Cromwell's Tap House — Restaurant in Shrewsbury

The all new Cromwell's has a very different vibe to the old one, it's loads better!

Previously I had tended to avoid this place (see old review below) but a change of ownership has done it the world of good.

Great selection of beers, guest special draughts and a beer fridge to die for. The food menu is a little small but packs in some brilliant choices, all with a twist or unique slant. From making their own vinegar to turning a bratwurst into a restaurant dish it's one of those refreshing menus that gives you something you haven't had before, or twists an old favourite to make it intriguing.

Food prices are very reasonable, compared to other places in town you are getting good portions with unmistakable hand made elements that leave you feeling satisfied and not out of pocket.

They do show sports in the bar area, so it can get busy and a little noisy. A family meal with children probably isn't a great plan if it coincides with the Manchester derby. That said, if you can get a table in the restaurant room adjacent then you wouldn't notice.

Really enjoyable place, good beer and food, atmosphere and even a spot of people watching if you can get a window seat.

I've not tried the beer garden since it changed hands, but the forecast is good on Friday so there is a pint and bratwurst with my name on it

Edit: beer garden is still a wonderful sun trap, it is still unfortunately tarnished by inconsiderate smokers. It's a shame that either the upper or lower area isn't smoke free. You don't want to be eating your lunch whilst getting wafted by a mix of tobacco smoke and vanilla/cherry/tangerine vape clouds

Old review below

8-10 years ago this was a favourite place, a group from our office would take advantage of the beer garden nearly every lunchtime through the summer. It is undoubtedly one of the best sun traps in town

I rarely visit these days but popped along for an evening beer in the beer garden. Unfortunately, the thing that puts me off is still prevalent. Smokers.

It is impossible to sit outside without the constant whiff of cigarettes. It is as if all the smokers of Shrewsbury choose this beer garden. I certainly wouldn't eat here purely for this reason

If the owners ever make the garden smoking free it would certainly pop up on my radar. My rating reflects my distaste for the smoker atmosphere. If you aren't bothered by it then you would likely...

Good things first, great selection of beer, tables for dinning and a lovely garden with loads of seats outside. Beer was reasonably priced.

My biggest gripe was I was queueing and it was my turn to be served, bar tender already saw me YET he jumped on to serve the next person who was not queued. Good thing a lady staff saw me and jumped in. Really hate it when that happens and yoy have waited to be served. Place was not even that packed. Just bad service, discriminated? Being the only asian who was in the pub, i don't know.

Update: as a reply to what they claim; no, i have been to a lot of pubs as it is my hobby to do so when I go to a new place. It was so clear as the bar staff was taking the order that I was not "with" the person he was talking to, infact he has seen me behind that person the whole time he was ordering and not even conversing to anyone. The female staff also saw me the whole time snd yet when this other guy jumped the queue, he just served him first as I kept on giving the male bar staff the look. And as I said, the female staff realized that,despite her being busy also, as I have been standing there for a few minutes and jumped in to serve me. In other pubs, bar staff are quite attentive and most of times ask who else hasn't been served yet. (And yes, racial issue does exist, as a non white who enters pubs, I get stared...

The room we were allocated (No 3) is not on their listing page. Does the 4-poster bedroom actually exist. The bathroom is so small you can't dry yourself in it. You can hear everything in the next room from the bathroom. There is no chair, table etc in the room so you are confined to the bed. Road noise ensures you are woken very early. Staff great, food good and good choice of real ale. The room is not worth the cost if you are staying more than one night. Response to Cromwells. The public are allowed to post honest reviews of their experience. This is one way in which businesses can improve their service. What I highlighted was that the room we stayed in (no 3) is not honestly featured in your Expedia listing under Double room. What we saw when we booked were rooms of a reasonable size with reasonably sized bathrooms. Do you offer a smaller room than No 3? If not, then please appreciate our disappointment at your offering. I did highlight to your staff that we have never stayed in a...