The Dolphin Inn in South Somerset

Good Beer, nice and warm, friendly atmosphere

Fantastic pub with amazing locals and atmosphere 👌

On arrival we were met by a rather miserable barmaid. Once we received our drinks we sat at a table. Lying on the floor next to our table was a beautiful German Shepherd. We chatted with the owner and his family and made a fuss of the dog. I was asked to go and get my puppy German Shepherd from my car which I did. The two meeting went really well until a third dog entered the bar. The dog was huge but lovely. However he started growling and my puppy barked at him. This is natural dog behaviour. Anyway unbeknown to me, the miserable barmaid came out of a door at the back of the bar and told my dog to “shut up”. She then returned back to behind the bar. I was not told of this until we had driven away from the pub. Just as well as I would have had words! This is not the behaviour I would expect from a barmaid who works in a pub that clearly allows dogs. Needless to say we will not be visiting nor recommending this premise again even though it is a local.

Played league pool there...great atmosphere and reasonable prices.,...had a great time

Used to love this pub, used to drink here from the age of 18, seen lots of landlords come and go, don't get to go out often but decided to go in for a drink today and were told as we had been in the Bull Inn first we weren't welcome... most Bizarre!

Grew up in this village and have been drinking in here on and off since the age of 18. Went for a drink tonight and was refused service by a grumpy lady (assuming it was the landlady) as had been in the neighbouring pub first. A very bizarre reason for refusal and not in keeping with the mentality of our community... avoid!

Went Down with a mate and had a cheeky drink and the atmosphere was lovely and the drinks was amazing, would recommend to anyone

Grey haired female staff member with tattoos was very rude, abrupt and not welcoming in the slightest. Shame really as the Guinness was good. Unfortunately she ruined that so we won’t be back.

Polecam! Bardzo ładne miejsce. Pokoje super. Jedzenie pyszne. Miła obsługa. Z pokoju można wyjść na taras i zapalić papierosa. 👍👍👍👍😊

Best pub in Ilchester but still only ok

Great pub very friendly staff very welcoming well priced. Every time I go I get amazing service and friendly atmosphere.

Very much a locals local, part of a terrace. Visited because of its Cask Marque accreditation. The ale was excellent - to be expected as this establishment is one of only eight thousand odd that is on the Cask Marque Ale Trail. This accolade is not easily won, needing two unannounced inspections to test all the ales on sale for taste, clarity, temperature and smell. A distinctive plaque is given to display outside the door and and a certificate awarded where those who only want to drink in establishment's where they know the Ale will be perfect, can register their visit. This is a good scheme and directs Ale appreciators to those venues they otherwise would pass by - and be the poorer of experience because of it. And such is the case with The Dolphin Inn. Unprepossessing from the outside, along entering the visitor will behold a vibrant atmosphere, where men were meeting friends and women could walk in alone with confidence. A proper local pub - and the beer is good

Excellent staff nice pub if you are in that side of the country pay it a visit

Popped in quickly to kill 45 mins before we went to a kids birthday party. The welcome was really friendly from the locals and the barmaid. Very clean and good service. 😊

Spent 1 night in Ilchester, staff were lovely and made us feel very welcome. It's a proper English pub, garden looked nice although we didn't use it. Would definitely pop in again when in the area.

Very unwelcoming. We really felt like they didn't want us there. Very much a locals pub. One to avoid.

Ok, but owner a bit sharp on arrival.

Called in on way through Ilchester, just wanted lunchtime bar food and tea/coffee, told wasn't possible, woman we spoke to was rude and disinterested, never been made to feel like that in a pub before.

A lovely pub that we visit every time we are in the area, the staff are great and there's always a good atmosphere. The Covid-19 regulations were very much in place i.e. sanitizer at the doors, social distancing, and the landlord making sure that people adhered to it and separate entrance and exit. We're always made very welcome when we visit and looking forward to coming back as soon as we can.

Always a friendly welcome, Dave and Jayne are fantastic hosts. Lovely fresh fish and chips Thursday & Friday, great burgers too, all at sensible prices. No sticky tables here, everything kept clean at all times. Good beer, good jukebox, well worth a visit

Dave and Jane are good hosts. Nice people who try to run a decent and traditional pub. Very clean when we last visited and a good cellar.

Always a friendly welcome, Dave and Jayne are fantastic hosts. Lovely fresh fish and chips Thursday & Friday, great burgers too, all at sensible prices. No sticky tables here, everything kept clean at all times. Good beer, good jukebox, well worth a visit

Nice atmosphere, good landlady food and beer and pool table, what else do you want.

I don't like leaving bad reviews but felt I should warn others. This place was not for me.

From a Dutch perspective, it is the real English pub experience. I loved the atmosphere and the relationship with the nearby naval airbase is nicely shown!

Beautiful little local pub. Great landlord and lady. Always happy to welcome anyone

Best pub for miles Spoons prices

I haven't eaten here so I can't comment on the food, however I have been in here a few times when visiting my son and his family. The beer is good and cheap and you don't get stared at when you open your mouth. The locals are great and so are the bar staff. The landlady is a Liverpool fan which is odd seeing as Ilchester is near Yeovil,I would have thought she would have been a Man Utd fan like everyone else! A very good pub.

Hadn't been for quite a while but called in today and enjoyed our drinks there - pleasant, relaxing, warm, clean and friendly - very reasonable prices and a decent pint (from new barrel). Well worth the visit so will be back again.

I’ll start by saying this is the furthest pub in walking distance for me but I choose it to be my local! I rarely eat here, as they don’t serve food at weekends. I think they’d make a fortune, but hey! The pub has a small car park round the back with a beer garden with plenty of seating. The beer is the cheapest in the area, and with the exception of national budget pub chains and working men’s clubs I’d guess it is the cheapest for miles. Even though the menu is basic home cooked food, it is BRILLIANT. I have the fish and chips every time, great value and so good. They often put sports on in the top bar so as not to ruin any atmosphere or give the non-sports fans a ‘safe space’, so it has something for everyone. It has loyal local clientele but are very welcoming to anyone else. Oh, and their dog is MASSIVE, I never know whether to stroke it or ride in to battle on it! He’s very friendly though! Give it a shot if you want good pub food in a lovely informal pub!

If you want a good pint and meet the locals then this is the place. I really enjoyed a lovely pint in a traditional pub with no juke box music.

My partner has played there quite abit, staff very friendly , and good company ,food good, clean pup

If your of a certain age you’ll remember drinking in a local village pub, no restaurant area just crisps & pickled eggs on the bar, where you met up with friends, family & neighbours. The Dolphin Inn is this kind of public house, but with twist. It is a traditional establishment with bar stools, quiet areas, dart board & pool table & wood burner for those cold evenings & tabled areas to sit around & put the world to rights. But - if you live fish & chips just like your Mum or Nan made this is the place to come, eat in or takeaway - the burgers I’m told by my two boys are better than the branded outlets. Their tiger rolls are extremely popular for eating in or takeout. You can also watch sporting events both on Sky & BT. So if you’re visiting our lovely village pop in & say Hi.

Definitely a locals pub but pleasant. Parking at the rear is tight.

Get involved, great pub, great staff, great fish and chips, great atmosphere and people and the best part is I got got drunk, and got home! Cheers to Dave and Jayne!!