Bristol Arms Shotley Gate — Restaurant in Babergh

Came here a couple of Sundays ago for a quick bite to eat. They have a good menu and the food was great.

The only negative and it’s a pretty big negative was the service.. shocking! I came with four friends, we went up to the bar to order but there was a couple being served in front of us. The barman serving them must run on batteries that were low because I’ve seen a turtle show more urgency than he was.

I was stood at in the queue for 5 minutes waiting. There was two waitresses going back and fourth from the kitchen to outside who walked passed me a dozen times. Not once did one of the waitresses ask to take my order or even acknowledge I was even waiting.

Once the barman finished with the couple he proceeded to spend the next 2 minutes engrossed in his notepad huffing and puffing at it. I asked him if I could place an order and he said he has to do something with his notepad first. Very rude. I mean if there was somewhere closer that did food I would have gone there instead.

All of a sudden the chef came out and asked if I needed assistance. Why couldn’t the barman or the waitresses ask me that?? I told him I had been waiting almost 10 minutes to order, he seemed shocked and took my order straight away.

Despite the chef saving the day and the food being great this isn’t enough to convince me to come back. I will not be returning here which is a shame but your barman and waitresses...

The fish and chips were fabulous with a 5 hygiene rating for the kitchen. The pub itself really does need some attention to decor and cleaning as I personally felt very uncomfortable and hubby was worried I would cancel our order... usually I would. Staff were attentive and polite and I felt the pub itself could be fabulous with some attention and a couple of days cleaning after a lick of paint. I came to the pub many years ago and I remember it quite differently to this visit. The disabled loo had a broken seat which could render a person more disabled on exit than on entering.

I would have fish and chips there again but would sit on a bench by the water to feel more comfortable. The fish was truly amazing.

There is also an ice-cream van on the front that is so reasonable and very conscious of cleanliness. Hand gels before serving you, serviette around the cone and a double flake ice-cream...

I haven't been in The Bristol Arms for some time and after a pleasant walk we decided to go there. The staff were very friendly and the drinks were all good. There is a negative unfortunately and this is only constructive criticism but the whole place inside and out side has seen better days. I promised myself that I wouldn't list these things as the staff were so nice but it could do with a really good clean, just to get rid of the cobwebs around the windows etc. The door handle between the gents and the bar has a grotty piece of rope on it as the handle has broken. Probably would be about £2 from B & Q. I really want to go back here as the potential of this pub is enormous but I am put off by the lack of basic cleanliness. I have given you 3 x stars as you are such nice people. Sorry!! P.S Please get a B for the pub name!! We call it ,"The...