The Alhampton in Mendip

We had family visiting and had a table for six on the covered patio which is now lit and heated. There was a lovely atmosphere and the staff were very friendly. Short blackboard menu but with good varied choice. We all had something different and everyone one proclaimed that their dish was delicious. Would highly recommend.

We’ve just had a delightful Saturday evening out at the Alhampton Inn, our local while on a short break in the area. Like the disappointed reviewer below, we too had checked the menu online and were expecting the full listing. However, our actual experience was very different - my mackerel pate and sourdough toast starter and sea bass main were absolutely delicious, as (reportedly) was my vegetarian husband’s mushroom and halloumi burger. The friendly manageress who explained the situation/problems with the website and the lovely young man who served us made us feel so welcome. The hand sanitiser was very conveniently placed! We were delighted to learn that the reopening has exceeded all expectations and wish them every success - it’s so very hard for small businesses just now. Thank you for a lovely evening and we would definitely return if in the area again.

Great food burgers were amazing @rickmorgan982 halloumi fries great but rick wanted more overall great experience

Let me make one thing clear from the get-go, the food is OK even if the chips come from a potato factory and are pretty mediocre, no, the problem is the menu.We all now live with the slowly establishing ‘new’ thanks to this virus and some places are dealing with it far better than others so putting the hand sanitiser against the wall to the side of the door and well out of the eye line when entering will not encourage people to use it. Put it a yard inside the door where people have to walk by it and it might. I saw not a single person use the sanitiser, not even the staff whose social distancing from other, perhaps local, patrons was akin to the ‘crowded beach’ variety.On arrival, I was shown our table, outside. ‘Everything is outside now’ I was told. That was never going to happen as there was a gale blowing, it was not that warm and my guests had come dressed for a meal out not a hike in the country so were not in heavy outer clothing as were some of the other patrons who I guess were locals, the others outside appeared to be somewhat cold. In fairness, the chappie I saw did sort the problem and we sat inside. Apparently I should have been told when I booked, I wasn’t and wouldn’t if I had been. The other indoor table was also soon occupied so did they make a fuss too?Now to the Menu. Sample - Definition - ‘a small part or quantity intended to show what the whole is like.’When venison, sous vide Guinea Fowl and Hake are on a ‘sample’ it is quite a shock to find that three of the seven offerings on the day are burgers another is a lamb sausage and one some aubergine concoction. Hardly any relationship to the ‘sample’.The excuse, sorry, reason given was the one that now appears to be universally used ‘the menu has been cut back because of the current situation’ ie. COVID. Why?The place was busy so it cannot be through lack of footfall, no, it was because ‘we can’t get things like fish’ I was told when asking if it was a supply problem. Really? Has the fishing fleet all been impounded? Have all the deer been put into COVID lockdown? Have all the Foul been repatriated to Guinea? Or is it because a burger is cheap and easy to make and more profitable? By the way sea bass was available so where did that come from? The local river?A ‘sample menu’ is used as a ‘come on’ to tempt you to visit BUT to then offer nothing resembling it will only lead to customer disappointment, frustration, embarrassment, I was entertaining guests, comments like mine and a determination not to return.

Amazing food from a chef that clearly has a passion for food. Me and my wife visited earlier in the year and the food was top notch. Definitely the best place to eat in the area.

Not a regular reviewer, but lunch today at The Alhampton was just great: perfectly cooked roast with all the trimmings at a reasonable price, from friendly staff, among a nice crowd. Highly recommend.

We called in here for lunch having booked a table for nine. Very quiet and we were concerned but when food came out it was delicious.

We were staying nearby and wandered over to the Alhampton Inn for a drink. The beer was well kept and the pub was very welcoming so we ended up booking a table for dinner. The food was good and well-presented and we thoroughly enjoyed our evening. The one thing that let the place down was the cleanliness, or lack of it, in the toilets. Otherwise an attractive pub worth a visit.

Good Sunday lunch lots of vegetables. Lovely garden to sit in if the weather is good. Good atmosphere and all in all a good experience.

My wife and I visited the Alhampton Inn for a drink then returned for a meal last Saturday.The pub is a typical local in a small village, small and homely selling many local drinks, which we liked.For our meal, we were seated in the restaurant area and were warmly welcomed by both staff who couldn't have done more to make our stay enjoyable.Although they were very busy with a large booking, we were well looked after throughout.Food was delicious, lovely home cooked fayre although unfortunately starter and main left us no room for dessert!!Competitively priced, we would recommend a visit when in the area.

Warm welcome from bar manager and warm atmosphere with open fires in bar and dining room. Dining room attractive with flowers and candles on each table. Interesting menu and food delicious and presented beautifully. Try it, you won't be disappointed.

Myself and 3 friends had an evening meal here at the beginning of Feb. Overall the food was very good, we liked the use of local ingredients. The only thing that let the meal down was the sides, lacking in quality and amount, a shame as really let down a delicious plate of food. Overall a very pleasant experience, we would definitely return.

With Chris managing, Joe behind the bar and Ross in the kitchen all is well at the Alhampton Inn. Warm and welcoming with log fires in the winter, a friendly lot of locals,and superb food. Just the place you want to live next door to!

Hurrah the kitchen at the Alhampton is back open and food under chef Ross is great too!Bias warning - this is my local so I want it to succeed. That over Sunday roast beef is superb and even my teen son who won’t eat veg tucked in and loved the cauliflower cheese and the beef was to die for. Great it’s bscl and pop in for a meal and great pint.

Ok it’s my local so I’m biased but just enjoyed

Proper British traditional pub.

Yes, the fab ally burger is back on the menu at the Alhampton!

Visited on a cold Thursday night, log fires burning, excellent cold pint and then to follow a really nice home made pork pie and excellent home made burger. Would certainly recommend!!

Love the Alhampton, Chris and the team are really excellent hosts in what is a very well kept local pub. Had an xmas meal here tonight and the food was good and service fantastic. Would recommend :)

Sunday Lunch taken and excellent, despite being short staffed. No puddings but still £36 for two. "Difficulty in getting staff " not surprised the landlord had no interest or agve any help. Going downhill rapidly at this rate

I visited the Alhampton Inn for dinner with three family members after a recommendation from my neighbours. I booked for 7 pm on Friday May 19th and was pleasantly surprised to find the pub busy in the way village pubs used to be busy - people unwinding after work. Three great beers on sale as well as all the usual suspects and a friendly welcome from the landlord and the customers. The pub has a traditional bar and lounge set up and we had a table in the lounge which was quieter but not cut off from the atmosphere of the bar. The menu is interesting - not extensive which is always a relief for me as a) I find it hard to make up my mind and b) I am suspicious when I see loads of options listed. We all ordered chicken satay skewers for starters followed by burgers/steak and chips - sounds ordinary enough but the fact that it was anything but is what prompted this review. Imagine the best burger you have ever had and then add the best fries you have ever had followed then by a trio of deserts that includes the best brownie and ice cream and creme brulee etc etc. It was just stunning. Not sure who does the cooking here but anyone who can make a humble burger taste as good as that is a maestro! What a find.