The Royal Britannia Restaurant in North Devon - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

We went here for food while on holiday and omg it is so poor and very cheap quality. Fish fingers were hard to bite in too. Not flaky fish but rubber like. If I didn't know what I had ordered I would have sworn they were really cheap chicken meat 🤢 my husband had a beef burger and was ill all night. Please avoid

A nice bar backing out into Ilfracombe harbour. Steeped in history it's an historical place. We did not eat there but the food looked nice. The beer and wine was good. A nice place to chill and watch sports. The rear terrace overlooks the harbour, always busy there on a sunny day.

No idea about rooms but friendly service and great prices in a lovely location :)

Stayed for 2 nights, no complaints

Helpful staff, rooms clean and tidy. Beautiful and beautiful location.

Decent pub in the harbour. Enjoyed a pint in the beer garden facing the harbour/sea in the sun. Guinness £5.95 and not bad.

Came here for lunch one day and service was great staff were amazing and really friendly. Food was okay. Nothing really special but not a bad price lovely location especially when you sell side and can look out to the harbour.

Very nice hotel right next to the coast. Layout is a bit quirky, but it ads to the charm of staying in a hotel with so much history. Happy to recommend it without reservations. 😊

Great location in a very beautiful little fishing village that is definitely making a detour over to visit. Affordable pints on the water in the sun. What's not to like. They had TVs playing the rugby on inside.

A little tired but amazing location right on the harbour front. Staff were really kind - they went out of their way to help a gentleman who had some challenging physical needs. Nice to see some humanity still in the world! Good cold beers in the sunshine :)

The food was very fresh n plenty of it. Very nice n friendly staff too. The Hotel basic and clean. Just be aware of parking fees nearby. But would re visit again..

Nice seating area outside looking over the harbour. Central, and great view. I asked for a large white wine, spoke clearly, and was charged accordingly. I usually specify a type but I thought with this place being so popular I'd see what was offered. No questions were asked on preference, so I thought maybe it would be a house wine. It was prepared around a small wall out of sight. What I actually got was a smaller white wine topped up with soda. My husband commented that he thought it looked very slightly fizzy. I really don't like the taste of soda water so it was really off-putting. It was served in a branded glass. I went to another bar afterwards serving the same wine and I had been having for several days. The taste very different, rich and creamy. We're not impressed and will not return.

We have just returned from a pleasant 2 night stay at the Brittania, the hotel is in a prime position in Ilfracombe, our room was a bit small but it was more than adequate, nice and clean, everything worked and there was plenty of tea and coffee. If I'm honest the hotel won't win first prize on 'Four in a Bed' but the staff were very friendly and helpful, breakfast was a good sized plate full, so I can't knock it for the price we paid and we certainly had value for money

Lovely pub, nice friendly staff. Gorgeous pint of cider. Definitely a locals pub, odd layout inside, but it's a traditional building. Will stop again!

Didn’t stay but have eaten twice here. Food excellent and service by bar lady for drinks and food was exceptional. Dog friendly and all in all would highly recommend.

We have just enjoyed 3 nights in the Lord Nelson room and it was superb with a view of the harbour. Huge king-size 4 poster bed which was very comfortable and spotlessly clean throughout The staff were lovely and nothing was too much trouble. Highly recommended and we will definitely return.

Nice atmosphere and good quality beer spirits. Friendly staff.

Great local pub, lovely food and service. Always got the football on and a decent pool table too. Mish was super helpful and a nice guy 😊🤙

We are here this evening for the first time. We saw that there were a number of Thai and Chinese dishes on the menu which we were a little sceptical as outside of a Thai or Chinese restaurant, it's quite difficult to make this international cuisine authentic. However, we were bowled over by how good it was. Very reasonably priced too as well as friendly staff and customers. We will for sure be returning to the restaurant again upon our next trip to the area.

Absolutely love the Royal Britannia, great room, lovely staff, and amazing location.

The service in here is by far the worst i have seen in a long time. There is a woman who works nights there who seems to be incapable of talking to people in a civil manner. Probably shouldn't be doing the job but unfortunately that lets the place down.

We would never stay again the staff are nice but the manager is not nice at all and the room was not that clean the toilet brush was broken and I told them about it and the staff just said that they are all like it but would look to see if she could find me one and she did but the bed was not comfortable at all the window was broken so it was very hard to open and close the sea view is nice but that’s all you could say is good the hygiene is not good

28/9/23 great location room 34 was excellent with sea view but was very tired bed was good and clean , nice fresh towels and a great shower just a tired room, breakfast was very good but tea not so sure

Really disappointing lunch. Meals were advertised as coming with onion rings and extras e.g. side salad/slaw included but they didn't come. We pointed out the missing onion rings and they came after a bit but we didn't push on the rest as the food was going cold. The lady in charge was shaking her head, seeming to be disappointed with the kitchen staff for not the first time I suspect. I ordered tuna steak and it was dry and tepid. You had to pick up your own food in the corridor. Nothing special about this experience at all.

Had fish and chips The fish was ok but covered in a bright flouresant batter The chips didn't taste of anything and weren't improved by the sachets of tasteless vinegar. Peas were nice tho Had to fetch the food ourselves It was expensive too. Won't be going back !

Worst food I have had in decades, we ended up having one mouthful then heading to local fish and chip shop. If there was an option to give no stars I would. Place is dirty and soulless.

A very poor meal. Fish batter yellow and soggy. Salad thrown together really wish I had eaten on the beach fish and chips from a takeaway

Came in for a cream tea and I’ll never return. Tea was served in a paper cup the scones were microwaved and the jam and cream put in paper dipping pots. Needless to say the wife wasn’t impressed and we will never be coming back.

When you first walk in you need to check in at what looks like a taxi rank next door which is abit perculiar, then your greeted by the smell of urine , our room was comfortable the beds were soft the room was clean and smell free, was awoken in the middle of the night by someone's dog barking in the hotel and early doors some man knocked on our door and woke us up to say was it our bathroom fan which was on, because it was driving his wife mad. We did have breakfast booked but didn't attend all in all comfortable stay but wouldn't return .

The worst Burgers ever. Better off in Macdonalds. The Chilli wasn't much better tbh Cost £16 and had burgers that were swallowed by massive, dry buns and tasted as though they were frozen. Even ketchup didn't help

On a day trip to ilfracombe we decided to call in the royal britannia for food as it advertised good food. What a big mistake that was. The service was bad, the person behind the bar did not appear to know what she was doing. After eventually getting the food ordered we ordered tea and coffee. She handed us the tea and coffee in takeaway paper cups and sachets of sugar with a wooden stirrer. (I thought is this mcdonalds!). We then had to find our way through a rabbit warren of corridors and rooms to find somewhere to sit. We were handed a bleeper and told when it goes off to go to the food serving area to get our food but did not tell us where it was. When the bleeper went off we went off in search of our food. We found our food and took it back to our table. The food was awful! It looked and tasted bland and looked like it had just come out of the microwave. The ckicken tikka masala tasted nothing like it should and there were no popadoms, or naan. The place also looked like it could with redecorating. Would i go there again? NEVER!

from the moment we walked in the young lady who worked there (I think the other lady was her mum) was so so so rude the (mother I think ) was wiping our table because there was food on it and the younger lady said (mum you can’t wipe it anymore than you already have !!) As if we was complaining ? I’ve never ever had service like that at all ! I came in with my family for some breakfast we had 15 minutes u til breakfast was to finish and as we was ordering everything was a hassle from huffing and puffing to muttering under her breath telling us the chef ‘won’t be happy ‘ to slamming cups down ? Then the chef came out and said to ‘hurry up because I’ve got things to do ‘ we wanted 4 breakfast’ and we asked if possible could we have poached egg and it was like asking the lady to change everything in the breakfast if it was such a problem for us to change the eggs that would be fine if we was told instead of the ignorance I told the lady we didn’t want to eat here because she was rude and she huffed and puffed and walked away,Absolutely awful service ! Credit to the young lad working behind the bar he was very very polite but the lady was very very rude.We have come on holiday all the way from Blackpool and I just wanted to treat my family to some nice breakfast !

Arrived without reserving a table. We were told to pick our table, no explanation of how to order. Eventually I took Menu to Bar service window, and ordered food and drinks, and paid. I was given a pager to alert me when food ready..this I found nonsensical as at time of ordering we were the only people in restaurant. I was told food would be brought out of kitchen and placed on a servery area for me to collect, not even brought to table… Pager alerted me to food, male person behind servery made no attempt to assist, so I carried two plates to table, returning for the “food”. I had to ask the staff for cutlery and napkins. This person seemed distracted, mumbling about dishwasher having broken down…like I could care… Food very poor, two burgers cooked to death, shrivelled and tasteless. Chips flabby, not crisp, warm, not hot. My “1/2 chicken” was 2 small quarter portions deep fried to death. We left the food, mostly, as very unappetising and tasteless. We ate what was edible because we were hungry. No atmosphere in restaurant, no welcome, no table settings, no menus on table. Dreadful. I get the feeling this place wants outside drinkers sitting on terrace, fetching their own drinks (served in plastic glasses) so the staff are not put to any trouble, or put in a position where they have to smile and be helpful. WE WILL NOT EAT HERE AGAIN, DO YOURSELVES A FAVOUR, AND AVOID.

Grim place, located in probably the best spot in ilfracombe but it’s really grubby, run down and generally grotty. Just stopped for one drink so can’t comment on food etc.

We arrived and the pub was understandably busy as it was during the holidays. We were lucky enough to find a table indoors as it was raining outside and we placed our order at the bar. We got our drinks at the point of order and we had ordered two children’s meals and two sandwiches. Not a big order. They use the little bleepers to alert you when your order is ready. We waited for over 30 mins and still nothing so my husband went to the bar to check the bleeper was working. After AN HOUR of waiting, I went back to the bar, to be told by a staff member that the kitchen had LOST our order!!! I couldn’t believe it and was so disappointed at this point. We had waited and my husband had already chased the order and to be told that they had lost the order was not acceptable. We only had 15 mins in which we had to get back for the car. The grumpy guy thrust £40 to me and said, without compassion “that’ll cover your drinks too” it really wasn’t the point. We had two very hungry children (and I’ll had at this point a hangry husband) to try and find alternative lunch for. I think if my husband hadn’t have already chased the order after 30 mins, it wouldn’t have been a bad but the lack of customer service really had us running from there and I felt the guy who issued the refund had such a bad attitude with me. Terrible. We were lucky to catch Maddy’s chip shop just down the road and the customer service there was fantastic. The ladies there were so friendly. The food was served quickly and it came out hot.

We stopped off for a drink before our meal at The Smugglers and we were extremely disappointed. We were served our gins in half pint ale glasses. If this wasn't bad enough, the glasses smelt like they had been dried with the toilet cloth! It was absolutely disgusting, so much so we left our drinks and escaped. The view of the harbour really is its only saving grace. Frequent at your own risk!

Looking for a quick drink, we saw a pub that overlooked ilfracombe harbour, as we entered 2 drunk local blokes stopped us at the doorway and told us we didnt need to wear masks and began to swear in front of my son who has autism, we found a table overlooking the harbour but now the 2 blokes had appeared in the back and began arguing and noisey. We soon upped and left

What a location, but what a let down. This pub needs so much doing to it as it is in a prime location on the harbour front and should be packed with customers, but just drunk regulars. suggest whoever owns it should think about updating as had plenty of time since lockdown.

It wasnt very busy, but we waited for over 20 minutes to be served before walking out (like many others). Really poorly run place.  The one star is for the view of the harbour while we waited.

Went there with my family staff were rude was busy won’t be going there again never plenty of other places to eat/drink

Nice views, welcoming staff, enjoyed my fish and chips, would prefer proper cutlery and ceramic plates as supposed to cardboard boxes and wooden utensils. Husband had calamari rings, only 6 in one serving which seems quite tight, certainly adding another couple wouldn’t go amiss.

We have been in here befor, mainly because its nice to have a beer while looking at the boats. The Pub is dog friendly so thats why we also go in here when down in Illfracombe. Not eaten here yet so no comments about the food.

The Royal Britannia was probably a reflection of Ilfracombe in general. The whole town ( with a few exceptions) seems to have had enough of bad weather, Covid 19 and Tourists! We found a seat in the small bar area, ordered our drinks, the wine arrived red instead of the white ordered. When I tried to get a second pint I was told they had no ale left ( bit of an issue in a pub) so had to have a Guinness instead. They had background music that was so loud you could barely speak so none of the staff had thought that due to Covid the bar has only a tiny percentage of the normal people inside so it needs turning down. Left after a couple of drinks and went home, never to return.

Don't bother going in for a drink they really don't want you if your not s local. Only locals are allowed a glass the rest are served in plastic water glasses, poor quality at top dollar prices Pleanty of other drinking places where you are more welcome

I rarely leave one star but I’m tempted to just cut and paste Jennifer W’s review. Served drinks in plastic beakers. Staff were polite enough but when I asked for a glass - like the guy served before me but was told that he was a ‘member’ and was known…..You could not make this stuff up. Glass for locals and plastic for everyone else. Drink elsewhere.

we didn't stay at the hotel itself,but went there for drinks to check the place out for a meal,we were made to feel like we wasn't welcome because we wasn't locals,we was given plastic cups to drink out of and told we couldn't have a glass because we wasn't local. All the locals were given a glass. Staff was rude. We felt like they didn't want to serve us. Avoid . One star is to good.

Service was very slow and not very welcoming, there was no one out and about cleaning anything at all. There were just 2 people serving slowly and disappearing for ages, I'd only recommend for a drink because the food we saw looked inedible.

No self distancing, dirty glasses left on tables. No one sanitation or cleaning tables. More importantly no track and trace offered or ask for.

We visit Ilfracombe every year and usually love to have a drink out on the beer garden overlooking the harbour. This year however we were served our drinks in plastic glasses. when asked why we were told you have to be a member to have a real glass. We cancelled our order and went elsewhere

This could be really nice, facing the harbour but as it turns out not so. Staff not very friendly, feeling like you are an imposition and overall looks bit run down

We went to the Royal Britannia last Sunday for a family roast dinner. The food was lovely and fresh with a good selection of meat and an excellent choice of vegetables. We all thoroughly enjoyed our roasts and would definitely recommend. Staff were helpful and very welcoming to our 2 children.

Food was shocking and very bad service was very poor would never eat in there again and over priced.

Popped in for early evening drinks and ended up eating , pub grub type menu with quite a few curry type dishes also , steak and ale pies were the popular choice with us and one had burger , nothing wrong with any of it , meals are all 8 or 9 pounds so good value , nice friendly staff as well . A great spot in the summer as it is directly overlooking the harbour but the log fire burning this time of year made it just as good now .

Called in for a drink on a Saturday lunchtime, found a table outside overlooking the harbour. Excellent position, but it was noticeable that the pstio which the tables sit on was very scruffy and could have done with swilling down. (You wouldn't get this abroad).Went into the pub for the drinks, the lady serving (the owner?) served the person in front, and then turned awsy from two of us waiting our turns. Eventually another guy appeared and she told him to come and serve us. A bit odd I thought.Thought the choice of beer was poor, unless you're a Fosters-type person. For a prominent pub the only hand-pulled beer was something like Speckled Hen, from up North! No Devon or Cornish local beer. The bitter was poor and I didn't finish it.Didn't look at a menu but the cleanliness and the service plus beer was enough. Sorry, wasn't enticed back.

Went in for a birthday meal orderd a 10oz steak and jacket a chicken burger and chips and as recomended the the beast burger.Was served a steak that was on the turn going off and tasted horrible. The chicken burger was cheap mice not breast was serve beef burgers that reminded me of the primary school burger They said home made I would not even feed this to my dogs. What a waist of my birthday money on a meal that was terrible.

Quite a large building with rooms in all directions inside,outside seating area which looks out over the harbour.Popular pub though we only visited it on one occasion

Just wanted a decent brew on a hot afternoon, and that’s what I got.The place was virtually empty inside as everyone was sat outside on the terrace. Inside to be honest did not appear that inviting, bit of a rabbit Warren with narrow corridors and twists and turns.

Not sure what's worse the hygiene or the staff. It's in a good location and despite it looking tatty and run down we sat outside and ordered 3 lemonades and a cider.On walking to the bar, the dingy black wood makes the whole building pretty dark on the inside. We walked past a row of neglected dirty glasses with wasps beginning to circle. We ordered 4 drinks and were given three. We were poured a glass of coke despite ordering clearly. The toilets were so disgusting that a rat wouldn't use them. Save yourself some time and go across the road to the pasty shop for excellent service, food and hospitality.

Lovely family run pub and hotel. Food prices very reasonable. Had the beast burger 4 x 1/4oz with 2 bacon, cheese and 2 eggs. The good lady had a curry on the Asian persuasion menu. Whole meal spot on. Small point no table service, you get a buzzer and you have to collect it yourself. But very reasonably priced, sat by the harbour. Gorgeous weather. Free parking after 1800 in Ilfracombe.

Whilst visiting Ilfracombe we called here for refreshments. We ordered cappuccinos and sat out the rear overlooking the bay as we had our dog with us. The lady that served us was very friendly and the prices were very good- next time we are in Ilfracombe we will definitely call here again.

A true locals pub. Excellent beer and a lovely view of the Harbour if you sit on the decking out the back.

Fantastic welcome in the pub. Just what a local pub should be. Good beer, and friendly staff. Highly recommend

Had dinner there and the food was average. Quirky building, nice location, shame about food and drinks quality.

A nice cold drink but a weird warm prawn bap. Not good. Tatty outside. Good position on the quay to sit and watch.

Abbiamo deciso di fermarci a pranzo nel ristorante mentre eravamo in visita sullo yatch..e abbiamo ordinato la tipica zuppa scozzese, la cullen skink, a base di haddock e patate..era eccezionale!un sapore unico! Abbiamo poi ripreso questa zuppa in altri posti ma nessuna si è dimostrata a livello!unica pecca..abbiamo aspettato veramente un po troppo..si erano evidentemente scordati di noi.

Very much a place to pop in for a quick coffee. Seating area outside is good. But otherwise very much like the mass eatery's up and down the country.

As it was our anniversary we decided to go for an evening meal although being on holiday we took the kids with us. Foolishly I hadn't booked anywhere, particularly as it was a Friday, and we were turned away from several establishments until we ended up here as it looked inviting from the harbour.

We couldn't miss The Royal Britannia as we passed it every time we left our rental. naturally we thought we ought to pop in. Unfortunately they had no ale to drink, lots of other drinks .... it seems they had the barrels but couldn't draw the beer as no one available knew how to make the connection. Had a lager and moved on. Such a shame

A lovely setting brought us in but would advise to walk on by! We stopped for cream teas and were given a mug of tea at the bar, we then had to wait 10 minutes for the cream tea element to arrive (by which time tea was cold). To sum up the scones were probably from Tesco’s or equivalent and warned up slightly. Jam and cream was ok, though not convinced clotted cream. Would suggest you look around for a true Devon cream tea experience.

I would advise not to eat at their restaurant as the food was not up to hotel standards. One evening we decided to eat here, I ordered a hot chicken tikka massala but what I got was cold plain chicken in a bland spiceless tasteless sauce. When I said this isn't what I ordered, I was told it would be sorted out. Then a man arrived with a small bowl containing what looked like pataks curry paste and I was told to mix it in UNBELIEVABLE! Obviously I didn't.

Possibly the worst meal I have ever had. My other half and I visited Ilfracombe for a wedding earlier in the week and decided to stay on an extra night as we liked the area. We decided to eat at The Royal Britannia as we were after some pub grub, we were not looking for gourmet, just some good well cooked wholesome food. We could not have been more wrong. To start we ordered the calamari and chicken wings. The starters took 40 minutes to arrive. The calamari was unbelievably chewy and dripping with grease. The chicken wings were edible but nothing more that chicken wings covered in chilli flakes and deep fried. As for the mains, we both ordered Surf and Turf, cooked rare. Firstly the meal arrived without the 'surf'. The chips were nice and that's about where it ends. The scampi was mush and the steak was chewy and poorly cooked. Aside from this we ordered peppercorn and cootka sauce (these arrived with our starters for some reason?), these were both cold, not just luke warm, actually cold, and the peppercorn sauce, well it was not peppercorn in the slightest. This meal cost me £54. I am furious at the absolute rubbish we were given for this cost. Both of us left the majority of our meals and will not be returning to this pub and I urge no one else to either!!! Terrible.

We went in for lunch time and ordered burgers oh my goodness I was so shocked with what got served, a beef Pattie put between a bread roll, my 10 year old grandson can do better. I also order a lemonade which was the best thing about the whole experience. The other four people I were with expressed the same about their meals. I would never eat here again.

We had a lovely meal in the restaurant overlooking the harbour. We would definitely do this again. The food was excellent. The real ale was very pleasant.

I came here with my girlfriend and we both had the cod and chips. The service was excellent. The manageress could not have been nicer. She was our waitress. The food was superb. I am fussy about chips and these were as good as you can get. I cannot fault it from my experience. I would go again.

i begrudgingly visited these premises because my inlaws needed to get a drink.

It is an old building so quite dark and quirky with its corridors, dark decor and small rooms however, the floor, menus, tables etc were sticky. The toilets were unacceptable being dirty and broken. The bar staff were very welcoming, attentive and friendly. If you were brave enough to order bar food you were given a buzzer to indicate that it was ready and you had to walk to the other end of the building to collect it yourself. The bar staff were great but I would not recommend it especially as there are so many other places to eat near by. I did not stay overnight it was just a lunch stop off.

Cam for lunch but it was dark, dull and dirty. The food is not served to you, you have to respond to a buzzer and go to the other end of the building to collect it. Toilets were not up to standard being dirty and broken. The bar staff were very good.

If I could give no stars then that would be more appropriate. We stopped here for a quick sandwich, and they were so vile we couldn't eat them. We should've realised when we asked if they did a ploughman's lunch .. and the girl behind the bar just looked at us as if we were aliens .. stating she didn't know what that was. I would have thought that a ploughmans lunch in Devon would be well known .. clearly not here. So we decided just for sandwiches .. well that's where we made the mistake of eating here. The beef .. or should I say leather was inedible .. even the dog wouldn't eat it. The tuna was warm..so clearly that hadn't been refrigerated. And the pulled pork .. I think this had had been defrosted as warm in outside & cold on inside. So again inedible. We didn't take it back to complain because they probably wouldn't have understood our complaint !!! But one of the most dirty places I've been. You've been warned!!

We had the beef curry and chicken masala and both meals were brilliant, infact my beef curry was the best i have ever ! Even the white rice was exceptional. The lady behind the bar was really friendly too! I think we will be back for the final two nights of our holiday!

Prices were reasonable and staff were friendly but Out of eight meals ordered three were luke warm and had to be returned for reheating. No real atmosphere but child friendly. Gravy is an added extra even for the roast meals!! Appreciate that not everyone likes gravy but to charge extra for something that usually comes as standard with roast meats or sausages & mash seemed a little excessive. The chips were probably the worst ever eaten.No flavour, no colour and cold.

Pudimos disfrutar de ane cena al aire libre viendo a la gente en el puerto gozando - kayak, perro viendo, además de descargar el pescado capturado por los arrastreros. Platos asiáticos estaban muy sabrosos.

Fuimos a la Royal Britannia para bebidas mientras en una escapada de fin de semana en Ilfracombe. Es un pub encantador con vistas al puerto. Nos sentamos aquí para un par de horas viendo el relleno de marea del puerto. Me imagino que se pone muy ocupado cuando el clima es agradable. ! Sólo tenía bebidas, así que no puedo comentar sobre la comida.

I had sausages and mash, when it came out it looked like a school dinner. I asked where's the gravy, to which I got told you have to pay for gravy. When I ordered a bottle of rose, they had none left. My friend had crab sandwiches which stunk and she said it tasted like bad fish out of date.

Popped in to watch a rugby match on their big screens. Two main rooms for watching sport. Ordered two meals, I was hungry, a chicken curry & a TANDORRI chicken, one with chips the other with rice. Generous portions, and tasty. GBP7 per portion, very reasonable. Pints around GBP3.30-4 a pint.Pleasant/electric atmosphere. Would go back again for a meal when I next visit ILFRACOMBE.

Honestly.... I love hamburgers. Love them. I was craving one when walking along the pier and instead of stopping at the chippy my husband wanted to have he gave in and stopped at the royal Britannia hotel for dinner (and of course rugby) we ordered our burgers and when they came out one bite and I wanted to throw it up. Since paying for it tho we both ate most the burger... my husband also tried the mayo that was supplied and was disgusted to taste it had gone off. I would NEVER eat here again. I was thoroughly disappointed!

Popped in here for a cream tea, oldie worldie place which took you back in time being by harbour , pleasant friendly staff

Four plates of fish and chips were ordered - but took 40 minutes to arrive. A very ancient pager with a hidden red blinking Timex number was given out. Due to the very long wait - the violent vibrations woke me up at a table outside the front on a sunny day. But inside the layout was horrific and confusing with one bar at the back and 2nd bar was hidden by a small corridor on the right where our food was ordered from. The food booth in the corridor was basically unmanned. The food was collected from a mish-mash catering area on the right where your pager was snatched from you and your plates were quickly given to you. It was illogical to be expected to take your culteries and a wooden box of condiments as well at the same time. Please call in Gordon Ramsey!At the same time I was saddened to see two large front rooms so empty and devoid of people and souless nasty furniture. I could tell that they were once elegant place to drink and eat - but not anymore.While I was waiting with my parents from USA and a family friend, I did see a large chef coming out and walking up and down the front to the road having a prolonged talk on a mobile wearing a filthy heavily oil stained white T-shirt and white coat. I also noticed possibly a Chinese woman taking out wads of twenty pound notes from the till in the 2nd bar when I was asking when the food would be ready. It made curious if the inn owned by the Chinese? There is no decorum to this historical place as it deserves better respect with the right investment.

great food and servicewe had the sunday carvery with west country gravy and in the evening we had elephant king prawns which were so cheap and the best that I have ever had

elephant burgers really tasty well worth the money didnt manage to eat all mine and we had room service which they dont charge for which is a bonous

See the 8100bob review. There is a clear difference from the Royal Brittania to The Dragons Nest Restaurant attached to the Royal Brittania Hotel. The Dragons Nest served up a delicious bottle of Chilean Las Ondas Colchagua Valley 2014. They claim to deliver their food in original Chinese style (as opposed to English) and it is thoroughly enjoyable. Yan and her daughter Angela deliver an exceptional service which I strongly recommend, even if I am not generally a fan of Asian food. Well worth a try for a very good evening. EX34 9EE Tel : 01271 862939

we nearly stayed here but there was no room. We went for a drink and meal and we were so glad we couldn't get a B&B there after all. Very dirty inside and out and the bar service was slow. The beer I did get was awful, flat and bitter tasting for a lager.

Being a very frequent visitor to Ilfracombe, I cannot believe we have never eaten here before. We went to watch the football and decided to eat there as well. I had Elephant Prawns with stir fry veg, it was incredible. My daughter had sweet and sour chicken and rice, it was quite possibly the best sweet and sour I've ever tried. I thoroughly recommend the food to everyone I know who goes to Ilfracombe, and they have also raved about it too

We had the Sunday carvery and at £8.95 per person we had too much food. A choice of 3 meats or a bit of each. Great food and service with a pint afterwards on the terrace overlooking the harbour and watching the RNLI get the lifeboat back in. VALUE FOR MONEY. Dog friendly although watch where you are stepping as some people do not clear up after their dogs

we had a very nice evening meal here overlooking the harbour plenty of space and plenty of food nicely cooked

We were here for the weekend and the weather was great but this place was not bothered they never had any decent beer and the food was far from up to scratch it is in a great location but I think they just cater for the young, the outside was great but it needed cleaning on a regular basis, not enough staff

Nice place to sit and relax with a good selection of ales/lagers/ciders. Food reasonable and tasty. Wouldn't like to sit out front when the tide is in and on the windy side.

Went here for lunch on a gorgeous sunny Saturday as the terrace overlooked the harbour and it seemed a lovely spot. We ordered the 'homecooked lamb and cauliflower curry' and the 'homecooked chicken tikka masala' as the preferred chicken curry was not available. Both took ages to arrive and, to be blunt, both were dire. Watery rice with the lamb which looked grey when it arrived, chicken has never seen tikka spice or any spice in its life. Disappointing such a shame for a place that I suspect is heaving in the summer. Beer was decent though, view is lovely and lad behind the bar was friendly and helpful.

whopper has nothing on the beast the beast has around 1.50lbs of tasty meat in it and 2 eggs + cheese so if you can eat it all you are a very big eater

I had the Sunday carvery here and found it as good as it gets with plenty of tender beef, turkey and pork meat served to me along with freshly cooked vegetables and west country gravy

massive burgers and stunning carvery on sundaysthe menu also has lots of other things like fish and chips curries crabs baps so give it a try