Harbour Bar in South Hams

I've visited The Castle a number of times over 10 years and really enjoyed the food and drink here. But my last visit - with the hotel having been sold to St Austell brewery - has led me to leave this review. The menu has been drastically slashed to very basic options. Where once a variety of fish dishes and others were available, now it's just fish and chips, burger and little else. Extremely limited now for lunch too. It's gone from "very nice" to "fine". A good restaurant to standard pub grub. A great shame because the beer is decent and the bar very cosy and welcoming.

We came in Saturday night and apologise if I get the young man's name wrong, I think it was Joshua but he is an absolute credit to the hotel. We had a lovely meal and the service by Joshua was excellent. We will return again one day. Sue and Steve

Popped in for a light lunch. Two of us choose jacket potatoes, something you could not go wrong with. Sadly both were undercooked with cold parts. Mine was ordered with prawns, but sadly lacking sauce. One of the potatoes was returned. The men had a sandwich and a cream tea. Pretty underwhelmed. I’m sure not the best that Devon has to offer!

We had a decent meal here - moules and two burgers. The atmosphere in the bar was warm and welcoming, with children welcome.

We went on The Flavel's Meal and a Movie deal. You pre-book the cinema seats, pay £15 per head, and go to the Castle for a meal on the evening of the movie. You then get £12 off your main course at from 5.30 onwards and a cup of tea or coffee (before or after the movie), which is an excellent offer. As an added bonus, the scampi from here is the best in Dartmouth. There’s always a good atmosphere here, an excellent choice of drinks and friendly staff.

I popped into have lunch and was stood at the bar talking to the locals and noticed that the ladies who was preparing the sandwiches and salad. Was not wearing any gloves. And not washing there hands. Food hygiene I take very seriously. And so should your staff. I walked out very discusted. Will never eat at the castle. You should be ashamed

There's always a nice atmosphere in the Royal Castle Hotel Bar and we decided, after looking round Dartmouth, that we would have dinner here. It was busy, but we managed to find a table and chose our meal at the bar. Staff were very helpful and pleasant and the food came at a reasonable interval. I would say that the food was 'good' rather than 'very good' and I wasn't keen on their frozen chips. We enjoyed the experience, but were a little shocked at the price of a Coca Cola (£3.20) and a tomato juice (£3.40)!

Called in for a drink lunchtime,it was so warm an friendly,we came back in the evening for a meal, the food was excellent, and the service was spot on. It gets very busy you may have to share a table.

We had a meal here so we could watch the football (don't mention that!) We both had fish and chips and took advantage of the happy hour wine deal (buy two glasses and get the bottle) Fish and chips were great and the service could not have been more friendly and helpful. They even found decaf teabags to make us drinks after! Thank you!

This place came as a recommendation from my hosts at the B&B and I was very impressed indeed. The food was great, with a wide selection and daily chef’s specials. The bar is pet friendly, which added to the atmosphere, and the staff were courteous, friendly and helpful. What more could you ask?

We visited on a Saturday lunchtime at the end of half-term break in October. The bar was very busy and we were lucky to get a table. Although gluten free sandwiches were on the menu ordering them was a less than straightforward process. Three of our party ordered sandwiches and three bowls of chips and I ordered a baked potato with cheese and beans. The food took nearly 45 minutes to arrive which was longer than we would have expected. However, it was of a good standard. On a positive note the staff were friendly and very attentive. Our bill including drinks was £62!

Lovely presented and furnished modern bar environment. Staff are very friendly and accommodating. Live Music was superb. Drink selection is outstanding with local beers and ciders. The wine list is long and all available by the glass. Fantastic cocktails, especially if made by Suzy! My recommendation is the Expresso Martini. Complimentary bar nibbles appreciated. My only criticism is prices on some drinks are expensive.... A Fever Tree Tonic was £2.70! I have never ever paid more than £2.50 for this, even in a more star rated hotel bar. Maybe this needs to be looked at for future.

We had a very nice meal here. Fish and chips and scampi and chips. Very fresh, nicely cooked. Good service

Popped in for dinner, had catch of the day lemon sole, perfectly cooked. Would definitely eat here again.

We ordered food in the bar and settled down with a drink and the paper. The food was delicious ( when it eventually arrived 40 minutes later). My prawn sandwich was really filling and the Asian salad was an excellent addition.

Good food a little cheaper than the grill room and more informal Food available all day, good service. Can get very busy as very popular with locals and visitors alike

Parece que este es el primer lugar que la gente cuando la lluvia comienza su diluvio! Estaba lleno de las costuras, sólo habitación permanente. Muy popular por todas las cuentas. Cálida y acogedora en un ambiente animado y aquí para las bebidas. Aunque no comimos, la comida alrededor de nosotros parecía y olía divino!

Eating out in Dartmouth can be an expensive lottery, not so in the Royal Castile Hotel bars. Great atmosphere, great beers and great food. The photos show the quality and the triple cooked chips (whatever that means) are wonderful.

Locals bar . Lovely atmosphere. Always good service.No kids in this bar in the evening but there's another bar adjoining Only downfall - no ladies loo downstairs, no lift (I think) but this is a listed building!

Very busy, but then again it was the run up to Christmas. Staff were still able to be friendly and helpful. Very good food and well kept cellar. Will return.

We stayed at the hotel for 2 nights and eat in here on the second night. It was VERY busy and noisy initially, due in part at least to people drinking before the local "SnowBall". Once they left, it was more pleasant and we both went for the beef curry, which is served in a traditional stacking tin, with Raita, Mango Chutney and poppadoms. Very nice.

We came into the sport's bar, and enjoyed a couple of drinks. My wine glass was chilled, but the white wine was a little warmer than it should be. This was no problem, as Carlos replaced it with another glass, very speedily and with no fuss. My partner's draft Peroni was perfect. Carlos then emptied the wine cooler, set into the bar, and re-freshed it with fresh ice. The banter in the bar was entertaining, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Will defo return soon. We didn't try the food, but what we saw looked very appetising.

Slap bank in the centre of the town, the Royal Castle over looks the boat float and is must go to destination for everything

Great busy bar good mix of people real fire food was as good as some of the restaurants we have eats in

We visited on a Sunday afternoon in February in order to watch a cup final football match on Sky Sports. From the moment we walked in the Landlord was friendly and engaged us on conversation despite the brisk trade in the bar. Further the atmosphere in the bar was lively and cheerful. We got chatting to a number of the regulars who were also there to watch the match. I have been in some bars like this were there is a clear division between "locals" who get favoured service and appear to resent visitors, and visitors who get a second class service. This was NOT the case in the Harbour Bar - the Landlord (Phil) managed his team well; was keeping a good eye out for any problems; and still had time for a few words for locals and visitors.

Called in during the evening for a drink and whilst it is quite pleasant, the furniture in the sports bar was not that comfortable and was a bit old and basic.

Dreadful storm and good beer - Rugby on the TV, atmosphere, dogs welcome and friendly bar manager. The Bar food was great.

Comfortable and friendly with excellent staff and clearly the centre of Dartmouths social life. We just love it here

Good beer here again, food was Ok but over priced and not enough of it!!! the service was Ok and the staff seemed to care about the customers it a pity the chief didn't read our order right. I asked for Blue cheese with my burger but got no cheese at all, and not cheer on our garlic bread which we asked for.

Enjoyed our meal immensely, good battered cod and big, amazing, tasty, yummy big chips. Didn't like the apple and raisin crumble, too soggy and sugary but overall, very good

Lovely food not rushed, plenty of choice. Can get busy so pre book if possible. Best tables are at end of bar at back of room.

Really good food relaxed atmosphere incredibly helpful bar staff/table service couldn't do enough to make our evening as enjoyable as positive.

The "Royal Castle" is well known for its ambiance that shows best in its food and drink services. The ground floor bar[s] are often full because both local people and visitors know that they will get good quality food with slick service. The menu reflects much of what is offered in many pubs and bars around the country but it is of a really high standard at the "Royal Castle". There are usually specials available and there are special evenings, eg : curry nights. No devotee of Dartmouth would dream if missing out on the experience offered here.