Good prices, the food is delicious, the staff is friendly, always good music, the atmosphere is cosy. I always go here when I come to Colchester. Never disappoints.
Peter D
Ordered large cod and chips well that was a mistake, ordering food. The chips are the cheapest frozen ones you can buy from the supermarket a sack for £1. The large cod was small, the mushy peas ( I turned the manakin upside down and they stayed in, the lemon was full of pips. The hunters chicken was bone dry, to top it all a bloke was let in for a pint with his Great Dane that sat there watching us eat, the fat bar man had a face like stone. I should have kept a tab open then I would have refused to pay for the poor food. AVOID there’s a Wetherspoons down the road and the food is heck of a lot better than the pigswill they served us.
Julie Stores
What a lovely pub especially if you have Jack Russell dogs. Wonderful food, would recommend the pie of the day. Ist time visit and will definitely revisit.
Keith Parrott
A busy town centre pub, with a good range of ales and beers and a menu with something for everyone. Friendly efficient staff keep things moving. Always a stop off when in Colchester.
Sarah F
Food was really nice, larger than average portion. Average prices, we enjoyed the pit stop. Thanks!
Katy
Exceptional service, good food, reasonable prices, and very dog-friendly.I come here often for lunch and have been on a few occasions for drinks after work. The staff are friendly and attentive, and the service is quick. I'm a fussy eater and they kindly cater to my requests without rolling their eyes!It has a real old-pub feel inside but is clean and well kept. There are definitely loads of regulars here, which says a lot in a town full of pubs and restaurants.There is an outside seating area, which is unbearably hot sometimes due to the plastic cover overhead - but it's a nice place to sit otherwise.The main reason I keep coming back is because it's the best place to eat in town with a dog. The staff all seem to be animal lovers and he is always given a bowl of water and a treat. Unlike other places that 'tolerate' dogs, I feel like they're actually pleased to have him there! It makes such a huge difference to me that he is welcome, as he is with me for my lunch breaks five days a week. Thank you for this.
James Griffin
A little tucked away even though it's in the middle of town. Nice food and good ales, with some decent local brews on.
David Waters
Went there for a couple of pints with friends.There were six real ales on offer.Friendly bar staff and a good atmosphere.
AndPoochMakes5
Stopped here for lunch with my son between college sessions. It was a hot day but we sat by a window and the pub was very airy. It has a nice atmosphere and there is a mix of families, groups and singles having a pint with their paper. The staff are very friendly. It's a nice place to sit and people (and dog) watch, if you are so inclined. We were told food would take poss. 45 mins which was just about doable, it came in 30 which was good, at the time... My son (ASD) asked for a burger with cheese and with NOTHING else. It arrived very pink, with lukewarm bacon on, which I quickly removed and disposed of and the cheese was only half melted so easy to restore to the burger. There should have been alarm bells here but foolishly we ate on as we were pushed for time. Apparently it all tasted ok if not hot. I had scampi and chips. Strangely they all arrived in one pile. With mushy peas in a pot. Some of my scampi weren't too hot in the middle and two were still grey and watery. It wasn't very appetising. (I left a few). Fast forward and we have both had upset stomachs. My son has been violently ill through Friday and ongoing into Saturday. We *probably* won't be eating here again! If you do choose to eat here and your food arrives 'a bit odd'...DON'T RISK IT!
Andy Bridden
Had lunch at the purple dog after a stressful exam. Food was good and generous portions, with veggie options. Friendly staff who loved our dog and have her lots of attention. Would go back next time we are in Colchester
Restaurantji Recommends
CapriceHagan
So lucky and happy to have found this place! Came here with a friend and two dogs (5th of June) and had such an amazing time, the two bartenders Sam and James just gave us an incredible night! Lovely cocktail, mixers and shot recommendations and even came with treats for the dogs! Were very helpful with pointing us in to nice directions to go! We felt so welcome and the dogs were so happy! Happy dogs make a happy owner! Will definitely be passing by here again when making a trip down! Thank you for such a nice evening!!
Wiebo Grobler
Great menu with tasty food and friendly staff. Good selection of beers and also decent outside area with heaters and it's located nicely in the middle of town.
Paul Hainesborough
Had Sunday roast. Food was so very tasty. Plenty of it too. Will definitely call again.
Gillian S
Went her about 2 weeks ago, food was good, family happy, beer cold. Went today, they don’t seem to know the difference between chicken strips and chicken burger and insist the burgers come in strips rather than apologise and replace meal. ASD daughter didn’t like the fact that it was different to last time. Had a stressful next few hours and had to send for take out of a chicken burger for her when we got home. Three chicken strips do not make a chicken burger in any eatery.
Richard Stebbing
Great food, always welcoming staff and a respectable range of beers.
Good prices, the food is delicious, the staff is friendly, always good music, the atmosphere is cosy. I always go here when I come to Colchester. Never disappoints.
Ordered large cod and chips well that was a mistake, ordering food. The chips are the cheapest frozen ones you can buy from the supermarket a sack for £1. The large cod was small, the mushy peas ( I turned the manakin upside down and they stayed in, the lemon was full of pips. The hunters chicken was bone dry, to top it all a bloke was let in for a pint with his Great Dane that sat there watching us eat, the fat bar man had a face like stone. I should have kept a tab open then I would have refused to pay for the poor food. AVOID there’s a Wetherspoons down the road and the food is heck of a lot better than the pigswill they served us.
What a lovely pub especially if you have Jack Russell dogs. Wonderful food, would recommend the pie of the day. Ist time visit and will definitely revisit.
A busy town centre pub, with a good range of ales and beers and a menu with something for everyone. Friendly efficient staff keep things moving. Always a stop off when in Colchester.
Food was really nice, larger than average portion. Average prices, we enjoyed the pit stop. Thanks!
Exceptional service, good food, reasonable prices, and very dog-friendly.I come here often for lunch and have been on a few occasions for drinks after work. The staff are friendly and attentive, and the service is quick. I'm a fussy eater and they kindly cater to my requests without rolling their eyes!It has a real old-pub feel inside but is clean and well kept. There are definitely loads of regulars here, which says a lot in a town full of pubs and restaurants.There is an outside seating area, which is unbearably hot sometimes due to the plastic cover overhead - but it's a nice place to sit otherwise.The main reason I keep coming back is because it's the best place to eat in town with a dog. The staff all seem to be animal lovers and he is always given a bowl of water and a treat. Unlike other places that 'tolerate' dogs, I feel like they're actually pleased to have him there! It makes such a huge difference to me that he is welcome, as he is with me for my lunch breaks five days a week. Thank you for this.
A little tucked away even though it's in the middle of town. Nice food and good ales, with some decent local brews on.
Went there for a couple of pints with friends.There were six real ales on offer.Friendly bar staff and a good atmosphere.
Stopped here for lunch with my son between college sessions. It was a hot day but we sat by a window and the pub was very airy. It has a nice atmosphere and there is a mix of families, groups and singles having a pint with their paper. The staff are very friendly. It's a nice place to sit and people (and dog) watch, if you are so inclined. We were told food would take poss. 45 mins which was just about doable, it came in 30 which was good, at the time... My son (ASD) asked for a burger with cheese and with NOTHING else. It arrived very pink, with lukewarm bacon on, which I quickly removed and disposed of and the cheese was only half melted so easy to restore to the burger. There should have been alarm bells here but foolishly we ate on as we were pushed for time. Apparently it all tasted ok if not hot. I had scampi and chips. Strangely they all arrived in one pile. With mushy peas in a pot. Some of my scampi weren't too hot in the middle and two were still grey and watery. It wasn't very appetising. (I left a few). Fast forward and we have both had upset stomachs. My son has been violently ill through Friday and ongoing into Saturday. We *probably* won't be eating here again! If you do choose to eat here and your food arrives 'a bit odd'...DON'T RISK IT!
Had lunch at the purple dog after a stressful exam. Food was good and generous portions, with veggie options. Friendly staff who loved our dog and have her lots of attention. Would go back next time we are in Colchester
Restaurantji Recommends
So lucky and happy to have found this place! Came here with a friend and two dogs (5th of June) and had such an amazing time, the two bartenders Sam and James just gave us an incredible night! Lovely cocktail, mixers and shot recommendations and even came with treats for the dogs! Were very helpful with pointing us in to nice directions to go! We felt so welcome and the dogs were so happy! Happy dogs make a happy owner! Will definitely be passing by here again when making a trip down! Thank you for such a nice evening!!
Great menu with tasty food and friendly staff. Good selection of beers and also decent outside area with heaters and it's located nicely in the middle of town.
Had Sunday roast. Food was so very tasty. Plenty of it too. Will definitely call again.
Went her about 2 weeks ago, food was good, family happy, beer cold. Went today, they don’t seem to know the difference between chicken strips and chicken burger and insist the burgers come in strips rather than apologise and replace meal. ASD daughter didn’t like the fact that it was different to last time. Had a stressful next few hours and had to send for take out of a chicken burger for her when we got home. Three chicken strips do not make a chicken burger in any eatery.
Great food, always welcoming staff and a respectable range of beers.