Smugglers Haunt Beefeater

Reviews

• BF

  Beezus Fuffoon

  May 26, 2026
  2.0
  Attempted to eat, 1330 on a half term Monday and the place was quiet with only a few pensioners eating. Took ages to get anyones attention, only to be told they are serving food. I looked confused as people had clearly eaten. He then reiterated no food due to short staff. Poor performance really as we were only after a light lunch.
• SR

  Steven Rahman

  May 21, 2026
  1.0
  My wife and I booked the unlimited breakfast for Saturday 16th May. Upon arrival we spoke with an elderly lady with glasses. We advised her we had a booking and provided our name. She looked on her system and said: ‘We don’t have a booking for you’. I advised her that we did book and we have the booking confirmation to show her. Her response was: “No, No, you’re not on the system- but I will see if I can squeeze you in”. She then said their booking system often has issues. We were shocked at her rudeness. For someone working in the hospitality business her response should have been: ‘I’m terribly sorry, we seem to be experiencing problems with our booking system at the moment, let me show you to your table’. She seemed very agitated and stressed and proceeded to tell us that she was on her own as a colleague had called in sick so would be back to take our order later. We were in no rush and were very polite and patient - as were the other customers in there at the time. When she took our order, I ordered 5 rashers of bacon as part of my breakfast. When the food came out there were only 2 rashers of bacon and can what can only be described as a clump of bacon rind. I politely reminded her that I had ordered 5 rashers to which she replied: “That is 5”. I pointed to the 2 rashers and explained that there was clearly only 2 and I had no idea what the ball of rind was there for. She said: “Well - it is what it is” and walked off! The customers either side of us were as shocked as we were and said that she had also been extremely abrupt and sharp with them as well. She later returned and asked if I would like some more bacon to which I said yes and some time later she returned with actual rashers of bacon and not bacon rind. My wife then asked if she could have another fried egg. The waitress replied: “We’re very busy so you’re going to have to wait a very long time”. We were flabbergasted at her rude response. Another elderly customer had a problem with the toaster which appeared to be smoking and the waitress let another young customer crawl under the table to turn the power off! We have dined in this restaurant before as are local and have never experienced such rudeness. I have better things to do than spend time writing reviews but feel compelled to do so on this occasion- such was our terrible experience and all due to one particular member of staff. We all have bad days but I strongly suggest that she attends a customer service course / retrains as she does not appear to know how to communicate politely. There are ways of saying things and rudeness is never acceptable no matter what the circumstances.
• AC

  Alan Cherrington

  May 20, 2026
  1.0
  Dined 17th at 5pm on arrival told no roast dinners, Mediterranean salads or meat on skewers avaliable by manageress. Meals we ordered were ok but service was very slow, not many staff around. Table had not been cleaned properly, seat was ripped and carpet was dirty. Gave manageress my beefeater loyalty card when paying the bill she couldn't be bothered to swipe it. Very disappointed as we have eaten here many times and had no problems. The place has definitely gone downhill.
• SH

  Suzy Harris

  May 20, 2026
  1.0
  On arrival we were advised by tge Manager that the Roast Mediterranean Salads and Meat Skewers and Fish were all off the Me u as they had run out. The Meals we ordered were adequate however the table was dirty and sticky and the padded seating was ripped also we were addressed as “You Guys” which we found to be familiar and disrespectful. In the past we have eaten at this Beefeater many times and have always been happy with the food and service however this time we were not. The standards have definitely dropped.
• LA

  Linda Adams

  May 16, 2026
  5.0
  Ate a wonderful Unlimited Breakfast but the best part of the experience was June our waitress. Her way of interacting with guests was both familiar and professional. Rushed off her feet she remained gracious and attentive to guests. I spoke with the manager who I understand had to stand in for the first shift cook who didn't turn up and I know he worked the dinner shift the night before because I was there. All in all it meant a little longer wait but because we knew to expect it, it was unconcerning. I've eaten in Michelin Star restaurants where the service couldn't touch what we experienced today. @Whitbread should acknowledge and reward this team.