The Ship Inn — Restaurant in England

Sadly for us the warm atmosphere others talk about below was severely lacking on our visit. In fact, I’d go as far as saying it’s the least welcome I’ve ever felt in a pub. When we walked in it was a bit like that moment Tom Cruise enters a diner after crash-landing at the start of Top Gun Maverick. But without the sense of wonder. We were ordered around and made to feel an inconvenience from when we arrived until the moment we left. We had the nerve to ask for a high chair. They (almost proudly) don’t have one. The vegetarian was singled out in front of the whole pub and loudly read a list of their options as if being charged with a series of crimes. We saw other diners being hectored for having muddy boots. Somehow we avoided that fate - perhaps because of the shouty sign on the front door. Odd for a pub on the SW Coastpath. We visited on New Year’s Day so perhaps a late and difficult night for the staff meant we didn’t get to experience the service that other reviews talk about and which persuaded us to visit. I know hospitality is a tricky business and overheads are high. I know it’s a cliche but the bit where you make people feel welcome, the atmosphere bit, that costs nothing. Unfortunately for us, our visit, right from the off had all the atmosphere of a stern headteacher’s office. We would have left immediately but they’d taken a deposit from our card (actually debited money) and we thought we’d give them a chance. But all the way through everything was a bother. Plates were slapped down. We were given short shrift when we asked for anything. There was a lot of huffing and puffing. And what a shame as the raw materials - the building and the setting - are incredible. We redeemed the situation by paying up and heading to the Lugger down the hill where the welcome was very warm, the pudding perfect and brushes were even provided for muddy boots. We were even told we were such a nice group - just in case it sounds like any of the above happened because we were being obnoxious or annoying. We weren’t. We’re a very empathetic bunch and many of us have worked in service. The truth is we spent a lot of our time at The Ship Inn hushed and frankly a bit terrified! Hopefully our experience was anomalous and specific to the timing of it being New Year’s Day. Happy 2025.

Response to Jarrod Hussey’s 5 star review of his own pub which is actually not a review at all but a response to my review…

You did not tell us on the phone that the pub did not have high chairs. This is false. And either way, a high chair takes up no more space than a chair. We did not have any muddy shoes as we came straight from home and did our walk after lunch. So there couldn’t possibly have been mess from our group. Again you’re making things up to slander your guests. In terms of a deposit (or deposite as you call it), I didn’t object to you taking a card. I was explaining that the fact you debited money in advance of our booking (highly unusual) was why we stayed despite your high chair policy and generally cold welcome. Our instinct after 5 minutes of being there was to leave but I am certain you’d have hung onto our money. No baby was changed by our group in the pub. This is a lie or you’re mixing us up with another group - perhaps the group you shouted at for having muddy boots? The group you hectored, arrived half an hour after us so I assure you we saw perfectly well how you treated them I have to take in good faith your claim that the food you serve is cooked fresh and as a result have removed that part of my review above The fact you responded to our feedback with false statements and more aggression, I think should tell everyone how you might treat guests that come to your pub offering you their custom. You seem to resent customers rather than valuing them for bringing you business. You treated us with contempt. And you’re continuing to do so now. And you’ve replied to our review with a 5 star review of your own. How is it acceptable for you to give your own pub a 5 star review? This seems...

Totally shocking experience – avoid!

We decided to book The Ship Inn prior to arriving in Portloe on our way down. We phoned ahead to check if they were serving food, and the person who answered was abrupt and unwelcoming. We were told we could only eat before 7.30pm, and in fact, had to be seated and order by 7.15 as this was when the kitchen closed! In hindsight, we should have cancelled then, as there was zero customer service – just rudeness.

When we arrived just after 7pm, the landlady immediately told us we had to order food before drinks because the kitchen would be closing soon. The menu was very limited, so we ordered fish and chips and chicken bites. Only then were we allowed to order drinks. Moments later, a young couple came in at 7.14pm and were refused food because the kitchen was “closed.” They promptly left.

Staff throughout the evening were rude and unhelpful, with an incredibly aggressive tone. The food itself was disappointing: very basic, clearly not freshly made, with dry peas and packet-style tartar sauce. The menu stated mushy peas, but when we asked, we were told bluntly that they “don’t do mushy peas” – instead “minty peas,” which were neither minty nor enjoyable.

When we asked for more drinks, the waitress said she couldn’t take drink orders. Rather than finding someone who could, we had to leave our table mid-meal and queue at the bar ourselves. After finishing, we asked about desserts, only to be told again (with the same rudeness) that the kitchen closed at 7.15pm.

Throughout the visit, the landlady in particular was abrupt and hostile. It’s astonishing to see large signs in the village urging visitors to “support the pub” when it is run with such poor service and poor food. The location is beautiful, and this place could be wonderful if it were run with care and hospitality. Sadly, it’s the complete opposite.

This pub gives British food and drink a bad name. We left feeling frustrated and cross at such a wasted evening.

The warning signs before entering tell you alot - not one word of welcome just rules!

Avoid...

So good to see this wonderful pub (in a sublime position) being well managed again by people who care and it shows.

Garden after a few years of sloppy managers is a great place to eat, bring dog, have a pint and listen to the brook run down to the sea.

Service super-friendly and efficient. Beer was good, decent wine choices.

Food is a highlight, warming typical pub grub but decent quality and lots of it, for example Hunters Chicken, is not a warmed chicken breast disguised under oceans of low grade BBQ sauce and awful cheese, it's is decent chicken with good strong cheddar and not overwhelmed by the sauce.

Kids meals like chicken nuggets are not the typical low grade.

Fish was good.

Lunchtime menu, again good pub grub, Club Sandwich is a monster

Thank you to the staff and management and wish you all the best in your venture, you...