The Dolphin in Lewisham

This place is in a great spot with. Lively big green and has such potential to be a heartwarming community pub, but their arbitrary rules around children and dogs have meant that this long-time Sydenham local will not be returning. They are very clear that children are not welcome, I came separately with my dog on a hot summers day to join a large group of adults and children (some of whom were my own) and was instantly told that dogs were not allowed in the garden, when I lightly joked with the bar man that that was a silly rule he looked over to the children I was with and said, ‘and children are not allowed to walk around either, but that’s our rules’. The children in question were walking to the toilet… They made us feel most unwelcome for having kids, all of whom are well mannered and we spent a lot on their overpriced and underwhelming pizzas. In a very family friend area this is bizarre behaviour especially to a larger group who were ordering a lot of food and drinks. The Dolphin should take note of wonderful pubs like the Perry Hill just around the corner, which has incredible food, a children’s playground, friendly staff and who are genuinely welcoming to dogs.

So surprised by some of the reviews here. I am very fussy and we love The Dolphin! Come here very often. Really great pizza, reasonably priced and have always found the manager and staff for be super friendly and accommodating. As an example, I came with my baby the other day who was asleep - the manager specifically opened a side gate for me so I didn't have to wake her up walking through the main resto. It's quieter midweek but I'd say most places are and still busy. Lovely beer garden and you don't get rushed out. Greyhound is full of old blokes and smells of frying and old carpets. Just saying...

The dolphin used to be grt on a Friday evening busy and lively to see on the weekend Needs to liven up a bit Went last night and was more like a Sunday eve, quiet, really quiet bad music as well moved on after one

I am local to the dolphin and visit frequently, weekly for food, there’s not any other place local that you can sit down with kids to eat pizza, today I have told the staff there that I will not be returning. I find the service very slow, once ordered the food comes out fast enough but if you would like another drink or pay the bill you will be waiting. You are then bill’ed for the terrible service, pricy and non attentive. I am frustrated because as I said I don’t have anywhere else local to go with my kid, but I have had enough, moving in the wrong direction

Me and my partner visited this pub at 12 am midway,after a nice morning/afternoon drinking we decided to order food..::after waiting over a hour for food my partner cancelled the order and decided to get a pizza from pizza go go (next door to the pub) After spending over £40 (4 drinks each) our pizza arrived,I had one bite out of my pizza while I finished my pint and was ready to leave.....the manager (ginger hair man) very obnoxious and with no people skills,picked up my and my partners drinks and asked us to leave.....I had one bite out of my pizza! I asked him why we had to leave and he said because your eating food that wasn’t brought here....I put the slice back in the box I told him he was rude and basically told us to use another pub !!!! This is my 2nd visit to this pub and the staff are very unprofessional and rude

I went there today and spent 40 quid on drinks. I ordered a pizza next door and literally had one bite of pizza in the garden as it was such a long wait for food,and the guy with curly ginger hair took my drinks away without any warning and told me and and my friend to go. My friend asked why and he was very rude not professional at all. I came out the toilet and asked where my drink was,I was told to leave and go up to the greyhound where the staff are polite. In my opinion this guy was totally unprofessional and rude!!!!!! I was told not to come back and I certainly won't. This is my second visit to this pub and staff were very rude and didn't care about the customers!!! I would recommend the greyhound or the pavilion were the staff go out of their way to welcome their customers