good. Covid rules followed. Would go gor drinks only.
P. G.
The main course of Salmon was delicious but the Eton mess was funny and not pleasant to eat. The waitress was very attentive and outside area very good social distancing.
G. W.
Stopped by after visiting friends for dinner with our 16 month old on a Saturday. They could not have been more friendly and helpfully. We had our drinks brought to the table with 2 mins and our beautifully cooked and tasting food in no time at all. Our little one loved the cheesy pasta and the ploughmans was extensive. The scampi and chips looked great too. They bent over backwards to make our visit pleasant. We'll certainly return again when we pass through. Some local pubs (notably the 2 Bull's Inns to the south) are very child unfriendly ("No you cannot come in, no kids. Too messy and noisy") and rude! What a nice change this place is.
M. H.
Great atmosphere, good beers and staff. Food is nice but they have recently reduced the amount of meat in their pies and stroganoff. Left feeling slightly disappointed compared to previously amazing visits.
W. M.
Good food, good service, slight delay at the bar due to another customer having not read the small print on their voucher, and parking was a joke in all honesty, if you can walk here thatvwould be a bonus!
E. O.
Great food and drinks with fantastic staff. Felt safe and happy in our 2 hour slot. Definitely will return again 👌
R. C. (.
This place never disappoints, I visited the place several times and the food was just amazing, however the sunday roast I had yesterday was just heavenly.
Also,the Vegan menu is huge and absolutely yummy ( I tried a few dishes myself ) .
Highly recommend!
P. H.
Food was excellent, Service was excellent, Drinks very reasonably priced. We did not book a table but the staff found one for us. That is my reason for giving The Black Boy Pub a 5 star rating, Overall it was a great experience
K. A.
Great outdoor dining experience which feels very safe. Lovely food and friendly staff.
P. C.
Staff were great and the food was good as well. Had the ribs which was really good. Will be going back for sure. Also looking forward to booking it one of the new outdoor booths when it's a little warmer.
S. S.
Nice pub with outdoor seating. The staff are really nice as well.
A. J.
Good pub but beers expensive
T. R.
Wonderful outside space and very attentive staff. Great pub food.
p. t.
Great atmosphere and good food, will definitely be visiting again
S. J.
Fantastic restaurant and even more fantastic staff! Managed to squeeze us in last minute when a different restaurant let us down! Cannot thank them enough for a wonderful meal!
S. M.
Cosy old pub not far off the motorway, with a few good ales. A lovely spot to stop for a quiet pint and read for an hour or two: the staff were friendly and the place was quiet on a drizzly Sunday afternoon. Customers were a mix of locals and tourists, this pub seems to be one locals will recommend you make it to when you're in Reading.
M. G.
It was pretty good. A bit too fancy for my liking (they did stuff like serving things on chopping boards and putting the chips in a separate bowl). But very good food and a good amount of it.
J. C.
Nice place to eat. Recommend booking in advance. The waitress we had was amazing, very conscientious when serving us. She spilt a little of tea and immediately apologised and speed it i.
S. B.
Mix up with seating reservation, so some of us were uncomfortable, but they increased our discount as we had a voucher.
T. W.
Service is not good. Ashtrays were so full and I smoke but overflowing ashtrays doesn't look good. Feels like they doing you a favor
M. S.
Lovely pub! We sat outside. Very friendly service and tasty meal. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience!!
B. W.
Lovely Garden nice firepit very warm and ample places to sit. Beers are pricey 4.95 for a pint of Amstel. Cannot comment on the food but did look very nice.
J. K.
Amazing food. Lovely outdoor dining area
M. B.
Good food and friendly attentious staff
C. P.
I love this place, I'm local to it so visit here reguarly and im never dissapointed by the food, drink or the staffs willingness to get you in. The prices are very reasonable and with its refurbished outside area its great all year, round especially in the summer. It's only down fall is it's quite popular so book well in advance to make sure you get a table.
S. C.
Food fantastic good atmosphere
S. L.
Food was average and service could have been quicker. Garden looks lovely now - would definitely reserve a table outside in one of the heated pods if we were to return!
P. H.
Good food, decent menu including vegan, friendly if slightly random service. Very popular pub for all the right reasons. Recommended.
R. J.
Great service, great food & drink, great atmosphere.
B. C.
Well prepared for lockdown requirements and felt safe throughout. Food was lovely and service was friendly and efficient. Will happily go back when allowed.
S. T.
We stopped here for lunch, on our way back home to Reading. It’s such a lovely place with nice atmosphere. Food is amazing. We will definitely come back again. Highly recommend.
E. T.
I love the blackboy. Lovely cosy pub with very friendly staff. Outside area is brilliant too. Food was good but definitely overpriced.
C.
The food and drink was amazing and the service we received was delightful and I think that we be coming back here and definitely recommend this place to anyone who wants to eat here in the future
A. B.
Haven't been to the Black Boy for years and was pleasantly surprised by the changes. Staff lovely, food very nice and feeling of the place very good. Will certainly go back.
P. G.
When I walked in it was a bit of a rocky start as there was no one at the bar and a few staff having what sounded like a heated arguement about shifts or something in the back room.
Once someone did materialise the service was swift and friendly, the ales that I ordered were well kept and tasty, especially the Black Boy craft bitter.
The general vibe is chilled out and homely with a heated stove at one end of the bar and the recent refurb makes the place shine.
K. M.
Good choice of lovely food . Excellent service and dog friendly 👍
R. S.
Good Food and Service and I do like the refurbishment however, The Black Boy is let down by its car park.
Not only was it jam-packed by 7.00 pm on a Thursday night, the spaces are not properly marked out and therefore its difficult to manoeuvre your vehicle into some of the spaces. There is a small temporary overflow but even that with its narrow entrance hasn't been thought out correctly. The new owners need to get this sorted before the summer period starts otherwise they will limit their potential.
O. C.
Love the place! Great staff, foods fantastic and the outside area is brilliant. Cozy little cabins with electricity and heating, a fire pit and outside bar. Highly recommend it
A. S.
Very attentive and friendly service. Pub safely set out for Covid. Good balanced menu, food was lovely
R. M.
High quality, tasty food.
Very helpful and friendly staff.
Not sure why we hadn't gone sooner!
C. K.
Delicious food and great vegan choices! Lovely pub and staff really friendly. Would definitely come back next time I am in Reading!
S. G.
Food was delightful, service extremely attentive and value for money was very, very good!!
S. I.
Good service and great food!
Well equipped out side.
R. S.
Good outside area, food was fine beer 5*.
A. A.
Very nice n clean place
Good restrictions re Corona.
Excellent food.
And good staff.
I loved it.
P. W.
Very good food, a decent selection on the menu at reasonable prices. Helpful friendly staff. All in a large, well designed pub with beer garden!
M. W.
Excellent food and lovely staff. Also a lovely outside area for summer evenings. Highly recommend a visit. I'll certainly be going back regularly
B. G.
Eaten here a few times and have not been disappointed frendly service good plentiful food and got a 1/3 off the bill by downloading and printing a voucher, would definitely recommend
D. R.
Good food, lovely staff, always clean.
S. C.
Nice garden and refurbished pub... Food was okay but I guess I expected more. Will go back again as I am sure it was a one off as everyone else seemed happy
G. M.
Nice bar. Attentive staff. Good outdoor area for summer time with booths to keep an eye on kids. Good pub grub. Clean toilets. Can't ask for more.
J. S.
Nicely decorated, nice service, just a shame the food itself is so very ho-hum and sometimes not actually very good. Never had anything actually good here to eat.
R. K.
Food was great, mocktails too watered down but would go again for the food
S. B.
Great place and set up. Good set up for social distancing at the moment. Food is good pub food and decent portion sizes.
s. w.
Love the black boy pub
Good food been going here for over 50 years
S. S.
Had a good meal, very busy
E. A.
Good selection of food. Slightly pricey but good quality. Can be very popular around lunchtimes but staff are helpful and do try and fit you in.
A. R.
Very good I had the salmon and huge Eton Mess ice cream dessert. Needed to share dessert it was so big!!
R. B.
Good place to have finest wine. Service is good. Well organized. Located in a central place. Prices are reasonable. Car parking is available.
R. B.
An historic pub with food. Very popular since being refurbished in 2016. Very busy most days. Booking advised pleasant outdoor seating with heaters for cold nights,.
K. B.
The food is first class here and the service is brilliant but it can be a bit noisy if you're put down by where the fire is ... I understand it's changed hands recently so let's hope it keeps the quality up .... it has a large car park but sometimes it gets quite full it has only one disabled parking space could do with another two to be ideal
E. S.
Once again, an amazing evening at our local. Excellent on the social distancing and the food 150% amazing. Three courses and stuffed.
Thank you Blackboy *****
J. b.
My son took me to the Black Boy for lunch such a cosy place, we had not booked a table it was very busy, the staff found us a table for 4, gave the grandchildren their children's pack which kept them very happy....the food was lovely, large portions (I could not eat it all) cooked well and nicely presented...would recommend you book
R. D.
Good customer service, great ambiance...very good variety of food choices, overall its a nice pub and would definately recommend!
G. P.
What a great find, and a fantastic spot for a well cooked, delicious pub lunch. They were great with our kids, food came out quickly and the service was friendly.
G. P.
Perfect blend of classic and modern. Cover area is amazing. Parking is a problem on a busy evening.
T. D.
Good service, friendly & helpful staff. The food was excellent. Would definitely recommend a visit.
B. H.
Lovely pub, lovely food and lovely company. Will certainly go back. The menu is quite extensive and varied so there is something for everyone.
M. M.
Good pub, bit pricey and was busy good service though x
R. C.
Excellent meal had by all
However, the monk fish and prawn sizzle dish was a particularly small portion, hence the missing star.
P. &. J. C.
Good food, can seat large tables, not overly expensive and pleasant atmosphere with extremely attentive staff.
S. L.
The food was great and as we had the dog's with us we sat outside. It has some covered areas so you are sheltered. Well thought out.
D. R.
Excellent and tasty food with generous portions.
S. G.
Good beer, good food and good service. Only downside, the restaurant has one of those lively acoustics which makes it a bit noisy when it's busy.
A. K.
had the crab linguine and kept finding hard bits of crab, i think they blitzed the crab with the shell.
linguine was ok, nothing special have had better.
for dessert i had the banoffee pie, at £5.95 i thought i would get a big portion and was bit disappointed.
J. D.
Great Gastro pub with good levels of seating both inside and out without being over crowded. Polite and friendly staff very good food.
G. B.
Great pub, good location with easy parking. Good selection on the menu, food was lovely, service was fine. Recommended.
K. ,.
Nice seating inside and outside good service lovely food
A. C.
Great atmosphere with outside undercover booths (heating available). Dog friendly (I went with my sister who has dogs). Food was also great.
m. v.
Always good food and customer service. Great place to chill out
M. B.
Absolutely great food great staff
M. H.
Excellent food, not cheap but far from extortionate. Good staff and lovely outdoor seating area. An oasis just off the M4.
J.
Tasty food. Friendly staff.
D. M.
A really fabulous place to eat. A pleasant vibe, friendly staff and a superb menu all add up to a great dining experience ☺️.
B. J.
Beautiful pub great food and wonderful staff. We was there for a wake and they couldn't of been better. AAA****
M. D.
Great friendly and helpful staff, beautiful beer garden and delicious food with speedy service. I totally recommend!
p. k.
incredibly confusing, outside looks tiny but is huge inside, have eaten there maybe 20 times from a snack to full blown meal have never failed to be blown away by the food and surprisingly quiet even outside considering it's so close to m4
M. B.
The food it was excellent , location is good , a bit pricey but you can't have good and cheap .
A. K.
Excellent food and service
K. S.
Very nice would gi there again .food was lovely and good service
T. H.
A DEFINITE MUST!! Great food, friendly staff and with an AWESOME outside area with cozy booths a fire pit for warmth under a Bedouin style tent.
N. P.
Good service and food. Nice pub, large outdoor area with covered alcoves. Parking could be a problem.
A. T.
Exceptional food, lovely environment (the great weather helped) and reasonably priced (given the quality)
A. S.
I know Sunday is busy but the service was quite slow today. Normally that wouldn't be a problem but granddaughter got very restless so I don't think I'll be taking the family again on a Sunday.
D. N.
Perfect pub, has been refurbished to a really very high standard and has a very quaint feeling about it. I loved the booths outside, they were a great touch
D. G.
Very good food very good service couldn't fault anything .
R. D.
Another great visit. Fantastic food and service. Very covid aware staff.
M. S.
Very nice evening. Thanks too the staff and management. Would recommend to family and friends.
D. L.
Good food, both at the bar and in the restaurant. Dogs are welcome in the special tent bar. Children can be an annoyance.
M. P.
Brilliant food with polite and attentive service. Not rushed like the more mainstream chains and the food quality definitely shows this
A. B.
Used to be the 'Black Boy'. Great little pub with a fantastic outside area.
E. M.
Lovely outdoor area. Vegan, veggie and wheat-free menus.
C. D. P.
Nice food and friendly staff. Reasonable prices. Location is not great but parking is spacious so no issues
M. M.
Service was good, beer tasted good but the food was over priced for the quality. I have eaten much better burgers for the price and the chips were poor.
D. Z.
A fantastic place!! Excellent food and great atmosphere!!! Highly recommended!!! (Be sure to book in advance...)
D. W.
Very nice pub, served an excellent gammon egg and chips. Parking was a little fiddly since it's so busy/popular
G. D.
Nice food and service. The booths outside are great for a small private party, although they could do with a door to keep the warmth in.
D. L.
Loved it! Good food, lovely space, plenty of choices for craft beer & cider on tap and wonderful service.
J. Q.
Lovely meal served by friendly, attentive staff - and one of the best kids menus I've ever seen!
O. V. M.
Great environment and surprisingly kid friendly. Food was delicious and staff really friendly. Will be back to enjoy it again sans kids 😉
A. N. R. P.
Amazing food and a great setting out the back
A. L.
Staff friendly, foodservice good especially as it was so busy. Food hot and well presented
I. J.
Great food with good service, especially with discount card you can get online🙂. It was very busy on Friday evening
C. H.
Amazing food, very friendly staff. Looks fantastic in there
S. H.
I've not been to this has since November 2017 due to illness but each time over been the good and atmosphere has been exceptional . This is why I'm giving the Black Boy high mark. Well done 👑🏆🌟🌟
A. D.
I have been to eat at the Black Boy three times now and all three times as good as the last. Good service and good food. What else can I say.
G. M.
Have had consistently good food, although sometimes the wait is a little long. Definitely worth it though
S.
Food and service very good. Just wish it had a bigger car park! Parking a problem when busy
R. B.
Food was excellent staff very good place clean
A. A.
Good choice for lunchtime
R. G.
Had a Sunday lunch, it's ok, not bad but have had better. Good atmosphere and friendly staff.
B. F.
Fantastic pint every time. Food always incredible and can't fault the service.
H. G.
Great outdoor space for current restrictions. Good food and good service.
H. H.
The food ,service and cocktails are excellent
b. w.
Very Good Food, Very Friendly staff. Been back 3 other times since
P. W.
You need to book if you want a table,
Food is good,the atmosphere is busy,outside space is comfortable,parking is tight.
Get there early if you can.
S. L.
Great food and service
A. W.
Great local pub, good beer, friendly staff. If eating here strongly recommend the ribs, best I have eaten in ages.
J. C.
Eat here quite often, good food at a good price and great with children. May need to book at weekends and Friday lunch as it gets busy.
c.
Lovely food and really well organised as always.
P. M.
Lovely pub and friendly staff only temped for the day but made you feel welcome
One definitely to try 🙂🙂
R. F.
Really nice food, friendly staff and comfy seating, shame the fires weren't lit but apparently too warm inside.
C. W.
Great food and cocktails. Tasty veggie alternatives. Big outdoor seating area. Friendly staff.
L. D.
Excellent food, friendly helpful staff. Big portion sizes. The roast lamb was delicious.
P. S.
Very friendly and helpful staff. Great menu choices. Well priced. Super quality.
S.
Nice outdoor area well set up for social distancing. Advised to book in advance to get a table though.
W. G.
Three meals here recently. All been really good. Great service and atmosphere too.
M. V. (.
Nice place to bring work colleages and dates for a drink or upscale pub food. Good place for Lunch.
Ok for a starting point for a night out.
E. P.
After getting drinks I had to leave the pub, walk along the main road to access the garden where were seated.
T. W.
We go there once a month with friends . Recently refurbished, good outside seating . We haven't eaten here but food looks good
B. C.
Food is excellent and the service is good and usually quick. Nice place for a relaxed business lunch.
M. B.
Beer is expensive but it's a real nice place to be, well worth it. Very good garden area since refurb
J. T.
Good variety of food, reasonably priced and excellent service. Would definitely visit again
M. S.
Great food, top quality service. Geat place to stop off the M4 driving back to Cornwall.
J. M.
Lovely pub and great food with a huge selection. Not the most picturesque surroundings however.
P. S.
The Black Boy as always delivers a great meal at a reasonable price. The current roadworks make it slightly difficult to reach, but it is well worth a visit.
J. M.
Food was quick out of the kitchen and tasted great. Staff are very friendly and helpful.
C. H.
Went here for lunch, they had quite a few light bites to choose from. I enjoyed my meal and would stop by again if I was in the area.
L. H.
Great spot, fab food and not a shabby service on a Easter bank holiday whim, most accomodating staff.
Thanks for a great meal guys.
F. T.
Good variety of food, including vegan options. However mediocre quality and some delay between courses.
R. U.
My local gastro pub ... Always glad I went ... Fantastic food and generous portions ... Definitely recommended :)
C. S.
Love this place. Food fab & staff warm, smiley & attentive. What’s not to like?
S. R.
Lovely food. Great atmosphere. Always busy on friday night.
A. m.
Welcoming and friendly, decent food and cheap. Their speciality beer named after the place is great.
R. M.
I'm glad they're open, friendly staff had a good time.
J. C.
Really lovely seafood pie and great veg that you don't pay extra for. Sat outside to eat with a great heater.
S. L.
Absolutely loved the food. Plenty of parking and nice atmosphere.
a. f.
Out side seating areas very well done in these covid times
R. P.
Pleasant staff ,comfortable, well presented meals we good except for rib eyed stake which was fatty
M. M.
Staff friendly and food and drink good
T. P.
Very busy but excellent food. So much choice. Great atmosphere