Ember Inns Reviews 

Popped in with family for few drinks.
Lovely relaxing atmosphere topped off with super friendly service, especially from Hannah.

Truly awful...
Booked a table for 7.30.
Arrived at 7.20.
No one at the sign that says "wait here to be seated".
After a few minutes a creature from behind the various saunters over and asks if we'd booked a table...we said yes and the time. With a "not bothered" attitude she explains the kitchen is closing in 10 minutes as the "grill needs to cool before maintainence".
On the door is a piece of paper stating that all food must be ordered from the bar as the app isn't working. I look at the bar, the creature says, "just sit anywhere", I start to laugh as I see there's a sizeable queue at the bar. We would need to grab a table, get a menu, pick food, get to the bar, wait in the queue and get served...in 10 minutes. Not exactly the relaxing evening out we had planned.
We left. I did ask why we were allowed to book a table if they knew (obviously we'll before that day) that the kitchen would be closing around the same time. I was told that they only check the bookings first thing in the morning, they don't check after that. So that means ANYONE booking after 9am for an evening slot would be disappointed.
I left a review on their website. I got a response with a phone number to contact them. When I called, the general manager wasn't there, but I was told that they would call me back.
They didn't. Shocker.
Avoid this chain at all costs as the chances of not even getting a seat or foodnis highly dependent on whether or not they can be bothered checking their bookings.

I took my better half to The "Nut & Squirrel" today, 14th Feb 2026, 12.30, as a treat for sticking with me for so long, and we were not disappointed by the service. Dan & Tom, our servers today, were excellent.
The Mains were cooked to perfection (Both had Grilled Sea Bass), and the Apple & Cinnamon pie with ice cream was delightful, with apples that you could taste. Excellent all round service, well done, you guys.

Went to ember inns in Loughton Essex (The plume) with my wife as a treat, loved the idea of ordering at your table via QR code, I ordered a mix grill and Burger and chips,, when I received the MIX grill everything on my plate was stone cold AND I mean cold Including the pepper sauce which was in a separate jug. I complained to the waitress/bar staff and told her everything was stone cold, her reply was 'is it' and took my plate away. no apology at all and not being sure what she planned doing at this point, after wating 5 min my meal returned obviously just been put in the Microwave. I wasn't happy and only ate half the meal. I also ordered a dessert apple pie and custard, after wating so long for this I had to ask for it again, 2 staff 1 male 1 female both have very poor customer skills.. service for the Bar was terrible 3 times I stood there waiting while they just walked past not even saying sorry I will be with you in a moment. A very elderly lady was also waiting next to me and said to me 'I've been here ages' at which point I had to call the barman to serve us. only 2 drinks available on pump out of 5/6 very poor for a Tuesday. CUSTOMER SEVICE SKILLS very very poor and rude, not very welcoming at all and will definitely not be eating here again. MY ADVICE WOULD BE 'AVOID'

I would prefer to be able to see some prices online before my visit, especially wine prices, rather like flying a plane wearing a blindfold.

My sister hosted her 40th birthday at The Morton Hall Ember Inns in Bury st Edmunds and I just want to say that the service was amazing. My sister got caught up in tailbacks due to an accident and the staff were very understanding, even delaying starting the food until her arrival. We had a fantastic evening and the staff were so friendly and patient I just wanted to say thank you

Failed to deliver food as ordered and still waiting a week later for a refund. No apology from staff in the pub and totally poor attitude

Appalling and totally inept customer service. I made a very serious complaint about the way a relief Manager behaved.
This was at an Ember Inns where I used to eat at least 3 times a week and also visited with groups of friends for drinks.
I was told that a response would be given within 3 days and that my complaint would be taken very seriously.
10 days later and there is still no response as apparently there Area Manager is to busy or to rude to deal with it.
Honestly disgusted with the way Ember Inns has dealt with this. I have shown them considerable loyalty.
But in return they have shown me none !!!

Great staff , service .. couldn’t be made to feel more welcome .. can highly recommend !

Went to the blackbull fulwood for lunch with a friend to meet another group of friends as we wereearly we asked for coffee rather than a drink it was 1130am today wed the 21st jan only to be told they werent serving coffee as they were expecting a large group of people and wouldnt have enough cups we were totally taken back by this and left the pub went to the 313 lounge bar then moved on to the sherwood for lunch glad they can afford to turn custom away

The Tall Ships Hartlepool must be one of the worst meals I've ever had. sirloin steak couldn't even cut it with a steak knife so tough. Chips were only half cooked. Raw on the inside. Extremely disappointed sorry won't be visiting again. Minus 10 out of 10.

Dan and his team are great at the nut and squirrel milton keynes me and my partner had a really good curry really filling good moneys worth

Eden arms Doncaster,
One steak meal just thrown on the plate burnt onion chips poorly cooked under statement.

One steak pie meal poor sums it up .

Bar service when staff spend their time on a phone sums it up .

Keep your money why pay for rubbish.

Booked a table for 7 Christmas Day 1.30 - 3.30

Was seated by the door .very cold every time the door opened . The young lady who booked us in was very helpful & moved us to another table.

Waited until 3 pm for starters . Mains came out at 4.15 with food missing from some meals . In all honesty the food wasn’t great. Pudding came 5.05. It took from 5.30 until 6 to sort out the bill paying for extra pigs in black & stuffing .

We along with others were given a refund .

This did not make up for the 5 hours wasted and the amount we spent on drinking for the 5 hours we were there.

We have had the need to return food as it was cold. Instead of issuing fresh food they have microwaved the food and sent it back out, and this included chicken..... disgraceful. The waitress never spoke just put it back on the table with no apology, didnt even make eye contact. If you don't like your job, I'm sure there are people out there that would. Definitely won't be returning any time soon

Just had the Christmas fare meal at the olton tavern absolutely terrible put into a side room because we we're a party of 12 and they just seemed to have forgot about us the service was especially slow waiting absolutely age's between the courses and when the food came it was nothing to rave about the roasted potatoes were so hard nether fork or knife would get in to them .no way would I ever set foot in this place again

Party of 7 at 7.45.
No Hunters Chicken
No Seabass
No Belly Pork
No Apple Pie
No Cream Brule
Very disappointing!!!
I ended up with Scampi and Salad and no dessert!!

Turn up for your works Christmas dinner to be told no Xmas dinner available, and the food that was served was questionable for its flavour.

Oh dear. Visited The Hind on 6/12, Male Singer (ostensibly) started crooning around 745 - atmosphere deteriorated - far too loud, far too dated, far too 'in your face'.
Will be avoiding if he returns!
Otherwise - great pub and over-the-top very nice Bar Staff.

My experience with Ember Inns was a bit under overwhelming. The service was okay, but sone areas of the inn felt outdated and could use better maintenance. It's find for a quick stay, but I expected a bit more.