The Duke Of Devonshire — Restaurant in Eastbourne

I wouldn't normally post a review but I had an extraordinary experience there today. We went on Airbourne day so perhaps it's not always as bad as this but if I was draw up a checklist of what you don't want to find in a pub, this would tick nearly every box. We went for a pub lunch, so we weren't expecting too much, just a beer and a burger/hotdog. The tables were filthy and very sticky, to the point of using menus just to rest our arms on them. The beer came in dirty, or at least smeared, glasses and tasted as if it was watered down, though it was probably just poor beer. We ordered from their "gourmet" section for three burgers and two hotdogs. The service was remarkably slow, so much that after 35/40 minutes I went to ask if they knew where our food was. The place was full, but not many people were ordering food and we'd seen people who'd come in after us get their food first. The chap behind the counter assured us that he'd go and check. He didn't so five minutes later I returned to ask him if he'd checked, which he hadn't. A barmaid then chimed in that we would have been told at the time it would take 45 minutes for food to come, which we weren't. When the food did eventually come (long after 45 minutes had passed) it wasn't even good. The burgers were full of gristle and the hot dogs were okay, but only just. It wasn't a nice end to our stay in what was a stuffy (it was rainy outside and relatively full so you can't blame them for that) and unpleasant pub. We weren't expecting much and we got even less. Having gone for the cheap option we decided to go the other way and went to the Dewdrop to spend the next couple of pints salivating over the, though admittedly much more expensive, obviously better food they...

We were shopping in Eastbourne town centre on Monday. Having completed most of what we wanted to achieve, my wife and I were looking for a little liquid refreshment.

Being on the top end of the town we decided to drop into the Duke of Devonshire.  Pleasantly surprised by the décor and even a rather welcoming atmosphere.  Not really wishing to eat at this stage of the day but definitely looking to have a rest and relax with some wine. We decided on a bottle of red Zinfandel. Surprisingly good wine and good value. 15% ABV and only £15.

Since the refurbishment. The pub is looking nice. Just the right mix of lighting, booths and tables as well as stand up tables. Although not particularly busy when we were in during the afternoon. There was still a buzz of custom. We enjoyed the wine and the service.

The pub was generally very clean and so were the toilets. The wine was at the right temperature, wish the glasses were cleaner. But you can’t have everything. Fully disabled access. Good pub food menu with daily offers. We didn’t eat this occasion but have in the past and found the food quality to be high with good presentation.

Thanks for an hours respite in the afternoon. Will be...

Went in with my friend for a nice dinner together. I ordered a rare sirloin steak. Our dinners were brought out together, but my steak was well done, so I approached the manager/owner and she arranged for a new steak to be prepared. So I waited. Eventually another steak was brought out and again it was well done. I again took it to the owner/manager who was unapologetic and refused to allow me to re-order it. She made me feel like it was my fault they couldn't cook it properly. She returned my money. By this time my friend had finished her meal, but I was still hungry. I ordered and paid for a chicken breast. After a wait of at least half an hour it arrived. It was dry and over-cooked but I was so hungry I ate it. I called the manager over to tell her how upset I was at the way she talked to me and she got shrill and defensive. Eventually she said "I'm sorry if you felt that way" and that was it. We left vowing...