Square and Compass in Carmarthenshire

Always a fantastic night at the square! Monthly quiz and karaoke nights are such fun! Food is filling, tasty and well priced. Look forward to our next family night there!

I dont know any pubs this side, so chose this purely off google. We booked a table for Sunday Lunch, as it was good friends 70th Birthday. Thanks to a teenager with a velcro back( couldnt get it off the bed) we were running late So i had to ring and apologise for running late, something I hate. However the team here were brilliant and only made me feel worse when we got there with some light hearted banter, which set the mood right for the meal. Sunday is a carvery, Been experimental, I thought it only fair to check out all 3 meats, all of which were cooked to perfection. It was help yourself to the vegatables, and a fresh pot of cauliflower cheese was placed out just as I got there. All of these were just right as the story goes. I then felt it would be rude not to follow up with a pudding so had the apple and pecan tart, which complemented the mains nicely Usually I ask names, but for some reason today I forgot. However, The chef serving, the barmaid and I'm presuming landlady, were all friendly and contributed towards a great Sunday Dinnertime visit. And as for the bill VERY reasonable. Thank you all

went for the first time yesterday for sunday lunch carvery, which was excellent,well cooked,good variety and friendly quiet atmosphere, which at our age you really appreciate,will definately go again

We can very highly recommend The Square and Compass in Pontyates, three of us went for lunch today and thoroughly enjoyed the Wednesday carvery, beautifully cooked, piping hot and a lovely welcome Alister and Rhian

Now that the pub has been taken over by new owners Alister and his wife we were very excited to try it out. Going on previous experience of Alisters food we had to try the Sunday carvery. To say I was impressed was an understatement. Choice of three meats Pork, Beef and Turkey. Cocktail sausages, usual veg, lovely Yorkshire and amazing cauliflower cheese. The roast potatoes were how your gran used to make them. A big tub of gravy and mash with any sauce you wanted. I had 2 massive slices of Beef and 2 what I would describe as 2 pork loin steaks. I didn't have room for veg unfortunately but what I had I managed to eat. Best Sunday lunch I have had in ages. Book in advance you won't be let down.

This is the best public house we have ever been to. A timeless traditional Welsh pub within a 17th century building. This is where you go to have a pint of quality Welsh Felinfoel Brewery beer brewed only a few miles away accompanied by a delicious meal. If you want poncy coffee, poncy cocktails or poncy food, it is not for you. If you are a tourist and you would like to see a perfect traditional Welsh public house, visit this place. This is what a public house should be, so rare nowadays. What makes it the best though is the landlord and landlady, Les and Caryl, they are lovely wholesome people. Their staff are great too.

Just moved into pontyates and we love this little quaint village pub ,the pints are good and the food is very nice and very well presented excellent ,will be our local

Friendly staff. Basic pub food but freshly cooked and plenty of it. Excellent Welsh cawl. Welsh draught beer. Fine for Quick bite to eat

Traditional style Pub... Real Pub...Real People.. Great Landlord who cooks traditional homecooked food. As for the the review left before, I like going home for dinner!! Food is fresh and cooked with Love and not your usual pub grub that's all out packets or frozen.on Wednesday if you book there is a lunch on for the seniors of this community and it feels like a pub that cares for the Village and doesn't simply cater. We visit regularly...quiet or busy we just feel welcome. I wish more Pubs retained this authenticity. Everyone (and well behaved) is welcome here!

Their Wednesday and Sunday carvery are exellent plenty of choice of vegatables.Les is a brilliant cook and looks after you very well. Would recomend to anyone.

Had lunch with family, food very mediocre as if you were going to your mums for food. Not the best ingredients

All food home cooked and fresh landlord very pleasant recommend having food carvery here very tasty food

Intoduced to the pub by friends who had eaten here before. Would probably never have found it ourselves as we live 45 minutes away. Well what a little gem. Had the steak pie which was delicious and no fat or grizzle. It was accompanied by a good selection of vegetables. Service was swift and pleasant. Followed this with apple pie and custard - a generous portion at an affordable price. Will make a point of doing a detour and going back again.

Nice and friendly village pub, not a big menu (which can sometimes over complicate things). Our food was great, service was great. I can't say a bad word. It wasn't very busy, but was a school night.

I was really pleased that I decided to call in and take a look at their menu, My mum and I decided to have the lamb cawl absolutely delicious plenty of meat and vegetables, with a bread roll and butter £11 for the two of us, Value for money, looking forward to our next visit fish and homemade chips.

We went to the Square and Compass for lunch on a very quiet day. We've always thought it was a nice old pub and we have had some excellent meals there in the past, though we haven't visited for quite a few years now. There were a couple of others in the pub enjoying a drink, but no one else was eating, so we found it very quiet and relaxing. The chap who took our order at the bar didn't seem to be too keen on doing food, as, though he was polite to us, he wasn't particularly friendly and seemed quite indifferent over whether we ate there or not. The menu wasn't huge, which can be a good and a bad thing. It means less choice for us the customer, but it also means that the chef is more likely to be using fresh ingredients. There were a couple of things that we both liked, but not an extensive choice for fussy eaters like me. I'm pleased to say that when the food came it was very nice indeed. My chicken was hot and well cooked, the sauce was very tasty and the chips tasted like they had been home made. I was very pleased indeed with the size of the portion. I had two chicken breasts on my plate, and it was a struggle to finish my meal! My wife chose chicken curry and declare it to be lovely. For once, I didn't sample her food myself, as I literally had enough on my plate. We intend to return soon to sample the Sunday roast. I'm looking forward to the food, and hoping for a bit more of a welcome on what might be a busier day.

Well well well. . . An absolutely faultless Sunday carvery in Pontiets. Went to the Square and Compass after trying the rugby club who aren't doing food at present. Generous beyond belief, the landlord almost forcing ever-thicker slices of pork and beef onto my plate, a good range of veg and HOT PLATES! Super reasonable prices and a nice atmosphere with no rowdy drunks and the gentle tones of Dire Straits on the jukebox. It doesn't get much better. Check my other reviews and you'll see I can be rather critical... The Square and Compass impressed me today though. I'll be back!

I visited the Square and Compass for the first time last weekend with my family and it will definitely not be our last visit. We were met with a warm and friendly welcome from the staff and locals and the food was really nice and great value for money. Everyone enjoyed their meals including both my children aged 5 and 3. The Real ale from the Felinfoel Brewery was first class too, their IPA was a cracking pint!! This is a lovely pub and I would recommend anyone looking for quality home cooked food and a friendly atmosphere to visit this establishment. 10/10.

La comida es básico pero siempre ha sido casera cada vez que vamos allí. El personal es amable y el lugar tiene un ambiente muy hogareño. Es un lugar fabuloso para visitar o para tomar una bebida o comida. Los niños tienen una cálida bienvenida.

Warm and inviting with its open fire.friendly welcome,with personal touch, food is of excellent quality and good value.will definately return to try the carvery,a little gem.

Traditional Sunday roast in a comfortable and well layer out pub/restaurant. Meals were served in the bar or in a small restaurant area in the rear. Good service with the food being served from a small car very. Would certainly recommend it.

Lovely atmosphere and an beautiful Sunday lunch Less and his staff are always cheerful and happy to help whenever we go there

Unpretentious, delicious home roasted meat with freshly cooked real (not frozen or tinned) vegetables. The service is homely and friendly, the place clean and comfortable. This must be the best value meal anywhere in the country. This is not haute cuisine but first class, plain, tasty food. I am talking Sunday lunch - carvery style. Can't speak otherwise.I endorse Deb P that there are no swings to be unsafe.... Wherever Steffan Rhys J went it was not here.

Firstly let me say I am surprised by a previous review which states that the swings are unsafe. There are no swings and in fact no garden at this pub, so would suggest that this review is not about this pub. The Landlord and his family work very hard and long hours preparing the food for their carveries which are very popular and well received. I have not had the carvery myself as I am a keen cook and like to have my roasts at home with all the benefits of leftovers! That said, we have eaten there a few times and the locally sourced steaks are always tasty and cooked as ordered. Ok if you want jus or foam with it this is not the pub for you. If you go in there on a Saturday night it is lovely to see families and groups of friends all happily sat round the tables having good food and enjoying the ambience of a proper local. The staff have always been friendly, welcoming and helpful. This is reflected when you see the people come up to the bar to pay and they ask to put money in the tips jar. I would suggest that you keep an open mind and give it a try! They do not pretend to be anything they are not unlike many "gastro" wannabe pubs in the area. The beers are always beautifully kept with very high standards. It has the best pint of Guiness I've had for ages and the Celtic Gold larger is always sparklingly clear, as are all the beers. The wine is fairly priced and the selections are good. Yes I like this pub and am glad it is our local.

Went for a family meal very nice place. Friendly people but food very basic. Felt like id gone to my grans for tea. Nothing is prepared on site. Everything seemed as though it was pre cooked, pre packed or frozen and just bunged in the fryer/oven. Prices certainly dont reflect the food quality. If you want basic pub grub in a village boozer then this is your place

There was bugs insects flying around my food and squished food was nice play area was terrible I thought swings we're going to break haven't been there since 1 month ago so everybody stop thinking it is good

Sunday lunch served here is very nice indeed. Been on a few occasions and the quality and the taste never fails. Staff are friendly and the pub has a welcoming traditional feel to it.

Perfect Sunday lunch every time, can't fault it in any way! Good value for money. Generous helpings and cooked perfectly. Friendly staff. We try other places every now and then 'for a change' but nowhere else comes close.

Surprised by some of the below comments as i have been here today and yet again had an absolutely flawless experience, feeling compelled to write about it! We like to try different places to eat but always end up coming back here as i have so far found this place unbeatable for Sunday lunch, the best for miles around. The Sunday carvery is excellent, the quantity of meat is extremely generous and the veg is also fantastic! They are very accommodating for babies and even offer us a free bowl for our son everytime we go there! I find the staff very helpful and the atmosphere is great as it is always packed, cannot fault the Square and compass.

Lovely atmosphere, great Sunday roast, excellent service, reasonably priced. Management and staff friendly and most helpful. Highly recommended.

This has a quintessential pub as what we all know and love what a traditional pub is expected to be, warm, friendly clean and inviting, and also with a restaurant if you want something more formal. I make sure every time we visit the area we squeeze in a delicious roast dinner at least, but we have had a couple of the dishes from the set menu which have been very satisfying for a hungry tired traveller. The owners are extremely friendly and welcoming, to also mention they have the highest hygiene rating recently awarded yet again. Recommend booking if you can saves disappointment as it does get very busy!

Called at this pub on a Wednesday lunchtime, we had heard good reviews about the food so thought we would give it a go. We were greeted by a very miserable unhelpful barmaid who served us drinks. When we asked about food, she told us it was Wednesday so it was a carvery. I asked what the vegetarian option was and was told " Nothing, there is'nt one ". I thought I had misheard her and asked again only to be given the same reply. No apology. nothing. Needless to say we did'nt finish our drinks and left. Would not recommend this place to anyone, especially veggies.

This is a small quiet pub on the way up a hill in Pontyates.Simple well presented meals. attentative helpful staff.Good Sunday lunch.Food reasonable prices.Advisable to book Saturdays.Would recommend.