Drum and Monkey in Harrogate

Haven’t been here for years. Seafood platter cost more than £50. Lobster tasted frozen. Vegetables basic. Disappointed.

The ‘Drum’ was a key part of growing up, every big event, birthday, exam, definitely a new car, meant a celebratory trip to the Drum and Monkey……Racing to get there before the queue was too big for a seat in the bar! After too many years I booked a table for my Wife’s Birthday, questioning as I did why it was so long. A parking space appeared on Montpellier Rd as we approached…..the Omens were good! Walking in after so many years was a strangely triggering experience. The green wallpaper (that my mother had in her dining room!) had gone, replaced by burgundy but other than that it was reassuringly familiar, even down to the ‘dumb waiter’ in the corner I remembered! The best table with a window view to watch the Harrogate Christmas bustle….yup so far so good! Becky was charm personified and indulged my trip down memory lane, but chuckled when I asked about the ‘Irish lady’ who worked there who apparently retired 11 years ago!!!! The Menu was packed with classics….decisions decisions…..a little help and guidance and we had a plan, lots of sharing plates. I asked if the granary bread was still as good as I remembered - yup! My slightly dubious son declared the Oysters gorgeous…..that wasn’t expected! The Arancini was sensational, fresh and clean, letting the fish have centre stage rather than a ball of stodge… The King Scallops were exceptional, there are very few things in the world that can match a good Scallop - I was glad I went with King over Queen on this occasion! I tend to find Lobster overrated, generally tough and tasteless….but it was a celebration and maybe even let’s see how good you are……it was tender garlicky heaven! The Hot Fish Bowl was a treasure trove of fishy amazingness, the broth perfectly paired to enhance not overpower….forks fighting for the best bits! Throughout the meal Becky and her colleague (please forgive me for not asking your name - sorry!) were just perfect, helpful, attentive, lots of fun. Here is the thing about hospitality…no matter how good the location, the venue, even the chef….front of house define your customer experience. So often this is neglected or viewed as a cost not an investment. Becky who has been at the Drum for 15 years elevated a good meal to an exceptional experience…..when will more restaurants learn the value of great people? FRONT OF HOUSE DEFINE YOUR EXPERIENCE Some pictures are attached, but to be honest they don’t do justice as I was too bust having fun to get all ‘insta’! Conclusion. Lunch was as close to perfect as isn’t worth arguing about. It was exactly as it should be, reassuringly traditional, a happy place that you have to force yourself to leave…..it felt like a hug…and we left with one! Thank you for not changing!

No complaints from me ☺️ Fantastic restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere and attentive staff. Highly recommend the risotto, it was delicious

Really lovely meal. Charming attentive staff. Fabulous menu. Food sublime. Really reasonable. Love the ambience too.

I am an avid fish lover and this place is spot on. The only thing I didn't like was the apple and blackberry crumble but that I suppose was my personal taste. Starter and main course we're above expectations. It was expensive but worth it.

We had a friendly welcome followed by excellent service & amazing food. Could not fault anything at all. Shall certainly recommend and return!

I know my fish and how to prepare, cook and enjoy it and believe me that is exactly what this restaurant mirrors and the portions are suitably generous as well. The chef understands that seconds can count when cooking fish! Half the price and twice the value of nearby competitors!

the lunch value midweek is terrific value - two courses for £25 and full of fresh and high quality fish . it has been a while since we have been but the traditional decor has been supplemented with more modern tables - friendly service and fine chablis and very good deserts a superb lunch

Excellent food and reasonably priced.

I had a lovely dinner here a few weeks ago on a stopover in Harrogate on some business travel - Saturday night and though it was calm when we arrived, they were full throughout the evening from there on, so I do recommend booking as we had done. Overall, the food was very fresh and cooked very well - always something a little more tricky when it comes to fish restaurants in my opinion. Despite how busy it was, the staff were warm and very attentive - the ladies working on the upper floor that night clearly worked very well as a team. The baked alaska for dessert was a tad too sweet for mine and my dinner partners' taste, but that's certainly preference. If you like fish and seafood, you won't go wrong with a visit here.

Food and wine fabulous, service great, we will definitely return. Lovely little restaurant

Fantastic food and ambience. We ordered the sea bream, fish pie, smoked salmon pate and lobster & langoustine bisque. Fish was cooked to perfection. The fish pie had big chunks of fish in it and buttery mash. Yummy!

Magnifique soirée dans un restaurant mythique. Nourriture incroyable poissons délicieux dans un endroit très spécial avec un très bon service.

Excellent food, and service. It's worth a visit

We visited on 28th Sept, for Wife's Birthday, Excellent Welcome from Waitress, We had booked as knew it would be Busy on a Saturday, We had visited before & ask to get same Table, No 2, Downstairs, Got seated & Waitress ask if we would like water for the table, while we perused the Menu, Good selection of Seafood, on all Menu Dishes , Ordered drinks I had Cold Bath Lager (local brew) Wife had a Pimms & Lemonade, Waitress (Iwona) then took our Order, Wife started with Scallop Mousse, I chose Pate, Main course was Fish Pie for wife, I had the Halibut +Seasonal Veg Side dish, (What a Beautiful fresh Piece of Fish ) for Dessert wife chose the Ice Cream 3 Flavours eg:- Vanilla, Dark Chocolate & Orange Marmalade , I pick the 3 Cheese Option (3or5)Coverdale, Duke Wellington Blue & Eh Up Yorkshire, we rounded off the Meal with Liquor Coffees 1 Tia Maria, 1 Irish, Excellent Food, Good Atmosphere, Friendly & Polite Staff & Owner , Value for Money ! Well worth a Visit 5xxxxx

Popped in for lunch on the off chance as my wife and I were in Harrogate. She had a butterflied sardine starter followed by cod from the ‘Catch of the Day’ menu. I had a starter of queenie scallops then sea bream. We shared seasonal vegetables, gratin dauphinois and a Picpoul de Pinet. The food was immaculate and the service grown-up and outstanding. Our waitress explained the combination of beetroot and chicory that accompanied the cod with impressive knowledge and precision. My only criticism is that the wine list did not include vintages. This wasn’t a particular problem as our Picpoul was towards the bottom of the price range but, had we been splashing out on White Burgundy, it would have been difficult to judge the list without knowing the vintages.

Second time we have visited the Drum And Monkey. Seafood was delicious. Staff very attentive. Would highly recommend if seafood is your go to treat.

Another great meal at the Drum! Wonderful fresh seafood with great wine (Gavi). Service was faultless. Until the next time ……

Highly recommended and well worth a visit. Great service and welcoming staff. Beautifully cooked food. Excellent.

Just amazing 👏 thank you for lovley service and delicious food.

Fantastastic food and service but a raucous group of men at the next table spoiled our experience somewhat.

Great service and delicious food well worth the visit Not the cheapest but you get what you pay for . Great seafood and excellent service will definitely be back when next in Harrogate

My friends and I had such a lovely time at the Drum and Monkey (we’re still thinking about the scallop toast!) - and we thought at the time the service was great. But the following day, when leaving Harrogate I realised that I left my jumper there, and the service got even better. I called and spoke to Sarah, who took it to the post office in her own time to send it back to me - what a star! 100% recommend for a lovely and special night out.

We stumbled upon this pub looking restaurant and thought it looked like a great option for dinner. So we made a booking for the following night (I strongly suggest you book as it fills up). When we arrived we were ushered upstairs, to a very cosy table. The menu had lots of classics, but also lots of interesting twists to classics. The atmosphere was lovely, snug but not too tight. Everything we had was delicious. I'd come back again

A lovely gem in the heart of Harrogate! Beautifully cooked seafood! The lobster festival menu was fantastic. Roast cod was seriously awesome! Will definitely return!

Excellent as always. We came here for our wedding anniversary having been many times in the past. Food and service was excellent and I could eat the lobster bisque every day! I wasn’t even put off by the very loud table of four next to us who kept loudly discussing the price of what I was eating, some people really have no class.

Turned up early luckily our table was ready. Service outstanding and the food delicious. Would definitely recommend.

Another visit for us to Drum and Monkey. The food is cooked to perfection. Nice appetizers and great cod for mains. Dauphinoise potatoes are particularly good. Nice service This is more fine dining than other restaurants in Harrogate £££

Simply one of the best fish restaurants in the area. It’s been a favourite for many years. Lots of people find it a little expensive but if you want good quality fish and seafood you need to be prepared to pay the fishermen and the restauranteurs a fair price.

Our first time at Drum & Monkey and it certainly won't be our last. The food was fantastically fresh and perfectly seasoned. All the staff were excellent and made you very welcome. All 4 of us thoroughly enjoyed it.

Splendid across the board. Lovely staff, very attentive, and great food. I was part of a party of four and we enjoyed a broad range of items on the menu, and each dish had its praises sung. The lobster bisque was especially excellent. For my money, the best restaurant in Harrogate.

Absolutely brilliant!! Superb fish and served by excellent staff, very efficient and friendly. Will definitely be coming back!!

Lovely dining experience, tasty food

Pleasant staff, food fresh and well cooked with well presented dishes. Tables just a little too close together but didn’t spoil our evening.

Amazing lunchtime experience. Exquisite scallops and sea bream. My new favourite restaurant in Harrogate.

Wonderful place for seafood in Harrogate. The staff was incredibly attentive.

Fantastic seafood. The menu was fantastic, I could have chosen anything and would have been happy. Everything looks delicious. We had crab and lobster linguine and the fish pie and they were extraordinary. Great restaurant!

Just had a lovely lobster lunch and my friend had the best Dover sole ever. We’ve been lunching at the Drum & Monkey for 10 years now and never a bad meal. The service is excellent. Highly recommended

A brilliant seafood restaurant. The cod I had was cooked to perfection. Dishes I saw going to other tables also looked superb. I would highly recommend this venue, it is top class. The staff were very polite, informed, very good at their jobs without being overly attentive. This is a very popular restaurant so the atmosphere was very good as you would expect. It was that good that when we visit Harrogate again it will be our go-to restaurant to book.

Very disappointed have gone to this restaurant for over 20 years tried to book for our family of 7 for a very special birthday. Because there were 7 they didn’t like that number (or6) so said 5.30 or 8.30 as we could not have the popular times.

I recently dined at The Drum & Monkey in Harrogate and had an absolutely wonderful experience. The staff were incredibly kind and accommodating, even adjusting my order to make it alcohol-free. The food was delicious and fantastic, exceeding all my expectations. This place is a true gem in Harrogate, and I will definitely be coming back again. Highly recommended!

First visit today and food was lovely. It was lobster festival so very good value. I also had the most delicious baked Alaska for desert. Highly recommend and will definitely be back.

Superb fish menu and meals. Our fish dishes were excellent quality, flavour and size. Service was friendly.

Food was just okay, nothing special. Waitresses were brash and supercilious. Tried but wouldn't rush back.

Fabulous fish and seafood restaurant, consistently good.

Amazing staff, incredible food and lovely atmosphere. Highly recommend!!

A wonderful experience celebrating a birthday meal food fab staff relaxed and friendly. Would recommend and return

Fantastic food and great service. Staff were very kind and attentive, atmosphere was lovely. Brought my son a huge plate of crevettes on demand which is above and beyond normal service.

Absolutely amazing experience. Excellent service and a delicious seafood platter. We will be returning!

A poor atmosphere and indifferent service. The food was nothing more than average. It did not reflect its former reputation.

Fantastic food attentive host super evening. Dedicated fish restaurant we had the hot seafood bowl with a lobster was delicious I had the creme brûlée special sea bass starter which was delicious definitely worth a repeat visit

Just been for lunch here. What was served was really good and the halibut I had was excellent. However, the menu said it came with a prawn fritter, which it didn't. It would have been curious to explain why not!

We were in Harrogate for the day and had heard about the D&M so called up to see if we could book for dinner. 5:30pm was the only table available but that was fine. On arrival it was quiet but expected as they had not been open long. The atmosphere felt a bit lacking but we sat down and were greeted warmly by the waitress. The menu is vast and obviously mostly fish but all very tempting. We were four people, so two went for Prawn Cocktail and one went for Lobster soup and I had Scallops all excellent. Main courses didn’t disappoint two time fish pie with some vegetable sides all piping hot, I went for Cod as did my friend we also went for some new potatoes (Very Good) The cod was outstanding, cooked to perfection with a beautifully subtle garnish and dressing, a really generous portion too 10/10 for that dish. Only two of us had room for dessert, Crumble and I went for affogato, Both lovely we had a fabulous bottle of rose and some coffees the bill was £210 so not cheap But well worth it, The service was exceptional, both waitresses were so good, attentive, professional but had a laugh and looked to be enjoying their work. So nice to see. Would recommend a visit if your in harrogate.

Lovely meal, does lack a little atmosphere though

Always a p,ensure to come here. Food is wonderful. Staff are friendly. Highly recommended

I have the good fortune to eat in some of the best restaurants in the world and the Drum and Monkey in Harrogate is simply one of the best seafood restaurants in the UK. The design of the restaurant is excellent, stylish without being pretentious, and the staff are superb. For starters the scallops are excellent and I opted for the lobster and langoustine bisque which is simply outstanding. For main selection I opted off the hot shellfish bowl and I added lobster to it creating a seafood taste sensation that is up there with the best I've experienced. I actually rarely find seafood of this standard in the UK so it was a wonderful experience. For dessert the honey baked Alaska is a work of art. All of this is backed up by outstanding service delivered with dedicated personal care. If you love seafood, you need to visit the Drum and Monkey as a priority.

Lovely food as usual. Service find. Not keen on 2 hour meal slots.

Quick lunch as had a train to catch. Food was very good. We didn't have time to experience the atmosphere as we dined at 12.15pm, just us in. Definitely worth a try if in town.

We had an absolutely outstanding meal here last week whilst visiting Harrogate for the first time. It was faultless. We had oysters, pesto sardines, tuna tartare, hallibut and a hot shellfish bowl. Every morsel was so tasty. We finished it off with a chocolate tart and a sticky toffee pudding. My husband said it was the best meal he's ever had, as everything was so balanced. Such a pleasant environment too, with lovely staff. Would absolutely recommend.

Undercooked seabream. It came out looking well presented but, I did complain because the fish was clearly raw in the middle. Happy for the chef to put it right as I was hungry, but it came back looking like the dogs dinner, which I ate because I was hungry . Front of house apologised and looked very embarrassed. This changed the atmosphere for us, despite us remaining reasonable. Front of house said chef had cooked it at 100 degrees when it returned, but it looked awful. I'd have been embarrassed to serve that to a paying customer. The fish had been recooked and mixed up with the other vegetables left on the plate. At £26 this was very disappointing. Ordered a cheese board for a dessert. Token gesture was not to charge for my partners cheapest dessert, A huge shame because this could have easily been better rectified, in my opinion, and didn't need the customer to point out the obvious. I didn't bother making a fuss, as I know I won't be back.

We eat here quite often and I can’t recommend it enough. The food is phenomenal and the staff are warm friendly. We’ve had most of the menu and are never disappointed

Really lovely place, staff are very nice and the seafood is AMAZING.

This perfect fish restaurant serves wonderfully tasty food and the staff are all friendly and attentive without being over the top. We will be visiting again and we highly recommend it.

Fabulous fish dishes. Had scallops to start and them a massive trout. All was delicious. They also do a Two course set menu at lunch.

The food was quite good, but definitely overpriced. The atmosphere was nice and relaxed. Our waiter was patient and kind, I was with two elderly people, who were at ease, however; the waiter was poorly trained. Not once did they wal round the table to set down food or drinks, and there was plenty of room to. Every plate and glass landed with a crash and my father-in-law and wife got a lot of armpit in their face, however, as I said he was very pleasant and patient so no-one was perturbed, but it was comical at times. I would go back, but not frequently.

Sadly our experience was not good. White wine served just cool, not cold. King scallop starter had 3 of the smallest king scallops we've ever been served and actually wondered if one of them had been sliced in half. The main course hot shellfish bowl was truly poor and actually a bit of a concern. The quality and freshness of the prawns was low, the clams were overcooked, as we're the cotton wool like langoustine, the queen scallops whilst plentiful were ill prepared retaining black veins and overcooked, the mussels and king prawns were fine but the real concern was the crab claw. It was not scrubbed and was very dirty - I could scrape the mud off with my fingernail. When our waitress came to ask if we were enjoying our meal I mentioned my concern that the crab was dirty and it may have contaminated the wine and garlic broth (the best bit of the dish). She went to the kitchen and returned to say another claw was being prepared but not to worry about the broth as the crab was prepared by soaking in vinegar (and something else, but my brain stopped listening after the shock of vinegar) so there would be no germs! When the replacement claw arrived, it was even dirtier than the first and as it had already been cracked I could see the flesh inside was grey and pulpy. I did not eat it. I would urge the chef to review the preparation and quality of ingredients for this particular dish as it really let the restaurant down.

We went to this lovely restaurant during Harrogate Food Week, and the offer was amazing value, and the food was first class

Couldn't fault it, I've been to the south of France and gone to seafood restaurants and they were not as good as this one. The mussels were amazing and the Halibut was superb washed down with a decent bottle of wine of course.They have an extensive menu and the seafood is so Fresh. The Service was also brilliant 👍🦐🦀🐟🍾😁

Five Star ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Seafood Nestled within Montpellier Gardens in Harrogate, Drum & Monkey is a beacon for seafood enthusiasts seeking an exquisite dining experience. From stepping through the front door, it was evident that this restaurant was more than just a place to dine ~ it was a culinary journey of seafood delight. Our starters comprised of Mushroom Risotto and a half-dozen Lindisfarne Oysters. The risotto, creamy and infused with the earthy flavour of mushrooms, set the tone for what was to follow. The freshness of the Lindisfarne Oysters was a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to sourcing the finest ingredients. Our main courses were delightful. The Sea Bream, bathed in a shrimp and parsley sauce, accompanied by velvety Dauphinois potatoes was delicious. Faultless. The Hot Shellfish Bowl of crevettes, prawns, crab claw, queenies, langoustines, oysters, mussels, and clams harmoniously danced in a wine and butter sauce was nothing short of divine. Drum & Monkey’s commitment to excellence extends beyond the plate. The ambiance, with its inviting decor and warm lighting, created a relaxed atmosphere. The attentive staff added to the overall experience, providing impeccable service without being intrusive. Whether you’re a seafood enthusiast or just someone looking for an unforgettable dining experience, Drum & Monkey is a must-visit.

Food was faultless but the atmosphere was tired, we sat downstairs next time will ask if we can be upstairs

Wow, food was next level amazing, if you love fish you will love this place! Great service and great wine, we will be coming back, Thankyou x

I was looking forward to a nice sea food dinner then it went down hill and they reheat heat 🥵 their sea food and served under done and a cold . The staff are helpful when you put a complain. You are outcast as a guest . Very very very disappointed 😞 😕 😔 never coming back.

The food was off the chart fantastic. All of the staff who welcomed us, served and engaged with us were all suitably chatty, friendly and lovely. In terms of atmosphere we were sat downstairs, felt a little loud and busy for us. Cant say what upstairs is like but might have preferred it.

Good food, but a bit too posh and too many stares.

Good food. Lovely staff, nice and quiet, and cosy.

A completely different vibe - now good food, good atmosphere & friendly service.

My wife and I had a truly memorable meal at the D&M. Food was sublime with great service.

Fabulous food Attentive staff. Lovely experience to be enjoyed and savored.

A real disappointment sadly, whilst my food was good my wife’s wasn’t. Over seasoned, over priced. It’s identity is bizarre, Is it modern? (yuzu custard) is it still in the 70’s either way it’s odd, it has 1 rosette so I expected a bit more my wife expected too much I think! But it was all let down by the service very inhospitable waitress with no real hospitality skills. We’ve been looking forward to visiting and stayed overnight to dine here and it spoilt the night. I’m writing this review to prevent my wife from really giving her more negative side of the evening.The Apple Tart was sublime.

Tired restaurant with pricey food.

Brilliant... Loved the delicious food the food gets better and better, if that's possible! The service is fantastic. Can't wait to come back 👍

We went with friends early this week. It had been about sixteen years since we last visited. We had the smoked salmon pate for starters, the halibut with wild mushroom sauce for mains, and lemon tart and blackcurrant ripple ice cream and a sticky toffee pudding. For dessert. The halibut was the best I have ever tasted and I have tasted and cooked a lot over many years! The starter and desserts were delicious also. I would definitely recommend the Drum and Monkey. As it is not a large restaurant it is probably best to book.

The most delicious halibut I have ever eaten and I have had a lot of halibut over many, many years. The starter was smoked salmon pate and my dessert was lemon tart with blackcurrant swirl ice cream. The whole meal was absolutely delicious. I would definitely recommend the Drum. The wine was gorgeous also! It is probably best to book as it is not a very large restaurant.

I've never rated anywhere this highly. Perfect menu, service & ambiance.

Superb fish and seafood restaurant. Food that has a sense of occasion. Had an outstanding trout with a delicious almond and caper crust along with perfectly cooked seasonal veg. Great attentive serve. Look forward to returning again.

Just had lunch today and ordered cooked cold lobster, which I requested the "tomalley"not to be removed as it is considered the most flavorful part of the lobster. I expected to be well cooked but it was served to me which the "tomalley" was still runny and not well done. The male staff (senior staff ) insisted that it should only be cook 6 minutes which is not acceptable to me . So I raised my concern when he asked me how's my meal, I said "disgusting"! I am very appreciative person, but it really puts me off when this male staff today was sarcastic, has no respect and no customer service etiquette . If you think it is not possible for the chef to prepare my order, then it's fine, I can always have an alternative menu, but the fact that this male staff assured me it's OK, yet it was not ok at all! I used to go to this restaurant , but today was just a huge disappointment and ruined my day!

Super relaxed lunch. The Lindisfarne Oysters were so good I ordered more. Flamed mackerel followed by Halibut and a couple of glasses of very drinkable house white.

very disappointed particularly with our choice of 2 lobster thermidor frozen!!!!! total bill for twos £220 good service but poor food

Excellent food fresh flavours great different flavours can't fault it! Wine list could be better very standard

Outstanding food, absolutely amazing.

Very friendly staff, fabulous service and the food was superb. Highly recommend this bijou restaurant.

Great seafood (and steak and desserts), wonderfully cooked, lovely service. A real gem. Thanks for a lovely evening

Who would have thought that the BEST Seafood restaurant in the UK is in Harrogate? I have been in many places, from the South of England to Scotland, but rarely I have experienced something like this. Great, tasty, exquisite selection of fish (we got the Platter for two, but unfortunately Google does not allow me to upload pictures: sad!), excellent & genuinely caring service (special mention to Simon who has looked after us from the very start till the end, thank you!), and a lovely & friendly atmosphere. And we have also discovered a new wine. Truth is that I cannot wait to book another trip to Harrogate to dine at The Drum & Monkey: recommended at 110%! AMAZING.

Favorite seafood place in Harrogate! Very friendly staff and everything we’ve tried here is phenomenal.

Fantastic restaurant! Love it and love Harrogate.

Fantastic family run cosy place, specialising in fresh excellent seafood. Unique and makes a refreshing change from all of the typical restaurant types normally found.

Delicious, couldn't find fault. Monkfish was superb. Sides are generous enough to share.

Delicious meal of oysters and lobster with friendly service. A great find in Harrogate

After a mess up over booking (my fault). Managed to get us in later and it was certainly worth the wait. King scallops and the Dorset crab with chilli were tongue tingling. Char sui monkfish wow hake very nice. Dessert was baked alaska and black forest cherry to finish off.

It's taken me 15 years to keep my promise to her that carnt be named ,that I would buy her a Lobster thermidor in the Drum and Monkey we was passing by and I found my self getting pushed in to the place with ( Now's your chance to buy me my Lobster thermidor) so I meekly asked have you a table free Yes came the reply ,£133 later I escaped full belly a million brownie points lovely food will be dragged back again I'm told as she loved it