The Dove Freehouse and Kitchen

Met some other mothers here recently for a relaxing afternoon drink. Really friendly staff, very broad menu including vegetarian options ( I am vegetarian). Funny old classics music wise. All in all a really nice afternoon. Got busy around 4 ish but could not recommend more.

We all ate and food was served promptly and was freshly made if not cutting edge. Good classic gastro pub fare at reasonable prices.

If you are in the area, it is the best pub by far.

Children are welcome there and they have kids packs and lots of games downstairs at the back.
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Jane Woolstenholm
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Thursday, May 16, 2013

We used to be big fans of The Dove- which is one of our local pubs- and went for Sunday lunch quite often. Nice classic roast dinners, nothing outstanding, but comforting and tasty. I still love the decor and layout- and it really has a great range of beers and whatnot.

The staff and management seem to have a strong inclination to drive people away though, or at least make sure they have a bad time if possible. My husband ran into trouble with a bouncer there recently when he ran into a few friends who were drinking at the outside tables, and he started speaking to them. The bouncer told him he couldn't "just stand there", he had to buy a drink- so he went in and bought a drink and brought it back out to rejoin his friends. On his way out, the bouncer said threateningly- "I've got my eye on you", and stared aggressively at him for the rest of the night.

When he recently met friends for a meal there, the service was rushed, the food lukewarm, and they had to vacate their table immediately after eating, to mingle in the crowded bar area. I met them there, and I was charged £15.90 for a round that should have cost, I found out later- £8.90. This was after the bartender told me- "I forgot how much those drinks should cost you, so I'll just undercharge you, OK?" This seems pretty sketchy to me- I reported it to the manager the next day, and rather than responding to me directly, he gave my personal contact details to the barman in question and told him to get in touch with me. He did, basically accusing me of trying to extort money from the company at his expense. It was a really horrible experience, and I've seen a lot of other reviews online saying that other people have had similar experiences.

It's a shame, because the pub itself is a nice place, but I don't think I can ever go there again now.
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2 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Monday, March 25, 2013

Broadway Market has had a face lift a ripple effect from the Olympics. The Dove is a firm favourite having been responsible for the turn in fortunes of Broadway Market. There is a busy market on Saturday and on warmer weekends the area is abuzz all weekend. The Dove is special because it is loved. They love beer - there are hundreds- they love real ales - see the CAMRA entries- they love ciders and even have perry's. The wine list is good with something for everyone. The food is very good with gastro type menu but with some surprising additions as one of the best Thai green curries I have ever had. It is quirky, fun and never dull.
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doubledip - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, April 26, 2012

This is the worst place I have ever eaten, avoid at all cost
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Vic bigoire
0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, December 02, 2011

Great place. Full of mirrors and glittery lights, loads of nooks and secret areas to hide. Low key music, board games galore, pens and colouring pads for my children. Amazing range of drinks. Good food reasonably priced, try the Thai green curry fantastic!!. Staff busy but perfectly polite.
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9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, July 04, 2011

Really sad that this place has such mixed reviews. Have moved to the area recently and have been going there regularly - a bit too regularly if I am honest - but the place is just fantastic. There are hundreds of different drinks to chose from and the food is good honest, delicious with big portions. It does have a different vibe at the weekend as many people go the market and the place is really busy. The bloody mary is to die for and the organic full English on saturday will sort out your hangover. But what really makes this into a fantastic pub is that you never know what they are going to do next. I went in a few months back to a Belgian Beer festival - FREE beer and food, a beer sommelier, staff dressed up in silly hats, it was fun, unlike the other too cool for school places on Broadway Market. I went in with some friends for a birthday with 8 mates and the lady who owned it sent us a bottle of Belgian gin for us to try. I don't know where they keep all the rude staff but I have never seen them. Try it for yourself and see if you can find them!!
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scouse - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, June 28, 2011