Pandora Inn — Restaurant in England

Update 27/03/22

We had friends visiting us here in Cornwall and we decided to take them to the Pandora Inn as we consider it to be a special place (see 5-star review above). On this occasion we were all positively underwhelmed. We arrived at 4.45pm and presented with the menu (photo 1). These dishes are available all day, 7 days a week, during food serving hours. As we were not particularly taken with anything on the menu, since we had burgers and fish and chips the previous two days, so we asked if there was a 'specials' menu. I was then told that Today's Specials' would be served from 5pm, i.e. in 15 minutes time. It would have been nice to have offered this advice first. The manager (I presume) said that he would ask the chef what was being offered and disappeared into the kitchen. He returned a few minutes later saying that he had not made up his mind but the manager said he would come to our table and let us know. 30 minutes later, and after being asked again, he arrived with the 'Today's Specials' as in photo 2. We opted for two fish and chips and two fish pies. Despite my earlier 5-star review of the fish pie, I can only give 3-stars as it was an unimpressive mush with an occasional sighting of a minute. prawn. The garlic ciabatta was great. The fish and chips were only average but the dearest we have seen in a pub. Overall, we do not consider this pub/restaurant to be a 'go to' destination neither for ourselves or for our future guests. Poor choice of dishes on the menus and at a poor standard considering the higher prices. Location and premises excellent. Staff (manager) well below par.

11/08/21

One or Cornwall's outstanding pubs. This pub is so full of character which is situated in an absolutely great location. The food and drink are fabulous and the staff were great too. I recommend the fish pie. One of our 'go to' places for that special lunch. The only negative is the small car park and it is often easier to get to in a boat...

Where do I start? I know the view from the top of the hill that leads down to the waterfront and the pub, the glimpses of the river and the far bank are simply stunning. You have to be careful at the bottom of the hill, the view is so distracting you can literally forget to turn left in to the car park and end up in the river! The car park is small and tight so go slow and park up beside the cream painted thatched pub. Get out and just take 5 minutes to take in that view. On a sunny day you'll normally see dogs diving into the river to recover a thrown ball or stick, kids crabbing from the side of the pontoon and sail boats and canoes mooring up alongside the pontoon. Oh and that pontoon is long, wide and covered in tables and chairs. An absolute invitation to relax soak up the view down the river and begin to wonder why it's taken this long to discover this idilic hidden gem. All of this happens before you even enter the pub. Slate floors and low beamed ceilings lead to a small busy bar were you can order great ales and ciders plus many wines. Try an ale called "Proper Dark" sweet like a stout dark and full flavoured while you enjoy a fantastic choice of dishes on the menu all simple locally sourced dishes. Non will disappoint. Upstairs there is a beautiful oak beamed restaurant dining room, great for an evening meal. Accommodation is also available. After all I've written the simple truth is you need to go, it's too good a location and pub not to visit and fall...

I’ve recently booked a table for a meal as they had a set menu offer. The chap behind the bar served us our drinks then told us where our table was. We sat down to a normal menu on the table so I went up to ask if we could have the set menu. A lady behind the bar appeared and said that the set menu wasn’t on that night but we could order off the normal menu but it wouldn’t be the set price. (The fixed price menu is available every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 5.00pm – 8.00pm) I explained that when I booked the table I stated twice that I was booking for the set price menu. She huffed and the chap behind the bar gave us the correct menu. I then went on to order what we wanted and the lady behind the bar happened to serve me. She wasn’t friendly at all. Could barely pull a smile together. When our food arrived she plonked the plates down that hard ,that chips fell off the plate onto the floor, she didn’t pick them up or apologise, just said anything else I can do? I asked for some sauce and two more drinks. She quickly replied with you’ll have to get them at the bar. I understand that if they were busy but at the time there were only two other tables in the building. She soon changed her character when I presume the owner / manger walked in for the evening.

Winter time is a tough time for pubs & restaurants but with staff like her front of house it won’t do them any favours! The food was good but let down by that ladies...