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About
Family run country gastro pub serving home cooked food using locally sourced produce. Located in Bolton on the edge of Rivington & Smithills Country Estate with views over Greater Manchester and beyond. Large out door seating area & cozy log fires. Serving traditional Cask Ales and Continental Lagers
PRICE RANGE
RM 18 - RM 132
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Drinks, Lunch, Dinner
CUISINES
Bar, British, Pub, Gastropub
FEATURES
Television, Free Wifi, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Validated Parking, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Cash Only, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
Reviews (659)
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659 results
Traveller rating
432
110
59
35
23
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Time of year
LanguageEnglish
Traveller rating
432
110
59
35
23
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All reviews steak pie homemade chips mash prawns cake sunday lunch beer garden cooked to perfection staff were attentive three courses car park booked a table bobs lorraine jordan barm roast
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Reviewed 1 week ago

We made a recent return visit to Bob's Smithy, meeting up with friends. It's a very pleasant dining experience, more like a restaurant than a pub. All the staff were very attentive, friendly and helpful. There is a good choice of beers and plenty of...options on the menu. Our meals were served at the same time, freshly cooked and were delicious. Good value for money too.More

Date of visit: March 2024
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Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

We visited as a family group to celebrate a birthday. When we booked we planned on there being 8 of us, but unfortunately my son found out he had to work at the last minute. We didn’t think one person missing from the table would...cause a problem. But apparently it did! After the seven of us were seated the owner/manager/ (Lorraine?) came over to our table and very curtly and rudely told us that next time, if we have members of the party unable to attend, can we please inform them as they would have sat us at a smaller table and made room for another party in the pub. This was done very loudly to our entire table and it felt like we were small school children being told off by the head mistress! I would add though that the young man who served us was extremely polite, friendly and helpful. The food was good, why the pub has decided to title itself a “gastro pub” is beyond me - pies, chips and roast dinners doesn’t make a gastro pub in my opinion, this is just normal pub grub. Would think twice before visiting again.More

Date of visit: March 2024
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Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile

We were going to go to the newly refurbished Blundell Arms but decided to call in to The BOb Smithy. So glad we did. I had the plate steak pie with mash and amazing veg selection, very reasonably priced. Hubby had steak pudding with chips...and veg. It was lovely, hot and tasty. The roasts on Sundays looks delicious so will be trying that next time. They also do a selection of cask ales if you like that and the interior was lovely and modern.More

Date of visit: February 2024
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 3 February 2024 via mobile

We are lucky to have Bob Smithy not far from where we live and often use it as our first stop on a walk for real ale and sometimes food. We’ve dined twice in the last 4 weeks and the food is delicious, menu choice...is really good, hearty pub classics and a lovely specials menu. Last night we had fish and chips and a pork chop off the specials menu. The food was served piping hot and extremely tasty. The real ale is kept really well and service is good. We enjoy going, it always feels warm and cosy.More

Date of visit: February 2024
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 28 January 2024

we visited 27 Jan for the first time. we had 4 different nibbles for our starters which was far better than having a normal starter, followed by 2 x cheese pies venison and fish pie, sticky toffee pudding and ice cream. the 4 of us...have never eaten food that was so hot it lasted till the plate was empty and the table hot where the plates had been. we all said all of our food was very tasty, price was reasonable and service good. we sat in the bar area afterwards which brought our evening to a close. We'll done guys we will definitely be back.More

Date of visit: January 2024
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 22 January 2024

The positives - this inn/restaurant is modern and aesthetically pleasing. The staff are attentive. The prices are moderate. The negatives - we chose Sunday Roast lunch (beef) which was disappointing. This meal lacked vegetables and had limited gravy. Also the Yorkshire Pudding was ‘dreadful’. We...usually visit our local carveries for Sunday Lunch, including the Toby Restaurants which are very good value for money offering a variety of vegetables and choices of 3 cuts of meat. No so at this establishment. If you want a really good Sunday roast - don’t go here. In fairness, perhaps had we chosen a different meal this could have been better. We MAY visit again some time in the future but it definitely won’t be for a Sunday Roast.More

Date of visit: January 2024
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Reviewed 20 January 2024

Absolutely Devine food! The chef is a master of his craft! Although I live locally , tonight was the first time I’ve been, but it will definitely not be the last. Enjoyed every single morsel.

Date of visit: January 2024
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Reviewed 12 January 2024 via mobile

Wonderful food worth the money we paid, but such a shame about the chip in the plate. Wouldn’t stop me coming back though.

Date of visit: January 2024
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Reviewed 23 December 2023 via mobile

First time visiting here. Nice pub, cosy. Ordered the food and waited over 50 minutes and had to ask where our food was. Cheese and onion pie was burnt, beans were dry and burnt, service was lacking, nobody asked if everything was ok, won’t rerun.

Date of visit: December 2023
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Reviewed 17 December 2023

Excellent food ,excellent staff friendly to the end .highly recommended would be the Sunday roast

Date of visit: December 2023
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Reviewed 17 November 2023

Listed on the Bolton evening news as ‘dog friendly’ This evening, I decided to suggest this location for dinner and fetch my partners family. As we have heard nothing but positive things about it. Also, as a little girl I attended here multiple times and...it was classed as our local. No problems with the food/drinks. But certainly a problem with the way the staff dealt with a particular ‘issue’. We had decided to bring our family dog (who for a pup- is very well behaved). We made sure to be seated in the very far corner, away from the rest of the customers. Our pup was on a lead that didn’t allow him to reach out to even 2 meters. We later had bar staff come over to tell us that we need to keep him on a shorter lead as it could be a trip hazard to others. Understandably, we shortened his lead and kept him even closer. Where we know he would definitely cause no obstruction. Mid way through our meal. They had decided to come over to us again. Repeating what they had previously said. Though this time believed it was fine to grab our dog by the lead and drag him back without any permission. We asked staff “please don’t do that”. They proceeded to state how much of an inconvenience him being there was and not leave us to continue our meal. And if anyone could have seen how much we kept our pup under control, they would understand. He would not have caused anyone to trip as he was literally by our sides. And even if he was to slightly wonder off. Or anyone was to come near. We would have made sure he was not in the way what so ever. We even had other customers come over to say how dramatic the staff were being. How unnecessary it was for them to come over multiple times. Not happy with the way things were handled. Don’t think we will be coming back any time soon.More

Date of visit: November 2023
Helpful?3  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 29 October 2023

The food the staff the place to eat. This has been the best experience I’ve ever had in a long time. The food was amazing the staff were amazing re booked for the next week. Amazing top draw. Thanks rob

Date of visit: October 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 24 September 2023 via mobile

Excellent food as always. Staff vey friendly and helpful. Lovely atmosphere. Definitely a must to try especially Sunday lunch… the best ever

Date of visit: September 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 18 September 2023

It might look a bity untidy on the outside but once you are through the doors your view will change. Its a fabulous pub with a great atmosphere inside. From the off, the staff were great. The food options are just right. The Korean chicken...starters were really tasty whilst we highly recommend the pies for main courses.More

Date of visit: September 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 28 August 2023 via mobile

It’s always a good time when we visit the Bob’s Smithy - whether it’s a quick drink or a nice meal - cannot recommend highly enough 🙏🏻

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Questions & Answers
Ask a question
Explore52638847525
8 January 2023|
AnswerShow all 2 answers
Response from Debbietowers | Reviewed this property |
Yes dog friendly, there is a designated area on the wooden floor for dogs.
0
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Kevin Q
9 April 2018|
AnswerShow all 2 answers
Response from managerbobs | Property representative |
Sorry we don't have any TV's and don't have sky.
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Bob's Smithy Inn Country Pub & Dining, Bolton - Restaurant Reviews, Phone Number & Photos - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Bob's Smithy Inn Country Pub & Dining

Bob's Smithy Inn Country Pub & Dining is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4.5