The Hare Arms

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#1 of 1 Restaurant in Stow BardolphBar, British, ££ - £££

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The Hare Arms

Review

At a glance

Open until 10:30 PM

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Website

+44 1366 382229Improve this listing

About

We serve award-winning bar food daily, lunch times (noon to 2pm) and evenings (6pm to 10pm) and on SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS and BANK HOLIDAY MONDAYS we are OPEN ALL DAY, serving the bar food menu from noon to 10pm. In the summertime you can sit in our extensive gardens amongst our peacocks and chickens and in the winter, warm yourself by the roaring log fire and marvel at all the unusual items decorating our cosy bar. As from mid-October 2013, we shall be serving the same menu throughout the whole building and tables may be reserved in either the new "Tortoise Room" or "The Old Coach House." As now, the tables in the main bar area and the conservatory are non-reservable. We are long-standing licensees with a great staff and are looking forward to welcoming you here!

Features

CUISINES

Bar, British, Pub

Meal types

Lunch, Dinner, After-hours

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Accepts Credit Cards

Free Wifi

Full Bar

Outdoor Seating

Parking Available

Private Dining

Reservations

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Table Service

Validated Parking

Wheelchair Accessible

Location

Lynn Road King’s Lynn, Stow Bardolph, Downham Market PE34 3HT England

Parking Available, Validated Parking

Does this restaurant offer outdoor seating?

Yes

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Hours

Suggest an edit

Open until 10:30 PM

Sunday

12:00 - 21:30

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

Closed

Thursday

12:00 - 22:30

Friday

11:00 - 23:00

Saturday

11:00 - 23:00

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4.1

1,042 reviews

Excellent

527

Very good

258

Average

124

Poor

Terrible

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Yes

Constantine C

Stamford29 contributions

Rocky table not too stable

Nov 2023 • couples

The only criticism I had for my visit was a Rocky table that needed beer mats under one leg to stop it undulating, about. I had Jeff Sargeant’s 10oz fillet steak, garlic butter, mixed dressed salad & chips £34.50. My wife had a steak ciabatta: sliced fillet steak, fried onions & garlic butter also with chips and salad £21.95. My wife said how nice it was to get a salad that can be seen as salad of note. Plenty of everything and a smooth salad dressing with just the right amount oil and vinegar. The staff were attentive and efficient, and I enjoyed my stay. A small detail like a unstable table is something that should not have been neglected.

Written 11 November 2023

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.

Alice

Venice2 contributions

BEST HAMBURGER EVER EATEN!!

Mar 2024 • family

Last night I went to this typical English pub with a warm and welcoming atmosphere for a family dinner. Personally I chose the "crispy coated buttermilk chicken burger" which was spectacular, delicious. All the dishes chosen arrived together, hot and with generous portions. I highly recommend it, trust a picky Italian 😉 Ps: ask for Ria, a very kind, smiling and cheerful person!

Written 15 March 2024

Pat Palmer

BEST BURGER EVER EATEN !! Last night I went to this typical English pub with a warm and welcoming atmosphere for a family dinner. Personally I chose the 'crispy coated buttermilk chicken burger' which was spectacular, delicious. All the dishes chosen arrived together, hot and from the generous portions. I highly recommend it, trust a picky Italian 😉 Ps: ask for Ria, very kind smiling and sunny person. GRAZIE MILLE!

Written 3 August 2024

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

K S

32 contributions

Great food but very sloooow service

Apr 2023 • friends

Although the food is always good, on the last 2 visits the kitchen seems unable to cope when the restaurant is busy. We ordered mains and dessert and had a 50 minute wait for the mains, which made us wish we had ordered starters. The staff are young and try their best but as everyone around us had an extremely long wait for food they could have advised upfront that meals would take a while, perhaps even offer complimentary bread or olives.

Written 10 April 2023

theladylove

46 contributions

Awful ‘customer service’ - avoid at all costs.

Jan 2025 • family

Awful. Avoid! I would love to give this pub a great review (my husband’s and mum’s meals were good) however mine was a disaster, followed by the worst service I’ve ever experienced, which was a real shame as this was meant to be a special lunch out. The “chicken burger” they offer has been beaten/flattened to within a tissue-width of its life - they’re obviously trying to stretch a chicken breast far, far too far. All burger, not much chicken. I politely complained, showed them the meagre quality and sent it back, only to see it later pop up on the bill (because staff rudely claimed it was my “preference” to send back an awful meal and not eat). Ultimately, they took it off the bill after an argument as a “gesture of goodwill”. That’s not goodwill. Goodwill, is an apology, an offer of something better, and the replacement of a terrible meal, gratis. Left with a horrible taste, and not just from the awful quality burger. If I could give 0 stars I would. 1 star will have to do. I’ve left the same review on Google in the hope people avoid this place at all costs. The owners response is beyond appalling - tragic these petty people run a customer business.

Written 15 January 2025

Norfolkite

Norfolk46 contributions

Great, except...

Sept 2024 • business

This does, of course, have a head start over anywhere else in the area as it has such a perfect location; very close to a main road, but set apart from it sufficiently to make you feel you're somewhere special. The first disappointment comes when you arrive, as there is often a really bad smell like sewage, and if it's a warm day this is particularly unpleasant. The pea fowl are an attractive novelty, although, as we approach bird flu season, I can imagine some people looking slightly askance. Internally, the pub is attractively decorated, some areas are rather gloomy, but the design was probably done for evening atmosphere rather than lunch in mind. Having said that, it's very nice in other parts at any time. The food is adequate for the price, and it's evident that whoever writes the menu tries to cater for different tastes. There are some days when the quality is better than others, but people must have time off sometimes. After visiting many times over the years, there's one aspect that can be very disappointing; the service. This is a shame. Strangely, I find it's not the younger staff who I find wanting. Every so often an older woman (manager/owner?) is there and she's just so rude. I've heard her talk about other customers, (a really bad lapse of etiquette) argue with people and be generally obnoxious. I will always hold back in order to deal with someone else. The place is very popular, so she evidently doesn't feel she needs to pretend she likes the paying public. She should, however, try to remember that for some people a meal here is a special occasion and, if ruined, can't be undone.

Written 23 October 2024

LeaRow

1 contribution

Disappointing

Jan 2024 • friends

Arrived early was seated straight away, looked at the menu which was a Sunday menu and when booking was told they had the normal full menu on a Sunday not over happy but could cope. Food come out quickly but the fish was over cooked batter very hard in places unable to eat those bits, then took 25minutes for someone to bring a dessert menu after asking twice for it and when the bill arrived 3 extra items had been added to it. Not asked once how our meal was, normally tip when eating out but me and a friend decided not to and to split the bill , told the waitress we was splitting which was £27.77 and she laughed twice at this and then the card machine didn’t work straight away took 10 minutes to work. First time going, went on recommendation but I won’t be going back!!

Written 28 January 2024

Philippa C

31 contributions

Shocking

Dec 2023 • family

We decided to go here for New Year’s Eve lunch as we didn’t want just a Sunday lunch option and the number of pubs open was limited .we have been to the pub many times in the past and had good food and a good time. Sadly this was not the case this time . Our starter came out reasonably quickly but it then took an hour and a half for our main meals to arrive and I had to ask twice where our food was. People that came in after us had finished a two course meal before our mains had even arrived. The food quality was very poor. My belly pork was very dry, the short rib was gelatinous, the fish was very wet with soggy batter underneath and the Sunday lunch was over done and you couldn’t cut the beef with a knife. We didn’t have a pudding as I was discussed that we had to wait so long and when the food came it wasn’t worth eating. I did speak to the waiter before I left to explain how unhappy I was. The place was packed and they shouldn’t have taken the bookings if the kitchen couldn’t keep up. I wouldn’t recommend this pub, which is a real shame.

Written 31 December 2023

Richesfr

24 contributions

Disappointing, for what should have been a nice meal.

Mar 2023 • none

Went with two friends for a catch up. First impressions clean, traditional looking pub, with a lovely toasty fire. The three of us ordered drinks and starters. Starters were great, Fish goujons, Soup of the day, & Crisp chilli beef. My main, Pan seared Cod fillet with prawns arrived on a bed of steaming hot new Potato’s and Broccoli. However my first mouthful of the fish was cool, went to pick another fork full and it fell off the fork as the main fillet was still raw. Called a staff member over who took it away with a “Sorry about that”. Walked past the table twice without a word before returning with my plate. To be told “That should be better” the fish was hot, still without crispy skin, and the veg was now warm. On the plus side I had been give a fresh wedge of Lemon. We finished up with coffees, at least we could all enjoy those together. In the current climate I wasn’t expecting to be comped the meal but a free coffee would have been nice. Total bill just over £90 pound, but lack of concern over the total incident put a damper on the evening. Have no urge to return and deff will take out of my recommendation list in my holiday let.

Written 7 March 2023

Jane1901

Dereham13 contributions

Poor service

Feb 2025 • couples

Extremely slow service. We had a table booked for 19:30, we finally got our main meal at 21:00. No one asked if we would like any additional drinks or coffee after our meal. A 10% charge was also added to the bill - will think twice about returning.

Written 16 February 2025

Safari57626112637

1 contribution

Food Not As Good as Used To Be

Oct 2023 • couples

Went to the Hare Arms as a Birthday Treat had been before and food was Amazing but was so disappointed this time Starters was very nice I had Prawn and Crab starter Husband had Tiger Prawn Gratan for main I had Fish Pie which was served in pie Dish with some Broccoli Srears on Plate there was plenty of fish but it was so dry there was no sauce at all in the pie and the Broccoli was very All Dante Husband had Steak served with Broccoli Spears and Potato Roste which was cooked on the outside but was hard on the inside and the pepper sauce was over pepperd its was still burning your tongue five minutes after eating ir For dessert we had Mango Pavlova Roulade which looked as if had been left out of the fridge it was mashed up and collapsed Unfortunately will not be returning anytime soon. while there other people was sending food back, Maybe the night we went the chef was not having a Good Night. The serving team were all so young and had no idea about food Shame food was so good at one stage. ☹️

Written 2 November 2023

Adventure58825145690

2 contributions

Absolutely delicious!!

Sept 2023 • family

We visited The Hare Arms this afternoon with family, including children. Between us all we had starters, mains and puddings. EVERYTHING was absolutely delicious! My starter was the prawn and crayfish, huge portion, extremely fresh and tasty. My main was roast beef, it arrived hot, well presented and was a very generous portion. Other family members had the parfait and black pudding to start and the pork for main. Both were equally happy. Both children had the roast beef and pudding, they ate the lot! Staff warm and friendly. We’ll definitely be returning.

Written 17 September 2023

Katherine P

2 contributions

Really disappointing. Poor service. We left before ordering.

Nov 2021 • family

We've visited the hare before and had good food, but this time we left before even ordering. Had rung ahead to book as it was a family birthday, and were assured there would be a carvery on. When we arrived, we were given one menu between six people, and then ignored by all waiters for nearly 30 minutes. We had to ask to order, at which point were told there was no Sunday roast. There was no apology for the fact that we'd been waiting so long. One waitress had stood next to our table for twenty minutes talking to friends at a different table, despite us clearly waiting. We eventually managed to flag her down and ask for extra menus so we didn't have to share one between six of us. Unfortunately, with the lack of Sunday roast and decent vegetarian options, we found the menu uninspiring. After awful service, a limited menu, and very poor vegetarian options, we decided to pay for our drinks and go elsewhere. We managed to get a table at a different local pub and had an excellent meal with excellent service at a much more reasonable price.

Written 14 November 2021

J C G

22 contributions

Gave it another go and was disappointed again

May 2022 • none

We have eaten here before on a Sunday and weren't impressed then but we thought we'd give it another go for my brother's birthday. On the upside the staff were friendly. The starters were variable. The tempura mushrooms, for instance, were particularly disappointing. Two mushrooms dipped in batter with a sauce and a bring salad. The chilli beef was good however. Despite booking in and giving them our order weeks in advance, we then had to wait nearly an hour for our main meals. Two out of nine people were happy. I'm not sure how an incinerated nut roast can then be served cold, the gravy was gloopy and lumpy and I haven't eaten vegetables that cold and boring since I was a child at my nans in the eighties. It is a very rare event for me to leave half a plate of food but felt quite sick of the textures. I did eat the very nice roasties and Yorkshires I had left after donating one to my poor husband faced with the Cajun chicken. The Cajun chicken was on another dull plate of salad, disappointing to look at as much as to eat. Meals were too salty, the battered fish looked like it had merely seen a fryer. The ribs were good and the sandwich was all eaten. We'll not be eating here again and would advise others against it.

Written 3 May 2022

Ron S

World1 contribution

Cyclists Beware

Apr 2022 • none

Elsewhere on this site you will find reviewers described by the owner as "moaners" and "keyboard warriors" and he asks for understanding and kindness during these difficult pandemic times. Well, it works both ways and I can only relate our experience as it felt to us. We cycled fifty miles from home to this pub where we had a dinner reservation - before cycling a further ten miles to our B&B. We wheeled our bikes round the back and asked the staff if it was ok to park them there. That settled, we went in and ordered. Shortly after our meal arrived my wife noticed our bikes had disappeared! After our initial panic we found that the owner had decided they were a "Health & Safety hazard" and had taken it upon herself to drag/carry them to another location! We had locked them together with two locks - one through the frames and another through the wheels. My wife's bike had been left to dangle by the lock from mine with a wheel off the ground. Both bikes were also laden with bags. The owner repeatedly claimed she did not know who they belonged to but that "they were a H&S hazard" and had to be moved immediately. The pub was far from crowded and we were the only customers sitting there in full cycling gear and yet she didn't feel she needed to summon the courtesy to come and ask us to move them. Her attitude seemed to be one of total indifference that these bikes were our sole means of transport for a sixty mile ride home on a bank holiday weekend. A bent derailleur could have left us stranded. As cyclists we were clearly a massive irritation to her despite being paying customers and her repetetive, stony apologies did nothing to restore our ruined evening or to convince us we should ever go there again.

Written 20 April 2022

Pat P

Thank you for taking the time to send a personal message before posting this review. It is always disheartening to read reviews where people have had a poor experience with us as that is never our intention. You did indeed ask if you could leave your cycles at the rear of the premises but you did proceed to park them in an area clearly signed “No public access, staff and deliveries only” right near our kitchen door. With hindsight my wife should have found you and asked you to move them, but at the time she didn’t, she did however apologise genuinely and profusely. Overall my wife shouldn’t have moved them, but she would not have done so had they not been parked in a private area. Sorry for the upset this has caused you. Pat Palmer.

Written 20 April 2022

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

Carpol085

Cambridge20 contributions

Disappointed

Oct 2022 • couples

We visited in the summer and enjoyed the food so decided to book for Sunday lunch. Our table was booked for 4pm. However when we arrived we were informed no Sunday roast left. Our server then said I'll leave you a few minutes to decide on an alternative. Our order was only taken 30 minutes later after my partner had been twice to the bar asking for the order to be taken. My order of crispy beef starter which I expected to be like Chinese crispy beef but it was slices of beef in batter, my partners chips to accompany his burger were dark brown and not at all crispy did not look appetising. Then dessert choice also unavailable. We left underwhelmed and unfortunately will not return

Written 3 November 2022