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Three Pilchards, Polperro

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user reviews of the Three Pilchards, Polperro

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

Steep climb up the steps to the beer garden might put off a few people but there is a decent view over the village. I think I had a Betty Stogs but can't really remember as the visit wasn't particularly memorable. Average.
paul_d102 - 25 Jul 2018 19:03
A pleasant enough place in a lovely village.
It is slightly bigger than the Blue Peter pub next door so feels more comfortable.
A few decent ales on and strong cider too.
Didn't eat in here but this would be the pub of my choice if we did.
Worth a visit in this lovely place.

7/10
montie49 - 2 Nov 2014 13:01
Simply the very best pub I have ever had the pleasure to drink in.
Staff and ambiance superb
And oh !! wow !! The crab salad was to die for.
I asked for a sambuca, they had run out, they asked if I could wait 5 mins - no problem. Landlord nipped out and bought a bottle.
Top that if you can !!
Cannot wait 'til my return there in September.
RichardCaswell - 2 Jun 2014 14:04
Weird bar, a bit too bright which showed the slightly tired look of the place. Barman was good, beer was Sharps Own which was in good condition - cant remember what else as I only had one pint. Food looked and smelled good... Excellent location!
Bernie5 - 10 Feb 2013 14:06
Doom was not good. Served by disinterested floppy hair youth. Too expensive. No reason to go back.
southfields - 14 Jun 2012 10:52
Popped in for a pint on a sweltering day - a nice old pub with a pleasant atmosphere, friendly bar staff and decent beers but pricey being in a tourist hot-spot - �6.80 for a pint of Sharps and a pint of bitter shandy.
classic0904 - 25 May 2012 20:26
Could be so much better. Comments below show that the emphasis is more on food and not on beer unfortunately, thought this website was about beer!! Ales were the dreaded Doom Bar and Tribute and cider was one of Weston's and not a local.
nobbythesheep - 21 Aug 2011 19:24
Went in for a cheeky beer one wed afternoon while visiting Polperro! Was extremely happy with the choice of beers, and cider!! The ambience of the pub was lovely, very friendly locals and greeted with a smile by the bar staff. After looking at the menu, we decided a quick trip back to the car park to put some more money in so we could eat at the Pilchard, as the menu looked marvellous! I had a mountain of whitebait for starters and a surf and turf for mains which consisted of a 12oz steak (cooked to perfection), scollops, prawns (two types), mushrooms, peas, and proper chips! My wife had Brie wedges, and Local scollops and prawns in a lime and ginger sauce! Friends had brocolli and stilton soup, and a huge homemade cottage pie with big chunks of steak inside, and a creamy cheese topping! And finally scollop starter, followed by the pilchard seafood platter.........a behemoth of the platter world consisting of smoked and peppered mackeral, gambe and tiger prawns, crab, mussels, squid, and a crisp salad!!! Good job they didnt do puddings as there was no room left!!! Can honestly say that this meal was one of the best I/we've had. Best tasting, big portions, great value, in a great oldie worldie pub!!! If yuo ever get the chance to visit Polperro.........Eat and drink in this wonderful pub!!!
thediddy - 9 Jun 2011 20:54
Visited on a Thursday lunchtime having walked from Looe along the coastpath. Haven't been here for five years at least and it looked very different to what I thought. L-shaped single room with the bar on the inside of the L, sideways on to the door as you come in.

Still, it was absolutely packed (it was half-term but not many kids in evidence) and we just managed to squeeze in. Food very fish based, which is good considering where it is, and good quality. No complaints bout the beer either! Set me up for the return journey.


Lord_Jeffers - 2 Mar 2011 17:43
Definitely number one in my own personal top ten. I've not seen the new bar (as a previous commentator mentioned) but I do love the worn and comfortable furniture, friendly staff, great fresh local crab, wonderful history and the clear feeling that this is a pub used all year round and not just a Cornish summer tourist trap. Polperro is a lovely place, this is a lovely pub. Go there now !
davidpuckey - 21 Mar 2010 00:39
Always an enjoyable experience in this slightly dishevelled traditional pub...
All the usual Sharp's range in decent nick,but I do find the 'newish' bar a bit overpowering in the context of the weather worn,comfortable surroundings...
nuckster1511 - 23 Feb 2010 20:21
Went in here on a gloomy wet day in Polperro. Found the place to be quite cosy, and liked the starry-lit ceiling (you'll know what I mean if you see it). Didn't eat the food, but the menu looked quite reasonable, and the pint of Sharps Own was well kept. Will visit again the next time I'm in Cornwall.
hampshirehog - 25 Aug 2009 21:18
We ate here on the sunday especially for the fish pie and to be honest, was a little dissapointed.

Cracking local scallops for starters but then had to wait for nearly an hour for the main, which unfortunately did not live up to expectations. To be honest, it seemed quite obvious that they had forgotten about us as we were sat on the terrace outside which was deserted even though it provides amazing views of the harbour.

The ale and the pub itself were fine but we were a bit let down by the scran.
sampig - 5 Aug 2009 13:58
We popped into the Three Pilchards as the food prices seemed reasonable (unlike many restaurants in 'Islington on sea'). The fish and chips we had were quite good, and other customers food looked ok. I drank a nice pint of Doom Bay. Toilets were a little antiquated, but I suppose that adds to the charm.
HornchurchJohn - 12 Jun 2009 18:04
Excellent little pub with a great atmosphere, well kept beer pleasantly freindly staff and generous platefulls of food.
pasty_hunter - 16 May 2009 12:10
The usual Doom and Tribute were just about ok
skinnersbeer - 4 Mar 2009 22:01
Much improved since change of ownership. Good beer and dog friendly too
Badger350 - 8 Feb 2009 22:56
A very friendly and clean pub, serving good food and great ales. A roof top garden to die for adds the icing to the cake!
nigelrowe - 9 Oct 2008 15:27
Good food, good beer and friendly atmosphere. staff friendly and cheerful.
chrisJG - 16 Sep 2008 20:58
Good pub this with a new menu and decent booze and atmosphere. Definitely worth a visit
RollerRuss - 3 Sep 2008 12:56
Good beer and food.Needs some paint and a new carpet.Then this place would be back on track to rival the blue peter.
jono194 - 14 Jul 2008 21:59
Michelle and Tim have done a great job to bring the pub back on track. With a fresher more vibrant feel it's great to have the pub worth visiting again.
dagenhamdave - 26 Jun 2008 19:06
visited last weekend, big improvemnt since last went in. Good pint too
liverpoolou - 25 Jun 2008 22:12
just been taken over my new management. Menu and food looked nice, although had already eaten so did not try food on that occasion. Good selection of beers and other drinks. Good luck to the new landlady and landlord, this place has huge potential!
beerslops - 29 May 2008 22:36
Too many children uncontrolled by their parents in this one. A shame as a nice interior, good beers and okay food. Bring in a well behaved children welcome policy and will visit again
hellsbelles - 14 Apr 2008 22:22
On first visit could not fault but on second visit there were very young children running wild.So can not recommend.
reelaleboy - 14 Apr 2008 21:09
Found the staff very friendly and like the traditional look inside the pub, very olde worlde!
alemart - 31 Mar 2008 21:13
Was slightly disappointed this year with this pub overworked bar staff looking cheesed off, kitchens were shut when we arrived due to chefs being overworked and tired. Had a half pint of Doom and it was warm so not a good start. In the past this has been a great pub with a great atmosphere.What is going on i don`t know but this pub has the potential to be an outstanding establishment. It does need to have inside toilets especially for the ladies to compete with other pubs in the village.
Blondie64 - 31 Aug 2007 19:06
A nice pub with a few good Cornish ales. Looks a bit run down and bland, but welcoming. Toilets are outside in the courtyard, which is fine in summer.
smileyfarmerboy - 7 Aug 2007 16:06
Great pub this. Good beer - though not much choice. Ate there once and had a superb fish pie.

This pub has a great atmosphere - friendly staff and locals, plus enough seating to kick back and relax.

The Pilchards is a proper village pub that hasn't been mucked about with.
hello_dave - 7 Jan 2007 21:46
Very nice old pub. The food was nice as was the beer. Watch out for the sea witches living in lovely old fire place.
trekman - 24 Aug 2006 13:14
Avoid the 'Fresh' Crab salad, its been frozen, was tough and dry. The beer though was first class, try the Doom.
womble55 - 8 Jul 2006 21:36
even though i spat the pancake out i had for desert (it was grossly over thick & mouldy)i still give this pub a 6. Maybe this is due to 'default' as it was during the festival & theses things happen, but it was, up until mr horrid pancake came to pay a visit,,,,yes, too much blackadder methinks, a pleasnt enough pub
br8ddocks - 5 Jul 2006 10:32
The beers ok, the entertainment was a bit tired, like the furniture. Everyone seemed pleasant enough which is more than can be said for the outside toilets.
londinieres - 22 Jun 2006 19:24
Another quality boozer and just a stones throw from the equally brilliant Blue Peter, cant praise it highly enough great food, beer , music. Might have some competition from July 2006 as the Blue Peter intends to start sellimg evening nosh. I think they should link the two pubs by tunnel as i love them both.
Ted.
lewes - 10 Jun 2006 17:20
we use the bluepeter for drinking and the pilchards for eating.blue peter does'nt do food in the evening.we really like the three pilchards but as we go down to polperro every year and somrtimes twice we would love it if they added a few new things to the menue.the food that they do do is good,as is the beer.doombar is my particular favourite.friendly pub with a nice ambience,get in early if you want to eat as the tables all go , especially when the singer is on.
bluepeter - 16 Oct 2005 15:19
A great pub still, probably serving the tastiest bitter in Polperro, Wadworth's 6X.
nigelrowe - 19 Sep 2005 14:53
agree about the toilets/ we left because the smell wafted into the pub where we were sitting
johntheman - 14 Aug 2005 01:43
A fantastic pub and as the below comment so rightly points out, they serve a wonderful pint of Doombar
Kernow21 - 12 Aug 2005 10:27
good pub, beer and food was good, Sharps Doombar was very good,
anonymous - 7 Aug 2005 23:27
Great little pub, and the crab cocktail highly recommended by my ex-chef partner.
Sue Hayes - 13 Nov 2004 14:59
A great, friendly pub. Wadworth 6X (probably the best tasteing beer in Polperro), Doom Bar, Sharp's Eden Ale all in tip top condition. A good range of food is also served. Only let down are the disgusting toilets. Why do publicans take so much care in their bars and ignore the toilets.
Nigel - 19 Sep 2004 12:17

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