About This Pub
Ah, The Ugly Duckling – it's this cosy little gem in Bowdon that's got me thinking it's worth a mention over a pint with mates. From what I've gathered from the reviews, the food really shines through with its creative twists and flavours that leave you wanting to come back for more, like those standout dishes that hit the spot just right. The staff come across as genuinely warm and eager to help, which adds a nice touch to the whole experience. But, let's be honest, it's not all perfect – those small plates can be a bit too dainty, so you might find yourself ordering extras to feel satisfied, and there have been a few grumbles about service not always being on point, with some feeling overlooked. Still, the atmosphere is spot on for a casual catch-up, and with a solid 4.5 rating, it's clear this place has plenty going for it if you're up for a balanced night out. All in all, I'd say give it a go if you're nearby; it's got that mix of highs and lows that makes for a good chat over drinks.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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The food is absolutely delicious with unique and tasty dishes, like the lamb shoulder and chicken fried celeriac – it's a real treat for the taste buds.
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Staff are super friendly and helpful, making you feel right at home from the moment you walk in.
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The decor is lovely and photogenic, creating a welcoming atmosphere that feels like a little getaway.
Cons
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Portions are on the small side, so you might end up feeling a bit peckish and needing to order more.
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Service can be inconsistent at times, with some experiences where staff seem more focused on other tables.
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Tables are quite close together, which makes the place feel a tad noisy and cramped during busier moments.
Contact Information
2 The Firs, Bowdon, Altrincham WA14 2TW
+441619291221
Small Plates
Open Now
Opening Hours
| Monday (Today) | 12:00 - 23:00 |
| Tuesday | 12:00 - 23:00 |
| Wednesday | 12:00 - 23:00 |
| Thursday | 12:00 - 23:00 |
| Friday | 12:00 - 00:00 |
| Saturday | 12:00 - 00:00 |
| Sunday | 12:00 - 23:00 |
Recent Reviews
Good food, Good price and friendly staff!
The pub is lovely settings too .
Really lovely restaurant, nice staff, Tyler served us, he was super friendly and helpful. The decor is nice, photogenic & great food. We had the lamb shoulder and the chicken fried celeriac (which is veggie) both were really tasty. We want to come back in the evening 🙂. Also, we turned up just as they were stopping food and still accommodated us with no dispute at all- we didn't even realise this until we were leaving! And we really appreciated that they still fed us as we were super hungry and we hadn't been before. Great experience, would recommend
All about the presentation really. Food quality good and well prepared but minuscule portions that are delivered individually which, if you are not sharing can mean you eat solo much of the time. Staff are very pleasant. Tables close together in restaurant and open plan layout means music and noise from busy bar area intrudes. Seems to be trying to be all things and therefore misses the mark.
Food was very nice. Service however wasn’t. We booked 4 weeks in advance to be told by the young girl when we arrived I can’t see your booking but it should be alright. We were seen to our table and shown the menu. The guy who came to serve us was more interested in the next table who he obviously knew or were regulars. We didn’t get everything we ordered and sat with empty glasses for at least 15 minutes. All in all a very disappointing experience. We had booked this to celebrate the arrival of our baby grandson and had stipulated this when we confirmed the booking today.
The guy who served us took our drinks off the bill but to be honest he wasn’t that apologetic.
Im not one for leaving a bad review but my night was spoilt.
A really lovely new restaurant to try. The decor is fabulous, we felt as though we were on our holidays and the staff were friendly and helpful. I was a bit sceptical of the menu to start with but with some guidance from the staff we chose some fabulous dishes. Really gorgeous food and so different to anywhere else. Will definitely be back.
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