Needle & Awl in East Northamptonshire

My arms stuck to the table because it wasn’t wiped. I ordered a sloppy Jo which was barely cooked toast , mince and beans. I wouldn’t call it a meal, more something one would throw together with a hangover and limited food in the house. The staff however were excellent. Kind, welcoming, responsive. The lady on the door was so kind that her laughter was infectious

Came here on the 17 th. February for dinner .We both had the steak and ale pie (award winner) and it lived up to its expectations.Good service from James. Would recommend.

The staff in the play area are friendly and amazing ,any food and drink ordered is delivered promptly . My grandson always enjoys his playtime here ,although he will be too big soon . Thoroughly recommend

Great service and friendly staff food was excellent even with a large party food was hot and all came out together excellent

We had been to the cinema and arrived late for our booking. ( not really expecting to stay) We were welcomed even though it was late evening and had a lovely meal. Friendly staff and great service. Thank you very much xx

Another amazing service from some very friendly and helpful staff

Good food at an affordable price. A particular thanks to George who was very friendly and helpful.

Went to have breakfast with my wife and son. Staff very nice and helpful. Food was quick to come out. Environment was peaceful and calm

The staff are very friendly and extremely helpful. Definitely dine here again.

The food is not really ‘high standard ‘, not really cosy, loud annoying children, but the staff is extremely friendly and helpful. To work here, these are the only criteria. And that’s why I will keep coming back here !

Good food, reasonable prices and always friendly staff

Took the children to the wakey warehouse at 5.58pm! The girl behind the counter told us she wasn't letting anyone else in because we have to be there an hour before hand. We showed her the time and she still said no!!. The website says 7pm closes. We only were going to be half an hour 😪

Three good meals, deal of the day so great price.

Live locally and booked here for an 80th Birthday party. We were a group of 25 and the staff were so friendly and looked after us really well. Food was great, the drinks flowed and we had a fantastic afternoon/evening. Thank you :-) The car park is big and easily accessible, but if staying longer than 2.5 hrs like we did, remember to enter your car reg on the system before you leave. Will deffo be back.

Good food, exceptional staff. Such a great atmosphere, will definitely be going back!

Food and service are fantastic. The best Apple&Berry Crumble, with lots of fruits, crunchy oat bits with custard and ice cream.

My family and I have had another meal here tonight and likely won't be going back. Unfortunately although staff are generally nice, there are far too few as we had to hunt someone down to get us seated etc. On arriving, my husband's 'chilli dipper' burger had one spoonfull of chilli in which both burgers were dipped, to the point we asked for this to be rectified and in response staff provided a small rammekin with another spoonfull or two inside. Having had this before at another Hungry Horse where it filled the bottom of the bowl, we expected a better serving. My curry then arrived and albeit I ordered the lamb keema there was only one cube of lamb present (I literally took it out to check the rest), where the rest of the curry was simply peas and onions. The poppadom was also bendy and given we'd already spoken to them about the burger, I didn't want to have to also raise an issue with my meal, so just ate it. Thankfully we had a voucher so didn't pay full price, as we would have felt slightly robbed if we had.

Friendly service and good food. Only waited a few minutes for our meal to arrive!

Always a smile at the door. Staff are always friendly and welcoming Never had a bad steak sizzler to date. Favourite place to go

Had our Christmas dinner here also meet every week for a breakfast club.good food and good service,

New years eve was excellent value for money. Staff were brilliant. Atmosphere was great. Really enjoyed it.

Were a party of six and we all had a brilliant new years eve.. The food service and entertainment were spot on

I only go to meet family, definitely not my choice.

Delicious food and great value.

Not bad, what do you expect to get from a pub offering two meals for £10. The breakfast is very good value.

So we went to the Needle & Awl for Christmas dinner. We had never been there before. Can I just say how absolutely lovely it was. We had a very good experience. The staff were very accommodating, attentive & friendly. The portion size was more than enough. We left feeling very full & very happy. It was also great value for money. Thank you all so much. Will definitely book again for next year.

Wanted to thank Chef and all the staff for a wonderful Christmas dinner today. A proper feast💕

I had a special request on Christmas, that I didn't think they could fulfill. But the came through and saved Christmas! Thank you to the staff working Christmas day.

Christmas day was well staffed, good delicious and hot but a bit of a wait for food. Staff were amazing. Highly recommend

I love this pub because food is always tasty and friendly staff makes us welcoming and visit amazing

I ordered the fish and chips not expecting much but it was brilliant. Many thanks will return next time im stopping in the area

Food and service was disgusting, tables were sticky and dirty should rename it the needle and awful

Lauren was an excellent server and catered to all of our needs during our dining experience making sure we had everything we needed. Will definitely be coming back

Excellent staff, excellent meals we would highly recommend. The staff can’t do enough for you

Always had great meals at the needle, family friendly and my girls enjoy playing in the wackyware house. We are looking forward to breakfast with santa Christmas eve! 🎅 like we do every year for the last 3 years.

Kerry,Lauren and Molly absolute stars tonight it was my birthday and they made it very special indeed. Food was absolutely great thank you.

Enjoyed their Festive Menu with my husband Monday and the food was lovely. As usual the service was swift and the staff friendly. Thanks so much.

Really a tale of two experiences, arriving slightly later than our booking, not being local anyone that has to negotiate the Rushden Lakes Christmas rush hour traffic will I’m sure sympathise, we enquired at the bar to say we’d arrived, there was no room at the inn here, so we was told to go to the main door, who knew there was two, to check inn, we asked where that was, and the manageress very kindly got one of the young staff to show us (have you worked at Sainsbury’s, well done) however, the queue was back out of the door which, by the time we eventually checked in, the table had been released (I know, it’s our fault for being late) but the phaff in rebooking the table, I didn’t see 8 people come in and take what would have been our original table, was just too much like hard work, eventually we got sat down but told we had to vacate by 645pm which wasn’t a problem. Next challenge, getting a drink and ordering, the app, which would have solved a problem, didn’t allow for amendments, my grandkids didn’t want cheese on the burgers and with no option to do this, I visited the bar. There was two other clients at the bar, one being served and another waiting, I stood on one side and was told, please don’t stand there, stand over there as I need to know who’s next, which I did but then thought, there’s only 2 of us it can’t be that hard to remember, surely if a queue system is needed, then make a sign, though when I was served someone else stood where I was originally, but wasn’t asked to move as another member of staff appeared, begging the question, what if there was a queue All of this didn’t set a precedent for the meal, however I was proved wrong, the meal was served quickly, correctly, hot and with a smile, well done for this element, the hamburgers were wolfed down as was everyone’s meal. Greene King, please just sort out the front of house and ordering experience (bar staff and app) Ps. Question for any HH management, what’s the importance of the black cup you get when you’re taken to the table and the insistence of getting it back half way through the meal?

We came as a big group (14). The staff have been so friendly and welcoming and couldn't have been more helpful. I would thoroughly recommend it as a family-friendly pub with very good value food.

Always have an amazing experience at the needle and awl and my 5yr old love's the soft play

Our children thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast with Santa experience. The staff were all dressed Christmassy and in cheery moods especially for 9am on a Sunday morning! There were so many activities included in their goody bag to keep them busy throughout the meal. The food was lovely and nobody left hungry. Santa could do with a little more practice with interacting with children as there were a few pauses we had to fill. Overall, I would definitely recommend the experience as everyone enjoyed the morning and I was happy with value for money. We were there for about an hour and a half and did not feel rushed at all.

Breakfast with Santa is a great experience for whole family granddaughters loved the craft making all the staff were fantastic including olaf Breakfast is a great way to start the day would highly recommend the event 😀

Very friendly and lovely atmosphere. Kids loved santa and had a lovely time thank you

Good was tasty but not homemade. Tasted good but not great

Always a great place to visit for something to eat/drink, great atmosphere, great price, great staff! Staff are always attentive and happy to help, nothing too much trouble for them.

We took our daughter for breakfast with Santa this morning. It was such a wonderful experience and we can’t wait to do it again next year! There were lots of fun activities at our table, the breakfast itself was delicious and meeting Santa was set up so magically. I think the best part of our experience was the staff. They were all so welcoming, friendly, attentive and even made such a fuss of our daughter. Thank you so much! 🩷

I brought my mum and son to The Needle & Awl tonight for a meal. We hadn’t booked and although it was busy ( at 6.15pm!) they fitted us in. The menu was huge - So much choice!! My mum had Classic fish & chips , my son had Fairytale New Yorker and I had Lamb Kofta Flatbread. We all gave our meals a 10/10. Somebody there knows how to cook! and the service was friendly and efficient. Just great!

Really lovely food and fast service Came here with my partner because we were KIDS FREE

Absolutely great, definitely recommend and will come back

Great food. Great hosts.............. Would definitely come back here again. Now you get free hot drinks refills 😎😎

We visit the wacky regularly laura is fantastic with the children. Laura makes us feel welcome. Great staff member

Marie made my family yearly dinner out a great success the service and food was top quality .thank you all at the needle and awle for a great night

I come here every Tuesday with my Autistic son and we really enjoy our visit here. Yes, the food here is really nice and the prices are superb… but what really makes the visit worthwhile are the staff. Always greeted with a smile from everyone …especially Molly the waitress who is really sweet and engaging. We hope to continue our visits here as the welcome is very special.

Food was good, strange you have to get own cutlery and sauces etc, as well as self serve hot drinks!!

We come here regularly because I am nanny to a 1 year old baby .. Laura is amazing with her and there is always a lovely friendly atmosphere here .

Lovely atmosphere in the the soft play. Laura is absolutely amazing with the children and they are all happy to see her everything we go. Food is good and affordable

The 'needle' never fails to deliver!! Excellent food, great service.

Lovely staff and food always looks good, unfortunately it's never hot !

We have a disabled daughter and they always take care of us and are extra attentive. Even the Grinch cracked a smile.

Liam the waiter that led us to are booked table was a great person for accommodation and the food delivery was perfect 10/10 would fully recommend coming to hungry horse.

Liam was great—excellent and timely service, and very accommodating of complaints.

Excellent food, service and value

Eating out celebrating my wife's birthday, service was excellent and made a fuss of the birthday girl. Food is really nice and plenty of choice along with a good selection of drinks too.

We went on Wednesday this week and Marie on font of house was so polite and helpful and could not do enough for us , we go a lot and always have excellent service and the staff are always very friendly and the food is fantastic value , the burgers are amazing

Pretty much what you would expect from this type of place. A little dirty and run down. The food is more miss than hit. The staff are very friendly though and it's pretty cheap. UPDATE. Popped in for dinner again, worth another go. We had 5 different meals which were all a bit ropey. I don't recall us ever leaving so much food on our plates which says it all really. Still very dirty and you literally stick to the tables! I would not recommend this place, try the priory just up the road which is so much better.

Me and my boyfriend had a lovely meal. We were shown to our table promptly and felt welcome. Molly was amazing! She always had a smile on her face, making sure we were satisfied with our food & asked if we would like anything else after. Will definitely be coming again soon!

Friendly staff. Food was served quickly and was piping hot. Tasty food. Would go here again.

Lovely experience from everyone. Really appreciate George and Molly for helping with a birthday celebration !!

Thank you for such a lovely meal, really good service and couldn’t be more helpful

We had a great experience at the Needle & Awl today. We hadn't been in for a while and found a vast difference since our last visit (different staff and management) The welcome was second to none. Extremely helpful, chatty, informative staff (particularly George 😁) We had the 2 for 1 burger offer. Quadzilla and cheeseburger chilli dip...they were very good, plentiful and fresh 😋 The service was prompt. We had no problems at all. We will be back.

This place never fails to impress me and my family. The food is always lush as is the service. Charlotte is a star, always helpful, never let's us down! Keep it up!

Fabulous food and service. Staff very attentive and friendly. We had a toddler with us and she was given colouring bits which kept her busy. Would recommend a visit.

If I say the best thing about this place is the car park.

Great service and amazing meal, generally super homey energy

Molly always greats us with a warm welcome and a smile! Great service always! Thank you!

We came here today to celebrate my Grandsons 2nd birthday. From the moment we arrived Luke was so lovely and helpful, he couldn’t do enough for us. Molly and Honey were also great too. All helping with an issue we had even though I didn’t ask them too as a birthday cake we had made had collapsed in transit. They arranged for the chef in the kitchen to see if he could repair the cake. Adam in the kitchen did his best to repair the cake and this was all off their own backs. Luke, Molly, Honey and Adam are a credit to your company and saved the day for me. Will definitely be coming back even though we live an hour and half away just because the staff were totally amazing!! The food was lovely too 😂

Excellent food, reasonably priced & deal on drinks too! We had a lovely dinner here after shopping at Rushden Lakes. Special mention to Molly our waitress who made us feel comfortable and at ease - Great service! Couldn’t recommend enough! 🙌🏼

Molly, our waitress, was absolutely wonderful—friendly, efficient, and great with my little boy. We were very happy with the excellent service she provided!

I have used the Needle and Awl as the venue for my work team meetings (about 14 of us) over the last year and I couldn't fault the place or the staff! The staff are always very accommodating considering we were a large party, and the food always comes out quickly and hot. Plenty of staff around as well, and they made sure we were well looked after, and were quick to clear away finished plates/glasses. Thanks again!

Friendly and efficient service, and great food.

Molly served us and was very lovely and welcoming. She made sure we liked our food and made casual conversation to be friendly :) Adam also served us and made us very comfortable! He also offered to fetch things for us :)

Fantastic staff, very friendly. George behind the bar is a credit to the team. Having a child with additional needs, some places we have visited we've been made to feel a nuisance for asking for changes to meals. This was not the case, he took the time and addressed my daughter by her name (after hearing me say her name) which made her smile.

Absolutely fantastic party, wacky girls go above and beyond, definitely booking again

Always helpful and polite great pub to go too for drinks or a meal

Just hadca meal at the Beedlecand Awl, the food for a Happy Eater style pub was actually really nice and piping hot. The service was very good. Many thanks to George and Molly, who gaveca great service and we're very friendly. Haven't been gor years, but for a mid week meal, I'll definitely conecagain and woukd recommend 👌 👍

I went the to have my birthday meal with my 6 kids there partners my husband and my 5 grandchildren they went above and beyond to make it a nice experience

Been in for a meal with friends. We come every week. Wouldn’t go anywhere else. The staff are amazing. Always have a friendly smile on their faces. Marie is very helpful and nothing is too much trouble.

Fab time. George is an angel and deserves a raise and to go home early from his shift every damn day. Food was lovely, service was fast and I have zero complaints 🥰

Came in today for a birthday meal for my mums 46th birthday. What can i say, im incredibly chuffed with the service. The staff were friendly, attentive and welcoming. I wanna give a shout out to luke especially who was our server. He was supper attentive and went out of his way to help us out and was massively patient with our table insideribg there was 16 of us. Cant thank you guys enough will deffo visit again.

We have just had my little brothers 3rd birthday meal the staff went above and beyond for him to make his day extra special Emily the deputy manager made sure everything ran smoothly and that we had a great experience. The food was amazing

Brilliant service from the team at the needle and awl rushden lakes fab food and great service thanks to Emily and crew

Nice food great time had by all.

I recently visited The Needle and Awl Pub and had the pleasure of being served by Emily. From the moment we walked in, Emily went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. She was incredibly attentive without being intrusive, ensuring we had everything we needed throughout our meal. Emily’s knowledge of the menu and drink recommendations were spot on, helping us choose dishes we absolutely loved. Her friendly attitude and genuine warmth made our experience feel special, and it was clear she truly cares about her guests. We left feeling well taken care of and are already looking forward to our next visit. Highly recommend asking for Emily when you stop by—she’s fantastic!”

Great food and service as usual. Molly was very professional and efficient.

Lovely place to come for breakfast. We come here at least twice a week and are never let down by the food or service. Special mention to George for being so welcoming. He's very helpful, attentive and never fails to make us smile!

Molly was great, very friendly and welcoming.

The food was lovely and so was the staff

Great staff and great food. Will definitely be returning

Our waitress, Molly was excellent, lovely girl

Lovely food, large portions so be careful how much you order.. The chicken wings and strips come in a bowl with about 10/12 pieces (not just 5/6 like the picture shows)! Very quick service, despite being a busy Saturday evening, staff are friendly and helpful.