Rams Head Inn

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#1 of 2 Restaurants in DoltonBar, British, ££ - £££

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Rams Head Inn

Review

At a glance

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Website

+44 1805 804255Improve this listing

About

Features

CUISINES

Bar, British, Pub, Gastropub

Meal types

Lunch, Dinner, Drinks

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Accepts Credit Cards

Cash Only

Free Wifi

Full Bar

Highchairs Available

Mastercard

Outdoor Seating

Parking Available

Reservations

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Street Parking

Table Service

Visa

Wheelchair Accessible

Wine and Beer

Location

South Street, Dolton EX19 8QS England

Parking Available, Street Parking

Is this restaurant romantic?

Yes

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Hours

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Closed now

• Opens at 11:00 AM

Sunday

11:00 - 22:00

Monday

15:00 - 22:00

Tuesday

11:00 - 23:00

Wednesday

11:00 - 23:00

Thursday

11:00 - 23:00

Friday

11:00 - 23:00

Saturday

11:00 - 23:00

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4.4

348 reviews

Excellent

245

Very good

Average

Poor

Terrible

Rosie B

Barnstaple39 contributions

Surprise find on our doorstep - will be back

May 2024 • couples

Came here last night for the first time and will be back. Served by the charming Ozzy who was engaging just enough to make us feel well looked after but not too much. My starter of moules mariniere was cooked in a lovely classic white wine sauce and very enjoyable but it was my main that stole the show. The beef was so melt in the mouth tender it was sublime. I can’t recall having better beef than that. As for the dessert trio I was expecting three one inch squares of mini desserts. Be warned you get three proper portions of dessert and all too yummy to not eat - back to the “diet” today. The setting and decor was very pleasant and although small and only two other tables in the room we were eating in I didn’t feel that this inhibited was what a second date at all. The spacing between tables meant it remained intimate and I don’t recall hearing anyone else’s conversations so assume they didn’t hear ours - but maybe that was down to the quality of my date!

Written 16 May 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Garry T

Bromsgrove22 contributions

A pleasant two night stay

Jul 2024 • couples

We stopped off at the Rams Head for a couple of nights en-route to Cornwall where we were meeting up with our family. The pub is a lovely authentic old building with lots of genuine character, not a manufactured character that you tend to get in large chain pubs. Our room was delightful with an enormous log burner set into an ancient stone fireplace. The room was well appointed with a large brass bed and period furniture. The en-suite was modern and well equipped. Breakfast was served in the dining area of the pub which again is full of character and has a lovely country vibe. Breakfast choice was excellent with cereal, and a choice of full English, eggs Benedict and eggs florentine on offer. The quality of the produce, all locally sourced, was excellent, especially the eggs which were true free range with deep yellow yolks. The staff were all very pleasant and helpful. We would definitely recommend The Rams Head and would certainly stay there again.

Written 3 September 2024

697FJ

London46 contributions

Excellent!!

Oct 2023 • couples

Welcomed by a roaring log fire, helpful and attentive staff, we enjoyed a fabulous meal of, platter of sharing home made bread with olives, then rack of locally sourced lamb with a herb crust, which was perfection, and delicious choux pastry desert with chantilly cream and salted caramel, the food is superbly presented, and there’s a selection of fine wines or Devon ales and ciders to accompany any choice from the menu. A great atmosphere, excellent service, a good menu with something for everyone, what’s not to like about this place. Highly recommended, definitely 5 Star!

Written 27 October 2023

Camper21454948183

1 contribution

Sadly will won't be back.

Nov 2024 • family

Sadly underwhelmed for a birthday meal. Prawns in the starter were smothered in eggs and watery. We ordered the steak with salad and fries but after an hour wait were served the fillet of beef in sauce with vegetables. We were asked if we wanted it changed but didn't want to wait another hour. The server was unaware that there was even a steak on the menu. In fairness the bill was amended but it was not the meal we wanted and the evening was somewhat spoiled. We will not be returning sadly.

Written 7 November 2024

Sue

4 contributions

What a disappointment!

Oct 2021 • none

We have eaten here a couple of times before, and although service has been slow, it had been worth the wait. Unfortunately, Sunday lunch today was terrible. Our food took 90 minutes to arrive, the starters were fine, but nothing special. It took a record 20 minutes for our plates to be cleared after we had finished (we ended up putting them at one end of the table whilst we waited), it was then a further 20 minutes before our main meals arrived. I wish it hadn't. The lamb on 3 of the plates was 50% fat, the meat (only tried by 1 of the party) was extremely tough and inedible. I am astonished that a chef even sent it out... we would have had a better meal if we had come home and had sandwiches. To add a final insult to injury they over charged us, as the 3 children's meals (which were smaller) were priced at the same as the adults' portions, and an extra meal had been added. We won't be returning.

Written 17 October 2021

RamsHeadDolton

Thank you for your feedback, we have taken your comment and will do our best to improve things

Written 21 October 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Ralph N

2 contributions

Don't go here if you are hungry

Jul 2023 • couples

Took my girlfriend here for a meal last week. Food was cooked very well, but they were only child's portions. (For £20) I complained that I was served just half a potato, cut into four pieces. If I wanted a work of art, I would go to the Tate Modern. I wanted a meal. Chef said no one had complained before. Well I am the first. I came into this pub hungry. I left hungry and went for a takeaway. If you want a meal, I suggest you go anywhere else!

Written 20 July 2023

Teddypaws

Okehampton26 contributions

Okay, but staff training required

Aug 2021 • none

We stayed here for one night. Room fine, if a little dusty, and the word 'suite's is hardly appropriate. The showef was poor and the furniture very dark and dated. We had a table booked for 7.30pm, so went down for a pre-dinner drink. All fine so far. At about 7.25, my husband mentioned to a young staff member that we had a table reservation, and she gave us some menus. After a little while, she returned and took our order. At 8.00pm, a waitress came out carrying two plates (our starters), and the staff of had to rush us to a table. We asked for a bottle of house wine, but this hadn't arrived by the time we had finished the starters (which were okay. The scotch egg was delicious but the scallops and accompanying soup were rather bland), so my husband went to the bar and spoke to the young lady there, telling her that we were staying overnight for a not inconsiderable sum, and that we just wanted some service. He asked for a glass of wine for each of us and for a bottle of wine to be brought to the table. Mains arrived and were consumed uneventfully. The beef fillet and jus were marvellous. We ordered the cheeseboard to share instead of a dessert. It was whilst we were enjoying this that a lady, presumably the owner or manager, came to our table and started going on about how her staff deserved respect. We can only assume that my husband asking for service instigated this little incident. The young staff member must have taken a dislike to this, though my husband was polite throughout. It put a dampener on the whole evening. Breakfast was great, with the cheerful, slightly scatty hostess redeeming the place slightly. We wouldn't go back, chiefly down to the level of service received at dinner. Young people, not just in this establishment, need to be trained that a service industry requires them to give a level of ser ice, and that the old adage of 'the customer is right's should still apply. It is no good taking umbrage if someone speaks out.

Written 5 September 2021

JamesEC

19 contributions

Wonderful service, memorable food but…

Sept 2021 • couples

Having driven past this wonderful looking place we finally decided to treat ourselves and booked for dinner. Like all in hospitality right now it was clear on arrival that there were staffing pressures. One waitress rushed past us and said she’d be with us shortly. We did feel the owner who was stood behind the bar was rude in at least not managing to say hello. He seemed aloof - thank goodness for his wonderful staff! The Inn has a welcoming main room as well as an annexe to the left. Sadly our table was in the later which has horrid stark lighting and an odd ammonia like aroma. I kept looking for a cat! My top tip is to ask for a table in the main bar. But, and there’s a big but - the service and food were wonderful! My partner had duck pate, me moules marinières - both served with the most amazing homemade bread. To follow my partner had a Moroccan stuffed tomato dish with couscous whereas I went for the filet with dauphinoise. The mains were tasty but my beef wasn’t as buttery as you expect filet to be (no fault of the restaurant) and the tomato dish seemed overpriced for the apparent simplicity. The food service though was impressively fast given how busy it was when we visited. We were also sat alongside two very large groups who were clearly holidaymakers and witnessed another impressive service delivery for their first courses. The wine list is very good and we had a great local gin (Gotland) to start off which was lovely. Our conclusion was perhaps our expectations were too high before arriving but we will try the Rams Head Inn again given how fabulously close it is to where my partner lives but perhaps we’ll wait for a quieter time and request a better table.

Written 11 September 2021

Nickella

121 contributions

Disappointing Sunday Lunch

Sept 2021 • none

We have eaten many times at the Ram's Head, before covid reared its ugly head and have always had exceptional food. We took some friends there for Sunday lunch but were really disappointed. The young waiting staff were very friendly, as usual the environment was great, but the lunch did not live up to the evening meals we have had in the past. To be fair, not all was bad. The starters were excellent. as were the desserts. However, the main roast was nowhere near the standard we expected. The beef was on the fatty side, the meal itself was warm, not that hot. The selection of vegetables were great, but gravy was noticeable by its absence. We appreciated that the staff were few, but basic things such as a decent horse radish sauce for the beef, mint sauce for the lamb and a gravy boat as many people like more than a dribble of gravy. We will eat at the pub again, but not on a Sunday as the midweek meals are great.

Written 8 September 2021

mikebrook

Sandbach156 contributions

Excellent 5 Night Stay

Jul 2021 • couples

My partner and I stopped here last week with our dog for 5 nights and had a wonderful stay. Lovely location in a small quaint, quiet village, gorgeous scenery and thatch cottages throughout the village with a local shop where you can buy all your bits and bobs. The Rams Head Inn is run by Nico a lovely French chap who is awesome in the kitchen and the food he puts out is truly amazing from the starters, main courses and not forgetting the lovely deserts! Great process too and value for money. All the staff are lovely, helpful and friendly but I would say some of the younger waitresses need to brush up on the menu and know what's what. Numerous times we asked a young lady what an item was and she's told us she can't remember and had to go and check, on her return her description of the food was still quite poor. Although a lovely young lady she needs to brush up on her menu knowledge as this happened a few times. All in all an excellent stay, lovely Inn, dog friendly in the accommodation and bar, friendly staff, amazing food, brilliant accommodation and although clean could do with being a little cleaner. Would I stay here and dine here again! YES I would. 10 out of 10 from me and hope to see you all again soon.

Written 6 July 2021

Ben c

Woolsery2 contributions

Mr Ben

Oct 2022 • couples

Really impressed with the standard of food. Had three courses on a Sunday. To start nduja scotch egg with homemade chutney, scotch egg was runny in the middle and slightly spiced 👌 chutney delicious and full of flavour. Sunday roast was well seasoned parsnips, colly cheese and roast potatoes done well. Pots crispy, parsnip a little crispy with sweetness colly cheese indulgently cheesy. I had belly pork, again very well seasoned the only thing I would say it missed was some crackling. Otherwise perfect. Desserts were original showed technical skill and also (the main thing) were delicious. This was surprisingly cheap and the food easily rivals restaurants that hold two rosettes. The service was casual warm and friendly. Will recommend and go again.

Written 2 October 2022

CliveS1970

Sudbury49 contributions

Delightful Pub and B&B

Oct 2021 • business

Stayed overnight the room was comfortable the beds amazing warm and snuggly. Breakfast is a delight from cereal to hot coffee or tea and a choice of cooked breakfasts from eggs benedict to a full English. Free WIFI ample parking out front and a TV are all you need in this delightful village DOG FRIENDLY 🐕

Written 2 October 2021

GirlGaga

Bournemouth53 contributions

Amazing food in the heart of Devon

Mar 2023 • solo

This is a lovely old pub in a pretty village in mid Devon. It was bought by a French chef 5 yrs ago and his food is delicious. We stayed for 2 nights in pretty awful weather, but the woodburners were wonderful, the welcome from the amazing Karen was warm and her energy throughout the night, serving both bar and restaurant food, was incredible, all with a cheerful personality. Nico brought his food to the table with a welcoming smile. I'm gluten free and was well catered for. We'll definitely be back. A good place to break a journey to west Cornwall.

Written 13 March 2023

KateSmith79

Leigh-on Sea82 contributions

Good quality food, very friendly and helpful staff

Jun 2021 • none

We went on a busy Sunday lunch as two families totalling 9 people. The other pub in the village wasn't doing food when I called to book as they had no chef, I assume this was still the case so double the usual customers here. It was very busy and it was obvious the staff were rushed off their feet but they maintained a good level of service as well as friendliness. I think some other people had a few issues with their wait but we found the pace ok despite having 5 fairly young children with us (I'd packed a bag of colouring just in case!). We all had roasts which were well portioned and tasty. My kids are fussy and despite not being on the menu, they were happy to do sausage and chips for them. We even stayed for dessert which was definitely worth it.

Written 15 June 2021

Martin From Devon

Dolton1 contribution

Best of the best

Aug 2021 • couples

Absolutely Fantastic. My wife and I stayed at the Rams Head for 2 nights. On arrival we had lunch and my fish and chips was the best I had ever had. That night we were both still full from lunch so we went to the bar and had a fantastic evening with the locals, it was a really good atmosphere and I had not laughed so much for ages. The next morning we had breakfast and could not have asked for more so we went out in the local area and visited some lovely small villages. That evening we ate in the Rams again and we both had steak and it was the best. The chef Nico and his staff definitely know how to run a village inn and do it well. We left the following morning but will definitely return again soon.

Written 28 August 2021