The Malt Shovel in Wakefield

The pies are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G I had steak and stilton and it was honestly up there with the best I've had. My wife had brisket ( so do much on the plate) and my remarkably fussy kids wrapped their full meal while nipping in and out to the play area. We will definitely be back. Also did I mention how nice the pie was. Pies 🥧 well over 15 to choose from

Update 09/01/24 - Still a fantastic pub, and equally as good food!! Amazing pub and amazing food!! If you like a pie, this is a must-try place. They have a vast array to choose from (and aiming ro hit 50!). In addition, there's even 3 or 4 options in terms of what topping you'd like on your pie!! First visit and will definitely be returning.

Ive been here a number of times over the past year. I will say the food is pretty good especially the pies and the choice. No Cumberland Ring as not been able to get it for months, nothing suggesting this anywhere. The homemade chips can be nice but the larger ones can be hard still in the centre. My mixed veg and mash were a little cold. Salmon fillets were delicious. However the last 4 times I've been, chosen so I can treat myself to my favourite drink, Inches Cider, they've not had any. Once is fair enough, twice is unfortunate, a third is ridiculous, a 4th means I won't be returning.

Locely place. Locely pie selection need to have this next time. Portion sizes, very generous.

Great place for a family meal.Portion size amazing and a pudding thrown in with the price.Will definitely go back for another.

Fantastic food.massive portion very reasonably priced.

Best pub meal I've had in years.

A very popular place for Sunday lunch. We didn't have food but it looked fantastic.

Could be the best place around for the pie eater. The list goes on forever. They are quality fantastic. Proper chips, not the frozen. The food is home cooked with large portions. Take a visit you won't be disappointed.

I really liked it the pie was nice and a good temperature

Best food ever especially the huge range of pies all home cooked food and fresh highly recommend, friendly staff and comfortable surroundings

We stayed here last night (Late Feb 24 Saturday Night) in our Motorhome. It was our first visit and we found out about them through P4N. Rang ahead as only 2 spots for motorhomes. Staff were lovely and accommodating. Had food in the Pub and consequently stay was free (thank you). Food was amazing proper home cooked food. Kids rated it a 9/10 just because it took a while to come but honestly was worth the wait. Play park for kids. Well Priced. Pudding was lush too. Stayed in the campervan in car park as pre agreed, could use some more gravel here as muddy and boggy. Would also mean we could pull further back and be more hidden. Stay was great. Was an open car park though and no facilities, there was no hassle or issues I just felt a little on edge being open at the front but for context this was our FIRST ever night in the campervan so that could just be me. I would come again if we needed to. Thanks for letting us stay the food was lush and staff were a pleasure to meet. The browns xx

We stayed here last night (Late Feb 24 Saturday Night) in our Motorhome. It was our first visit and we found out about them through P4N. Rang ahead as only 2 spots for motorhomes. Staff were lovely and accommodating. Had food in the Pub and consequently stay was free (thank you). Food was amazing proper home cooked food. Kids rated it a 9/10 just because it took a while to come but honestly was worth the wait. Play park for kids. Well Priced. Pudding was lush too. Stayed in the campervan in car park as pre agreed, could use some more gravel here as muddy and boggy. Would also mean we could pull further back and be more hidden. Stay was great. Was an open car park though and no facilities, there was no hassle or issues I just felt a little on edge being open at the front but for context this was our FIRST ever night in the campervan so that could just be me. I would come again if we needed to. Thanks for letting us stay the food was lush and staff were a pleasure to meet. The browns xx

Very good meal nice and hot plenty of food at good price we will be back Dog friendly, we had the gammon very nice with egg and pineapple chips and peas

Came for food and for my daughter to enjoy the outdoor play area! She really enjoyed her kids meal and it was large portions. The outdoor play area was good but needs updating.

Sunday lunch is exceptional value for money. Proper homecooked meat and veg and loads of it . Includes a dessert for the amazing price of £13 .

Great atmosphere, gorgeous home cooked food, great portion sizes and friendly staff. Will definitely return and recommend to others

Lovely food, plenty of it and great service

Fantastic meal very large and tasty fast friendly service just of the m1 with ample parking clean and pleasant premises I would definitely recommend the pies the chips are very good

We decided to go to the Malt Shovel for a meal it was my Birthday, myself my wife in our 70s and my cousin in her 80s after waiting the best part of an hour the food finally came, vastly overcooked chips and scampi impossible to cut with a knife, we ate what we could, the girl said would you like to speak to the manageress we stood there for another 10 minutes and out came this lady that said your plates were empty and you can not have a refund this was said loudly in front of all the other customers in there, to which I replied we do not want a refund we just want to point out that the food poor, her attitude stunk she kept ranting on and showed nothing but pure ignorance my wife said we will not be back and her reply was it`s your loss, no it`s your loss we paid you you didn`t pay us, AVOID AT ALL COSTS.

Fantastic service amazing food and great value

Had a fantastic Sunday lunch .plenty of meat and lovely fresh veg. Will definitely be back.x great value for money . Definitely recommend.

1st time visit to the Malt Shovel. There's a great range of pies on the menu which taste superb. You do need to be hungry as the portions are large. Dog friendly pub also.

Was too late for food on Sunday, but I did stop for an overnight park in the campervan. Costs £10 to charity if you don't or can not have food, which is very reasonable. Staff friendly and pub as great atmosphere.

Comfortable. Pleasant, good food generous portions.

Good food great service fab evening The others went for pies steak and kidney and two different chicken pies myself a seafood sizzler. Pies were as brilliant as always and i decided to try something else. Every one happy, the food was tasty, well cooked and plentiful. Sticky toffee was delicious light and fluffy no need for custard and/ or ice cream

Unbelievable We just come from London we went to Durham for a funeral. And by my lord Jesus 🙏 must have lead us of motorway to find such a chusti dinner I had pork belly 😋 absolutely 💯 best I've had In my life. If passing again I 💯 be popping in again. There was 5 men and we all said the same.

I popped in a week ago to experience the most amazing food and staff! Very friendly and helpful!

I had the beef brisket with meat gravy there and I’m still debating whether it’s just the best meal I’ve ever had in any pub or if it goes on the list of best things I’ve ever eaten 👌

If you like a variety of pies then this place is for you!! Excellent choice of food especially pies which come with 3 choices of toppings, freshly cooked with giant chips. Pie, Chips & Peas with a pint that's all you need!

My Wife had Salmon Fillet,s Jacket Potato and Salad. I had Steak and Stilton Pie,Real Mushy Pea,s and Doorstep Chip,s,Pie is huge only ate half of everything,so Doggie bag sorted,Meal,s were piping hot,tasty etc.Staff very nice,helpful,friendly, Thay have 37 different normal filling,s and 7 Vegan/ Vegitarian filling,s for the pie,s with choice of Mashed Potato,Pastry or Cobbler top,s.

Best pie I've ever had. You certainly get your money's worth I was full too!

We Sat on the largest table with the bench around the window. We were told that there is always a reserved sign on the table for families which was nice. The food on arrival was piping hot and it was lovely. The only niggle was, we ordered a dessert to come out with the mains. We explained this when we put our order in at the bar. The dessert arrived half way through us eating our main. The grounds are a decent size for children to play. There is a huge castle for children to explore. We will certainly be returning. 😊

Great food and good service. Enjoyable experience

Poped in for lunch fantastic food & great selection of Timothy Taylor’s beer

Waited an hour for food despite pub not being very busy. Definately not worth the wait, our pies were tasteless so we left without eating them. Staff were friendly but the pub/ toilets / baby high chairs looked as if they all needed a good clean.

Fantastic place to eat,carnt wait to try there pies........

Food is always lovely, never had a bad meal, staff are all friendly and welcoming

Fantastic food like mi mum use to make. Very tasty the meat just broke away huge Yorkshire puddings amazingly tasty gravy was delicious. Puddings was amazing but need to be a bit bigger lol but was still amazing. Complements to chef 10/10 Very kind staff. Very welcoming thanks to my friend for recommending the malt shovel carrgate I’ve also recommended to my 17 partners in my football team Thornes Juniors get yourself down yummy yummy in my tummy lol you’ll never goto Toby carvery again

Visited this pub today with my husband and sister in law. We initially sat outside as we had 2 dogs with us. However, a couple who were just leaving told us they weren’t happy as they had been served their food on paper plates as they had been told this was company policy for eating outside. This seemed a bit strange as we had been given proper glasses not plastic ones. My husband asked if we could sit inside as we did not want plastic plates and he was told we could move inside with the dogs. We went inside and ordered our food. After quite a long wait the food arrived - a jacket potato, 2 pies and a dish of chips as ordered. We were also given a dish of boiled potatoes. On asking why we had been given these, there was no reply from the waitress. About 10 minutes later a woman appeared at our table (not sure if she was the manager or the chef). She interrupted our conversation and said that in future we should eat food that we had not ordered as quite a few of their customers took food we had not ordered without paying. We explained that we had asked why we had been brought the potatoes but had not received a reply so we thought they were a side for one of the pies. At this stage, in view of the fact that she appeared so annoyed, I twice offered to pay for the potatoes. She said if didn’t matter, said she would “sort out” the member of staff who had brought them and stormed off. We could then hear raised voices in the kitchen. I must say I have never experienced such poor customer service and will not be returning. I just feel sorry for the member of staff involved who made a genuine mistake that could have been dealt with much better. I would like to say that all the young waitresses and bar staff were polite and welcoming and the food was OK but the rudeness of this person spoilt our meal.

Saints fan, stopped off with 50 others on way to Wakefield, service fantastic, staff really nice, didn't have food but looked and smelled amazing, had a few drinks and sat in beer garden friendly atmosphere.

A great place for kids. There is a great beer garden with an awesome park! The choice of food and especially pies is amazing....all hime ooked. Thoroughly recommend

We visited with our young granddaughter for a midweek lunch. My husband had steak and ale pie which comes with a choice of toppings, pastry, cobbler etc. I had salmon and my granddaughter had a children's sausage and chips. Everything was lovely, fresh and hot. The chips are homemade and lovely We sat in the garden play area so she could play on the fort and swings, but moved inside when the food was ready as we were told that the food would be served on paper plates with plastic cutlery outside ( the only downside, and slightly strange as they do allow glasses out there). It actually worked well for us as my granddaughter probably ate better with out the distraction of the play area. They also have a selection of games and toys inside for children. Dogs are allowed in the pub but not on the grass in the garden.

Food absolutely terrible I got the chicken tikka sizzler which was basically a jar of bolognaise sauce on chicken which tasted off couldn’t eat it Chips were anemic under cooked Second meal I’ve had here that was bad last time I was with a group so put it down to volume of meals being cooked but clearly just poor Would never return

Food ordered said we had half an hour to eat our dinner as they needed the table although no reserved sign on it! Also very sticky varnished tables ! Needs some attention there!!!!!!! Also lounge area has very high tables ! Not for everyone that's 6ft tall ! Dirty and sticky floors no been cleaned up and a reserved for martin sign handwritten on bit of paper on table !!!! STAY AWAY ! won't be returning!

The worst pint of Beavertown I've ever had... Flat & tasted like shandy! No staff on the bar for about 5 mins, nearly left... Wish I had!!

Just had a phenomenal family meal at The Malt Shovel. When simple food is done well it's unbeatable, and they do the food REALLY well. The staff are lovely, the portions are huge and the atmosphere is family friendly. Strongly recommended

1st time I have been....won't be the last. Great pie and a good range of beers. Nice pub with a large outdoor area. Liked the place a lot.

Went because the website looked fab. Oh dear! The menu online was out of date. The actual menu in the pub had fewer items and everything was more expensive. Online they had tasty looking snacks at £3.00 each or 4 for £10.00. They now charge £3.50 per snack and no offer for 4 I had the lamb rump - £12.00 on the online menu but £17.00 in the pub. One of our group loves steak - which was on the online menu - but it wasn't on the pub menu. One disappointed diner instantly The pub didn't look busy but we waited 45 minutes for our food and it wasn't worth the wait. The napkins were damp. When I asked for dry ones they said it was because they had to be damp so they didn't unravel when wrapped around the cutlery. I wondered if the cutlery had come straight from the dishwasher, been wrapped in a napkin whilst hot and as it cooled had dampened the napkins wrapped around them?? My vegetables were frozen cauliflower and carrots served in a sugar bowl. Some green veg such as peas or green beans would have made the meals look much better but no, it was an insipid looking sugar bowl with cauliflower and carrots. There were 5 in our group and no-one thought their meal was great. I won't be going back

Good food, good prices....would definitely eat here again and Recommend

We visited the pub for a meal after recommendations from two different people. When we walked in, it did look a little ‘thrown together’ with the mismatching array of tables and chairs, and a couple of tables hadn’t been cleared. However, the food was divine. Ordered 3 pies and the chicken curry and we all had an excellent meal. Would have had dessert but too full! Will defo return - thank you.

Great desserts carvery lovely staff very friendly

A large group of us visited the establishment for Sunday lunch, we hadn’t booked and luckily they were able to accommodate us. They dealt with every query any of the group had in a friendly manner and reacted promptly. The play area is good for children and the food was really delicious and generous portion sizes. Will definitely be visiting again, although (worth to note for the alcohol drinkers) alcoholic beverages are on the more expensive side, will refrain from Gins on my next visit!

The pub has a sign in the door window stating 'dog friendly'. We went into the beer garden and I went to the bar to order food and drinks and I advised we would be eating in the beer garden. The server asked me to go outside and come back in with a table number despite us being the only customers in the beer garden. The food was brought out and the server said that dogs are not allowed in the beer garden, however that we could stay in the beer garden until we had finished our food. I asked the server for condiments, these were not brought out and we had to go inside to ask as the food was now cold. A second server arrived to clear some plates, whilst we were finishing the one drink we bought. This server again told me that dogs are not allowed in the beer garden, I advised that the previous server had stated the same, however the sign on the front door says 'dog friendly' and there is no sign saying 'no dogs in beer garden'. I said we were leaving and would not be back due to the poor and rude service. The server then told me 'you should have moved as soon as you finished eating'. They had only just come out to ask if we had finished as soon as we had eaten the last mouthful! I said I would not have ordered and paid if I was aware they are this unfriendly to dogs and the sign needs removing from the door. Rude staff! Poor service! AVOID! Apparently dogs are bad for the beer garden grass, however a plethora of cigarette butts in the grass is safe!

Incredible food, love the Sunday dinners, lovely service

Lovely food and drinks staff pleasant 😋

What a great place to go for a nice bite to eat with the kids the play garden was loved by our 3 daughters

A few families, 12 in total,we all ordered food,1 of the meals wasn't nice it didn't taste right, a person in the group asked for a refund,that we was going to spend back into the pub,they refused sent a young girl to do the dirty work..instead of the chef coming to resolve it,we had drinks left so went outside for the children to play as were leaving after...The young girl was sent out again by Stephanie to tell us that we had 5 minutes to leave as there were 2 empty fruitshoots that were drank outside the pub,as the group spent near £200 and they used the fruitshoots as an excuse to leave....poor service, clear they don't like criticism.....Avoid...NOT friendly people.

If I could put less that 1 star I would. I came with a family (group of 12). We all spent a lot of money. Most of us enjoyed our food, but when 1 member of our group complained about her veggie pie and asked for refund the chef was not happy at all. She said there was nothing wrong with the pie. We went to finish our drinks in the kids play area with our children. A waitress then approached us and informed us we had 5 minutes to leave the premises. When asked why, we were told they had found empty fruit should bottles??! Never again!

Avoid! Cant take criticism! Group of 12 one member complained re pie no apologies and no refund offered. Young girl sent to tell us having found fruit shoot bottles near our table we had 5 mins to leave! Wow! No show from the actual boss just sent a young lady who was very polite! Yes my girls walked in with fruit shoots but I ordered 2x j2os and coca cola food and 2 alcoholic drinks! Basically wanted us to leave on their terms and not happy re complaint a simple customer gesture would avoided the situation! Also remember to top up your toilet roll! Never will we visit again!

Nice beer garden, we came to have a matter while the kids played outsider. Didn't eat so didn't give a rating

Unwelcoming atmosphere, all chairs up on tables like it was closed despite only been 7pm on a Sunday evening. Drink served in absolutely filthy glass. Explains why we were the only people in there on such a lovely sunny evening.

Ordered a Diet Coke and Water. came to £4.40! BOTH glasses were extremely dirty and seemed to be covered in Lipstick. It certainly wasn't my Lipstick. Overall a very poor experience. We won't be returning.

We’ve come here quite regularly for the past couple of months, there’s always a wait on food! This can be up to an hour, if not more!!! With young children this is very difficult. The outside is fine, however it does need cleaning regularly. The inside is disgusting, food all over the tables and floor. Good sticking to the highchair and fabric of the chairs 🤢 Overall it needs a good clean, more staff as it seems they only employ kids! And better furniture. It’s a good job the food is nice!!!!

Went for a pre booked reunion with 40 or so ex colleagues, planned well in advance. Turned out that the bar had run out of lager either just before orat the start if the gathering, so they had to send out for more. Within half an hour, the draught beers had also run out, leaving only the Guiness on tap. Not a good experience.

Went to a firms reunion to night very poor as had very little in way of drinks beer or lager ??? an event which had been booked weeks ago thought would have been orgsnised poor girls behind bar did best difficult when very little to serve,!!!

Lovely food and great service .

Drove half hour to find out they had no food at all and had no signs up saying so.

We called in yesterday it was the first time since lockdown and the food was spot on three lots of meat chicken beef and pork roast potatoes garden peas carrot and swede and mashed potato and yorkshire pudding and gravy. All the food came out piping hot and the quality was 100% and last but not least jam sponge and custard to finish. Top marks to the Chef And also top marks to the bar staff who all were friendly and polite and could not do enough for you. i highly recommend eating here

Just been absolutely fleeced for a bottle of cider £6-00!!! Where do you think you are? Covent Garden??

Fantastic pub! 100%recommended. They have a selection of over 40 pies. Beef Goulash and Steak and Stilton pies are fabulous. Huge pie with a generous portion of proper home made chips. Food takes a little while to come but all the pies and food are cooked from scratch to order and you can really tell. True hearty Yorkshire food! Plus a huge jug of meaty homemade gravy. Couldn't recommended highly enough, thank you. Wish it was our local!

We called here for tea and wasn’t disappointed. We had steak and ale & shin beef pies both with cobbler top. We were impressed with the amount of meat they managed cram in the pie , superb . Thanks Lesley

The food was amazing, well worth the 90 minute wait (we were informed of the wait time before we ordered, so fair enough) We ate outside on the veranda, the children enjoyed playing in the play area where we could see them clearly while we waited for our food and when it arrived, we enjoyed every morsal. The portions were generous and the food was exceptional quality. The staff were friendly and helpful. All in all, a lovely afternoon into evening. Well done and thank you to the Malt Shovel

Very friendly staff great portion of food and very nice aswell good prices 👍🏻

Sunday dinner was delicious, very generous portions, meat was so tender, not a lump in the mash. 10/10. Service was equally as good. Definitely recommend it

Great atmosphere, great staff and exceptional quality food

This is potentially the worst pub in Yorkshire and I will absolutely never be coming back. Arrived and asked for help knowing the table numbers and the woman on the bar said I had to work it out and sent me to look at them...

Wonderful time with family and friends staff hard working well recommended to our friends

Never visited before, but won’t go again. Ordered chicken and stuffing sandwiches, when they came it was like pie filling in a tea cake, very disappointing and not at all what I expected. On the plus side, the staff were lovely

Pies are amazing. Great staff. Can't fault it.

Great range of pies. £13 a time might be a bit on the upper side but, what I had was damned tasty.

Good hearty food. Good portions. Good value. Very varied menu, something for everyone.

The funny thing is, I have been here twice in one week. The first visit was just me and my old boss (wanted to find somewhere with good food as he had made a long journey to get here) it did not disappoint We both...

5 stars not enough for this place I would give it more like 10+ stars ⭐️ as can’t fault this place at all food service and staff are absolutely 👍 spot on and Sunday roast is a must try if you haven’t been on a Sunday

Staff really pleasant, listened to every requirement. Lily a credit to the pub. Took daughter for her 18th birthday, booked day before and even day staff pleasant... old feel to the pub and food was excellent quality.

Absolutely beaut! 💯 the food is spot on specially the beef! Came for a family meal wasn't at all disappointed and there was a massive play park for the kids.

Had Sunday lunch here today 12/3/23 and can honestly say it was absolutely fantastic.. Lovely staff nice pint and great food all at a excellent price.

Lovely atmosphere. Portion size and taste is amazing - highly recommend. Friendly, welcoming staff.

Great food, great atmosphere, and a great pint.

Brilliant family put excellent food and brilliant play area for the kids all at great value highly recommended

Great foodie pub ...fab beer garden for the kids in warmer weather...lovely local

Our first visit on the off chance of having food. We did and very good as well. They have the usual main meals, and their speciality is Pie's. With a choice of toppings - pastry, mashed potatoes or cobbler (dumplings). Very reasonably priced all round. We had drinks as well. The portions are not for the faint-hearted, definitely Yorkshire portions! Don't bother with a starter but have a pudding if you can fit one in. Well worth a visit. Good atmosphere and very helpful staff.

Visited today whilst in the area with a friend from work we both ordered Pie and Chips. I ordered a Steak and Ale pie with Pastry, Peas and home made chips Friend ordered Steak and Stilton Pie with Cobbler topping Peas and home made chips....

Called for lunch today.. lovely young girls serving …food delicious 😋 if anything too much but brought some home 🏡 definitely visit again 😊

Had the 14 hr slow cooked brisket , melted in the mouth , gravy jug was like beef soup delicious, partner had fish pie which he said was very tasty and filling . Highly recommend

Good selection of pies. Nice staff.

the food is very good the staff it lovely frienldy very clean

Very lovely place food is amazing, staff very friendly and polite ,

We both had the brisket and it was delicious large portions of mash and peas and jug of nice gravy.

What a pie menu! We had Steak & Ale, Ham and Mustard and Chicken Ham and Leek, all amazing, worth every penny for the cobblers alone. Plus a great low-alc beer selection (which is a rare treat anywhere). Lovely staff, great service, top food pub, will be back!