Smugglers Haunt Beefeater in East Dorset

Love it here!!! What a fabulous place this is my new favourite place to go. Staff are incredible , lovely and caring really chatty. Amazingly fast service and very efficient when ordering. It was my mums birthday and they gave her a card aswell as a box of chocolates. If you want a nice warm environment and plenty of food for a good price, this is the place.

We had roast dinner. My wife beef was mainly fat. The rest had been left to sit under hot lights so was all a bit dry. We won't be back ,

Attended for a team Christmas party. Table was inviting and well prepared for easy access of service. Caz solely looked after us all for the night and did an amazing job. All very organised 🙂. Our 2nd time coming for a team get together, and well definitely be back again.

We were incredibly well looked after by Caz for our Xmas meal! She was brilliant and deserves recognition by management for this. It was a lovely atmosphere and we had. Nice private area for our party! Good came out in good time even though there was 25 of us!

The chicken goujons were over cooked as was the steak which was also chewy and gristly. Unfortunately this is the second meal we have had here recently which hasn’t been so good as the usual standard. Maybe the chef has changed?

I was here for a Christmas Party, we were a large group which can sometimes be problematic. This was handled with ease and Caz our waitress was very attentive making sure all our needs were meet. The food was delicious especially the chocolate brownie. Definitely recommend, the team were brilliant and a credit to Beefeater

Always a great experience. Danuelle really helpful

Had our work Christmas meal here. Lovely food and service was amazing from Caz who made sure we had everything we needed and was very friendly.

Nice food and very good service by Caz.

Great value Christmas Meal and our party were well looked after by Caz.

I came for a Christmas meal with work. Caz served us all by herself and did an amazing job. The food came quickly and tasted great. I'd definitely come again!

Caz was so friendly and helpful, I felt really looked after and the food is the best I’ve ever had in a beefeater

Booked a table for a big birthday on 1 December 2024 we had a small dog with us. We have dined here before and although the furnishing and carpets are old and worn we were happy with the food and being able to dine with our dog was a bonus. It took some ten minutes for us to be noticed waiting to be seated. The staff member was just staring at a computer screen which was evidently more important than customers. We were told that we had to dine in the bar as we had a dog with us. This hadn't been the case before but we went with it. We walked through and found a table with an empty glass on it and spilled beer. We had been told we would have to go to the bar and order our food. Not ideal for a special birthday but we went along. Husband went to the bar through groups of customers who evidently had been drinking for a while. The language was a little ripe but again we're in a bar so we went along. He got to the bar and the second member of staff was again staring at the computer screen and ignoring four customers waiting to order drinks. He ascertained that they had been waiting for 20 minutes to be served. This was enough. He said we should go elsewhere. We were expected to put up with the complete disinterest from the staff; a lack of information if perhaps there was a problem with the computer system. The fact that dog owners pay the same but are expected to order their own food and have to ask for a table to be cleaned and cleared so we could sit. Also it was chilly and the fire door was being opened so that smokers could go in and out. No. Not good enough. We ended up in Miller and Carter who had a £33 three course Sunday menu including steaks. Treated with respect and care and looked after well. The downside we had to take our small dog home and leave her which wasn't great. However much better than being taken for a ride by this Beefeater in Ferndown. Beefeater this is not acceptable. We may try another one in case this is a one off poor manager, but you've got one more chance. Smarten this place up and put a rocket up the staff.

Always good beer and food at a good price..... can't go wrong 👌

Xmas dinner has put my dad off Xmas, hot dog was small and very dry, prawns were like rubber, steak was over cooked. The four chicken wings looked like they came off a pigeon and the rest of the starters were ok. The only highlight was the staff were very nice. Xmas 2023, forgot to post it...

Went for breakfast it was excellent wasn't that keen on the lady serving us but we did arrive late

Good food but the Place needs a refit. Well shabby

I have been coming to the Beefeater Grill Restaurants for meals for many years, although the food was good, The manager was very helpful with food choices, and told me I could get a replacement loyalty email card as my card doesn't always accept the points, but after communicating with the company I have been informed that they have permanently cancelled my card because of lack of use which is not true and with no communication that they were going to do this. I have also been told that I can not use any points that are still on or add more onto the card as they will be deleted, this is very disappointing, We visited again today 16/11/24 for my Adult Son's Birthday, the staff were lovely and gave my Son a birthday card and some chocolates which was a lovely gesture.

Had breakfast here in Thursday morning as a family. Great food great price and great service from June🙏😃

June our server was fantastic couldn't of been any more helpful. Kitchen staff catered for my specific. Chris was brilliant, very helpful.

June was very helpful, excellent service!

Was served by June, very friendly and the food was great

Had a drink here. Really warm/cosy and enviting. Friendly staff. Fair prices too. 👌🏽

Booked a time online but didnt realise that they use a 24hour clock. Booked 6.45 and I wasnt the only person that day who had got the wrong time as we were looking for 6.45 pm. Apparently it happens a lot. Can I suggest that this is made very clear on the website that they use a 24 hour clock. We did have a lovely meal even though we had to order at the bar.

What a lovely pub and great staff. We booked a table for 8 and then had to change it last minute to 5. The staff were accommodating and made space or our pram as well. The food for dinner and breakfast was great. Would eat here happily again.

Nice place to eat, good quality food and plenty of parking on a weekday.

Great service for breakfast - June was great

Turned up at 5pm on a Wednesday, asked for a table for Two to be told they were fully booked. OK, so there was a table of Six and a few people sitting in the bar area, but we wernt even asked or offered a time, so I believe that they were not fully booked but under staffed. Maybe I'm wrong, but there were plenty of empty tables and really how long does it take for Two to eat Chicken n Chips.

Had breakfast here as I was staying in the Premier Inn for work. The food is pretty standard with lots of choice but my waitress June was so friendly and welcoming, and they were playing funky music too, which created a nice vibe and a nice start to the day

Loved June and her warmth to greet and serve people. Absolute star. Made our experience better.

We have been many times before. This time, I think our meals were probably first off the grill. Danielle, as always, was very welcoming and a credit to the company. The food was cooked to perfection 👌. Recommended ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

We stopped for lunch at midday today and enjoyed a delicious mixed grill and sirloin steak, both with three times cooked chips. The food was tasty, well cooked and piping hot. Service was very good too.

Food was ok. Morning staff have bad attitudes towards customers, kitchen is very slow, bar is very slow. Plates and cups were dirty at breakfast. We cancelled next weeks stay at the hotel due to this restaurant

What happened to the original steak portions and chips quality. Downsizing for profit doesn't paid off. Just lost a customer. It was not worth it even for 40% discount. Most of the British chains are going down the hill now.

Booked breakfast for 10 at 10 a.m. If you are booking for more than 8, book x tables individually and ask them to join them up in the booking notes. Great choice, unlimited continental, or the ultimate, which is unlimited continental plus an unlimited full English. The place was very busy, so although we arrived at 9.45, we didn't get our 4 cooked breakfasts until 10.55, and there was no bacon on any of them. They had stood on the hotplate, and some of the staff were clearing the Continental breakfast away, rather than bringing out ours and other tables cooked breakfasts, despite a bell announcing they were ready. The staff were run ragged, and the lady deserves an award, as she appeared to be the only person taking customer orders. Breakfast served on a Sunday from 7 a.m., so when we go again, I'd definitely go earlier, as 10.00 was clearly their rush hour. We had one lactose intolerant member of our party, and the lady checked allergies and intolerance and provided laminated information on all the products used. Even provided soya milk. Well done Beefeater, very impressed. The only comment is that you need more staff.

Great food and experience, June our waitress was extremely welcoming,friendly and helpful which was so lovely considering I'd just driven for 3 hours and was tired . June is a major asset to the company .

June was lovely skippy the chef done a amazing breakfast and we will be coming back

Super tasty breakfast cooked by Skippy and served by June. Extremely quick service and very efficient. Would definitely come back again.

I have had breakfast at the Smuggkers Haunt Beefeater at Trickets Cross in Dorest. The service from June was professional and friendly. The food was cooked fresh and was delicious. Excellent value for money will definitely come again.

The beer was good along with the service. Food was expensive and poor, the chips were like cardboard, taste and dry. Chicken burger was missing the burger sauce and dry.

"Smothered" chicken, not so smothered as lightly covered, chunky chips looked cheap and oily, "house" coleslaw gave the impression it would at least look homemade rather than house of Lidl. Banquette seating cheap looking leather/plastic that has not stood the test of time split, cracked and tired. Sticky toffee pudding was the only delicious thing, toffee sauce was real toffee tasting, mean portion of ice-cream. Expensive for the end result.

Had breakfast twice over a long weekend, June's service on both occasions was excellent, very friendly and relaxing environment. Chris cooked breakfast to order, didn't have to wait long and was cooked perfectly. Just what you need to set you up for a long day ahead. Would definitely come back again.

Customer service was great and June our waitress was better

June served us as she has for many years! Lovely lady very professional

Went in on Thursday 03/10/24 around 6pm, with just two of us for some dinner, told they couldn't serve us as they were too busy, despite loads of tables clearly being free and all of them being free outside . Car park was about 1/3 full

Excellent service... thankyou June

Visited late Saturday pm, quiet time and fitted in for a table straight away. Team were pleasant enough and food was bog standard beefeater menu. Presented well and hot! Would visit again if in the area

Best breakfast ever served by June please visit here it will make your day

Lovely breakfast and a special mention to June who was a very accommodating host, great service!

Lovely food. Brilliant service, from June.

June was lovely and fois was great

June served us,polite friendly great food

We just had a great Sunday roast here, it was pretty perfect. Thanks to all the staff for looking after us

We have been into the Smugglers Haunt many times over the years but tonight was really good, food was perfect and staff friendly and polite. We also meet the manager who was brilliant and funny someone you could have a joke and a laugh with. Even brought out a birthday card and some chocolates from my Mum and we didn't even say it was her birthday but he had heard us talking. Customer service was top notch. We will be back

Lovely place I come regularly. Thank you June !

Enjoyed breakfast service from June was brilliant

June was a lovely member of staff with fantastic food

Thanks for the great service June!

We had a great breakfast and was served by June who was first class. Would certainly return for breakfast again.

Very pleasant greeting from June, breakfast was great will be back again.

Good was great and June was great at serving us.

Great breakfast from jay the chef who is quiet fit and the food served by june was amazing x

Good food cooked by jay and good service by the little hottie June😘

Great breakfast served by June and cooked by jay

Very nice breakfast waitress was lovely-June

Asked for table for two was met by ‘ don’t have a table ! Don’t have the staff to cook for you !’ By a member of staff who didn’t seem to care !!!

I am appalled at my visit today. I have been to this branch many times, but I left upset with my experience and embarrassed with how I was spoke to. I ordered a medium rare fillet steak. Our food arrived promptly but as I cut into the steak it was very clearly blue rare/raw not medium rare. I asked for it to be sent back and cooked more and when it returned, after my partner had finished his meal, it appears they seared the section that was cut off and the main steak had not been cooked anymore. When I spoke to a waiter (who I presumed was the manager), he patronised me and told me I should’ve asked how thick the steak was and ask for it butterflied so the chef can cook it medium rare. This suggested that clearly there is a high level of incompetence as the chef can’t cook a steak unless it’s cut in half? He proceeded to man-splain how to cook a steak, which I found very condescending. For the final cherry on top, he proceeded to offer me free desserts which I declined as I had lost my appetite and offered for me to use the 40% off voucher that I had which was the reason we attended today. To summarise I’m extremely frustrated and disappointed with the service we received. On paying we were presented with an alternative waiter (who was lovely, and had not been an issue) and the waiter (manager?) we presented our complaint to was no where to be seen. To add there was not a single apology made to us.

Place was dirty, all round skirting boards and really sticky table. Was going to eat here but was put off. Hygiene in the ladies toilet was no better, inches of thick dust on all the woodwork, dirty peeling paint on doors and toilet roll missing.we were told we could sit anywhere on the right when entering. Pealing pvc sofa and sticky grubby table. Our dogs deserve cleaner surroundings too. Would not be visiting again.

Went for a celebration meal.The food was tasty and the staff were friendly and attentive. Lovely evening. Thanks

Food was great and all of the servers were amazing, so friendly and accommodating

We came here on a Friday evening for drinks and food. Unfortunately we were told the kitchen had closed when we arrived (about 8.40). We stayed for drinks anyway but at just before 10pm were told in a pretty rude fashion by a manager that the bar was closing in 10 mins. No apology or explanation was given. We got a drink from the bar but then were basically told it was time to go 10 mins later. Again there was no explanation and when my partner informed the manager that their approach had been rude and poor customer service We got a sarcastic "so sorry". All in all a very disappointing evening with rude treatment from the manager. If the staff had told us when we arrived that they were closing early then we would have chosen to go elsewhere so that we could enjoy a late evening out but as it was they took this option away.

Food was fairly decent considering it was very busy, service is good

Perfect service from our server June. We could not be more helpful.

We arrived at 7.00 for a 7.15 reservation to find that the building was closed. We had booked and No one decided to let us know it was shut even though we booked TWO weeks ago , and No one had the courtesy to contact us, so we had time to rebook else where ,As this was for a birthday

Chris the manager was fantastic and a credit to the company, he made my daughters birthday today. Excellent service even though they were rushed off their feet

We were served by June today who was lovely. Food a d service were great.

Interior getting a bit tired and worn, Food and service very good.

Staff were minimal but brilliant, can't say the same about food. I had the mixed grill, ½ chicken breast, sorry pigeon breast was nearly bite size, eggs were mostly uncooked. Our granddaughter had the burger which was bone dry and totally inedible, I would say it had been cooked and then rewarmed to order. Not the best beefeater I've been to, needs a lot of improvement.

Waitress was great friendly and efficient manager really good

Great Breakfast & great service from June

Was served by June. Had good service, good food and good atmosphere.

Enjoyed a good meal here with family, made up of 3 separate parties last Friday. Staff were happy to wait until we all had arrived, even though some were delayed due to heavy traffic and travelling long distances. Food is of a good Beefeater standard, reliable. The service however was impeccable! Congratulations to the manager (sorry I have forgotten your name!), and all staff. The Manager was so friendly, helpful and really built a rapport with us all with his attentiveness and good humour which was appropriate for the 5 year old right up to us 60+! Thank you for making our evening more memorable and well done on your customer service. Highly recommended!

Had a great meal at Smugglers Haunt. Great experience as on previous visits. Good service lovely food. Good value for money

The food is a bit small but the server (June) was really lovely.

Dine in Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday Excellent service and attentive staff. June and the other staff go above and beyond. Ate Breakfast and Dinner

I recently visited this Beefeater during a holiday trip and found it to be a great experience. The food offered good value for the money, consistent with Beefeater's standards. The atmosphere was nice and cosy. However, the standout feature was the impeccable service. The staff consistently checked in with diners to ensure everything was satisfactory. One server, in particular, named Michaela, left a memorable impression with her clear, distinct voice, jovial demeanour, and complete professionalism.

Manager Very welcoming and added bonus, dogs allowed in bar area. Great choice of breakfast, both continental & cooked all unlimited. Our American cousins were in awe. Would definitely recommend

We stopped by for a quick English breakfast. We waited more than 55 minutes for food. Fried eggs were served almost raw. The food was served almost cold, only the hash brown was a little warm. People at nearby tables also complained about the long wait. The coffee from the coffee machine was good. I wouldn't want to go back there.

Food was as usual excellent and served really quickly. Lots to choose from, all fresh and tasty. I asked June to turn down music in the kitchen as there was also music playing in restaurant. June was very polite and friendly.

Very slow service. We are waiting for an order 55 minutes. We are coming just for a quick breakfast, lost over one hour.

Lovely Beefeater friendly staff. Food was hot and good quality each time we visited. Good drink options, good amount of parking available

Car park littered with litter toilets dirty beer flat took 3 attempts to poor a half decent pint whole pub looking tired and neglected staff unfriendly and not interested

Staff were polite, friendly, attentive and fun to be around. Food is reasonably priced and pretty good all round, I have no complaints and quick service with a smile every time. Good times

Every time we visit friends we come here. Food is fantastic, a good selection and always so tasty. We came for tea last night, Ellie's service was a 10 for me. Super polite and friendly and her energy was lovely. Breakfast this morning was time sensitive, June seated us straight away, even without a table booking which i thought was great! Food was served so quickly and was freshly cooked. Danielle was so lovely, really chatty and engaged with us which i really liked and wished us a good day. Made me smile. All round service is absolutely spot on! We will definitely be back when we visit the area!! See you soon ! X

June and the other servers were lovely and the food matched

Came for breakfast 2 adults 2 children, great choice of cooked and continental (help yourself) served by June, lovely lady and great service

We arrived early for our booking, but June accommodated us, no problems. Pat cooked the eggs for my husband perfectly (my husband is an awkward sod when it comes to food!). A nice clean restaurant.

Lovely Beefeater for food and service

Travelled three hours, was looking forward to a few drinks, only to be told a 21.40 on a Friday evening they were closing, staying the weekend but won't buy won't be wasting my time on this venue. Well I take back my words back, what a difference night to day, daytime staff cant do enough for you, excellent service and hospitality, five star for the day shift team.

Came to eat here a few days ago...staff were lovely and the food was very tasty