The Dining Room at Royal Sportsman Hotel

Someone from this business manages this listing.

326 reviews

#12 of 33 Restaurants in Porthmadog££ - £££, Bar, British, Welsh

+44 1766 512015+ Add website

Hours

Sun

18:00 - 20:30

Mon

18:00 - 20:30

Tue

18:00 - 20:30

Wed

18:00 - 20:30

Thu

18:00 - 20:30

Fri

18:00 - 20:30

Sat

18:00 - 20:30

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Ratings and reviews

4.0

326 reviews

#12 of 33 Restaurants in Porthmadog

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Details

Someone from this business manages this listing.

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CUISINES

Bar, British, Welsh

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch

features

Location and contact

131 High Street, Porthmadog LL49 9HB Wales

+44 1766 512015

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Is this restaurant appropriate for Kids?

Yes

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Details

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About

The style of cooking is seasonal Modern British with a contemporary look for the adventurous along with classic British Fayre, for those who enjoy traditional meals at lunch or in the evening, served in the restaurant, bar, lounge or garden from 12.00pm till 2.30pm and 6pm till 8.30pm.

CUISINES

Bar, British, Welsh

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch

FEATURES

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

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4.0

326 reviews

Excellent

157

Very good

Average

Poor

Terrible

hedygergely

4 contributions

Good food but badly run kitchen.

Aug 2020 • none

The food was very good but there was such a mess around with our orders. We had to wait for parts of our meal that should of been included on it when it was first brought to our table. It was such a wait for the other parts to arrive and when they eventually did the main part of the meal was cold. Also, lemon wedges with fish meals is a fundamental must. We had to wait again for these to be brought to us when I requested them. They should of been with the meal. Also, they ran out of new potatoes. There is a Tesco open across the road. I've worked many years in catering....when such a thing occurs it's simple to send a staff member to run and get some. Jude, the head waitress, was fantastic with her customer service though. Thank you Jude! It was a busy night but the menu is very condensed due to covid, so big mess-ups on simple dishes shouldn't happen. The kitchen, I believe, needs some order or training because this was a night of one cock-up after another.

Written 31 August 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.

lynne t

Bristol36 contributions

Excellent Meal

Aug 2021 • none

We visited during lockdown and every restriction was observed - temperature taken etc. We ate from the set menu where you could choose two or three courses, which was reasonable and the Welsh Lamb Rump was superb. The service and presentation of the food was really good and I would recommend the Sticky Toffee Pudding

Written 12 August 2021

Ledders

Worcestershire493 contributions

Raising the bar in Porthmadog

Aug 2021 • couples

Lovely restaurant in a town void of good eateries. We visited mid week, nice atmosphere in their newly renovated dining room. Great menu and food that is well prepared and presented. 2 or 3 course option menu (£25 / £32) as well as a la cart options and side dishes Service was attentive and professional Welsh lamb a great choice. Well done the to the team at The Royal Sportsman clearly you are raising the bar for others to aspire to in the town.

Written 26 August 2021

Paul

Swindon64 contributions

Excellent Sunday Lunch

Aug 2020 • couples

Phoning around on a Saturday evening, it was difficult to find anywhere available to book Sunday lunch. We'd eaten the previous Sunday at The Portmerion Hotel (outstanding!) but they were fully booked. The reviews for The Royal Sportsman were not great but I was able to book easily for the Sunday. We were apprehensive but in fact it was SUPERB. My wife and I both had the Sunday traditional roast beef dinner, no starters or puddings, and Malbec red. The staff were courteous, thoughtful but not intrusive. The surroundings were attractive, clean not dated. The food was so excellently cooked, the veg not overdone, the beef succulent. We were very happy. In fact we're totally mystified by some of the less-than-positive reviews. We've eaten at some very expensive, high - end restaurants, and our experience at The Royal Sportsman was very, very good indeed. The staff were professional and the food really excellent. Most enjoyable.

Written 25 August 2020

Chris Beattie

3 contributions

Excellent food and service. Brilliant for allergies.

Aug 2020 • family

We visited the Royal Sportsman in August 2020 and they had just reopened after lockdown. They were very careful with Covid and we were greeted by a pleasant receptionist who took our temperature on arrival. The service was faultless and they had brilliant understanding and knowledge of allergies. They were able to cater and adapt for a dairy free child and had gluten free options as well. The quality of food was impeccable and the quantities were perfect. We had the lamb which was tender and cooked to perfection. The chocolate brownie was delicious and gluten free which meant that my son could have it. Admittedly the decor was tired looking but please don’t be put off by this as the food and service more than made up for it. We took advantage of the Eat out to help out scheme,so we had a delicious meal that we will always remember .

Written 8 August 2020

Fozzy279

Blaenau Ffestiniog97 contributions

Dissapointed

Apr 2022 • none

Our party of 4 visited towards the end of April. We were quite excited as we know the new owners have a restaurant / hotel in Criccieth which we have visited and enjoyed many times. I have to say we all cam away "underwhelmed". The menu is rather limited we found and on the pricier side given the quality and quantity of the food. The plaice was watery and tasteless, I had the cajun chicken burger which I would have been disappointed with if I'd been served it at a midnight takeaway after closing time at the pub! Very poor quality just like a Harlech frozen food offering. Our friends had the fish platter which was a joke to be honest - they didn't even get two of everything to share - a point we raised with the staff who told us the odd bits were "extras" put on by the chef???? A side order of chips was apparently for 3 - which was less then the portion I got on my plate with the dreadful cajun chicken burger. Overall, very disappointed. Nice ambiance, waitress was friendly enough but didn't make up for the overpriced, mediocre food. As locals there are much better places to visit so doubt we will be back in a hurry. Shame

Written 2 May 2022

MarkDerbyshire

163 contributions

Don’t be put off by first impressions

Aug 2022 • none

When you first enter this hotel , and even the look from the street, it’s decor and furnishings make you wonder if you have made the right choice. You have. The staff are fabulously friendly. The decor in the dining room is refurbished distinctively and ambience may be suboptimal but the food is worth the wait. The scampi and chips very good ; the lamb was succulent cooked to perfection and with an intense jus that would grace many a fine establishment. Vegetables were plentiful, cooked correctly and not messed about with. I didn’t even notice the lack of pommes Anna as advertised, substituted for nice boiled in skin new potatoes. Finally, the wine list is a revelation for such a small hotel. Some great bottles in there. You need to book - but do. You won’t be disappointed.

Written 21 August 2022

Michael O'Reilly

Thank you so much for taking the trouble to review our restaurant. We are delighted you enjoyed your meals. We are a hidden gem that more and more people are finding out about, which is why it's essential to book. Hope to see you back again soon.

Written 28 August 2022

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

Clairey_JH

Leeds16 contributions

Disappointing Experience with Inexperienced Staff and Overpriced Drinks

Jun 2023 • couples

Last night, we decided to have dinner here based on the trip advisor reviews. While the food itself was undeniably delicious, our overall experience was marred by the presence of inexperienced staff and a clear sense of being taken advantage of when it came to the drinks menu. Upon arrival, we were seated, and our orders were taken. Unfortunately, our first issue arose when we had to ask for water on three separate occasions before it was finally brought to our table. To make matters worse, they only brought still water despite our request for one still and one sparkling. Another disappointing aspect was the absence of garlic bread, which was supposed to accompany our meal. I had to personally inquire about its whereabouts, only to discover that it had not been included in the order. Regrettably, it arrived after we had already finished our pasta, leading to a disjointed dining experience. To rectify their mistakes, our waitress kindly promised to remove the drinks from our bill as an apology. However, when the bill arrived, it was evident that she had only taken off the cost of the garlic bread. This discrepancy in the bill left us feeling as though we had been taken advantage of. Adding to our sense of being ripped off, the issue with the wine selection was the most shocking of all. Since we were not provided with a wine list, I simply asked for a bottle of the house red. To our surprise, when the bill arrived, we discovered that the house red wine had been charged at a staggering £33! Subsequently, when we visited the bar area, we noticed several bottles priced at £22.50. We approached the bar to question the exorbitant charge and were informed that the £33 bottle was indeed their designated house wine for meals. This experience left us feeling thoroughly disappointed and deceived. It is essential for future patrons to exercise caution and specifically ask for a wine list, as well as be explicit about their wine preferences to avoid feeling ripped off. The inconsistency in pricing and lack of transparency regarding the house wine left us questioning the integrity of their service. While the food itself was commendable, the untrained staff and the apparent overcharging for drinks tarnished what could have been an enjoyable dining experience. We hope that the restaurant takes our feedback constructively and takes steps to address these concerns to provide a better overall experience for future customers.

Written 28 June 2023

Michael O'Reilly

Thank you so much for your feedback about your experience in our restaurant. We are pleased that you enjoyed your meal but so very sorry you were disappointed with the service. Most of the front of house team working on the evening you were here are all experienced in our restaurant so we cannot understand why, especially with the wine, this happened. However, we will investigate what happened and tweak our working practices to ensure it never happens again. It certainly wasn’t our intention to deceive you in any way and we are very sorry you felt this way.

Written 3 July 2023

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

Chris S

7 contributions

Excellent food with good service

Nov 2021 • none

We have stayed at the Royal Sportman a couple of times before and eaten with them on both occasions. The food then was good. On this visit it was clear that both food and service had been improved by at least a couple of notches. The dining room has been revamped too. I’d particularly recommend the ham hock terrine with homemade piccalilli starter and lamb rump main, bug everything that my wife and I was very enjoyable. Service was friendly and efficient.

Written 13 November 2021

Pebble

5 contributions

Royal Sportsman Hotel and Restaurant

Jun 2022 • none

Stayed at the hotel for a four night break, dined in every night. The food was good, the staff excellent, very friendly, helpful, and professional in their attitude towards providing a brilliant service, thereby leaving you with a very pleasant experience, pricing was not any dearer than any other eatery. Worth a try.

Written 21 June 2022

Michael O'Reilly

Thank you so much for your five star review. We're delighted you enjoyed your meals.

Written 28 August 2022

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

Rob K

Manchester95 contributions

Lovely food, well served, and friendly vibe

Aug 2020 • none

The food was excellent. The staff were tip-top, on the ball and friendly. A couple of niggles - ordered two scoops of ice cream, but initially only one came (but that was sorted) and asked for no peas with the main meal, and peas came with it.

Written 25 August 2020

Victoria G

10 contributions

Overpriced Sunday lunch - disappointed

Mar 2024 • couples

We have never visited the Sportsman on a Sunday but decided to drop by for Sunday lunch. The welcoming receptionist took us through to the bar that was empty... On a Sunday lunchtime??? We ordered a soft drink and a pint and two Sunday roasts. The roast dinners were fairly good but for the price I would have expected real roast potatoes and not deep fried roasties. This was the most expensive Sunday lunch we've ever paid for and certainly overpriced and includes a mandatory service charge (which I object to on a meal for two - it should always be discretionary unless for larger groups). Two Sunday roasts and two drinks over £60... We now know why the Sportsman is empty on a Sunday lunchtime. This is a lovely venue which we have visited for a pub meal several times last year but now seems to have priced itself out of the market. What a shame, I'm not sure we will return soon.

Written 29 March 2024

Michael O'Reilly

We are deeply saddened to hear that you were disappointed with your recent Sunday lunch. On the Sunday you visited, we had only just reopened for lunch after the winter season, which was probably why the bar was empty. We see that you went for our two-course option which shows the price on the menu and is very competitive. The service charge is not mandatory. It clearly says on the menu that it is optional and can be removed on request. We hope you will give us another chance, either for lunch or dinner during the summer months.

Written 30 March 2024

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

Sue C

74 contributions

Outstanding food, stylish restaurant

Apr 2023 • couples

Although outside the Royal Sportsman looks like any small town Welsh hotel, the bar and dining room are quite different with refreshing modern decor and atmosphere, service was good and food outstanding with a range from 'pub' style to fine dining dishes. We had the steak pie, vegetarian burger and prawn linguine which I would particularly recommend , the prawns were very fresh and the fusion of flavours was delicious. I will certainly eat here again when I next visit Porthmadog.

Written 9 April 2023

Michael O'Reilly

Thank you so much for your kind words, both about our restaurant and bar and the food we serve. We are delighted you enjoyed your meals and look forward to welcoming you back when you are next in Porthmadog.

Written 14 April 2023

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

Hugh G

South Milford149 contributions

Perhaps the slightly upmarket place to eat in Porthmadog, currently?

Sept 2021 • none

Indeed Porthmadog does give the impression it's not going to be a gourmet's delight. Compounded currently due to many esablishments being closed for a number of covid related reasons, it appears, limiting the choice. Fortunately we'd had the foresight to book a few days ahead because the Royal Sportsman was the only place with availability. Limited menu currently as is quite the case generaly but food of good quality and sizeable portions. Service good, friendly and helpful staff. Very covid compliant. For all you get the impression this is the place to eat in Porthmadog the prices are not really any dearer than average elsewhere.

Written 18 September 2021

Chris C

Devon3 contributions

Great Sunday lunch

Jul 2023 • friends

Our Sunday lunch club goes to different places and this turned out to be one of the best. The service was excellent and the food was rated positively by everyone, in terms of taste, variety, quality, presentation and value. Instead of queueing at a carvery, the fixed menu choices accommodated everyone, including special diet needs. We'll certainly want to return.

Written 10 July 2023

Michael O'Reilly

Thank you so much for your lovely comments about our Sunday Lunch. Everything we aim to achieve, you have mentioned positively in your review. We look forward to you returning.

Written 12 July 2023

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

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