Hare & Hounds Gastro Pub in Braintree

Absolutely disgusting food. I would not recommend attempting to eat here. The chef needs to go back to the drawing board or think about throwing the towel in. Worst food my family and I have had, can’t remember ever eating such terrible food. There is more salt in the food than the Dead Sea, and in kids meals…. Wowza

Have booked the Hare & Hounds 3 times now and all 3 times our booking has been cancelled. No explanation given and when trying to phone them, no answer. Wouldn’t waste your time trying to go here.

The garden area is a complete mess looks like the patio hasn't been cleaned in 10 years. Th toilets have urine everywhere. I wouldn't attempt to eat in here judging by the conditions I have personally encountered. I would not recommend.

This is such a homely pub and does the most delicious home made roast ! Cannot fault a single thing . Staff went above and beyond to carer for us . Big portions too ! Will definitely be returning . Thank you again

Omg. Amazing. Came for a special birthday meal with all the family. Food was amazing. Must go hungry as portions huge! Wines and beers were really reasonably priced. But the main thing was the food was really extra special. High end gorma standard, each meal/starter was so fresh and unique. And big! Even had an absolutely delicious vegetarain option. Loved the free pool table , just a little extra and although too cold to be outside we had a little look in the garden and can't wait to sit in it in the summer. And the service was fab , lovely atmosphere. Can't wait to go back... such a wonderful evening... Thank you ! xxx

Fantastic service and the Sunday roast was superb! Good quality ingredients and lots of them! I had the trio, which was pork, beef and lamb, with all the trimmings. Little disappointed about the little yorkshire pud, but apart from that, all good. Would recommend and we will be going back.

Had a big event here and the staff were so accommodating. Food was lovely and they went out of their way to make sure we had a lovely afternoon. Highly recommend!

Ordered 2 stellas, to roast dinners, 4 cocktails and two rum and cokes. The beer and wine was ok, the roasts were stone cold and when we complained they were friendly enough but all they did after us waiting for nearly an hour for food when not that many people seemed to be eating was to put the food back in the microwave!! I seriously hate that, if they’re making fresh I can wait as long as they want but to make it, leave it to get cold and then think it’s ok to use a microwave on it is not ok.Also avoid the cocktail list, none of the cocktails we ordered were made with the right ingredients and all tasted the same. Just a ploy to con you out of your money.It’s sheltered and nice outside but I wouldn’t go back here if you were paying!

Lovely food lovely team. Our server Sam was absolutely brilliant. Had a joke with us and a laugh. Really warm and all round sweet lady. Really happy

We had to wait a few minutes for our table which was absolutely fine. But we then waited 40 minutes until we were asked if we would like a drink. We got our own menus and children’s high chair after asking for both.We asked a waiter if we could order food, only to be told she could not serve us, so continued to wait for another waiter to come over. It was over an hour before we ordered food, which consisted of two 2 course children’s meals. We were then asked if we were still waiting for our food, which we obviously were. We were then brought out the wrong food. Eventually the food we ordered came out. 2 hours after being there we were asked if we were still waiting for the dessert from the 2 course children’s meal. 2 hours 40 minutes into our experience we received the dessert.As the food is placed on the table another member of staff approaches us and tells us our time on the table is up. We were asked twice in nearly 3 hours for drinks. There were groups of 7/8/9/10 people standing around tables. No non smoking areas. If you’re concerned about going out after lockdown, do not go here.

We had the best time celebrating our friends 22nd birthday! The food was absolutely amazing, the staff are all so friendly & chatty and service was super quick!! 2 cocktails for £12 were flowing all evening, plus the outside heaters on the table kept us all warm :) Can't wait to be back there this weekend, with a table booked for Friday night! Best pub around x

Amazing!!!! What a find! So glad we stopped in! We were greeting by a charming and charismatic Alex when we walked in - what a fantastic front of house! The food is incredible - hats off to the chef! and the drinks selection is vast and plentiful.I can definitely recommend the espresso martini and at 2 for £12 cocktails EVERY DAY you must try! I will be back :)Facilities are clean, tasteful and has a lovely atmosphere!

Four of us attended for an earky dinner. Did not go well.Ordered cocktails - they took ages to arrive. Then the waiter returned to say that he's forgotten to pass our food order to thge Kitchen - OK so it happens. Things got better the starters arrived and were good. More long waiting then the main course arrived One ver good burger, two very poor Fish and Chips asnd a died out, burned Pizza. The Pizza was sent back, when the new one arrived it was undercooked and soggy.They did their best to make ammends, no charge for the Pizza plus free deserts.However that doesn't make up for very slow service and poor food.Won't be going back.

Popped in for a quick dinner and the food was good. There was a good selection and coupled with Eat Out to Help Out it was really good value, although even without the discount the prices are reasonable. The pub has a really nice beer garden at the back with plenty of space and nice views across the fields. The staff were all friendly and helpful and we will be back.

Visited for sunday lunch, had a drink at the bar and was served by a polite member of staff. We chose to have the carvery. We were served by a very friendly guy with meat portions Americans would be proud of , a selection of vegetables and of course Yorkshire pudding. The gravy was a little greasy and not very warm I did not have vegetables but my wife said they were ok, the meat however was a nightmare chew,chew,chew in the end I gave up and stopped eating ,my gums and teeth were beginning to ache, very disappointing .

Going back for Sunday lunch again tomorrow can’t wait - micheal is so accommodating goes out of his way - people really should try it it’s an amazing place and my children love it

Me, my 2 year old daughter and my friend spent the night here for a wedding nearby. The people here were so lovely and helpful, carried all our bags to our room and really made us feel at home. Prices for everything were very reasonable and breakfast was delicious. My daughter was free to play where she wanted and had lots of fun.I have a spinal disease so have to use crutches and am in constant pain, therefore am rarely able to sleep in any bed other than my own but the mattresses were so comfortable I slept brilliantly. A beautiful place with amazing and kind staff, would definitely stay here again and recommend to everyone I know! Thank you for a lovely stay xxx

Absolutley great carvery all fresh best one I've had in ages Thank u an the pudding was even better lovely afternoon spent there with the family in the garden with bouncy castles for the kids

Shocking shocking.Im totally embarrassed to have taken my mum to this dreadful establishment.Firstly a 45 min wait for starters then carvery wish I never.The veg was very over cooked it look like Purée and the meat was as tough as nails.Just so disgusting.The worst ever meal.The standards are so so below the bottom line.No feedback from staff so we paid and left vowing never to return to this will be letting friends no and to swerve here

Mother’s Day carvery? Shocking experience here. Waited over an hour for our starters that when they turned up were okay. Then to the carvery. Hardly anything left extremely soggy vegetables that were left, no potatoes or Yorkshire puddings left and very very red meat (lamb) when one of our party went to get seconds to see if anymore food was left and there was still hardly anything and wasn’t doing anymore food. When spoke to waitress was told she would sort out the bill for us and maybe took off two drinks if that which were the best part of the day. Food and service was horrendous. Was in there 2 and a half hours not asked if everything was alright with our food not offered any more drinks after the first order of drinks when food was bought over not asked if anything else was needed I.e condiments had to ask for cutlery. When we spoke to who we think was the manager/owner about the bill and what had happened we were told I’m not taking anything off it couldn’t of been that bad as one of you went up for seconds! I’ve Been up since 4am and done 180 covers. That’s not how to run a business it is nothing to do with your customers and is not an excuse to say how long you have been up and how many covers you have done. Maybe you shouldn’t book the restaurant out so much if you can’t take the demand and have enough food or edible food for everyone that comes in! Will avoid at all costs in the future and won’t be returning very disappointed.

Had to write this review whilst eating my dinner here..... Amazing food, Amazing people ..... definitely coming back for more!!!!!

Came in for food was th friends and family micheal was an amazing host the service was amazing the food was beautiful pub is child friendly will definitely be returning again soon