Darran in Caerphilly

Good restaurant. Eat here very often.

Good pub serving nice food, San Miguel was really cheap when I visited.

A great evening, no complaints.

The Darren has recovered from previous poor experiences but this time we went with neighbours on a Saturday evening for a booked meal. All was good until 8pm. A singer then started to perform but the volume and over amplification leading to distortion not only drowned out what she was singing but made conversation impossible. The venue was very busy but soon emptied as a result. We may go to the Darren again sometime but definitely will give Saturday evenings a miss.

Although very busy, the staff were helpful and looked after us well. The food was good and well priced. Thanks.

Staff were very welcoming and chatty. It's always nice to be greeted by a friendly face when you enter a pub! The menu offered a wide choice of traditional bar meals at reasonable prices. Food was well presented and tasted lovely. There was no pressure to vacate our table after eating, which meant we could stay and chat.

Came here in December, dirty pint glasses, told the staff about it. Came again four months later, glasses still dirty! Service your dishwasher and use rinse aid!! ----------------------------------------- The Darren is hit or miss. It's a nice local pub and the food is good. Sometimes it's completely dead inside, and sometimes it's really busy and you can't get food. Keep in mind I only really visit on the weekend. They post out food vouchers to encourage more people to visit, but during these times you can't just turn up for food on the weekend as this increases demand. You have to book a table in advance if you want food. This is disappointing and is not typical for these kind of pub restaurants. Even the staff say they can't keep up when it's busy. This probably boils down to management falling short. When outside of these times, you can usually turn up without a booking on a weekend and it's quiet enough to get food.

Really good value for money. Very pleasantly presented. Staff friendly and very polite.

I've never felt comfortable walking into a pub or restaurant until I starting going to the Darren in Risca. The staff are incredible, so friendly and inviting. The food is out of this world my complements to the chef who is also a lovely guy. And to top it off its dog friendly inside at certain areas which to me is one of the most important things these days because people love there pets as if they are children and they got a dogs menu. It's definately our go to place. One thing would be nice is that they serve bottles of Coors or on tap but we can live without that.

Monday night is cask ale night, half price 😉

We booked a table online, staff were lovely. Our meal was perfect, we also tried some cocktails and shots. A very nice experience.

Lovely pub, friendly The staff were extremely friendly and apologetic at the lack of menu choice due to delivery delays. I was surprised at the speed the food arrived. The portion sizes were great, food hot and amazing plus dessert was delicious.

I visit quite often to treat myself to lunch. They have a £9.50 lunchtime meal deal. The meal is smaller than a normal portion but it is plenty for me. A starter or dessert can be ordered at a cheaper cost with this deal. The food is always well cooked and presented. I would suggest booking ahead if possible because they do get pretty full.

Brilliant service and excellent food 👌

Had to make a last minute booking for 16 of us after being let down for my granddaughters 21st have to say they went out of their way to accommodate us food was lovely and staff were excellent will definitely go back here for a meal

Sunday lunch was OK, nothing special, so value for money not great. No option for cauliflower cheese as a side, which was disappointing. It was OK, but won't rush back

Very friendly staff . The food order was taken promptly and arrived at the table hot and looking delicious. Parking is not an issue with their large car park

The staff are always lovely and welcoming. We had a roast dinner, which we enjoyed. The place was very comfortable as it was warm and very clean.

Lovely pub and staff but food a real let down. Waited 45 minutes for food even though pub quiet. Was told 5 minutes before food came out that items would be changed as run out.(this also happened on our last visit with table of 12, 4 of which told order wasn't avaiable). Mixed grill turned up missing egg and cold,not even warm,steak,chicken,gammon all cold,peas and mushrooms as though not even heated.partners chicken platter missing chicken wings ,was more like a plate of children's breaded chicken dippers. Definitely not worth the £19 each meal cost

Excellent service. Friendly staff. Good food.

Great staff and the food was really good

Food was very nice and service was good. It was quite cold in the pub.

The staff are fab really friendly Would recommend for food and service.

Lovely meal for a large family all brought out together, including GF option.

Sunday lunch was perfect. Veg was how it should be, cooked not hard. Bit of confusion about either ordering at the bar or table service.

Staff good helpful and polite thank you Food was good

Lovely fish & chips for my husband & myself. Helpful, polite staff & a relaxing atmosphere - can't ask for more 🫶❤️

The staff were brilliant and the food was very tasty, some of the meats were sold out , but the turkey roast was fab , nice atmosphere in the pub to .

We enjoyed the very reasonably priced festive set menu. All 3 courses were well presented and very tasty, we received great service and the atmosphere was friendly and suitably festive!

The girls were welcoming and cheerful. Service was excellent. Food was delicious. Compliments to the chef. Had a great night. Just wish you’d go back to having 8 people on the round table near the toilets. Much more fun if we can see and talk to each other. We have in the past rearranged our tables to a square.

My friends and I had a lovely 3 course festive meal. The service was great and the waitress even helped take a group picture. Overall, a fab evening, thank you.

Very expensive drinks for a local bar

Lovely pub. Had dinner and went back for breakfast.

Food is nice, but plate size isn’t value for money. £5.99 for 4 chicken strips? main meals are pretty standard, the sharers are only enough for one person and they’re £10, £6 a pint which is a bit steep for other pubs in risca. Servers are quite nice, not rude but not really energetic, depends what day you go in. I wouldn’t Choose to eat here but it’s good

Great place, delicious food and great location. Came here while I was having my car cleaned. Would go again.

Went for a meal early Dec on a Friday midday, waited 50 minutes for the food which when came was awful, the Hunters Chicken had no Sauce at all with it, but due to waiting so long didn't complain at the time as pushed for time by then. Message the Darren that evening explaining what happen and am still waiting for a response!!! Went in again three weeks ago to be greeted by female staff on their phones and looking like customers were an inconvenience, no pleasantries, no customer service whatsoever!! Last time will be visiting and this has been my local for years. Staff desperately in need of Hospitality training.

The Darran was booked for 18 people to attend a birthday meal. I cannot thank them enough for the hospitality we received. The food was hot and arrived together. No diners were waiting whike others were eating. This is the second time I have booked the Darran for a large party and will definitely be booking again.

Arrived earlier than our reservation but we're able to have our table which was great. Took advantage of curry and a drink and it was delicious. Staff very friendly and polite.

Gorgeous food. You get what you pay. Friendly and helpful staff. Doggy friendly and doggy menu, fab place. Never had a bad meal or bad welcome. Plenty of parking. Good for food or just a quiet drink 👌 Thank you Darran keep up the good work 😊😜

Friendly staff, great food and good value for money

Really disappointed. Meal was ok, but all our order didn't come, so we had to ask for the rest, then by the time it arrived our meals were cold. A dog urinated onbthr Floor, another customer complained, and it took over 30mins for someone to come and JUST spray something onto it. Won't be going back here.

Went for the first time Saturday out of the blue, was passing by and dec ided to try it out..food was lovely though portions were small, lovely crispy chips and piping hot, the lady that greeted us was lovely. Will definitely be going again and recommending it to our Airbnb guests.

Bar staff great table service was excellent food was great good atmosphere all round great place

Easy to book, staff are always friendly and food is fantastic. Have recommended family and friends to give it a go.

Lovely local pub staff are super friendly and they are very welcoming to all even the four legged customers

If I could of left 0 stars I would of service was absolutely appalling food was cold The Atmosphere was awful with every customer complaining we were refused a refund. Absolutely disgusting. I definitely wouldn't recommend better off going to McDonald's

It's a solid pub with a reasonably broad and traditional menu. I would say the food portions aren't as generous as they used to be, but I suspect all pubs are suffering from wafer thing margins to stay open these days. Nice location where you can walk the canal for a few miles and end at the Darran for food or drinks. Clean interior and looks well cared for, service is friendly and helpful. Child menu is decent and portions good and you'll get crayons and some drawing stuff to keep them amused for a bit.

Food and service was good, prices were reasonable, no problems. Parking was fine.Will use again.

Friendly service, reasonable prices

An absolute privilege to spend the evening here at their childhood cancer charity night tonight. Amazing entertainment, good food and wonderful atmosphere. Thankyou for allowing us to be part of it.

Very attentive to my gluten allergy, was really surprised how lovely my steak was and it was cooked perfectly! Chips were cooked fresh for me, lovely hot chips just what I love! Will most definitely be back, surprised how much of a good change this place has become!

Food good service was great atmosphere great

Great pub, lovely atmosphere and cheerful staff!! Had sausage and mash! Was beautiful! Will be visiting again

Food was cooked well but expensive for what was served. Bar service was ok. Annoyed we were harrassed several times during our visit by someone who clearly had disabilities and their support worker wasn't watching them. The disabled man took drinks and food from our table and staff and support worker did nothing

Really lovely food, all the staff are very friendly

Lovely traditional pub, food was very nice and wholesome.

Really lovely atmosphere, polite and friendly staff, tasty food and reasonably priced. Good range of alcoholic and soft drinks

Lovely family and dog friendly pub , the food was amazing

2 nd time I have been there since it reopened meals very good social distancing spot on would highly recommend people to use this pub.

Lovely food, well priced, friendly helpful staff.

Staff friendly, delicious burger, vinegar jug needs washing, tables a bit sticky

Great food and service Katie has really made the place come alive. Will definately be going back

An amazing place with top quality food. Love this place and it's now me regular. Staff and management are amazing and you're always welcomed.

The food and staff are great, no complaints. The only negative is the smell, while nice, it is overbearing and made me sneeze and have a stuffy nose throughout my visit.

Great place and price food was excellent and dog friendly too will be returning 5*

Staff were friendly but the food was absolutely dreadful. Never again. I had a mixed grill everything was so overcooked. My steak was like chewing on leather I asked for it medium. My egg was so overcooked it was like rubber. Just awful. Wouldn't recommend.

Went to the Darren last night what a disaster ordered food waited 90 minutes for starters still never arrived very disappointed

Nice Sunday Roast but could be a bit more generous with the portions especially Mashed Potato & Red Cabbage , which was wilted . I like value for money. As we both work long hours of employment and now eating out , is a treat for us. I’m not a moaner but potion size should be more than two or three mouthfuls.

Called in for lunch as passing and looked inviting from the outside. A pleasant inside environment. Very quiet, had a table easily. Facilities clean. A nice selection of drinks, a lovely cold beer. Staff pleasant but disorganised. Confusion appears with their roles. Lack of communication as witnessed. Ordered two curries and was asked by bar staff if I would like half/half rice and chips, so agreed with that option. Meals arrived in a timely manner but with no ' naan bread ' which was on the menu... question this with two members of staff and was then informed, ' sorry, they didn't have any ' of which I should have been told when ordering. No offer of any compensation, ie.. extra pompodom. The meals were small despite the large curry bowl served in, just a third on the bottom. A few chips and a small portion of rice. It was cooked nicely with a good taste. On request for the bill I felt absolutely cheated as was charged for two extra portions of chips of which I believe was not expecting as believed due to (as explained above) this was NOT an addition to my order. I waited for a staff member to speak with but this did not occur and I had to leave for an appointment. I am very disappointed with this and I ask that all staff should be informed of what's not available on the menu and to inform customers of additional costs when this was not apparent.

Great service from Lexi; always welcoming and friendly, good at recommending dishes too! Will always come back.

Good food. Good customer service from Lexy.

Beautiful meal this evening. Had steak and cocktails and enjoyed everything. The beef dripping and merlot sauce was amazing!

Staff friendly and helpful food basic but good with a good choice

Went to a wake there last week and they were superb.and considerate.

Called at lunchtime to book a table for this evening,,on arrival bar staff were looking for ages , despite a sign saying no tables available inside due a large booking, our booking couldn't be found, and despite a whole host of available tables on arrival we were given a choice of two dingy tables in the corner. A notice said please wait to be seated, despite this everyone else seemed to walk in and sit were they liked with out waiting to be shown to a table. When it comes to the food, the only choice of potato was chips, my wife is not over keen on chips, so ordered a sharing nacho dish. Basically this turned out to be a bowl of cheap version of Doritos covered in a tasteless obviously out of a jar cheese, some green stuff and four slices of a jalapeno pepper, there was no chives as mentioned in the very poetic licence on the menu. Now anybody that knows me will tell you that I love a steak and ale pie, so how disappointed I was to be presented with a concrete topping being past off as flakey pastry, the rest of the pie crust could have been used in a dental practice to remove teeth. In total the meal was dreadful. We don't live in the area and picked the Darren after visiting some years ago and having a fantastic meal. I can only think that either the busy day the pub has had grossly affected the normal standards or standards have dropped to an unacceptable level

Our second visit in 2 weeks love the feel of the place and the staff and so lovely and friendly. The food on this occasion was a bit dry and was missing items. But hey, it's all good. Will be back.

Great service food is at a hight quality & the staff are great

Macaroni cheese very dissapionted small portion Garlic bread cold. Burgers like patties or mc donalds again very disappionting served in what looked like a dog bowl Will not be back.......

Being a guest from the US I was very pleased at the staff, the food, and the service. % 100 satisfied! Thank you very much! Katherine Reeder

They were short staffed, but explained this and were very welcoming. The food arrived in good time under the circumstances and was delicious.

Lovely food but the Rocky Road Sundae was disappointing as they used cheap ice cream that tasted more like ice. Other than that, a lovely experience. Nice atmosphere, my burger and fries were delicious, and the pints on tap were lovely 👌🏾

Very polite and helpful employee, she opened the side door so I could bring my mom inside in a wheelchair and offered a choice of tables. Our meals arrived quickly, were plentiful and delicious. The overall experience was relaxing and enjoyable.

My partner and I had a great date night and Jess was extremely pleasant, friendly and helpful throughout the evening ☺️

Little gem tucked away in Cross Keys! Excellent food and service, very friendly welcome. Super clean, parking, and village atmosphere with quiz and poker evenings. Very nice lunch here.

We attend every Saturday for our evening meal the staff you have now are. Excellent but a word of warning be careful who you want in charge, I am not to sure I would want someone who spends all the time in the office and not on the shop floor seeing what's going on regards Nancy P

Having recently moved to the area visited The Darran for the first time last night. Everything about the place was excellent, the friendly welcome, the efficient ordering, time the meal took to arrive and the quality of food. I went for a mixed grill and my partner the chicken salad. We were both very impressed at the value for money the food was. We will definitely be returning sooner than later. Well done!

Good food, nice people, clean pub. Excellent Guinness..fantastic mixed grill with a salad .

We recently booked last minute on the way home. Arrived to waitress with attitude who just told us table round the corner. Then proceeded to loudly dump cutlery on the table. Went back behind the bar to look at her phone. At that point we got up and walked out after no attempt for drink order, or even a smile. We went to the sister pub up the road and had a fabulous atmosphere waiter and food. The waiting staff at the Darren should take notes.

Had stunning food there with family.

I was very disappointed. Firstly no brains beer then food was very disappointing I had dirty fries it was actually skinny fries with cheese and cold pulled pork covered in bbq sauce

Highly rate The Darran for food and service. There was a error on the booking system but they fitted us in with no issues. They went over and above accommodating us and making sure the children were fed first. Jess, Keran and chef were really lovely and nothing was too much trouble. Will definitely go back again. Thanks for a great meal 😊

I'm coeliac there is a separate menu for gf and chips are done separate in dedicated fryer I was so happy to have steak a chips! I didnt care they'd ran out of mums fish and while she wouldn't normally have a bean burger she enjoyed it. Dog friendly, coeliac friendly

Very relaxing.. reasonable price..staff very friendly 😄

This is our third time in last few months that we’ve chosen the Darran for food and can’t fault the service! Staff are really friendly and the food has always been really nice! Mother-in-law had the fish and said it was bloody gorgeous! 😊 Thank you, we’ll be back! 👍

Service was good considering we were a party of 5 adults and 4 children, although we had quite a wait for desserts. Given that these mostly consisted of ice creams, we felt they should perhaps have come out a bit quicker. The main courses were ok and everyone enjoyed their meals. My only complaint would be that the portion sizeof my vegan chilli was pretty small for the price of £8.50...the chilli itself was tasty but looked lost in the bottom of the metal skillet it was served in. The portion of rice it came with was, in my opinion, too big for the amount of chilli. I will point out though that I had ordered from the lunch deal menu which I was aware meant smaller amounts. We've been here a couple of times before and would return as quality of food is quite good and prices are generally reasonable

Service and atmosphere really good , food was really tasty but portion size was very poor.

Had an amazing meal, cooked to perfection and enjoyed a wonderful atmosphere and friendly staff!

Amazing service today from the team at the Darran. I ate here a couple of years ago and was underwhelmed but something has changed. The team were brilliant I booked a table for my mums birthday put a note on the booking to say it was her birthday, a banner at our booth, bunch of flowers even. A great start. Starters went down a storm; garlic mushrooms, prawn cocktail, mozzarella bites and chicken strips all empty plates. For mains; a couple of us opted for the roast dinner, so good, very generous portions and the homemade Yorkshire puds were fab, meat was cooked perfectly and te roast potatoes were yum 😋. The teens had the cowboy burger and again empty plates. Little room for puddings but the surprise little cake and candle for my mum was the icing on the cake. 7 of us dined and with drinks less than £160. Good value, great service. Thank you and defo recommend a visit

Service was really slow won't be coming back here.

We had a lovely time and the food was excellent we will be returning.