The Abbey Inn

We dropped in for a beer after visiting the Abbey and it was wonderful. We’d definitely recommend and hope to return for food next time we visit. The beer was great (Black Sheep, Timothy Taylor’s Landlord and a local beer). We’re reliably informed by the friends we visited with that the food is amazing and the burger “the best I’ve ever had”! The Listed building has been tastefully and sympathetically decorated and refurbished. There’s a lovely restaurant space, several cosy snugs and a great beer garden with views of the abbey. The service was great. The barman from Leeds was friendly, knew his stuff and very efficient. This fabulous pub would be dangerous for the waistline if we were local! If you’re visiting the pub, the well preserved ruins opposite really give you a feel for the place. It’s an English Heritage site but free to enter with lots of useful and informative info boards. We visited in April 2024 and at that time the beautiful floors were undercover for conservation. I’d love to see them again when the work is finished.

Sunday lunch was a triumph! Delicious food, and nice to have options beyond a roast available (although everyone I went with did have the roast!). Generous portions, and presented beautifully. The puddings were incredible! Some unusual ingredients were brought to life in inventive ways. For those too scared to try a tasting menu up the load in Oldstead, this offers a nice alternative to try something a bit new without going mad! Facilities were clean and tidy. The dining space is really pretty and allowed for a nice atmosphere. Staff were all very kind, polite and helpful.

Went here for a birthday lunchtime treat on a wet Monday in February. After a muddy walk and a quick change, we sat in one of the front rooms with our dog. Even though it was a Monday, the Inn was very busy with all the tables occupied. This is a testament to the excellent food on offer. This is not just any pub with great beer, the food was filling and great quality. The burger was superb and extremely popular. I would guess 75% of diners had this option. My wife had the lamb shank and it was super tender. We were too full to try a desert which was a shame. One minor comment is that there could have been some lighter dishes on the menu, not everyone wants to roll out of the inn stuffed to the gills. But it is hard to resist the great dishes and locally sourced ingredients.

Lovely “pub”. A bit too good to be called just a pub. Very good food, without being to pretentious or “gastro pub”. As usual with places that know what they’re doing, the service was very good. Attentive without being intrusive, knew enough about what they were offering to be able to make suggestions. Just right. Lamb rib starter was excellent, as was the red mullet. Both mains very good, solid winter food. The cassoulet was lovely but a touch salty. Would definitely come back and try the burger, which I saw in the next table and it looked epic. £140 for lunch and a bottle of decent red and a pint of Guinness. Lovely.

Had a very nice lunch here. Good service, comfortable pub like feel. Starters fun and interesting. Mains simple but good. Ice cream shared desert was huge! Limited menu and guess would want to see some change to the menu to bring us back. Nothing wrong with the menu but couldn't see many other choices we would like other than what we chose.