The Half Moon Inn

The Half Moon Inn

Someone from this business manages this listing.
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+44 1444 811582+ Add website
Hours
Sun
12:00 - 22:00
Mon
12:00 - 23:00
Tue
12:00 - 23:00
Wed
12:00 - 23:00
Thu
12:00 - 23:00
Fri
12:00 - 0:00
Sat
12:00 - 0:00
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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.
Ratings and reviews
4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles

RATINGS
Food
4.2 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.2 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Atmosphere
4.5 of 5 bubbles
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
PRICE RANGE
£5.00 – £11.00
CUISINES
Bar, British, Contemporary, Pub
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
meals, features
Does this restaurant offer free wifi?
About
A classic, cosy country pub. We are dog friendly and child friendly. Our restaurant caters a menu of traditional pub grub (with a few twists!) but with a very special touch, applied by our superb chef, Oli. We have a beautiful open hearth, which adds to the atmosphere of our wonderful building, dating back to the late 18th century. Great food, great beer and a great atmosphere - come and see for yourself!
PRICE RANGE
£5.00 – £11.00
CUISINES
Bar, British, Contemporary, Pub
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Table Service
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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles144 reviews
Excellent
67
Very good
43
Average
7
Poor
15
Terrible
12

rodandsara3
Horsham14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 family
This pub has been saved by the community who run it so was not sure what to expect but I have popped in for a pint and a bite to eat on several occasions after local country walks. On each visit I have eaten here the food has been first class and well priced, much better than many so called gastropubs. Service has always been friendly and efficient, I would thoroughly recommend a visit if you are passing . It is also dog friendly as a proper pub should be. Will be back
Written 24 November 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.

twinmummy1967
Horley140 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 none
We met friends for lunch and were hopeful when we walked in as it is a very attractive pub. The first person who served us (owner/manager?) was very funny with us when three of us ordered the vegetarian option. She made a point of going to ask the kitchen if that was ok and said that vegetarians normally phoned ahead to warn them! Really in 2022? We had another waitress who brought our food and took drinks orders who was very friendly and helpful. The passive aggressive waitress was back to take our bill though and was very unimpressed when we wanted to split it 50/50 and asked her to do that maths! Food was unexceptional but perfectly tasty, but the odd service would probably put us off returning.
Written 15 April 2022
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.

SussexFogey
Chur302 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 friends
First visit since the 1970s. Great atmosphere, with families, seemingly local. Mostly very friendly staff. Sunday lunch menu was spot on and a wide range of drinks was on offer. A pint of Harvey's, an Asahi and a bottle of Rathfinny rosé were ordered. These were served promptly. However, the roast beef, the pork and scampi took a long time to arrive. We were not concerned as our visit coincided with a womens' football match in Australia. That surely slowed things down a bit! The bar area was popular with dog owners and it was a delight to see well behaved Labradors and a Ridgeback. The food was superb. Plenty of tasty vegetables and well cooked meat. This was a very good lunch. - Terry.
Written 20 August 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.

claire H
3 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2024 family
After a lovely long walk on a Sunday a roast was in order and after seeing the photos and reviews thought we’d book here. The welcome was great, the ambiance warm and friendly, but the food…… our goats cheese starter was delicious, the perfect combination of sweetness from the honey drizzle and the sourness of the goats cheese. But, the roast, it was swimming in gravy, the beef was sinewy and presented with a large Yorkshire pud and 4roast potatoes and a side of veg to share between 2 persons consisting of 2broccoli florets, 4 carrot sticks and approx. 2 tablespoons of red cabbage!!! Not what at all what was expected 🙁
Written 10 November 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.

Karpol
Worthing7 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 friends
Booked for Sunday lunch, we had been before & it was very nice, boy how different it was today! Waited over an hour for a starter, after it was paraded to the next table it eventually ended up in front of me, warm dish & 5 prawns , not the best start Sat at table 4, lots of noise from chef ‘pippa’ in the kitchen, dishing out prefers, not that relaxing Sunday lunch. Then transpired they had no chips, not the we were bothered as we were waiting on roasts, but ‘Pippa’ from the kitchen started to f & blind, sorry I came for Sunday lunch, not to hear a load of expletives!! Complained to manager, who said our roasts were on their way, by which time, we didn’t want to stay, so paid for our drinks & left. Not a happy experience & certainly will not return. Sort yourselves out half moon, you need to set the service to the standard that matches your prices
Written 21 August 2022
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.
Nick M
You have clearly posted your review to the wrong Half Moon, we are The Half Moon Inn, Balcombe. Our chef is not and never has been called Pippa, we have never had an employee called Pippa in any capacity. If you order a prawn starter at our pub they do indeed come in a warm dish as they are a hot starter, at no point have we ever run out of chips. I am the manager and no one has complained to me about waiting for their roast lunch nor has anybody left without having their main course. If you must leave such scathing reports about peoples businesses and livelihoods at least have the decency to check you are posting to the correct venue. Please delete your post immediately
Written 6 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

maggie- mae
Burgess Hill2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022 couples
me and my partner arrived at the half moon in after making a reservation over the phone. we then got there we we’re told that there was a 45 minute wait with no table. we managed to get a table after seeing several free ones in the pub. it only got worse from there. we were waiting for over 20 minutes just to order drinks and we didn’t get our food until nearly 50 minutes later. when our food arrived my boyfriend had a problem with the burger no biggie he just wanted a new bun. however when he told the waiter this the waiter was seen telling this to the manager and the manager responded “ tell him to piss off” my boyfriend was very offended and upset by this as was i. i’m truly disgusted at the staff in this pub not to mention the overall atmosphere felt judgy and a bit locals only. the worst thing is the food wasn’t even good so it wasn’t even worth being told to piss off. i 100% DO NOT RECCOMEND this pub and i hope that the rude staff get what’s coming.
Written 23 January 2022
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.

MamiSandra123
Haywards Heath13 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2025 family
Came for Sunday lunch with our two boys. We had a great experience in March 24, so decided to return - very disappointed today. The roast potatoes were rock hard and impossible to cut or even get onto the fork. Chicken was on the bone which wasn’t as nice as last time when it was carved. The plates were absolutely swimming in gravy - would have been nice to have gravy on the side. One of us had the Mediterranean tart and the pastry was also rock hard. But the biggest let down was the veg…..we were asked to share a veg side between two which meant each person got 2 carrot batons and 1 broccoli floret as well as 2 tablespoons of red cabbage. Seemed very mean on the veg and a far cry from March 24. We are hesitant to return, having spent £70 for 4 people.
Written 5 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.

GlobalEater
665 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2021 couples
Uninspiring,seems like they want it to be a locals only pub and the food is dreadful. We arrived on time for our lunch booking to be told that food stops 30 minutes before that but the chef has agreed to stay on for us,the first thing I thought to myself is why mention it? That's not our problem if you took a booking and the chef isn't around and mentioning it only serves to immediately set a negative tone for your guests. The burger was the most inedible and underwhelming thing we have ever had,I've had some amazing burgers all around the world and to call this one is a disgrace. The meat was the cheapest they could find,had large chunks of fat inside of it and the bacon that topped it was pink and under cooked. I would not recommend this pub at all and would never go back.
Written 26 September 2021
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.

Sally R
Woking3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 solo
I was staying locally and my AirBnB host (Rosie) recommended me to eat here, as this is a village-owned community pub. I called to book and was greeted warmly. The pub was full when I arrived and the atmosphere was buzzing. I ordered the fish and chips and was delighted … tasty fish, crispy chips, and crunchy batter. The locals were friendly and made conversation and if I were in the area again, I would definitely be returning here.
Written 11 August 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.

Kensington L
London3 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022 couples
Went in after a nice sunny walk, waited at the bar whilst the barmaid was at the till, after a few minutes without her saying hello, or “I’ll be with you in a minute” I asked if “they were still serving food?” She replied: “have you booked? If you haven’t booked you can’t eat” At this point there was one table with people on it, and the rest of the pub was completely empty. I said “ok, well can we stop for a drink?” And she replied “yeah but I’m busy”. And wandered off. Incredibly rude barmaid. Think it’d be best to take your service elsewhere if you were planning to book a table.
Written 27 March 2022
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.

R from Steyning
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 family
Just happened to be passing and popped in with 9 others. Food took a while to arrive but all our meals were excellent. May be pricey for some - £12-18 mains - but all real food cooked from scratch, nice range on the menu, not too fancy but all dishes we got were excellent
Written 14 March 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.

Shaun A
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 solo
Despite me being a solo walk in on a Sunday lunchtime the staff were friendly, welcoming and arranged a table for me. The food was delicious and served piping hot. A lovely venue to have lunch and thoroughly recommended.
Written 3 July 2022
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.

HelenR
13 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 none
There's always a warm welcome at the Half Moon and I love the community feel with the party atmosphere at the bar, especially on a Friday and Saturday nights. The food is always tasty and features local produce so the quality is second to none. When venison and lamb are on the menu it is melt in the mouth but I also love the vegetarian Thai curry which is spot on for flavour and texture. A great place to be.
Written 24 January 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.

CatWhisperer88
Brighton32 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020 none
Hadn't been to Balcombe for ages so decided to stop off here for lunch having made a reservation the day before. Plenty of choice on the menu. I chose Harvey's beer-battered haddock, chips & peas & my partner had pie of the day (lamb) with mash & veg. Desserts were sticky toffee pudding & a peanut, caramel & chocolate stack. Food very good. Service attentive & friendly & we didn't feel rushed. Very well laid out with regards to social distancing having secured tall perspex panels between each table. Plenty of hand sanitiser bottles scattered around pub. Really enjoyed our visit & were warmly welcomed so many thanks for looking after us! Please visit & support this community owned pub!
Written 22 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.

dace520
Redhill868 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 none
We were asked to join 2 relatives to make a foursome for lunch. First impression, clean and tidy, and comfortable. Reasonable menu, including a vegan curry choice. No problem choosing different dishes. Staff were very accommodating. Beer, pale, simply super. Small selection but as any outlet they have to tailor their sales to customers. Unfortunately, most likely our problem in truth, the vegan choice, was ordered as a non-vegan option. Oops but they whisked it away & in double time supplied the vegan. Top notch for, no drama, & making the wife a really happy soul. Personally best fish and chips I've had for years - delicious. Am very likely to recommend this pub to friends. Will definitely put on our own 'map' for a return visit when local.
Written 31 January 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.

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THE HALF MOON INN, Balcombe - Updated 2025 Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor

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