The Kings Arms

Someone from this business manages this listing.

#34 of 101 Restaurants in Melton MowbrayBar, British, ££ - £££

What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

The Kings Arms

Review

At a glance

Open until 10:00 PM

See all hours

Website

+44 1664 444737Improve this listing

About

Michael & Mark welcome you to The Kings Arms, in Scalford, rural Leicestershire, Our pub is 18th century and in the heart of the farming village, situated five miles north of Melton Mowbray and for walkers easily accessible from the Jubilee Way. Whether it is the roaring log fire in winter or the extensive outdoor terrace in summer, we guarantee a warm and friendly welcome.Locally sourced produce is our speciality, from Eastwell Farm Shop to the world renowned Stilton cheese from Cropwell Bishop - vegetarian alternatives are always available. Our bar is Cask Marque accredited with a range of beers - one is guaranteed to be brewed within 25 miles of the village - wines, spirits and local Belvoir Presse soft drinks. The bar reverberates to the lively banter of the locals - and there is even a piano to play if the mood takes you.We have guest rooms for bed and breakfast. Beautifully appointed to the highest standards, these rooms are ideal for anybody working away from home in the area, or to accommodate visiting friends and family, we look forward to welcoming you to Scalford.

Features

CUISINES

Bar, British

Meal types

Lunch, Dinner

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Full Bar

Highchairs Available

Outdoor Seating

Parking Available

Reservations

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Table Service

Location

7 King Street Scalford, Melton Mowbray LE14 4DW England

Parking Available

Is this restaurant good for breakfast?

Yes

Unsure

Save this restaurant

Hours

Suggest an edit

Open until 10:00 PM

Sunday

12:00 - 18:00

Monday

16:00 - 20:00

Tuesday

16:00 - 22:00

Wednesday

16:00 - 22:00

Thursday

16:00 - 22:00

Friday

16:00 - 23:00

Saturday

12:00 - 23:00

Contribute

Write a review

Upload a photo

Ask a question

We perform checks on reviews.

Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews

Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.

When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.

Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.

Learn more about our review moderation.

4.1

128 reviews

Excellent

Very good

Average

Poor

Terrible

Carol H

8 contributions

Lovely Sunday Lunch

Jan 2025 • couples

Lovely Sunday Lunch in a cosy dining area created by a log burner and fire in the other eating area We both had roast beef which came with Yorkshire pudding,roast potatoes, mash and an assortment of well cooked vegetables. Beef was tender and large portions. Very nice raspberry cheesecake with cream to follow. Very good value for money. £20 for 2 courses. The staff were very pleasant and attentive. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend We’re keen to return for the Friday Pie Night commencing on 31st January which I understand to be £15 including a drink

Written 26 January 2025

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.

Crackerpillar

Grantham10 contributions

Great Sunday roast, fantastic value!

Feb 2025 • couples

Booked a table online for Sunday lunch for the two of us. It was our anniversary and we were met with a 'happy anniversary' on the reserved chalk board on the table which was sweet and very thoughtful. The service was great, the owner and servers were friendly and welcoming. We both had the roast beef which was absolutely delicious. Plenty of tender roast beef, tasty veg and a lovely big homemade yorkie sitting on top. Despite the huge lunch we made room for pud - proper comforting traditional apple crumble and custard for me and steamed jam sponge for my husband. We left with very full bellies and went home for a snooze! Would highly recommend and such fantastic value at £20 for the 2 courses.

Written 9 February 2025

Kathleen Hewitt

1 contribution

Wedding party

Jun 2022 • friends

As usual Michael and Mark paid attention to detail and created a beautiful setting for this wedding reception. The hand made sandwiches with local breads and the savoury choices catering for all dietary requirements were served beautiful with fresh garnishes. The staff were attentive and helpful and displayed the huge array of desserts at exactly the appropriate time. There was a great atmosphere as many locals were around and joined in the festivities, helping us polish off the food. Champagne was perfectly chilled and despite the strange stormy heat of the day, we were kept comfortable in the tastefully presented rooms. Thank you to all the staff who made my friends day by adding the quality and care to such an important event.

Written 22 June 2022

Connector41717041067

1 contribution

Dissatisfied Customer Worst Sunday lunch in the area

Dec 2024 • couples

Pub very festive and cosy but unfortunately it was the worst Sunday lunch I have had locally. The menu was a lot different to the website.regarding choices of meat. We both ordered beef one medium one well done Both were well done and carved thickly, very difficult to cut, the meat was dry and very chewy. The presentation was awful, six different vegetables piled on the plate With an overcooked Yorkshire pudding placed on top. The cauliflower cheese served separately was actually quite nice and warm. The rest of the vegetables were tasteless and Luke warm. The gravy was warm and tasty. The two young waitresses were very young but pleasant enough. They did ask if everything was ok but we said nothing as it wasn’t their fault I have eaten their in the evening and it was fine If the proprietors read this review they really need to improve the Sunday lunch as it is a lovely pub

Written 9 December 2024

01011901

7 contributions

1 off experience

Dec 2022 • business

Sadly very disappointing in every aspect. Will not return. I think I went in late summer 2022. Thankfully I can't recall exactly, although some memories will not fade. Stayed overnight as had business locally. Warning - Don't arrive too early. Evening meal in a cold and draughty seated area off the bar. The fire was inadequate, wear a coat. Breakfast was served in a cold hallway, wear a coat if you have to go eat here. Interestingly consisted of 1 rasher of streaky bacon sliced into 3 sections artistically or tastefully arranged (spread or draped) across a cold plate, one egg scrambled on the plate. NB 1 egg scrambled always looks pitiful. 1 slice of toast allocated. Chef apparently may not have been too well, constantly coughing, at the table and in the kitchen, picking his dirty nails at the table when taking the breakfast order. Hilarious. Once you notice things like tis, you see other issues. This was so bad it became comical, as in "surely, it can't get worse"? Lo and behold, surprise, it did. Simple, question any traveller or guest asks, would I return. Answer - no. Others may enjoy the novelty. Sad, as I've read they have featured on Alex Polizzis programme.

Written 26 November 2023

Joan J

1 contribution

Food below average and staff/owner rude!

Jun 2022 • family

We went for lunch and all I can say is the food was well below par and expensive. The waitress didn't even ask how the food was. The elderly gentleman (waitress called him the boss) was very rude to another table when they complained about a meal and he would not have any of what they said.came across as very rude and just wasn't interested in what they had to say. I think us customers should be allowed to say when something isn't right especially with how expensive it is here,people work hard for their money and shouldn't be ripped off with poor food that doesn't even look appetising on the plate and didn't taste good either. Spoilt our visit and we definitely won't be returning. There are far more welcoming eaterys around and much better priced for what you get.

Written 22 June 2022

Julian N

9 contributions

Disappointing Sunday Roast

Oct 2024 • couples

Unfortunately a disappointing Sunday roast, Yorkshire puddings are clearly bought in vs the website pictures of homemade. We chose roast beef, which was stated as medium, but unfortunately it was really tough, we had to ask for a steak knife to cut it and ended up taking a good chunk home for our dog as it was so tough and chewy. A real shame as it is a nice pub and we were looking forward to a really good Sunday roast.

Written 28 October 2024

Amelia S

2 contributions

DO NOT RECOMMEND STAY AWAY!

Jun 2022 • friends

Don’t bother wasting your time and money in this disgusting establishment the staff were exceptionally rude and were extremely intimidating towards multiple members of our party and had then proceeded to have the audacity to threaten us when we were unsatisfied with our meals which consisted of creamy stilton mushrooms on toast in which the colour of the sauce as well as type of bread varied from plate to plate an other starters ordered were completely inedible. The evening continued with no improvements when the inedible mess of main courses we were served. I could see in the kitchen as the chef left our food under the hot lamp for well over ten minutes which resulted in the salad for many of the mains to be warm and wilted. On top of this the pies were clearly pre-made and reheated in a microwave as well as the burgers which they claimed to be high quality meat was rock hard and could barely be cut through by a steak knife with a repulsing smell radiating from it. Members of our party were left without food and went hungry and no adjustments were made to the bill still having to pay extortionate bill for such low quality food and disgraceful service as not once were we asked if the food was ok or if there were any issues as they removed our still full plates from the table. The manager who we had called for was no help and created further issues screaming at members of our party as we simply tried to explain the issue. He then proceeded to send vile discriminating texts to a member of our party. I can not believe the rudeness of this disgusting individual. He clearly only cares for the locals and they know it. Do not visit this vile establishment it’s not worth your time or the money.

Written 15 July 2022

Cannon G

2 contributions

Not Particularly Kid friendly which is a shame

Jul 2023 • family

Passed through on a warm afternoon with family and ordered Chips for the kids and ice cream afterwards, we also had drinks but I must say very disappointed with Chips portion sizes especially for the price! Also kids ice cream tubs were small and expensive. A bowl of chips is what kids want so a kid friendly menu would be better for families. A small tub of ice cream for nearly £4 is extortionate! Sadly we haven't returned and its a shame because we would be regulars if menu was better and family friendly. The price we paid for both chip portions could get both my children full meals and a dessert down the road at a pub in Melton so we will continue to do that.

Written 14 October 2023

Aaron H

1 contribution

Avoid if not local

Jun 2022 • friends

We booked this poor excuse of a restaurant for a special occasion in advance. All seemed well when we arrived .11 starters ordered and we were underwhelmed with the starters. £7.50 for creamy Stilton mushrooms on sourdough turned out to be a few mushrooms in cream on a peice of white bread. Olives came out warm as they had been sat on the hotplate for quite some time before hitting the table. Thinking we are a big table we thought well just see what the mains are like as the starters were more than underwhelming. Well the mains were worse than the starters. Food came out wrong, salads were warm as again sat under the lamps for a long period of time (we could see the kitchen where we were sat. Microwaved half the food I feel the chef was more of a microwave operator. Food really overcooked it was inedible 4 of our party didnt receive a meal at all as it came out wrong and replacments were not offered untill we had all finished the mains. All in all a terrible experience and when we approached staff with our concerns were told he didn't care he dosent do discounts and he only cares about the locals. Never experienced such an arrogant man in my life. Rude throughout the entire meal with snide comments. Really ruined our night. Cannot belive you run a business with no customer focus at all. So disgusted with this pub.

Written 19 June 2022

Serena K

2 contributions

wedding reception

Jun 2022 • family

We had our wedding reception at Kings arms and can not thank them enough for our amazing day. Food was exceptional and hosts were welcoming and accommodating. They simply went above and beyond to make our day as special as possible. We visit regularly and can not recommend them highly enough, food is locally sourced and of highest quality and the menu caters for all, Mark and Michael work incredibly hard and they give 100% to make sure each and every customer feels welcome and valued. So many village pubs are closing down so it's important to support them as much as we can, King's arms is unique and outstanding in every way. Thankyou both.

Written 24 July 2022

Philippa J

52 contributions

Lovely food

Nov 2023 • friends

We love this pub with its cosy fire roaring away. Came for a meal this evening and had the steak and Stilton pie cooked by Mark, was absolutely delicious- could not fault it. Service by Callum was amazing - very friendly and professional. Nice friendly landlord Michael. Thank you all

Written 9 November 2023

meesterbassman

Greater Manchester14 contributions

Excellent food, drinks and atmosphere- we’ll be back!

Dec 2023 • couples

Had a quick trip down south to see mum and decided to break our stay with a night eating and sleeping at the gorgeous Kings Arms Scalford (just outside Melton Mowbray) - based on having seen it on a recent ‘Hotel Inspector’ on Channel 5. We both warmed to Mark and Michael and wanted to see it for ourselves in person! I would encourage ANYONE in the Leicester area to consider staying and eating there- fab breakfasts, lovely pints of real ale, AND the best pies we have EVER eaten. Anywhere. Ever. (Mark has won awards for them and everything) Great food, comfy cozy room and a proper old country pub with atmosphere. We wish Mark and Michael health and success for the future as they’ve worked so hard for almost 20 years for very little reward. Rescuing the last surviving (derelict) pub in a proper English village. I’m sure these things should come with awards and medals!

Written 23 December 2023

Simon Welch

Melton Mowbray26 contributions

Delicious pie and chunky chips

Jul 2024 • friends

Sat outside on a beautiful warm summer’s evening. Enjoyed a pint of steeplechase from the local Round Corner brewery along with a delicious beef and stilton pie, tasty gravy, chunky chips and veg. Finished with a delicious dessert as well.

Written 23 July 2024

LadyHarper1

Lancashire12 contributions

Lovely

Aug 2022 • solo

Stayed for 7 nights while at a training camp and competition locally. Room was very comfortable and clean. Everything worked as it should. Large bed, small TV in room, kettle, nearby fridge stocked with bottled water and milk. Bathroom had large shower. Towels and robe were provided. Kettle in room with tea and coffee provided. Breakfast was delicious. Evening meals were also delicious. Staff were extremely kind and accomodating. I booked 8 of us for an evening meal at short notice We were 30 minutes late due to an unexpected complication, but the staff were completely unfazed, efficient and friendly. I would definitely stay here again.

Written 29 August 2022