The Welcome in Hastings

You get a real mixed experience here. Sometimes there is a chef and on those occassions the food is decent. Sometimes the owner's husbands takes his place and it is, quite frankly, vile. Here's my advice, when you walk in, look for a chef in a chef outfit. If he is there, go ahead and order. If you see a big bald man in a tracksuit in the kitchen, go somewhere else. The last time we are here there was no chef and I was served the worst meal of my life.

A group of 21 of us went for Christmas lunch. I had the traditional Xmas lunch and Xmas pud, both were delicious. Others in the group made other choices, but all seemed to really enjoy it. Service was excellent. Highly recommended

We come here when we fancy a good pub with decent pub food. The fish and chips is beautiful- batter perfect and fish fresh that day- delicious. Great atmosphere with music and we love the seats aren’t on top of each other. Fantastic staff providing great service- it ticks all the boxes and all at a reasonable price

We had a fantastic meal last night, the food was really exceptional - all homemade and the staff were lovely. Absolutely fantastic! Will definitely be going back.

Have just enjoyed a lovely meal here tonight, sat in the garden as it was such a warm night. Food was delicious and service really friendly. We took our doggie too. Would recommend you try here.

We checked out other restaurants in the area and chose The Welcome because of the great reviews and it was near to where we were staying. We weren’t disappointed in the slightest. The minted lamb burger was totally awesome and the chunky chips were some of the finest I’ve ever had. The husband had the pork belly and he was in 7th heaven. The service was attentive and very friendly and the food came out under 20 min. We are musicians and both of us were so happy the music was at an acceptable level and entirely to our taste as well. Full marks for The Welcome!

We had a family meal to celebrate mum’s 80th birthday. 23 of us. The food was delicious, and the bar staff were literally fabulous, nothing was too much trouble for them. We decorated the cordoned off space which was handed over to us for the evening, and got to select our own music play list. Everything was perfect.

Went out for a dinner with my partner earlier on and have had a fab experience. greeted by staff nicely, who were all quite young but were very professional, starters came out within about 5 minutes, and mains were given out 20 minutes after ordering (mains and starters). Nice quick service and will be back to try the other foods we were too full to try. the only fault I can think of is there is no access to disabled toilets. overall lovely food and staff, will be back again. ps the sweet chilli dip that came with the halloumi fries was 10/10

Excellent Sunday roast and great value. Went with my mate for a Sunday lunch and a couple beers. Excellent quality and can’t fault it. We often nip in for a pint also and always a great atmosphere and all round great local pub. Will be back again for lunch! Out Waitress and other staff were also great and landlady very welcoming.

Last minute visit on a rainy day called ahead to see if they could squeeze a table for two in and was greeted by a yes that’s fine. Food was amazing we had the specials minted lamb burger and fish and chips really nice fresh well made food not over priced. Great atmosphere and friendly staff would eat here again for sure.

Came in Saturday evening hoping for a last minute table. Very accommodating. Ordered the special minted lamb burger I can honestly say it’s the best burger I’ve ever eaten and I have eaten a lot over the years. Think you should keep it on the menu all the time. Will definitely be back. Thank you

Loved our meals tonight- so much so we split them so we could have a bit of both. Halloumi burger is lush as is the fish snd chops- like the old days when you go to a pub and get decent portion- tasty- reasonable price- a little fancy so you feel you been out- but most of all properly cooked Great service and perfect wine

We reserved a table for my husband’s birthday and we had a wonderful time thank you. The food was so nice and the staff were lovely

Had a good welcome at the Welcome Pub on Wed 31st August about 1.40 pm. The four of us had either meat or vegetarian brunch plus a few non-alcoholic drinks and a Longman blonde beer. My food was overcooked and not very appetising hence the 4 star as the pub itself with its fascinating objects inside and quirky beer garden with hens and rabbits was very appealing. So 5 star for quirkiness and excellent interior but 3 star for food. Service by the staff was excellent.

Tipico pub inglese, buona selta di cibo e di birre inglesi. Prezzi nello standard inglese, servizio abbastanza veloce

We stumbled across The Welcome whilst googling places to eat, given this was the first night of our short break away. The food was delicious, the atmosphere warm and welcoming and the staff were lovely and helpful! Can’t fault the place, well worth a visit!

Just been for lunch with my friend, we had a wonderful meal, lime cheesecake delicious 😋. Lovely atmosphere and friendly ladies serving, would highly recommend a visit here.

Only recently moved to the area and immediately felt at home - thanks in no small part to The Welcome. Very friendly and helpful staff, decent selection of Long Man Brewery ales…and food hasn’t disappointed either. The spacious garden is a major draw for families...

The staff do their best to be helpful and cheerful but the food is fairly awful. I do not mean seriously bad but just heavy dull and tasteless and leaving an unpleasant cloggy taste in the mouth for quite some time after. If it were...

Had vegan breakfast here and was tasty but rather mean for £8. The small ramekin was only half full of beans! Like about a heaped table spoon worth- I mean really? And small portion mushrooms and half a tomato! And strangely don't have any alternative...

After visiting this establishment with family and friends I was called by the landlord of the Welcome to ask if we knew the whereabouts of a missing toilet plunger. I was a little confused at the time so asked the kids of our group if...

Fantastic 3 course evening meal for 2. Food was fabulous and the service by the staff was excellent. Lovely pub with nice surroundings and dog friendly which was important to us. I would openly recommend.

This used to be a pretty basic pub, now when you go in it looks like a restaurant. Excellent decor, stripped floorboards, quirky furniture. Food was good. Service was excellent.

Had a lovely meal with a friend, the service was excellent and the food great. Was very cold though, no heating on, but would definitely go back.

Not been here for a few years, came to have lunch very average pie and scampi inedible...............

My brother and I had a really enjoyable evening at The Welcome. We were greeted with friendly smiles and hellos by the staff as soon as we walked in. Service was quick and impeccable and our meals were delicious. The hands-on manager Hayley and her...

Enjoyed a lovely evening with friends tonight, very friendly staff, food was delicious, all freshly cooked, hunters chicken was very tasty. Very reasonable prices too. Even has its own car park around the back. Would recommend a visit here.

We arrived at The Welcome and were greeted by the bar staff & told to sit wherever we wished. The staff were very attentive & pleasant to us & our children. I had a lovely pint of Longman ale, which I will definitely look out...

well run freindly pub. clean and welcoming grate food exelant survise would deffenlty be spreeding the word about the Welcome Stranger

First time in St Leonard's and found the Welcome from trip advisor. Nice place and atmosphere. Food was lovely and staff really friendly and helpful going above and beyond. Had the burger followed by lemon meringue pie which was delicious. Would definitely go back. Thanks...

Just popped in for some liquid refreshment Great welcome and disabled access, good selection of local beer, including long man brewery. Will be back

As welcoming as always. 2nd review as the steak n mushroom pie is perfect, almost a shame to let others know!

Went here for lunch time meal.staff polite and friendly. Food nice and hot. Disappointed with the pudding menu. There was only apple and BlackBerry crumble or ice cream available.

We have visited here twice in the last 6 weeks for dinner, both evenings it was quieter mid week. Service: The Service is 10/10 Smiley staff who are quick to assist and help. Price: The price for food is in line with other local establishments....

Ahhhhhh THE BEST pub lunch. First meal out in months and it was well worth the wait. Food was amazing, clean friendly eating area, great atmosphere and truly lovely staff. My new favourite place to eat out. Great job guys.

There were 3 of us that popped in for lunch. A warm welcoming greeting from behind the bar.The staff were friendly and helpful to accommodate a request to change an item on the menu for my mum's taste . Photo's of our meals : Chilli...

Hallumi burger was very tasty. Comes with crispy onion rings and chunky fries. We were there quite early on Friday evening and it appeared that the live music was about to start. Although we were about to leave it didn’t sound loud enough that it...

Nine of us, including two toddlers, enjoyed a delicious two course lunch in comfortable surroundings. The menu was interesting, with choices to satisfy every generation. Everything was freshly cooked, nicely presented and there was plenty of it! Staff were friendly and helpful, prices were very...

Table booked for 1pm only 5 of us . Food arrived 1hr 30mins later . We all had small food , Camembert , a burger . They weren’t busy !! This was Saturday 7th December 2019. Poor service , no apology. We try support our...

Popped in for an impromptu mid week dinner. Despite there being a large christmas party in house, the service was attentive and food came out promptly. 3x clean plates, says it all! Lovely vibe. Cosy pub. Great staff! Great to have The Welcome as our...

Went for a meal at The Welcome when family visited last Saturday, The food was so so. After our meal we stayed to catch up and bought several rounds of drink. While the pub didn't close until 11pm, the staff had already put all the...

I was also a member of the party from Saturday evening, there are a few views I'd like to air in my personal opinion we were ushered out of the pub way before closing time. no one else was in the the pub apart from...

Went here yesterday for lunch (Saturday). Food was red hot & nicely presented, tasted good too. Puddings were lovely! Must say that the service was very good. The young man wearing a ‘Crew’ T-shirt was extremely polite and attentive and he is a credit to...

Booked to have a meal with family who had traveled down from Scotland, had the meal which was adequate and was happily sitting drinking and having a chat the staff started tidying up and putting chairs on tables we still had drinks it was only...

Beautiful place to meet up, drink, chat, relax & eat - fantastic menu at competitive prices the food is fresh & homemade - relax atmosphere with nice tentative touches. (Lunch Brunch Dinner) tried them all, love them all. Tentative & Knowledgeable staff that are very...

We went to the welcome after finding it on trip advisor and we were very impressed. The food was really really good, we had lasagne, carvery and 2 kids meals. All the staff were really friendly. Highly recommended!

My girls took me here for my birthday treat last week and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it!! Enough choice on the menu and very reasonable prices. The Cajun chicken burger was lovely, it almost beat me!! Pudding is a must if you have a sweet tooth, stick toffee pudding is my fave and I was not disappointed!! There is a lovely atmosphere throughout and all staff were friendly. I would definitely go back.

If your looking for good food, good wines/ales & a good atmosphere.. look no further than this super pub. Staff are friendly & there's even parking at the rear.

I went in a group of friends and we aren't from the UK. So everything is new to us. Most places people have no patience to help foreigners understand what is on the menu, but this place was wonderful. The people at the bar and the waiters were very delightful. They even made a special drink off menu for one of our friends and when she spilled it they offered a new one without any extra charge. The burguer is excellent and the other costumers are friendly.

I have visited this venue for lunch a few times now and the food has always been really lovely , the staff are welcoming and there is a lovely beer garden to eat out in with its own pet chickens! I will be returning soon to try more off the menu!

Very good decor with easy parking to the rear. Flat entrance for any person.

One member of staff very friendly and he could not be hospitable enough. Others were very short and cold when me or my partner interacted with them. Food was served quickly but was greasy. Drinks were not nearly to measure in my opinion. Was hurried out of the premises.

This pub used to be an old fashioned English pub called the Welcome Stranger, and not so welcoming either if you were a stranger, albeit from just a different part of our small town.

I have visited the welcome several times for lunch with various family members and friends (and will continue to do so) and am always happy with the family friendly atmosphere and the staff are always welcoming and polite. On the whole the food has been good, a favourite of mine is the halloumi burger and the sweet potato chips are to die for! I’ve only given 3 stars because the food always seems to take absolutely ages to come out even when it’s pretty quiet. If this could be rectified I would give a higher rating in a heartbeat.

I've known this pub for over 40 years but this was our first visit in it's new guise as 'The Welcome'. I have to say, we were very impressed. The carvery roast beef was simply delicious and all the accompanying vegetables interestingly presented and equally tasty.

This would be 5 stars except for:

Went for mothers day carvery. Had starters mains and desserts and I've left a happy content mum Service was great. Very attentive. Think his name was anthony Carvery guy made me try something I've never tried and it was good !! Will certainly visit again

A massive thanks to everyone at the Welcome Stranger.

I have visited a few times over the last couple of years and have always had a very pleasant experience. Such a lovely, chilled ‘pub’, dog friendly, very relaxed and ideal for meeting up and chatting over food. Have eaten here twice now and both times been absolutely fine. Literally very ‘welcoming’, staff are helpful and efficient and always thank you for your visit. Great menu variety. Just a really lovely place. Keep seeing pictures of their day time cakes and sweet treats so that will be my next stop!!

Simply fabulous.. That is all that needs to be said. Try it, you won't be disappointed. A good menu will have whatever it is you fancy.

Love this place, everyone is very friendly, the food is tasty, specials make a nice change to the menu and they are dog friendly. A great pub/restaurant to spend times with friends, with your dog curled up under the table.

Very nice pub with decent food. Friendly staff. Not too expensive. I’ll definitely be returning soon.

Food: (ham, egg & chips/macaroni cheese & garlic bread) EXCELLENT. Above the standard quality you’d expect. Good selection of beer on tap.

We’re regular visitors, with friends and family. Very relaxing, great food, and very welcoming staff.

We came on a sunday baded on the good reviews.

The 'welcome' you get when you approach the bar is so welcoming. The staff are very nice and nothing seems too much trouble. Service was a bit slow considering it wasn't very busy which was surprising as it should have been as its Saturday? The food was excellent and you could tell it is all homemade. Very tasty burger just as nice as the group (mushroom) burger. If was good to sit and relax as there was no pressure to eat and go! Cant believe how friendly and chatty the staff were.

Every time I go to The Welcome I am greeted with a smile.As well as the staff, the customers seem very friendly.Food and drink are well priced and food is lovely and freshly cooked to order. Lots of parking out back make it a great place to meet up with friends. Families made welcome and you may bring your dog. Love the place, thanks for making a woman on her own welcome.

I am not a Pub person. Having been to the Welcome with Family, with Work colleagues and Friends it was always a great experience. Great food, friendly staff, we will certainly come more often. All our family celebrations will be in the Welcome in the future.

We attended The Welcome last night for a Xmas meal for 10 people, the staff were lovely and friendly, the new owners have done a fantastic job with the pub, it’s warm and friendly.

Have had a few lovely lunch time meals here, the cajun chips are amazing. Friendly staff. Good atmosphere. In the summer the garden is nice and there is a carpark.

I had never been to The Welcome before, despite it being basically my local...I had watched the renovations taking place a couple of years ago with interest, but hadn't got round to going in. The reservations were made last minute today and I have to say it was very nice. The children 's meals weren't too large which is often an issue and delicious according to the boys ( the carvery, which the eldest ate was not too small either, he finished the lot!) And the cavern choices were good. The desserts were lovely, I tried a bit of all but one... my husband covered it in custard! Homemade lime cheesecake, lovely, sticky toffee pudding, very tasty and the chocolate brownie with mousse and ice cream... yum. Apparently the apple and blackberry crumble was very tasty, but incredibly hot!

We’ve been meaning to give The Welcome a try for a while since it had been revamped and so glad we did, I phoned ahead to book a table and glad we did as when we arrived the staff were advising others arriving that the carvery had finished but the al a carte menu was still available, as we’d booked the carvery was available to us and it was amazing! The veg is cooked fresh to order and when it’s ready they call you up to choose your meat, pork, beef and there was a third but all I remember was how amazing the beef was! Cooked to perfection, pink in the middle and very tender! The kids loved it and enjoyed seeing the chickens roaming the beer garden!

Large car park at the rear. Good welcome. when you enter sets the tone for an enjoyable meal. Extensive choice on the menu and the specials board. The staff are all on the ball without being over the top.

I recently visited The Welcome for a birthday meal for 9 people. The bar stuff were lovely and very accommoding (in particular jemma and I believe it was Kirsty working). Our table had been decorated for my sisters birthday which was a nice touch.

We visited here on the 19th August for a christening, the venue it's self was fine, the food was ok but only for ADULTS when asked if they could make a single plain ham sandwich for a child they refused but said we could buy one of the menu even though we paid £175 for a buffet.. not all staff but 1 in particular did nothing but moan about the children running about. Sorry but they knew it was a christening and children would be attending so what can they expect?? It's a shame because everything else was good...

Had my husband's 50th birthday meal here, they let us decorate it and the staff were so nice. They even had little cutlery for our granddaughter, the food was lovely and a good price. Thank you for a great evening

Was a regular visitor to The Welcome since it’s reopening and always found the staff to be very friendly and welcoming. The quirky interior also added to its pleasant atmosphere.

I have been in here on numerous occasions since the refurbishment, and kept hoping that I would at some point get a vaguely decent meal, or friendly service. It's my nearest place to eat. It ticks all the boxes in as much as great quirky interior, child friendly, dog friendly etc. Sadly, the staff leave a lot to be desired, only once have I ever encountered a lovely friendly person working there, and have never seen her since. Without wanting to appear rude, some of the staff are unfriendly and incompetent to the extent that I really have no wish to use this place again. I have taken quite a few visiting friends in for drinks and food, and would certainly have continued to do, so had it improved in any way at all. The food.... on my first ever visit, with a wheelchair user, we tried the lunch time special. Cold, cheap horrid quiche, yuk. Of course they must keep it cheap to offer such a deal, but there's cheap nasty and there's basic acceptable cheap. Evening meals, I thought would be better, no chance, a disgusting mushroom burger on a dry stale bun, I could say more.about other dishes tried. Have been in for the lunch menu a few times since, always in hope, but less said is best. The staff can't even get all the meals to the same table together, some of us finished before the other meals arrived (evening). To top it all, on my grandson's 18th we went in and were going to eat, but the barman on duty was so rude when we ordered our drinks. We ordered a round, and the barman very rudely said in a loud voice "Where's his id?". If he had said it in a pleasant way, I would have happily popped home to get my grandson's passport, but the way he spoke to us was horrible. Obviously you have to ask for id, if someone looks young. There is absolutely no need for such an unpleasant attitude . I wish you well, as it's a lovely venue, sadly not for me, my family and friends. I really tried to enjoy it.

The home made tartare sauce was so over powering with taste of gherkin which looked like a green sludge, the scampi was a little over done which could be overcome with an edible sauce. Even worse the salad which hasn’t been seen since the 70’s two lettuce leaves, 3 cucumber slices and a quarter of a tomato that really was it. On the up side the kid’s burgers were fine. I have been there a few times it was “ok” on those occasions, the salad then was a whole lot better also the tartare. will not go back

I wish we took pictures! The food presentation was incredible and the taste was to match. I had the Welcome Burger with a fried egg and my wife had the halloumi burger, we had a side of halloumi fingers and the lemon Meringue cheesecake for dessert. All of it was incredible! The staff is also warm and friendly and provides great customer service; Halley & Jemma made us feel so welcomed, thank you ladies! We were visiting from California and were so happy to have found this gem. If your in Hastings and you don't come here, you'll regret it. We have to been to restaurants all over the world and this place is easily in our top 10.

this is a big pub pub offering a large range of food and drink very resonable prices and friendly staff and they do good music events too

We had been encouraged to pop in here by friends for ages but never got round to it. I wish we had. The landlady was so friendly and the bar maid was great. I love the chickens in the back garden! The food was great, we both had burgers. Good choice of drinks. Most importantly it is a proper dog friendly pub! (And children friendly).

Really well-presented food for a great price. Friendly and polite staff and in a prime location too.

We really enjoy The Welcome! It has such a great atmosphere, relaxed and friendly. And the food is great, we’ve been a few times and tonight brought some family along. Everyone enjoyed their meals, the pulled pork special was fantastic and the fudge cake was yummy! Though we didn’t take him tonight we love that they are dog friendly.

I recently visited The Welcome for a function I was pleasantly suprised by the revived and funky makeover it had. The decor is now more like a trendy London or Old Town pub with plenty of seating and quirky elements.

Quality Sunday roast. Couldn't decide which meat to choose so was offered a generous portion of each! Accompaniments were delish and plentiful, especially the cauli cheese, and nice to have the option of more veg if required. One request... peas please! :)

I’ve been a regular at The Welcome since it reopened last year. I keep going back because the food is good, the prices are reasonable and the service is excellent.

I can safely say that my family and I are becoming regulars here! The staff are all so welcoming which along with the name of the public house is very true! You do feel welcome and I have to say that the amazing food and lovely friendly service makes us feel very welcome and on my brothers birthday we even got a candle for his pudding and the staff all came around and sang happy birthday to him! What a fantastic place friendly and well deserved a visit or two in the future!!! Great job guys

Took the family for lunch and what fantastic food and service, plus amazing value. Highly recommend.

Having worked in Silverhill for a few years now, it's nice to have someone in the local area that serves up a damn fine lunch-time beer and burger - at a good price as well.

I have been to the Welcome twice, the first to arrange a gathering, the second for Sunday lunch.

Fantastic food and fantastic friendly, attentive staff. I would highly recommend a visit. The Carvery was amazing! Will definitely be going back.

Been here a couple of times for lunch and dinner.

We took our family (and puppy) to the Welcome for early dinner on a Friday night. The staff are incredibly friendly and the food excellent. The menu has a great choice of meals as well as lighter bites and a good kids menu (there was even treats for the dog). I would highly recommend to anyone!

My friends and I have been going here for about 6 months and we really love it, the food is great and they have Long Man ales on tap. We go at least once a week and have never been let down. The service is friendly and efficient and the food is of high quality I recommend it.

My advice is not to wear nice clothing to this establishment as your clothes with be ruined with the smell of the cooking as they have no ventilation. There is a constant smog of smoke in the there which stinks. I am also concerned that being a family pub they should be setting examples to children that we have an obese problem in this country and should set examples of this. I found the bar staff completely overweight and rude. Overweight people are generally lazy which I found them to be. My advice is to steer clear and find a pub that does not stink and the staff are pleasant unlike what you will receive in The Welcome.

As a company we like to all get together at the end of the month for a meeting to share ideas and have a good chat about how things are going. This gives us a chance to also let our hair down. The Welcome has a nice warm and friendly feel and I could not praise their staff highly enough. They were friendly and welcoming and offered us great pub food which everyone enjoyed. Although there was over twenty of us they coped with serving us without it affecting there regular customers. Great tie and will come back again. Paul from Prosper Home Loans

I attended the Welcome yesterday for a charity event - an afternoon tea to raise money for the local hospice- not only had the pub donated many yummy cakes, the teas and coffees were also free of charge - the fundraisers said the Welcome is very supportive and generous of local charities and the landlady could not have been more welcoming or helpful

BBQ Pulled pork burrito, not much meat in it, mostly rice. Relishes were nothing to shout about either. Pudding not so delicious either.

Had a meal here tonight 7 of us dining food was lovely had improved since last visit (new chef I think ), service by the 2 young men was brilliant couldn't fault it , the reason why I have marked down is due to poor management you never ever call out a member of your staff in front of customers .