The Golden Fleece

Someone from this business manages this listing.

602 reviews

#2 of 3 Restaurants in Tremadog££ - £££, Bar, British, Pub

+44 1766 512421+ Add website

Hours

Sun

8:00 - 22:30

Mon

8:00 - 22:30

Tue

8:00 - 22:30

Wed

8:00 - 22:30

Thu

8:00 - 22:30

Fri

8:00 - 22:30

Sat

8:00 - 22:30

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Ratings and reviews

4.0

602 reviews

#2 of 3 Restaurants in Tremadog

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Details

Someone from this business manages this listing.

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CUISINES

Bar, British, Pub, Welsh

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks

features

Location and contact

8 Market Square, Tremadog, Porthmadog LL49 9RB Wales

+44 1766 512421

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Is this restaurant good for large groups?

Yes

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About

A quirky traditional family run coaching inn offering Quality en-suite B&B accommodation, excellent food: breakfasts, lunches and evening meals, large plant based meal selection, Beer garden, real fire, over 70 welsh gins. Showcasing high welfare Welsh produce.

CUISINES

Bar, British, Pub, Welsh

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks

FEATURES

Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Dog Friendly, Gift Cards Available

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4.0

602 reviews

Excellent

291

Very good

156

Average

Poor

Terrible

pgubby

86 contributions

SORRY NOT FOR ME

Sept 2020 • none

Came here on a recommendation, wished we stayed in pub across road, staff not friendly or helpful food was good except they forgot my pudding had to eat it standing up as cab was outside. The thing that got me was continually going to the bar to order and paying for it no Tabs allowed when you go out you want to be served ideally. The Pub lacked atmosphere we were sat at a table for 10 just 2 of us no one around us i appreciate with distancing it can be a problem but we felt so out of it. The pub lacks that old charm lovely outside but inside resembles a Cafe. Staff told me they did not sell Real ale but the next day they did have it nice pint of Purple Moose.

Written 2 October 2020

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.

Robbie W

Porthmadog3 contributions

Decidedly shabby

Oct 2020 • none

The refurbishment of this pub has torn away its character, the ambience has disappeared. The whole place feels like a bearded baristas wet dream, shabby chic throughout. The bar area was very cold and draughty even though their ‘fire’ was burning away. The beers were warm, probably the first drinks poured that day. The food was nice, nothing to rave about but plenty on your plate and hot although the wait was rather long for an empty pub! Be warned, the artisan coffee is served in mugs, no flat whites available, which tells you more about the coffee than anything else. It’s a great shame, the staff are lovely and couldn’t do enough for you. Sadly The Fleece used to feel much more comfortable and had that ‘real pub’ feel, but now it’s been turned into a pastel coloured lampshade that serves food and drink aimed at the superficial.

Written 14 October 2020

goldenfleece1980

I'm so sorry you don't like our refurbishment which has dramatically improved the outlook and customer experience of our inn. Prior to the refurbishment the pub although characterful was dark and needed reconfiguring to reflect its purpose today. It's layout hadn't changed since 1970 and it goes without saying one cant live or operate a business in the past. In the last 18 yrs the inn has (like the rest of the UK) seen the decline of drinkers and "pub trade" thus we have changed our operation and the inn has become far more food lead than it was back in the 70's. In addition to this we have added 18 ensuite rooms and 2 self catering cottages. This has enabled us to welcome over 7000 guests to stay with us each year but the layout of a 70's pub does not lend it's self to our operations. Times change, things move on. I'm sorry you felt the beer was warm because you assume it was the first pulled off, but you didn't let us know and if you had we would have been only to happy to change it. We don't stock whole milk (it is most unpopular) and one can only make a real flat white with whole milk... So you see the coffee tells you nothing its all about the milk! I'm sure it was evident to you that a great deal of time, money and love had been lavished upon the refurbishment. I'm glad you note that the staff were all lovely but in such hard times for our industry I'm shocked you've decided to take to tripadvisor or any other social media to get you boot on a give a business and its team (who in your own words were so nice to you) a kick in the teeth. Its hard enough at the moment for most of us in hospitality without the need for wannabe critiques writing idiosyncratic content about us.

Written 14 October 2020

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

twokidslater

Northwich5 contributions

Lovely meal

Aug 2021 • family

We had an early evening meal at 5pm, we had booked a head and the restaurant was empty when we arrived. So we were slightly disappointed to be sat right by the men’s toilet! We arrived early and were advised we can order but the kitchen doesn’t start till 5pm so we had drinks. Staff were very welcoming, aside from what appeared to be a more experienced member of the team who wasn't very friendly. The food was lovely, my girls both ate everything, my steak was really good and we all loved the chips!! My husband was under whelmed with the steak and ale pie as he felt it had come out of the freezer instead of being home made. Like everywhere now you definitely need to book a table otherwise you will be in need of the chippy when you can’t get in! We also ate at the Union Inn over the road in Tremadog and personally would prefer to return there.

Written 14 August 2021

Tommy O

5 contributions

Dinner

Aug 2020 • couples

I would like to put up a review for our meal at the Golden Fleece but was extremely disappointed as we had to leave the restaurant prior to ordering! Two weeks prior to our holiday to Porthmadog, I booked dinner for one night during our stay.I booked in advance as due to Covid and social distancing I knew most of the restaurants would be busy. On arrival we were brought to a table in an upstairs area which reminded me of a cafeteria and seemed to be where they placed families with young children. There was no atmosphere or ambience and the room did not look anything like the photos of the cosy restaurant on their website. I asked the manager if it would be possible if myself and my partner could be moved to a table downstairs and was informed everything was fully booked so this would not be possible. I explained I had booked the reservation over the phone 10 day’s ago and was never told we would be seated upstairs.As they were unable to accommodate our request,we decided to leave as we didn’t want to spend our money in a restaurant that was not what we were expecting.I noticed upon leaving that the downstairs area had 2 tables with a couple of people seated and there seemed to be plenty of vacant tables.They obviously do not need the business as they did not seem particularly helpful or accommodating. I would recommend that when you make a reservation check first to see where you will be seated! Would not recommend the upstairs area as I think there are plenty of other restaurants which offer a more congenial setting.

Written 27 August 2020

goldenfleece1980

I am sorry to hear you are disappointed. As you will be aware we are currently in the midst of a pandemic. What you may not be aware of is the very stringent welsh COVID regulations which dictate that we have to separate tables by 2mtrs, stagger arrivals and leave time to thoroughly sanitise tables and chairs between customers. We have 7 areas plus a garden in our building and at no point did you request a specific area when making your reservation. We had no idea of where you had in mind that you wanted to sit, there for you were allocated a table for 2 upstairs along with several other tables. When you approached our manager about moving tables you were offered another table downstairs but again this was not to your liking. Despite there only being 2 of you in your party you specifically wanted a table in our cave that seated 8 people and was already allocated to a family of 8. I appreciate that there was 2 “spare tables” in the cave but as we explained Due to social distancing we could not allocate either table to another party as it would breach the 2mtr rule. You were not interested or receptive to the explanation. Any other tables that may have been awaiting guests to arrive in the downstairs were not tables for 2 they were 4’s, 6’s or 8’s thus we wouldn’t have been able to swap your tables. I will not apologise for enforcing regulations to keep staff and customers safe, this is the law here in Wales and if you want to sit close to others in the midst of a pandemic you were definitely visiting the wrong establishment. I would like to point out that we only ever go to work with the intention of pleasing customers, unfortunately on this occasion it’s clearly not what you felt. Covid has bought many challenges to our business and industry, one of the most difficult and disappointing is the lack of understanding amongst customers whom do not want or do not care to observe the laws that we are bound to.

Written 27 August 2020

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

dmchamberlain

Coventry35 contributions

More like a cafe, and not great hosts

Aug 2020 • none

We booked a table for 4 tonight, when we arrived we were allocated a table right next to the door, we asked if there were any other tables and were told no, this was when it was very quiet all they had to do was swap us with someone who had not yet arrived! I presume this was the 'manager/owner' that wouldn't move us. We asked another member of staff again and were eventually moved to another table out of the draught. I went to the bar to order drinks which had to be paid for then as they didn't like to run 'tabs'. Then we ordered mains which also had to be paid for then, very odd again for a 'restaurant'. A couple of minutes later we were told one meal was not now available, which isn't great when they said you had to pre pay so the order goes straight through to the kitchen. Meals were ok but whole experience was poor, no atmosphere, felt like a cafe, and must be the only place in Wales that doesn't do a lamb shank, very odd. The rooms can best be likened to when you move into an empty house and the only furniture is one table and one chair. If you want average food in a sterile atmosphere with poor hosting skills this is the place to eat. P.s. we are nothing to do with the previous review, which is even more odd!

Written 27 August 2020

goldenfleece1980

I am sorry I generally do not reply to trip advisors as I feel readers can make up their own minds. However your review is highly inaccurate / romanticised. You asked to be moved and you were offered 3 other tables, the first you didn't like due to the table hight, the second you didn't like because it was upstairs and the third you accepted you didnt like because it was in a busy area. I do believe our manageress was quite hospitable while she showed you to 4 different tables. Due to us being in the middle of a pandemic we are trying to minimise contact for customers and staff alike as set out in Welsh government guidelines. therefor we are asking guests to pay whilst ordering at the bar which is not unusual given we are a pub / inn. Of course there is a lot less atmosphere than normal... We are in the middle of a pandemic! There is plastic partitions between us and our customers and we have had to remove tables to allow a 2mtr gap between guests as set out BY LAW! If you wanted to visit a pub packed to the rafters with people taking no notice of COVID regulation you were definitely in the wrong place. Stay safe Team fleece

Written 28 August 2020

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

Becky T

2 contributions

Mediocre

Jan 2020 • couples

We stayed here for one night in the annex, room was very small with a tiny bathroom. More like a hostel. Breakfast was included in our rate and was limited to cereals and cooked buffet. It was luke warm. Coffee was good.

Written 26 January 2020

johnandjeanprice

Shropshire4 contributions

Disappointed

Aug 2020 • family

We were a family of 11 which decided to eat here to celebrate a family birthday. The pub was recommended by a friend who lives near by and said they were taking part in the government eat out scheme. We also checked on the government website and they are listed on there. We ordered food and was presented with the bill. The amount was not discounted, when I questioned this I was told they opteded out last week??? Also the lady said she tried to cal back when we rang to book but we never received any phone calls.??? Disappointed and would not visit again.

Written 10 August 2020

goldenfleece1980

I am sorry that you were disappointed that we were not taking part in the government scheme. Your friend was correct We did participate the first week however we deregistered for this week moving forward. We did make this clear to you at the point of ordering. The government website was not showing us as participating when I checked on Monday afternoon. We do not go to work with the intention to do anything other than please our guests and I Am sorry you feel let down on this occasion.

Written 11 August 2020

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

Victoria B

Caernarfon16 contributions

Overpriced for what it is

Jul 2021 • none

Nice little place but it's overpriced for what it is. Paying £16.50 for a burger I would have expected something exceptional. Don't get me wrong, it was nice enough but nothing exceptional about it. In addition, burger sauce was served in MCDs type of paper tub! My partner had a steak and it came with chips, onion rings and salad. No usual mushrooms, tomatoes etc. There are no portion sizes on the menu for pizzas nor steak. The waitress was not able to tell what size steak to expect. Pretty basic and boring menu. For the prices that beers are being charged at I would have liked to see more choice of local craft beers and ciders. It was a nice enough meal in a nice place but would not visit again.

Written 8 July 2021

Gail

Boston18 contributions

Terrible

Apr 2022 • family

Stayed over with family, booked 2 bedroom cottage for I night glad we weren’t there any longer, very tired looking inside, needs redecorating, weeds on the steps, flaking paint on windowsills and doors, not value for money. Fifth bed was a sofa bed and very uncomfortable. Ate in the restaurant food took an age to come out, my husbands came 15 mins before anyone else’s. They gave us a free round of drinks, but food was very overpriced and parts weren’t cooked properly as rushed it out. Would never stay there or eat there again. Don’t waste your money!

Written 13 April 2022

Sue H

Exeter76 contributions

Big portions!

Feb 2020 • none

A small friendly pub in the village square. There is a bar area where you can eat or there’s a dining area at the back. I ordered ham & chips (fresh cooked real ham) with mixed vegetables & my partner had scampi, chips & peas. Both were big portions & the chips were lovely. Both meals were priced between £13 - £14 each. We were surprised that the pub Itself closed at 10pm, but then I suppose it is a small village & it was mid-week in February.

Written 16 February 2020

wizzman

Manchester25 contributions

Great new look at the Golden Fleece

Sept 2020 • none

Great new look, welcome was fabulous and straight to the table. Ordering was easy at the bar and food came about 20 or so minutes and was gorgeous, hot and tasty. Well done team!!

Written 2 September 2020

paula W

2 contributions

Aug 2021 • none

Four us went to eat tonight and really impressed with the interior of the restaurant and the staff where all very helpful and polite.unfortunately the menu pricing is a little off the mark. The pate isn’t home made but the price of it would make you think it was the same with the Stilton burger which had very little Stilton on it was just a mass produced burger, for the price I feel should have been all freshly made.Two others in the party had prawn cocktail one had steak and the other had the fish and chips and both enjoyed it. I won’t be returning which is quite sad because there aren’t a lot of places to eat around Porthmadog area. Sorry just to expensive for what we had.

Written 31 August 2021

Jane G

Halifax28 contributions

Average

Aug 2020 • couples

Just had 4 nights here . Shown to our room across the square very small & a bit shabby bath tiles mouldy no excuse really . After 5 minutes we were greeted by 2 children at our window on the roof ! Changed room once we were offered one , facing out into square allot better room fresher & clean apart from shower again in need of a proper clean . I bought a bottle of bleach from spar and it was soon sparkling clean after squirting it round , not a great deal of effort needed tbh . Breakfasts (which are included only if you book direct with hotel )which we did , was lovely & loads of friendly young staff very helpful . Had one meal here which was ok however its not waiter service so it caused allot of congestion at the bar area when ordering food & walking about to bar for drinks etc which could easily be avoided . At one point there were 12 people in the small bar area which is not good considering . Overall an ok stay in a beautiful area bit spoilt by the weather . Best meal of the week The Goat Inn Porthmadog . The Ship Inn good too .

Written 28 August 2020

FandangoEspanol

446 contributions

TERRIBLE SERVICE AND POOR QUALITY FOOD

Apr 2022 • none

We were invited to eat at this place and the first thing I noticed was the small table for 4 they gave us despite ordering 2 "platters" (big wooden trays). They did not have the competency to give us a bigger table; instead we had to eat in cramped conditions. Secondly, the lighting is too low and we all hit our heads on the metal lampshades. What a stupid design. The food was ordinary, dry and rather presented in an unsightly manner. Terrible. I did not complain because we were invited otherwise I would have demanded to talk to the manager. Never again.

Written 9 April 2022

PiXieKIns

9 contributions

Great food, Service needs to be improved.

Jun 2021 • couples

The food is really lovely, only issues I had where I would of liked my calzone cut for me as it was really difficult to do myself. Also my cheesecake didn't have the base and needed just something to balance the sweetness (I had the gin cheesecake). My husband cheesecake was amazing. However service really needs to be improved, not very friendly or attentive. We where given starters but had to ask for cutlery, then we had to ask for cutlery with every meal. They didn't ask if our meal was okay till we where finished, and the wait for puddings was a little slow (20 mins). They didn't seem to know the menu, as when our meals arrived they said it was something different, and they brought wine we didn't order to the table. Would come here again for the food and hope that service is improved.