The Bulls Head Repton — Restaurant in South Derbyshire

What a place!! My friend had already been here previously, but I had not. So, we decided to book a table for Saturday evening for dinner. The outside was very inviting, and located in the quaint village of Repton. Walking through the entrance and down to the main door, it felt as though I was stepping into another world almost, with the foliage all around and the lights leading the way. It didn't take long at all, for us to be seated by our waitress (actually got there a bit earlier than we thought, and were seated straight away!) We were by the open fire, where the pizza oven was so were toasty and warm! First impressions upon entering the inside of The Bull's Head... Wow! The lighting and the atmosphere were superb, and offered a very cosy place to catch up with family and friends, over drinks and delicious food. Speaking of, the selection on the menu was also impressive, with something to cater for everyone's taste buds. They had things ranging from burgers to steak, pasta and pizza to yakitori sticks... The works! And they had a fantastic selection of starters too, to get those taste buds going. For drinks, my friend went with a beer and I decided on a refreshing homemade raspberry- ade. For our mains, my friend decided on the big BBQ chicken yakitori stick with two sides (the thick chips and onion rings.) I went with the potato gnocchi with a side of posh chips. The gnocchi was super tasteful and very creamy, with all the flavours coming together to excite the senses. And the posh chips!? My word, they were MARVELLOUS! The combination of parmesan and truffle was exquisite and created a pot of super delicious potato goodness (even now, my mouth is watering!) It may not be cheap, but the prices are worth it because I feel you get a LOT for your money.

After dinner, we decided that we had room for some dessert. My friend went with the choccy-woccy-hoo-har and chose the Baileys stick toffee pudding. The only thing I have to note here, is that we both ordered our desserts at the same time. However, my friend's dessert came out and he had finished his way before mine came out. I had to politely approach one of the waitresses, stating that my dessert had not arrived. There was a bit more of a wait, but it did finally come out. I know this is no fault of the staff however, and more than likely a tech issue (with everything being ordered on the app.) These things are bound to happen at times and the chap who brought it out to me, apologised about the wait, so no harm done.

Overall, my experience of The Bull's Head was excellent and I would not hesitate to come here again, or even recommend it to others. It's a place to go with friends and family, enjoy delicious food and a warm and cosy atmosphere. Being able to order everything from the app, is a great convenience too! I very much look forward to returning again...

EDIT* I've just read previous reviews and noticed the flies are an ongoing issue.

I'm not usually a picky person or a complainer. However, we will not be returning after our visit today.

We come to the bulls head often and even do the whole breakfast with Santa etc. It is usually a 4-5/5 *, so it is quite unfortunate that I do have to leave this review.

We came in without a booking and they managed to get us in, which was great, hence the 4 star service. After ordering our food via the app, there was a good wait (which is fine) between the starters and mains coming out. While we were waiting I noticed that the pizza's being cooked were being left on the side for a good 10-20mins, because of this lots and I mean LOTS of flies were landing on the pizza's as they had just been left uncovered.

The waitress came and picked a pizza up and went to serve it to a table in which I did have to ask if she was indeed serving it. I mentioned the issue with the flies, and she did scrap it but not the other one that was on the side.

Fortunately, because I had said something, whoever ordered the pizza hopefully got a fresh one, but this is a clear food hygiene issue.

Once our mains had come, as you can imagine we had now been put off. If a cooking area on display is like this, I can't imagine what the actual kitchen is like. There had been so many flies in the pizza oven area, we were constantly having to hit them away. The issue was the door entrance to the pizza oven area had been left open, and this is where the flies were coming from.

If I'm honest, the last few times we have been to the bulls head, it seems as though it has gone downhill. £25 for a steak and an extra £3 for a sauce is a bit of a joke, it's not even fillet steak anymore either. I do feel as though everything is cooked in grease, everything is dripping with it including the chips & onion rings. I'm pretty sure the skewers are now frozen and the childrens chicken was very moist inside (verge of looking uncooked).

Just to add, the pizza chef and the waitresses 1000000% noticed the flies all over the pizza's and did continue to serve them. Hopefully if anyone becomes ill after today, 8/9/24, you see this review and know why.

I just wish I had taken a...

Used to be one of.our go to places but the last three times we've been it has been truly awful. Firstly the hygiene standards have slipped massively, there was so much food on the floor under our table and our dogs were eating onion which is really bad for them. We moved and had the same issue so cleared it up ourselves. Same with the tables themselves, just grubby.

We ordered with the QR code but the service was appalling. Food came out quickly enough and our drinks were actually poured in time however the lag from service collecting from the bar meant beverages and grub practically arrived together. I mean the staff were just basically chatting with each other, seems like a very pleasant working environment but may explain the lapse in hygiene and service. Finally the food was utterly crap which has not been an issue up until a year or so ago. Nothing seasoned properly, cold mac and cheese, bland chicken karage which was not right and overcooked pork belly which should be soft but was over crisped and chewy.

We've given up on the place, the sister pub The Swan seems to be a little better all round despite being the same. We were also annoyed how many reserved signs were in the bar area which limits where you can sit. Not sure if thats a recent development as we couldn't reserve online? We were also being bombarded with flies and wasps which had got trapped in the area. Also the menus are just ratty bits of paper. The old menus were superior, just every single standard has slipped. Shame but there is plenty of choice locally so no issue for us. Also rather oddly we've seen the same guy with headphones on taking up a table for six nursing a pint using a laptop. Think he may work there and if so shows how much they're bothered...