Amsterdam Inn Shoreham — Restaurant in Adur

While the (separate) bar area was 'steady', the restaurant was very quiet at 5pm on a term time Wednesday (there are tables outside, but being wimps, we decided it was too cold!). The restaurant area is spacious, the tables both sturdy and large enough to accommodate four comfortably. Our visit being quiet at a quiet time of day turned out to be no reflection on the food.

As we left, other diners began showing up, as it was then approaching 6pm. I'd previously heard Sunday Roasts can get busy, so maybe ring and reserve a table?

Music was playing at a nicely unobtrusive level. Put it this way, we'll be going back to sample more from a very respectable menu.

The 'facilities' were clean and very presentable, although the restaurant does have a step between service area and loos (I did note a disabled washroom, but neglected to note which side of the step it was .... sorry).

My friend, ever adventurous, sampled a home made cheese and bacon burger, which due to eyes being bigger than stomach included the optional extra pattie. He was most complimentary about this very substantial burger! The missing star is due to the accompanying fries being the 'American' string fries, rather than the chunky chips shown on the menu. No complaints about their quality though.

I opted for the slow roasted shank of lamb, with mash, gravy and seasonal veg and was glad I did. The lamb was melt in the mouth delicious and the veg cooked perfectly. The portion of lamb was generous and made for a lovely meal.

Can't review the desserts .... at a hundred calories a glance, as much as I'd like to, I daren't, especially the crumbles. I did notice the menu offered a portion containing a bit of pretty much everything on the sweet dish list, for the price of one regular dessert.

This isn't Michelin Star stuff, but it doesn't pretend to be and I'd rate the food at the Amsterdam as very good value for money. The staff were welcoming and very helpful. All in all, we...

Oh dear. Visited twice in about 20 years and happy to leave it another few decades. How is it that somewhere like this survived the biggest crisis to hit the hospitality industry in a century when some of the loveliest, friendliest little pubs & cafes have gone for good.? It's been given a facelift between my two visits, (they've gone for gastro riverside grand cafe now), but its still the sort of place where you're made to feel unwelcome & needy for ordering a coffee with a non dairy creamer, (they only have soya). Two stars because they're dog friendly at least, but that's most likely due to the fact they'd lose 50% of their daytime trade if not as the river is a great walk, lots of wildlife. Do remember to take your own water & dogbowl to this venue tho as they don't have any put out, and despite requesting one from two members of staff, nothing arrived. Keep an eye on the staff tho, as they'll happily feed your dog tough chewy treats without checking if they're inappropriate for their diet. Other than that, it's great.!

Update OCT 2024 : Added some details re food and service after another visit, no need to change the previous paragraph tho. 😁

So, three stars for food because it tasted good and was enough for me, but I was lucky, the first to be brought out, other people's food arrived after I'd already finished, hence the two stars for service. There was also some items missing from the meal which were listed on the menu. We complained about this but, no discount was offered, and the food is really not worth the money they charged. Also, parking is an issue, even with two car parking areas.

How this place keeps going is...

OK, I will start off by saying that I have eaten several times here and really enjoyed it. Yesterday, Mother's Day, was different. Unfortunately, the pub seemed to be short staffed, which led to an hour and 10 minute wait for 2 starters - which were delicious - and another 20 minutes on top of that for the mains. We were a party of 8...the burgers and roast turkey were all lovely and highly praised, however the rump steak trimmings left a lot to be desired, with a small handful of fries, 2 onion rings, 2 halves of a small tomato and some mushrooms. Steak itself was fine. The beef bourginon, rib eye and braised rib of beef had all sold out, and there was only Doom Bar (there's always Doom Bar!) and Timothy Taylor left for ale. Ordered 4 desserts, which came out in good time, and again, were fine, but the apple crumble a little bland. I really don't ever complain, having worked in catering for a very long time, but I did actually say something and my complaint was handed beautifully by the person who had taken our initial drinks order (name begins with B!) Overall, the menu would have been good value for money if the portions were a bit more generous. Low score is more for the long wait..the pub didn't feel heaving, although I appreciate that's difficult for the customer to gauge. Will return - all pubs have the occasional off day, and I've had good experiences here before. Would suggest a bit more organisation. We had no table follow up whilst we were eating, nor an apology for the long wait until I complained. But again, every pub has an off day now and then. Give this pub a chance. Location and style of the Amsterdam are...