Dun Cow in Sunderland

A beautiful 18th century pub which oozes charm & comfort both outside and inside. The bar staff were attentive & very helpful. Ordered drinks & Sunday Lunch. Drinks served very promptly & chilled. We ordered Beef Sunday Lunch, and One Lamb. They arrived promptly & beautifully presented. The Lamb was melt in your mouth, vegetables amazingly fresh & tasty & gravy full taste with the light crispy Yorkshire Pudding. The Beef was beautifully cooked & succulent & all vegetables, Yorkshire Pudding & Gravy superb. The Dun Cow is a sun trap outside & moved outside to enjoy the sunshine & another drink. It made for a beautiful afternoon & very relaxing. My compliments to the staff & kitchen for beautiful food & drinks & a warm & friendly charm as well as the beauty & history of the architecture, inside & out. We will be back often.

A rip off. £12 for two pints real ale. One other person in apart from me and my mate. No wonder!! Ridiculous prices for Sunderland.

We visited the Dun Cow before a show at The Fire Station. Great traditional pub with a good range of real ales. Staff very helpful and friendly

Great, cosy little pub with a great selection of cask led ales and lots of board games to keep you entertained. Barman was very helpful

Best pub I've been to for a long time. Traditional pub with wide selection of beer. From the outside to the inside it's an old style pub and very friendly.

Prematch visit following a Sunderland fan recommendation. Gorgeous Victorian pub with half a dozen ales on tap. Efficient and friendly staff in the busiest of circumstances. Well kept beer at a fair price, decent clientelle packed with Sunderland fans, some great conversation on football, music, arts... Will definitely visit again on my next trip up.

I went in before going to the theatre, no extremely long queues at the bar, no plastic cups and cheaper than the theatre too. Fantastic

Have always loved the dun cow. But this evening was a different story. 28 pound for 5 drinks and two packets of NUTS, so i asked to see there price list to be told they don't have one. I stated that by law they needed one to which the young gentleman told me no they didn't (laughable) and to show him the law so I showed him the LAW and once he relised what i was saying was in fact THE LAW he then told me to take it up with the manager 'Which I will do in the morning👍' so I then asked the young lady In the picture to add up the drinks that I had bought, she eventually did and the total was 19 quid and 3 quid for 2 packs of peanuts... in my eyes I'm sure that adds up to 22 not 28, but hey I'm just the customer, check your change and bar bills guys

Beautiful pub and a great place to be if you need a drink before going to the theatre! A very good choice of beers.

Lovely old pub. Very welcoming, nice atmosphere and decent pint. A must visit for real ale enthusiasts. Amazing old bar and interior.

I come here all the time with my friends and family and it is continuously a wonderful place to sit relax and have a drink and a catch up. We normally go before or after a show at the Sunderland Empire when it is a bit busier and has a livelier atmosphere. The staff are so friendly and provide excellent service every time I’m there. By far my favourite classic pub to go to and have a tipple!!! Big thumbs up 👍

We were looking at the Dun Cow for a possible Christmas celebration and stopped for lunch at the same time as looking around, The food was excellent - freshly cooked and plentiful. Great Greek food.

Visiting Sunderland to see Grease at the sunderland empire, the Dun Cow is located straight across the road to the theatre. We arrived in plenty time to order food which is reasonably priced and is delicious. Some of our party had pasta and it £5 each it was excellent value for money. One had steak salad at £7:95 which again was very tasty. We also ordered 2 extra portions of chips with a total cost of £22. Drinks are also good value and the friendly staff allow you to try before you buy as they sell a variety of different beers. The pub itself is a beautifully decorated place with a great atmosphere. I would recommend if you want food to arrive a while before shows are due to start at The Sunderland empire as it seems to be a meeting place for people attending shows. They also have a restaurant above the pub however we opted to eat in the bar as its a cosy place with great staff.

Lovely Grade II listed small pub in Sunderland City Centre, sympathetically and carefully refurbished to a high standard. The bar, walls and ceiling are a treat to stare at. Thoroughly recommended to visit. Only 2 small area's to sit in so choose your visiting times well. Gents toilet could do with better access and a paint-up but otherwise a highly recommended place to enjoy an ale and the choice on hand-pumps is vast, well-kept and wide range, including cider and porter.

The pub's beautifully restored interior is like a Gothic fantasy - amazing stained glass, carved woodwork and a stunning ceiling. The beers are well-kept and excellent, including a zero alcohol German wheat beer option for the driver in your party.

This has to be one of the oldest pubs in Sunderland which has been beautifully preserved and original. it sells a wide range of real ales but lets it's self down by being very expensive and is selling very overpriced beers. I wondered why it was so empty on a Saturday afternoon but after I was charged almost £11 for two beers I realised why. Like many others have obviously done I won't be going back

Visited the Dun Cow recently - would highly recommend it. The beer selection was excellent, lots of ales and beers on offers. The staff were really efficient and very friendly. Will definitely be back next time we’re in Sunderland!

On a night out to Sunderland's Empire Theatre we decided to go for a meal first. The Dun Cow which is right opposite the theatre seemed a good choice. Amore Italia is a restaurant up stairs, as we entered we received a warm welcome. We were given two menus one the main menu the other one the special. The young lady who was attending our table enquired if we were going to the theatre and recommended the special to make sure we wouldn't be late for the show. We had arrived in good time anyway so it made no difference as she also acknowledged. My wife and daughters ordered from the main menu,the son in law and myself from the special. When the food arrived the portions were of equal size from both menus and can i say the chicken piccante was beautiful that's what I ordered. The staff were attentive at all times. Everyone agreed how good the food and service was. Looking forward to our next visit and would advise anyone going to the Empire to give consideration to this restaurant if going for a meal before the show.

With time to wait for our transport home -I'm fortunate to have a number if taxi drivers who are also good friends - we had just a little 'time to kill' before setting out for home. No,problem! On one side of the Empire Theatre, there's a terrific. Pub-restaurant (The Rabbit) and just outside the theatre entrance a public house - The Dun Cow. For theatre goers who lie a good meal before going to the theatre, and a drink in a well appointed public bar afterwards, this must be pretty close to finding a holy trinity! The cellar is well stocked, the bar is kept scrupulously clean, and thevdecornis beautifully relaxing. I love Sunderland - always have. Saw the tall ships earlier this year, and it's theatre, together with provision for shopping and leisure make it a favourite - although like most inner cities, a lot has changed in Sunderlsnd. Catch it when thecstreetsxare lit with the magic of Christmas, but don't forget The Dun Cow. A great place to round off a visit to a beautiful city!

Went to the Dun Cow before Mamma Mia matinee....staff friendly and we enjoyed our visit. Drink prices quite reasonable; found out after show that you can get 10% off if you show your theatre tickets, which is good to know for next time.

We always have a drink or two when we're in Sunderland to meet up with our large group of family and friends, before a meal out. As we're from different parts of the country it's a lovely old characterful place with a great atmosphere to meet in. Some old pubs show signs of wear and tear but this always feels clean and fresh. We always feel welcome and relaxed here either with the crowd of us or just the two of us when we stay over. Not the biggest of pubs but a great array of drinks and the bar staff are always welcoming.

Pedimos una hamburguesa en brioche bun halloumi con mazorcas de maíz, esperando quizás una hamburguesa con halloumi. Lo que me dieron fue un pedazo de halloumi frito o a la parrilla o en una pelea (no de brioche) Pieza de mazorcas de maíz, absolutamente seguro de mantequilla fue fatal (saturado), lado de patatas estaba empapada en grasa y antiguo. Mi familia y yo fuimos a picar comida, pero era imposible, eran enfermos por un par de días con dolor de estómago, con numerosos viajes de wc. Lo único positivo que decir que era hombre joven detrás del bar era agradable y placentera. ¡Nunca más!

my wife and myself visited here on a bank holiday.

Comprobar coinciden visitar en sábado y, por desgracia, el fantástico rollitos de salchichas, ya no están en venta. . . . . . . . . . . . . Lástima!

Tremendous Edwardian pub and restaurant next to the Empire. Great for a meal before the show or a drink after it.

Visited for pre theatre drinks on Wednesday, it was packed, although it's not the biggest pub I've ever visited but the type that are diminishing too quickly, olde world, full of charm, ornate features & character in terms of the fittings & some of the patrons (lol), lovely fire through the back snug area, great service, very interesting visit, as regulars to the Empire, we will return!

Sunderland no es generalmente la más atractiva del centro de la ciudad, pero si lo suficientemente largo y duro vistazo puedes encontrar un par de pubs tradicional sirve una gran variedad de tonel. El Dun Cow está convenientemente al lado del Teatro Empire, y se complementan mutuamente, presentando un poco de la vieja victorianos en el desierto arquitectónico entre 1960.

Popped in after visiting the Empire, very busy, served quickly, drinks are very reasonably priced. Ok if you just want a drink either prior or after visiting the Empire

Great olde worldie pub Victorian decor, upstairs is now a smokehouse restaurant, they also serve bar food downstairs, this pub is very handy for The Sunderland Empire Theater next door, good friendly bar staff also good for pre match drinks.

This is really worth a visit simply to see the stunning interior - the investment they made in restoring the original bar has paid off.. It's a "Head of Steam Pub" - good selection of ales and gins available. Always attentive, friendly staff. Small, not always hard to find a spot. Especially warm in the winter with the real fires.Should be even better when the upstairs reopens as a restaurant

Been here twice in 3 weeks now and we Love it here. It is stunning inside , lots of Old World charm and Décor. It's a "Head of Steam Pub" which is always a good sign.On todays visit where we were warmly greeted by the young staff behind the Bar and while looking to decide which of the great beers to have, we saw a plate of sausage rolls and scotch eggs at the end of the Bar, they looked Sooooooo good and yes.........................we had one of each and they were both delicious. Unfortunately, this is all the food they do at the moment, along with Pies and Pasty but the good news is that there is a Restaurant due to open in 2 weeks time and hopefully the standard of the food there will be to the same standard as the Bar Grub.We will be back in 3 weeks to see !

Went in for pre-meal drinks with family. Welcomed with looks from both staff & punters that suggested we all had two heads. Years ago, this was a GREAT boozer, steeped in tradition, proper old-fashioned. Now that it's central (geographically) to Sunderland's cultural quarter, it's gone all ... faux bohemian. Yes, the real ales are there, the original décor is there, but the atmosphere is one of a desperately trendy bar/bistro that encourages retired musicians in to patronise anyone (younger than 60) all about the good old days.Whether this is a conscious decision or just a badly-timed visit that coincided with the attendance of the self-proclaimed illuminate of Wearside music heritage, I don't know.Culture, music, history, character & heritage is never in short supply in Sunderland. Let it be self-perpetuating, and please don't force it.If the beer wasn't so expensive, I would consider a return visit. It may be some time, though.

We always stop and have a drink or 2 here before we pop into the theatre, lovely quaint pub with friendly staff a good selection of ales, cider and wine used to love the tapas style menu before Longhorns, food ok now nothing wrong with it but preferred old menu

Visited this with some local relatives & their friends. A wholly wonderful experience. A bar looking like I remember they were when I was a 'youth'. Shining, atmospheric, an Aladdin's cave to be explored. The staff were ok but not particularly the best of. It wasn't packed early evening so we had plenty of room & enjoyed a few jar's etc. (for ladies) but any pub that sells 2/3rds of a pint, because a whole pint is ridiculously expensive, can make a grown man weep. A lovely selection of many draught drinks you may never have seen before; & may not wish to pay for!

Excellent old fashioned style pub, warm and friendly, great décor, good beers and drinks, friendly staff. Very handy for the Empire Theatre. Parking and public transport nearby.

Fascinating exterior, lovely traditional interior with two fires. A good selection of beers. Apparently they're thinking of accepting CAMRA vouchers.

Lovely old pub most of original features have been retained. Excellent choice of ales, many of them locally brewed. Staff really helpful when trying to make choices to try, no trying to rush us even the the place was busy. Would definitely return.

Not only a good selection of real ales but also gin and vodka, some made locally, Sunderland and Durham! Wow we sampled a few need to go back for more!

We were recommended this pub as a stop off before we went for our curry.What can I say, I good old drinker, good prices good locals that were willing to talk to us, bar staff very helpful and on the ball.Well recommend for a swift pint of an evening out in the same place, there will be characters to chat to.

I visit this pub regularly but on my most recent visit I was shocked to find that the new Head of Steam owners have decided to stop selling Guinness in preference to expensive craft bottled stout - come on Camerons some of us like traditional draft beer - please reconsider.

A victorian gem in the heart of Sunderland. Lots of dark wood and stained glass with a good selection of real ales.

I have to agree with the previous poster regarding the price of bottled beers.Im a fan of trying these new bottled American craft beers, and thankfully the Dun Cow has plenty of em to choose from, but most of them are Goddamn expensive in here - I paid just under 5 quid for a 335ml bottle of American ipa, which is bananas when I can pick the exact same product up from a beer shop for £1.79.Don't get me wrong, im happy to pay a little bit extra for a better quality product, but the mark up on these drinks must be huge. Maybe a bottle price list on display would be helpful? Next time I'll stick to a pint.

out shopping with the wife, decided to pop in for a quick beer; love the pub, love Brewdog beer; ordered 2 330ml bottles of IPA; and was charged [wait for it] £13; that's £18 per litre.I am actually a shareholder with Brewdog and Hardcore IPA costs £2.85p to purchase from there web-site; that's some profit.Asked the young lady behind the bar to check the prices, which she did, and informed me that there was no mistake.Maybe a chalk board with prices on it maybe a good idea; to save embarrassment!

I came here approx one year ago and the tapas was lovely, we visited last week for tapas and it was disgusting. Roasted red pepper sauce with tortellini tasted of nothing but water. Grilled halumi was rubber and the curries tasted out of a jar.Will never eat in here again

I had an hour or so to kill whilst my car was in the garage for repair, so lunch was the obvious choice, Sunderland is not noted for its quality eating and drinking experience but the Dun Cow changes that pre conceived idea, the pub/restaurant is a beautiful building both internally and externally with great bar snack menu and a wonderful selection of real ales and Kraft beer. This was truly a great find amongst the average and the dross that Sunderland usually offers.

Going to sit in the fence with this place because really wanted to like it as I had heard some good reviews from people, but couldn't get excited about much here, yes the decor is authentic but nothing about it that made me take much notice , we ordered a selection of tapas mince, lamb , butternut squash and crispy chicken perhaps choice but again nothing wow about them and they came out piping hot but very quickly became luke warm as serving dishes weren't hot shame when your sharing and taking your time, price fair, will I return just not sure not inspired

We went on a Wednesday night, we were there for a charity comedy night that was going on upstairs so decided to have some food beforehand. It was packed with people eating pre theatre but we managed to get a table once the theatre had started. The food was unexpectedly fantastic, we got the slider burgers with our choice of three different mini burgers on a slate with proper home cooked chips- absolutely delicious and fantastic value for money - we will definitely come back for food.

Having been taken over by Head of Steam, they have sympathetically tidied up this venue, retaining the original features and adding some GREAT pints of beer and real ales. Interested in trying a new beer, but afraid you won't like it? They'll let you have a taste. They do a lovely Belgian fruit ale if you looking for something different, but chose for yourself. I haven't tried the food here yet, but I know friends who have and they thoroughly enjoyed it, so it's definitely something I will be trying soon and will report back.