Dirty Duck in Stratford-on-Avon

A great pub for a drink, we sat in the actors bar 🍸 😀

Great pub in Stratford upon Avon and right opposite the RSC theatre. Great menu to choose from and a very lively atmosphere. Can be very busy but you can reserve a table.

Was of to a good start as we entered found a table barley very busy it was also freezing cold no heating or fire although starter was good but the food was increadable awful the steak was like plastic so much for 28 dry ages sirloin and the chips were Aldi’s finest raw inside as well as cold onion rings that had no taste would not come back pub is nice though maybe I had a bad day

Every time we go in it's so flippin COLD ! Everyone else had their coats on too . Not comfortable. Left after first drink. ( really cold January day - felt no heating on whatsoever)

A great place to eat and drink in Stratford. The burgers were delicious, the steak pie was great. Highly recommend if you fancy a food and drink in the centre of Stratford

Greta food and a nice choice of good ale

Visited the dirty duck for a drink with our friends for my birthday, it is a brilliant pub with a great atmosphere, we had a good laugh and I loved my green king glass. Would definately go back and try the food next time x x x

Great place on Stratford. Proper food, not just tourist stuff and very good selection of beer.

steeped in history and RSC culture, without becoming a tourist trap

Wonderful place! The garden and ambiance are lovely and it’s a quick walk from/to the RSC, so perfect for a pre-theatre meal. Plus, according to my 19-year-old, their mac-n-cheese is the best he’s ever tasted!

Surprisingly good food for a Green King and awesome atmosphere especially after a play.

Nice food and atmosphere but quite expensive £60 for two main courses. Also for some reason, one of the workers stood by our table waiting for us to finish our food and then while I was chewing food he came over and asked if we were done, before I could reply he took our plates away, my unfinished food with it! Not sure why, as we hadn’t been there too long and it was not busy, nor was it close to closing time-5pmish Also if you want to come you need to reserve, we came and it was empty but only one table didn’t have a reserved sign on it.

Lovely pub fantastic food and drinks lovely staff and very reasonably priced for such a lovely location

Lovely place to eat. Always busy in a good way, bustling with all sorts. Reminds me of classic London pubs. Foods lovely as well albeit a bit on the dear side. Second visit, and will visit again. Dog friendly

Perfect dining spot by the river, cosy open fire, food very good

As I said before. LOVED the pub and the food. Only surpassed by the service.

Great to see they had taken my request on board to sit by the window, great staff and great food, I would go again.

Had an excellent Christmas dinner in the pub food, excellent and plentiful staff cheerful, and the pub had a great Christmas vibe. If you're in Stratford-upon-Avon and going to the theatre, this is the pub for you, And you just might see an actor in the play you've just been to. Highly recommend

Our favourite pub in Stratford, lovely food and a big thank you to Katie who made us so welcome and found us a lovely seat in the bar area. Great pub

We went early and ordered early. Glad we did as it filled up quickly with both dogs and children. We were served by Lucas who was very very pleasant. Made the lunch five star.

We had dinner here on Xmas day as a family of 6 this year. Food was excellent, really generous portions and service was really good. Thank you to all the staff for a great Xmas dinner out.

Lovely atmosphere. Love a dog friendly pub. Food was great, fast service, very tasty. Staff were very friendly and took great care of us.

Just wanted to say thanks to Patrick and all the team for the wonderful day great food and great service best pub in Stratford see you all soon Giovanni

The atmosphere was very festive, the service was good and the two dishes of vintage cheddar Mac and cheese , vintage cheddar bacon burger were excellent , especially the burger was top quality.

Lovely lunch with friends. great service from friendly, helpful staff. Good choice of food, we have allergies and a vegetarian all we’re catered for with generous portions. We were all very happy.

Girls on tour.We came to Stratford to experience the Christmas Market wasn't disappointed.We booked our table in advance which was a good idea.Had a lovely day.Happy 🎄

Pre theatre dinner at this Greene King pub with a premium menu. Menu choices, quality of food, and the service were excellent. You do need to book - it’s understandably very popular in such a great position opposite the River Avon just a couple of minutes from the RSC.

Second visit here. Great ambience, good service and attentive staff, great food and beer and good value. Perfect for pre theatre dinner!

Book in advance. Very old 16th century inn. This is a very busy and popular pub. The view over the river is beautiful and it's very close to the RSC. Lovely garden space out back. Staff very friendly and helpful and the food is very reasonably priced and plenty of it. Well worth a visit.

Really good ambience and food. Staff coped well with a lively three year old. We weren't rushed at all which was great because we were meeting family from abroad who we hadn't seen for 5 years. It was very busy with work Christmas get togethers later in the afternoon. Would go again if in the area.

Ate here earlier in year and had a pleasant but unremarkable meal. Last night I stupidly ordered the Xmas menu and had their pigs in blankets starter and the Turkey Dinner. These are two of my favourite things. I even checked before I ordered that the turkey would be proper carved turkey and not some processed rubbish shipped in for Xmas. I was assured it was the real thing. The starter and main course arrived and were both totally inedible. I could not believe anyone could make pigs in blankets so tasteless and unappealing that I could not eat them - but they did . Unbelievably the turkey then arrived as 3 identical circles of processed meat - it tasted so awful I honestly think my cat may have refused to eat it. Despite being pretty ravenous I left the lot . I took a pic which I'll try to add to this review. To be fair the staff refunded my meal and also my sisters which was a salad served on a hot plate ! Green King should be ashamed of supplying the pub with such low quality food to foist on customers during the supposed season of goodwill. To anyone reading this avoid the Xmas meals like the plague, you'd be better off with a £2 TV dinner. Twelfth night was superb but I sadly watched it with an empty stomach 😕

Food great staff really nice and helpful great atmosphere 👍

Nice pub with good staff. Let down by a really poor steak & ale pie. The pie was basically just fatty chewy beef. I thought for £16 it would be ok.

Still a great little pub. The actors bar is the best room as it has loads of pictures of actors going back many years. I couldn't name most of them, but it's much better decoration than having a rusty french bike nailed to a wall. The drunken duck was an excellent pint and the pies on the table close looked amazing.

We had a wonderful meal here. We were a large group (16). Food was pre ordered and all came out at the same time. It was delicious! Staff were very helpful and attentive. Thank you

Had a lovely time on a Sunday. We were a table of 4 adults 1 toddler, 1 new born and 2 dogs. I feel the experience could have been significantly different if it wasn't for Angelica who was the best waitress/host I've had for a significant time. The entire party was blown away with her attentiveness and genuine care. I hope she gets a promotion ASAP as she deserves it. Anyone from my party would be happy to elaborate on this point! We will revisit again... As long as Angelica is the host.

Surprisingly quiet downstairs in the bar considering the number of people who came out of the upstairs area. Lovely traditional pub with comfortable chairs. Should imagine it's packed in the summer

Nice, characterful pub. Frequented by luvvies and locals alike. Vodka and orange costs a fortune however.

Great pub for pre theatre drink and food. Overlooking river Avon and 100yds from Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

What a wonderful experience to have such friendly and helpful staff, delicious food and a beautiful place and atmosphere 😍 cannot recommend enough. It has been a long time since I could give such a positive review ✨️ Thank you very much 💜

Always stop for drinks at The Dirty Duck, great spot, my parents used to drink there too back in the 1950’s and 60’s !

came here for lunch with my mrs will and liam were fantastic they really cared about us even thought it was so busy will who is just bar staff really went above and beyond for the service would definitely recommend to anyone visiting stratford-upon-avon

Tourist trap ! Ignorant staff members just tried to order a pint and they didn’t know what they were doing! Ordering food with a nightmare

Great food and very friendly service. Really nice atmosphere and even made a fuss of our labrador.

Had high hopes. Chicken was dry and hard to cut through and fries were super greasy. Unfortunately after the food was brought no servers were insight for the remainder of my visit.

What an fabulous pub! This is what a true English pub looks like, feels like, smells like! Amazing...log fire, real beer, professional staff. The pub has so much history , from the date of the building to the contents around the pub. I enjoyed a fine cigar out front, below it's famous Mulberry tree, enjoyed a great pint of Guinness whilst listening to an Owl in a tree opposite the pub. A must place to visit...

Nice place just off the river front Worth a visit

Food was great, atmosphere was good too (theatre staff go here after their final performance of the day), but unfortunately there was not enough staff working and they were struggling to cope with the number of punters.

The perfect place to end an evening at the theatre. I didn't eat but enjoyed a lovely pint.

Historic pub with outside calming seating in warm sunshine. Good selection of beers and other drinks. Food also looked attractive though we didn't eat.

Nice pub a few minutes walk from Stratford Upon Avon town centre. Reasonably priced too £7 something for a pint of Guinness and half a Madri. Nice open fires in here too.

Birthday lunch for my husband. Small selection of mains, including specials board with vegetarian/vegan choice. Nice relaxed atmosphere. Definitely would recommend.

A superb restaurant, excellent food, reasonable prices, good service. Highly recommend the Duck Hash.

Had a great meal , food was excellent , would recommend the steak and ale pie and sticky toffee pudding 👌🏼

Near the RSC playhouse is the famous pub called The Black Swan (and/or The Dirty Duck as named by US soldiers in WW2) where thespians met. In the Actors’ Bar the walls are lined with pictures — often signed — of famous actors. In genuine British Pubs I avoid the commercial beers preferring local cask drawn draught. I was mentioning this to the young bartender as he poured me a Bitters and he confessed that he didn’t really like ales. I started and said Here?!! How are you even allowed to live here?! LOL

Excellent service, food very good, best to pre book....

Always stop here for dinner when in Stratford Had the chicken Kiev’s and wife had beef Sunday dinner. Both had big portions and very tasty and well presented. Recommend a visit its a very popular place.

Called in mid week for lunch, friendly meet and greet, extensive menu plus blackboard specials, we ate venison shin on bubble and squeak and steak pie, well presented, large portions and very tasty. A excellent lunch, many thanks.

A busy pub , that has many additional seats out the back. The service was very good and the food was great. The use of the app green king, prevented queuing.. will be a great place for eating when in Stratford upon Avon .

Great little pub a must while in Stratford. A little history to go with it as well. Interesting photos on wall a roaring fire to cosy up too. Food was amazing and reasonable prices.

We arrived at 2.15 on a Sunday on the off chance there was a table for 3 and there was. The pub was busy with a lovely cosy atmosphere. We ordered food and drinks at the bar, didn’t wait long at all. We all ate roast beef and we all agreed the food was delicious. Thoroughly enjoyed our meal and wouldn’t hesitate to return 😊

Came to Stratford upon Avon for 3 days and found The Dirty Duck after looking for a dog friendly pub. Had lunch in the Saturday which was really good and came back on the Sunday with friends who live local for Sunday lunch. Can't fault anything. Staff so helpful and the food was amazing. We live in North Yorkshire but looking forward to coming back soon.

Nice place. Venison was good but I didn't care for the gravy. My fiancé had the Sunday roast - The meat was very tough. She didn't care for the gravy either. Beautiful park on the (flooded) Avon river with loads of swans, just across the road. Parking was quite expensive and is a max 2 hours.

This place was recommended by our walking tour guide, Peter. We were interested in the photos of the actors. Ended up having a beer and a late lunch. The salmon patties were delicious. The atmosphere is good and we thoroughly enjoy the visit.

Excellent food and a good atmosphere

A cosy enclave in the heart of Shakespeare's birthplace. Outdoor garden is perfect.

Came here as a group of 4 adult's yesterday for a couple of drinks and some food. Really busy but managed to get a table in the bar. Good beer choice. Nice and cosy pub. Ordered some food and didn't have to wait long. We ordered the chicken sharer, nachos, mac and cheese with bacon and a side of fries. The Mac and Cheese and the nachos were really good. Most of the chicken sharer was nice, although the chicken wings were not great. Soggy skin and a bit of a Slimy texture. Overall this is a great pub in Stratford with lots of charm and we come in here everytime we visit Stratford.

We had a lunchtime pint here it was verrynice

Wow!! Had an amazing time here, never been before but was recommended by a friend. The food was incredible and the service was so lovely, all the staff are a credit to this pub. The bar lady was super friendly and patient with us and the outdoor waiting staff were very accommodating and they went above and beyond to make sure our meal was enjoyable. The fish and chips and the korean bbq burger were divine. The toilets were exceptionally clean. Everything about this pub has been incredible and we are leaving very happy customers today. We will definitely be coming back - thank you to all the staff!!

Nice pub food, large portions. Good outside space, some undercover. Dogs welcome! Friendly staff

Only went in for a pint but loved the place. Very historical and from 1700s. Nice atmospheric pub

We didn't eat, so we can’t score food. Lovely atmosphere. We sat outside overlooking the river. Perfect place for a drink

Arrived for a booked Sunday lunch to a sign saying sold out of Sunday lunches. We waited, as requested, while our table was prepared but noticed people walking in and sitting straight down at tables that were not marked as reserved. Still quite a few empty tables in the pub and garden but we were eventually taken out to the very end of the garden, out of sight of the pub, and told we’d need to go back into the pub to order food and drinks at the bar. We went to the Encore.

Not good for anyone with limited mobility. Access is by steps only. Cramped. Friendly and efficient staff. Food average.

Really nice lunch had here on our trip to Stratford-upon-Avon. Hot, good quality and service.

Decided on a day trip to Stratford upon Avon upon arrival and a mooch around the market. I had asked a local the best pub for some lunch. He recommended the Dirty Duck. Arrived and was impressed with the old pub look which I love. Sat out side in the garden which was very chilled and relaxed. Food was absolutely delicious (I recommend the steak ciabatta) top notch service by the staff who are very polite and prompt. I highly recommend this place to any one.

Sempre molto affollato. Bel locale storico, con actors' bar pieno di foto di attori che hanno recitato nella Royal Shakespeare Company, da cui dista solo 300 mt. Solito menù Greene King piuttosto limitato, con prezzi più alti della media. Consigliata la prenotazione.

Great little find by river and dog friendly too. Brilliant food, could not fault.

Fab little find and the staff are funny and friendly very down to earth. The pub itself is gorgeous and dog friendly which is a massive plus point for me.

Spacious, clean, friendly, central AND historically relevant! The food and the ambience were also excellent not to mention decent beer.

Service brilliant, food delicious.

We were shown to table. Not given any information or menu. After 15 minutes with no one coming to us I asked for a wine menu. Food menus on table. Again after waiting I asked a member of staff if taking drinks order to be told drink and food orders are taken at the bar!! At this point we walked out. No information anywhere that orders are taken at bar!!! Awful customer service all round. Disappointed as a birthday meal !!

Great little pub. Food mediocre, as just pub grub, but it filled you up, nothing healthy.... Very, very busy constantly, but the staff coped with it really well.

I made a reservation weeks ago to ensure we had a nice outdoor table when my in-laws came to visit. I received an email the day before confirming our outside table. Apparently, they never bothered to put a reserved sign on a table for us so everything outside was occupied. After having us wait around awkwardly next to the table they failed to hold, they moved us inside to a dark table next to the toilets. We could literally hear flushing over our conversations. I asked to move us to a better inside table which they did accommodate, but it was still disappointing. To make matters worse, the food and drinks were not great. The "special" sangria was very watered down; my chicken sandwich didn't have the slightest hint of even salt, pepper, or flavour of any kind; and the side salads were 5 pieces of arugula with 3 slices of onion. Overall, just not a great experience.

Didn't have any food. The dirty duck is an iconic pub. Gladly it hasn't changed in all the years I've been going.

Great pub overlooking the Avon, with good food and range of drinks. A little dark interior but good beer garden at rear accessed through a lovely conservatory. Listed building.

Great for an after theatre drink, most of the actors can be found here too, worth a look at the photos in the bar, see how many you know😀 they also do a good lunch 08/24 Still a great pub, well worth a "quick one in the duck" as the saying goes

Service was good but you need to order at the bar. I think the last time we visited they still had table service. Ideal location if visiting the RSC a nice pub for lunch or pre- show dinner.

Went in for lunch before attending the theatre. Food was tasty and service quick. Wide choice of drinks.

Atmosphere was brilliant nice lighting very helpful bar staff. Wonderful photos of Shakespearean Actors whom have visited the bar. Food was nice and the impromptu member of staff that after his shift played on the piano amazing wonderful date night with my beautiful lady

Typical burger joint food, not bad, but nothing particularly English. The atmosphere is the best, authentic English. Well located.

Great before a show at the RSC - and for drinks afterwards.

I had a fantastic dining experience at this restaurant. The food was excellent, with each dish crafted to perfection and full of rich, satisfying flavors. From appetizers to dessert, everything was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented. The service was good, with friendly and attentive staff who made sure we had everything we needed. The ambiance was pleasant, creating a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere for the meal. Overall, it was a delightful experience, with outstanding food and solid service. I would highly recommend this place and will definitely be returning. A well-deserved 5/5!

Great place for a pint and a quick lunch.

Best veggie loaded pie we have ever had!

Great Pub and the food was excellent. My wife had the pie and it was great, full pie not just a lid. I had the soft shell crab burger. FANTASTIC

Great service and an amazing place. We went for a little day trip to Stratford and this was our place of choice for lunch. The service was ultra fast and the place itself was brilliantly decorated.

Excellent place to eat, clean and tidy staff very helpful and friendly. Also allowed to take my dog inside

Great location and food - Dog-friendly.

Great place very busy, dog friendly, cruelty free dishes inclusive on mail menu. Will go again