The Gate in Barnet

Poor food, awful service and hopeless management . Saturday evening and the place was heaving. The car park was full and there were several large tables of guests celebrating birthdays. Not a great start. We found a table in the large conservatory and waited to be served. A friendly, young girl who admitted was working here for the first week came over and asked if we would like to order drinks. I asked for a wine list and this seemed to startle her. She returned with a printed list but had to find a colleague when I asked which wines came by the glass. We also asked for a jug of tap water and a spicy tomato juice. The jug of water was just enough to fill the four small glasses and was never offered to be replaced. The tomato juice had no spice at all and when queried a different waitress brought bottles of Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce as they leave it to the customer to add it themselves. My glass of wine had to be returned as there were several things floating in it. We waited ages for the food order to be taken and eventually our starters arrived. My haloumi chips were cold and soggy. The potato skins were cold and tasteless. The main courses were no better. My slow cooked Portobello beef comprised four 3 cm cubes of tough lukewarm chunks of beef served on a dollop of mashed potato and some beans. It was awful and I left most of it. My wife’s steak was hard and also cold and she left the majority. Our guests also did not finish their meals. The conservatory was often devoid of any waiting staff but occasionally had five young waitresses standing with their backs to the guests chatting away to each other. On two occasions we had to leave the table to get someone to attend. The manager, who greeted us on our arrival was never seen again. In all it took three hours for us to finish our very poor meal but we were quicker than the neighbouring table, where after waiting more than an hour for their starters were told that the order had somehow not reached the kitchen. We said how poor the meal and service had been, but this just brought a curt sorry and an embarrassed smile. No visit from the ever missing manager. Never again.

Been coming here for years and has always been excellent comforting pub food, however recently meal was not good at all. Order off the special menu, it was beef of rib was served cold with greasy chips, someone else ordered salmon which was very overcooked and most of it was left. The only nice meal out of the five people was the pie. Such a shame as was somewhere we really enjoyed coming to.

Warm friendly atmosphere, with plenty of seating I did not have anything to eat on this visit, but had a Guinness. It was £5.50. They have the extra cold variant, and it was pretty good. I would come here again and try out the food next time

We gambled on visiting here on a Sunday, just to see how busy they were and whether it altered the quality. It didn’t. We arrived about 3:20pm. We parked in the overflow car park opposite. Not well signposted, but it’s 30 yards up the road directly opposite their main entrance. We waited about 10 minutes for a table and were served promptly and courteously. Food was obviously freshly prepared and very good indeed. Plentiful too. The portions are generous. Cost was a pleasure too. 4 people, mains, desserts and drinks, all for £125, including a relatively generous tip. This is now a considered option for a Sunday now, despite the fact you cannot book.

Proper pub! Had the best red wine I’ve had in a while, and the ribs were massive tender, juicy, and packed with flavour, the buttery corns on the side made the whole thing just spot on. Great vibes, definitely coming back!

Food was excellent and service was good.

Just had an amazing meal in the Gate , Sunday roast absolutely beautiful , hubby had fish and chips and it was also delicious , our waitress was fab , so helpful and polite, all the staff are amazing, great atmosphere, highly recommend you give it a try , our waitress was called " Layni " she was great !!! All staff are very pleasant, i would highly recommend you give it a try !!!!!

Perfect food ..high quality and the service is the 10 stars 🌟

Nice food, good atmosphere, friendly helpful staff

I enjoyed my visit and the food was very good and the service was excellent. I must admit that I had food envy as it seemed like my fellow diners chose much better than I did!

Hadn't been for ages, so nice to have waiter service now! Yeah it's very good.

Delicious pub food at very competitive prices. Would thoroughly recommend 👌

I love this local restaurant. Always fantastic service and delicious food at a reasonable price.

Lovely place nice food friends took us here for the 1st time

I had the steak and ale pie which was genuinely delicious. Fresh and good portion. Really lovely service too! Great spot.

Been here several times before and always been impressed. It’s always super busy so was a surprise to see the car park empty and hardly anyone in - the conservatory was completely empty and there was about 8 tables taken in total. (However was day after Boxing Day) The food was fabulous as always. The only reason I didn’t give 5 stars was because it was hard to get any staff attention which we wanted a few times but gave up. They were gathered at the bar talking so I get why they are taking advantage of a quieter shift but was frustrating as a customer.

The food, service and atmosphere is always outstanding at The Gate. It's got a great family vibe with no riff raff. Parking can sometimes be a little difficult. Despite the parking, it's without doubt a 5* establishment.

Don’t order Baileys! We asked for 2 doubles. The waitress appeared with 2 glasses not much bigger than shot glasses clearly with 25ml of Bailey’s as the liquid didn’t even cover the ice. 2/3 sips and it was gone. Checked the receipt and was charged £15 for two doubles. Queried with waiter at the end He replied don’t take it out on me, how would you like to pay? I wish I had taken a photo!

Great, satisfying food, great service, nice atmosphere, not too pricey; once you discover this place you will keep going back! Lovely beer garden in the summer.

Food is always good at The Gate and service is,always good and efficient

Lovely roaring fire, great venue for a get together. Delicious coffee, friendly, attentive service

Super lovely pub, I could smell the log fires before I walked in on a cold, windy night. Got seated straight away and then quickly served. Service was quick and the food was top notch pub grub, none of this faux haute cuisine rip off rubbish. Highly recomend!

We came here for dinner with friends, the food we ordered especially the Gourmet Beef Burger I had was truly delicious, and the staff was quite nice. The atmosphere was lovely, so I would say this is an excellent spot for a gathering with friends.

Very helpful and friendly waitress.

Have been here twice. Lovely atmosphere and great food which was enjoyed by everyone. On second visit, the service was a bit slow. However, very friendly. Will be back again.

First visit here after passing it many many times. It gets really busy (seemed to thin out around 3pm on a Sunday), but the place is very impressive and the staff are wonderful, so polite and nothings too much trouble. Good selection of drinks and the food was very very good, piping hot and served to each person at a similar time. Deserts are generous and truly indulgent. Definitely recommend and would come back. Why did it take me so long to visit????

Not good place for vegan. Ordered chill and rice. They said the tortillas and cream are not vegan (so so simple to get vegan tortillas and vegan cream…). I asked to replace it with something else instead. Like bread and they ended up charging for me the bread. The chilli was eatable. Not something you serve in uk 2024 (maybe in 2000)

I’m so impressed with this place! The atmosphere is amazing the staffs are so welcoming and friendly also we were very surprised with the plates as they are very generous.

I have been to the Gate pub many times with my well behaved dogs and sat in the dog friendly areas of the pub away from diners (after checking with previous staff) and having checked the website (saying dogs welcome). Today I went in with a well behaved cocker poo and was told by a rude waitress that I had to take him out the back outside after politely informing her that I had been before and sat in the dog friendly areas and she told me firmly that “No, I had to go in the back”. It was a cold day. Felt very unwelcome and uncomfortable and left straight away.

Amazing meal, brilliant atmosphere but the highlight was the waiter, Walter! Definitely coming back.

Good all round pub Good food. Always busy with nice atmosphere and I especially like the set up and lighting.

Dissapointing meal!my chicken breast was clearly not freshly cooked dry anc lukewarm.chips much the same!

This pub does not take bookings and does allow dogs in their conservatory.

This has been our go to pub for food for many years now. Different specials every week and they are always great. Good quality food with portions for an adult unlike the kids size meals some pubs serve up! Prices are fair and service good. Wife and I always look forward to having a meal at The Gate. Just wish they would get 0.0% Guinness in.

What a very enjoyable dinner. The food and service was great. Very friendly staff. Will definitely be going back soon.

The food is always fresh and plenty of very in season also

Great food with very good service ,would recommend you try this place .

Cosy place with exceptional food

I have never seen the gate so empty and the food and drink more expensive than my last visit this year and not much of it although, it was cooked well. Also, some customers, a group of men in their 30/40s were quite intimidating and using the womens toilets and taking their drinks out on the road side of car park and urinating in the street, did not exactly add to the appeal to visit in the near future. Staff lovely and friendly. Maybe tweek the menu with some of the old traditional menu, lower the price on some dishes and make toilets safer so children and women dont feel intimidated and uneasy.

Always a great place to meet friends with the additional guarantee of a good meal

Dining at The Gate in Barnet was an unforgettable experience, and much of that is thanks to the incredible host, Warren. From the moment we walked in, Warren made us feel like valued guests, offering a warm welcome and taking the time to provide thoughtful recommendations that truly enhanced our evening. The menu itself was impressive, offering a range of well-prepared dishes using fresh, quality ingredients. Warren's recommendations were spot on—he suggested a few standout items that we absolutely loved. The flavors were perfectly balanced, and the presentation was elegant yet unpretentious. What really made the dinner special, aside from the delicious food, was Warren's attention to detail and his personal touch. He clearly has a passion for what he does and for ensuring guests have a memorable experience. His knowledge of the local area also added to the evening; his tips on where to go and what to see post-dinner were thoughtful and much appreciated. Whether you're looking for a cosy dinner spot or seeking advice on how to make the most of your visit, The Gate in Barnet is a must-visit, with Warren making every experience feel tailored and unique. Highly recommended for both the food and the hospitality!

Food portions are big, so that is satisfying, but quality is not so great. Fish was poor, and tail looked like it had freezer burn, so wouldn't recommend the fish and chips

Friendly, efficient staff and good food.

Baby changing room is not clean ,specifically the changing table needs a good clean replacement or clean . Everything else is wonderful

A lovely pub serving great food. Friendly staff.

A nice venue but the food is very average and expensive for what it is. Beers are nearly £7 a pint. We spent £35 per person. The fish and chips was ok but not great, the steak pie was ok but had very little steak in it and at nearly £18 was not good value. The Pavlova dessert again very disappointing 4 half strawberries a sticky over sweet sauce, a merengue and spoonful of cream.

I used to like the Gate but our last experience was awful. We got led to our table , we ordered our drinks . No drinks came and it was 25 minutes later the young server that came to our table asked if we were ready to order food. We hadn’t even received our drinks but the view from our table could see them sitting at the end of the bar for the last 10 minutes.we cancelled our order and went to the 3 hammers instead, good service there.Gate is a Nice pub but the wait is getting ridiculous . This isn’t the first time this has happened.But is the last for us.

The wait was far to long and the service has gone down hill, we ended up leaving without ordering food at the table as we waited 30 mins and hadn’t even received our drinks .

Worth a return visit. Enjoyed the lamb shank and the steak and ale pie. Great to eat outside when it is warm.

The gate is a fantastic spot that combines high-quality food, a great selection of drinks, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. The menu offers a delicious mix of traditional pub fare with a modern twist, and the drinks range from craft beers to well-mixed cocktails. The ambiance strikes a perfect balance between lively and relaxed, with rustic yet modern décor and friendly, attentive staff. Whether you're out with friends or enjoying a quiet dinner, the gate delivers on all fronts—highly recommended!

Top quality food and best service Experienced staff

The best Sunday roast I have had in a long time, dessert was gorgeous, service fantastic, just a great place all around.

Great food, great service, fair pricing.

They tried hard to please, food pretty good.

Reasonable prices for food in a modern nice setting.

Pre-prepared dishes at average prices. Some dishes are not good.

A good meal for some, but pretty average for others in our group. We've been before and have better food.

We had a really lovely Sunday lunch , staff are amazing and it's always a pleasant atmosphere, it gets really busy , highly recommend this pub , plenty of things for everyone on the menu !!!

Been there few times. Very helpful and polite staff. Very tasty and succulent Chicken Wing. Good food. The old guy/ waiter very friendly and humourous. All out friends enjoy going there.

Met a friend for lunch here. Staff were friendly and the service was good. There is a good selection of beers on offer and a full food menu. There is the main pub area, an extended cover area and a lovely garden you can utilise. Car parking is available at the pub and there is an overflow car park opposite. I would definitely recommend and will return.

I visited the pub/restaurant last night. It was pretty full and buzzy atmosphere. I was with two friends. The food was the usual excellent standard. My friends had burgers, as usual. They loved it. I had the beef and ale pie. It was the absolute best. Honestly, never had better. It was packed with meat and gravy. The filo pastry lid was perfect. It was a good size and with veg and chips, very filling. The service was excellent though my friend asked for tap water on two occasions and it never came! Pricing is the 'going rate' for pub grub these days. Probably a fiver more than five years ago.

Lovely food and ambience! The service was very nice too. Would definitely recommend.

I'm am not sure what the negative reviews are referring to. My Family and I have been coming here for years and again this evening all eight meals were very good, substantial and we all enjoyed the flavours very much. Very good service on a busy Sunday afternoon/evening. Great

A very nice pub to spend your summer evenings.. good food and also nice beer at decent prices. A large garden + sheltered areas to sit outside and good service from staff..

Visited on quite a hot summer Sunday lunchtime. Sat in the area which used to be the garden but now has a roof kinda like a hanger. It was pretty hot in there and no music from what I remember, which might have been nice. But main thing is the food was great. Service as you'd expect in a uk foodie pub (ie good) and the table was clean with plenty of cutlery & sauces available. 4 adults with 2 beers, 2 soft drinks and main meal each was £100. Would recommend. Lots of parking for the car too.

Popped in for a spot of lunch on a sunny Thursday afternoon, I was surprised at how busy it was. The menu had a great choice to choose from, I decided on the salmon, as the main, crumble and custard for a cheeky dessert. Highly recommend the Gate, staff were friendly, food was a solid 10, overall, definitely worth a visit.

A nice summer evening, a busy car park and an even busier pub. However, it was the food and service that were most disappointing. This is a pub I have been to occasionally throughout my life, situated in a nice spot in Arkley. Dinner with my mum and brother promised to be nice, but the food was poor and the service below par. We ordered at the table but waited for an age for drinks before being told our food order had been lost (or was unreadable, can't remember). Upon arrival, our starters - chicken wings, halloumi fries and breaded mushrooms looked straight out of the freezer. Wings were ok, fries average and mushrooms poor. Mains were worse - a pie with v little filling, a limp burger and fries, and salmon atop very oily pasta. The next day I discovered that my mum had been sick that night while my brother had a dodgy tummy. Coincidence? Maybe, but I won't be going back to the Gate in a hurry.

Lovely spot for food and drinks… service is amazing… the garden in the summer time is outstanding

Sunday dinner was quite repulsive. We could not cut our roast potatoes, the beef was extremely bad and the gravely was quite obviously bisto. The calamari and apple crumble were clearly heated in the microwave and I am so disappointed! Lovely garden but we won’t be returning.

Wife had salmon fish cakes hardly any salmon more potato small chips pile of salad?? Not worth £16.95!!!! DISSAPOINTED regular customer. Server Jess great.

Lovely place for a meal with friends, family or solo. Plenty of seating, good size and beautiful terrace earlier for when the weather is warm. Waiters were really friendly, service was quick and the food was amazing (could’ve done with a little bit more of salt and pepper) but overall very good and I’d definitely recommend / go back again.

I love a gastro pub and the gate has certainly up their game. 😍 their food and service was amazing. food was served hot and fresh I tried the minted lamb shank and the pistachio chicken for the main course both tasted absolutely delicious. I tried several items off the menu and was not disappointed at all including starters. The dessert menu was absolutely delicious, I tried the Eton mess and the sticky toffee pudding 😍😍 portion sizes were huge, will definitely be back again soon

Brilliant, best I've had in a long time. Highly recommended.

Roast Turkey , Yorkshire pudding delicious

Top notch pub grub, can get busy at lunchtime so arrive before 12 if you can

Lovely food they allow dogs in outside area

Steak was perfect and the service was to.

The back yard is such a nice place

We've been going to the Gate for years with my colleagues. The venue is great however as the years have gone bye the food quality has gone totally downhill. Cheap and tastesless. I asked for a gluten free burger without bun. The lettuce edges were brown. Although I had taken a couple bites before taking the picture, that meal cost with me £14. I will not be going back there for to eat anything. The burger pattie was so dry and cheap tasting. Never again.

Great food in hearty portions, lovely garden and great atmosphere in the whole place. Prices very reasonable.

Pretty place, however food tastes great only if you don’t know how to cook. Custard tastes like flour and water, chicken was dry, service was quite slow…

Had lunch at the pub, food was very good had a couple of pints of Guinness also very good only thing I felt the service was a bit slow. I wasn't in a hurry so not a problem.

lovely little pub, food is always amazing every time we go there and staff are so friendly and helpful. Definitely will keep visiting

Really nice well presented pub. Good food and good beers

Lovely English restaurant, happy atmosphere, good vibes. I was very hungry and I ate and appreciated all the courses, but I didn't find the food special, a little disappointed with that. Also couldn't see any smile from the staff, they looked tired so it is understandable

Been to this pub before few times. There is a lovely conservatory That one can enjoy without feeling the cold. Last time I was there was windy cold day and all the roof of this were opened😳 I felt so uncomfortable and cold leading to become quite ill afterwards. There were no parts that you could scape as the whole curling was opened. I’m so disappointed that I can’t go there anymore because of the worry and concern regarding this situation. Why would they want to keep all of the ceiling open when they are a lot of seats outside? And if anybody wants to be outside they will go out and for those who cannot tolerate the cold they can still enjoy the view of the garden without catching a cold and Shiver. My food got cold within 2 minutes too. Why????I feel very disappointed.

6 orders Forgot 1 Had to wait 15 mins

Having visited The Gate yesterday after a long absence I was wholly disappointed. I was a guest in a party of four people. I had ordered the calamari which was completely inedible. They were dried up , cold and tasteless. It was like chewing elastic bands. Needless to say I did not finish eating them. My host had the fish & chips which was very overcooked. Another guest had the chicken Caesar salad, sadly, again very unappetising. The chicken wrap was a further disappointment . I do not understand why restaurants serve up substandard food and still expect to charge for the privilege. If I had been the host I definitely would not have accepted such second rate, low quality food. Quite frankly, I felt insulted that the management team thought it acceptable to do so . I shall definitely not be visiting this establishment again any time soon. On a positive note, the service was extremely friendly and welcoming.

Lovely lunch, good food, good wine

Went there for lunch on my birthday, with friends, although small car park I managed to get in, food was lovely, I had salmon teriyaki followed by strawberry pavlova. Service was good & friendly and they didn't rush you out. Great afternoon.

Love this pub, we always try to sit in the extended marquee area. Food is delicious, great for kids too, service is great too!

Superb food, a very good classic pub menu and more dishes to choose from. Very well run pub, beautiful garden also.

Dropped in for a catch up and drinks with former colleagues..We didn't have food .It was very busy ,basic problem was the car parking it was overcrowded ,so much so I had to reverse out onto the main road.

I placed my food order at 7:30pm. Half an hour later I asked about the status of my food and was told that it would arrive as soon as possible. I waited again and asked and it was seen that my order was not entered into the system. They apologized and said it would be here soon. It's 9pm and my food hasn't arrived yet. And I left this place.

A neighbourhood favourite. Cosy atmosphere, friendly service and always excellent food. Doesn't take booking (doesn't need to!)

Great early Sunday lunch, quick service especially with hungry kids and no bookings which suited. Lovely server, didn't catch his name...but made lots of effort with everyone. Will be back soon!

Driven past The Gate many times , but today decided it was long overdue for a visit . I am happy to say The Gate exceeded expectation ! Lovely atmosphere , friendly efficient Staff and the widest variety of good quality food I have ever seen on a Pub menu . The Gate is an independent pub and long may it continue to be so !

Haven't been here for a few years, but we decided to come and have a late lunch with my husband and mother in law. Can't book a table here but managed to get a table, no problem. Our waitress was Ella P, and she was lovely and friendly. Food was tasty and reasonably priced. Highly recommend the haddock fishcakes for starters. Wont leave it so long before coming again.

Ambiance is nice, drinks are fine. Taste of the food and service is horrible.

The manager (hopefully former) is a klepto, don't take your valuables. He also harasses the elderly, don't take your grandparents.