The Horse and Groom Harvester
+44 1323 483037+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
9:00 - 23:00
Mon
11:30 - 23:00
Tue
11:30 - 23:00
Wed
11:30 - 23:00
Thu
11:30 - 23:00
Fri
11:30 - 23:00
Sat
9:00 - 23:00
Reserve a table
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Someone from this business manages this listing.
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PRICE RANGE
R 69.00 – R 345.00
CUISINES
Bar, British, Pub
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
meals, features
Location and contact
Menu
Half rack of BBQ ribs
Loaded onion rings
Mac ‘N’ cheese
Prime chicken wings
Details
About
At The Horse and Groom Harvester in Polegate food is fresh, full of flavour and just how you like it. Choose your tasty grill, sauce and side at our restaurant and we'll get cooking - while you head off to the famous Harvester salad bar to grab as much crisp, freshly prepared tasty salad as you like.If you're looking for a family friendly restaurant in Polegate, there's nowhere more popular than Harvester. Close to Wannock, Halisham and Willingdon, our restaurant is a great choice for anyone who loves tasty grills, indulgent desserts and eating out in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Plus we've loads of choices for young guests.
PRICE RANGE
R 69.00 – R 345.00
CUISINES
Bar, British, Pub
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
Contribute
4.0
826 reviews
Excellent
391
Very good
144
Average
121
Poor
68
Terrible
102
Leanna R
London8 contributions
Aug 2020 • family
Booked a table for myself, sister and children for today, there was 7 of us in total. We actually arrived slightly early as it was so hot out we didn't last as long at the farm we visited prior.
Not only were they fully booked, the new measures in place regarding refillable drinks and the salad bar meant more work for the staff.
Our waitress (I'm sorry I didn't get her name!) was so helpful and amazing with our children and their multiple requests to go to the salad bar and checked on us often to make sure we have enough drinks.
The food was particularly good today! I've eaten in many harvesters but felt our meal today was on par with local pub food, which is far more expensive.
The restaurant itself was very clean and they ensured everyone was sitting with the 2m distancing.
Overall a very lovely meal out on an extremely hot day and the waitress remained cheery and happy to help with everything we needed.
Written 10 August 2020
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.
GeneralManagerAA
Thank you for the 5 star review. Yes we have more work to do currently so we are trying very hard to get things done as quickly as people want. May I thank you your kind words and praise for the waitress and the restaurant in these different times.
We hope you return soon
Many thanks
Paul
Written 11 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
HoneyMonsterontour
Eastbourne416 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
I came here with my friend as part of the Eat Out Scheme and we score marks for food.price and ambiance. This is the first time a restaurant has got 60/60 so well done ! I fail to see why it does not rate higher in the rankings.
I had the 3 courses for i think £12 (then reduced an additional 50% due to Eat Out campaign. Tables were spread out well for coruna vires and i actually saw a member of staff disinfecting a menu card. No longer able to get your own salad, one just says what you want and a member of staff fills your plate.
Highly recommend the beefburger in a bun as part of the 3 course meal - not normally a fan but this burger was deliciously moist and cooked to perfection (my friend is fussy re burgers and she too thought it wonderful).
We both left very content and full !.
Looking forward to returning next time my friend visits me ! Thank you Horse & Groom staff. We visited for lunch Wed 19th Aug
Written 29 August 2020
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.
GeneralManagerAA
Thank you for the 5-star review. The team here work very hard in providing great food, drinks and great service. It's fantastic to hear you had a great visit and it ways great to hear such positive reviews as this is a real boost to the whole team to recognise their hard work. I will share this with the team, and hope to see you back very soon.
Written 1 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David A
Battle7 contributions
Sept 2020 • none
The service was very good very friendly. However when our food was served my food was lukewarm at best I had the mixed grill and every single item was lukewarm.
I did not want to make a fuss and it was edible. The flavours were lovely just to cold to really enjoy.
I am certain my meal was sat on the pass for maybe ten mins
Written 7 September 2020
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.
GeneralManagerAA
Hi John, I am sorry to hear that your meal was only lukewarm. Had you informed your server we would have changed this straight away for you. We always want our guests to have the best dining experience when they visit us so I am really disappointed that we let ourselves down on this occasion. I am however pleased that you enjoyed the friendly service.
Thank you for your review, we always appreciate feedback. We hope you come to visit us again soon.
Take care
Lynsey
Written 9 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sharon H
East Sussex4 contributions
Aug 2020 • family
I have never experienced such a rude, self centered, poor excuse for a Manager. From the beginning of the the experiane he was miserable and didn't even great us, his first words to Our group of 11 was is there any kids in the group at which I replied as a joke no only me (48 years of age) and he geared at me me like I had told him off. He then said follow me no please was I volved in the statement at all. He then showed us our tables one was against one side of the room and the other was the other side of the room approximately 20feet away from each other, I totally understand about covid19 as I work for the NHS but that was rediculous. My Mum who is 75 and was celebrating her birthday asked this Manager (I say that very lightly) is it possible to get the tables closer together to which he replied NO and proceeded to walk away, she was very upset as she said this isn't what she wanted for her birthday.
We all had to re-arange ourselves into who was going to sit where and I said in in a joking way (bye mum I am going to miss you) which we found out later that they didn't even hear in the other table. This manager PAUL [-] came up to me and in a very rude manner told me to be quiet, I said to him "you are a very rude man even from the start when we first entered the restaurant you where rude to us and I think it is disgusting".
He stood over me as I was sitting at the table looking at the menu and said tight I am refusing service and snatched the menu out of my hands. I turned round to him and said "are you serious" he then walked over to the other table that had all the older family members and proceeded to take their menus away without any explication what's so ever and walked away. My wife had to go across to tell them what had happened. We then left the restaurant and sat outside trying to figure out what we where going to do, my mother was crying and very upset. We managed to call the Holly Blue Restaurant on Earsham Road and they opened their arms and restaurant to our party of 11 with no question and where shocked when we told them what had happened they said they had heard about this manager many a time. They made our day special and just how we wanted it they went above and beyond to make is special. I am saddened at the fact that the Horse & Groom allow for this manager to carry on the way he is and not be fired it is disgusting and shameful. I and my family will spread the word far and wide about how we where treated and to avoid this restaurant at all costs. I am sure Mitchell & Butler would be shocked to know how customers are being treated by a company associated with there name. Paul [-] it seems has forgotten who pays his wages, without customers he does not have a job shocking little man shouldn't be in hospitality or anywhere near it.
Written 17 August 2020
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.
GeneralManagerAA
Thank you for the review. Action has been taken to prevent this happening again.
Written 24 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Oliver M
Eastbourne23 contributions
Aug 2020 • family
Visited here today for the eat out to help out scheme. Was fully booked inside, so we happily sat outside.
Niall at the bar was great and very helpful with our order. He also dealt very well with the rude customers in front of me who seemed to have a problem that they had to use contactless and walked out.
I feel people are too quick to complain during EOTHO So I feel they should get recognition for the good service and food we received.
Well be back. Thanks
Written 18 August 2020
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.
GeneralManagerAA
Hi Ollski
Thank you for choosing to dine with us and for also taking the time to leave us your review. 4* isnt quite what we wanted, however it shows us that we have that final push in our service to reach that 5*.
It is always lovely when one of our team gets metioned in a positive light in a review. Niall is consistantly polite and helpful with both guests, and team members, and I will certainly share this review with him which I am sure he will be very happy with.
We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Take care
Lynsey
Written 20 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mr. Grant
Hailsham20 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
We where greeted by a miserable husk of a manager at the door who within the first two minutes had made it very clear that the only thing he values is himself as his customer service was beyond abysmal. We’d reserved tables for my grandmothers birthday, understandably COVID means the world is a different place but instead of explaining to us politely and reasonably why our tables were so far away from each other he ordered the most senior half of our party to one side of the room with very little explanation and a whole bunch of shortness and rudeness. My mother tried to diffuse the situation with some humour but our sour and humourless po-faced manager/server took it upon himself to forcibly silence the situation with some prompt and swift rudeness. The only thing he’s clearly good at. He refused to serve us, snatched the menus off my mother, which by the way raised my blood pressure to the point where I was tempted to use the same aggression he’d displayed to us seconds before. It’s safe to say we left as quick as we’d came in. You ruined two birthdays today my dude, I hope the next tip you get is one down some stairs
Written 16 August 2020
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.
GeneralManagerAA
Thank you for the review. Action has been taken to prevent this happening again.
Written 24 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
w0tcha
Ampthill581 contributions
Mar 2022 • none
I have been to a Harvester before, but not for quite a few years and probably won't visit another for a few more years judging by this experience. Some of the staff were friendly and reasonably efficient although after we had ordered we were told about a few things we could have had that weren't shown on the drinks list or menu. So if you have a specific request, it maybe worth asking before you order.
The USP for Harvesters used to be the help yourself Salad Bar with a wide selection of ingredients to choose from. Now there is a much more limited selection being served by someone who clearly thought they had better things to do. Small bowls, small portions, limited choice and no encouragement to return for a top-up. Covid or cost-cutting? Not certain what the driving force for this change is, but if Harvester are going to make this sort of change, they need to seriously up their game on the rest of the food options. Our meals were at best bang average (not cheap either) and certainly not up to the standard of most other pub-restaurant chains, we've visited recently.
Written 1 April 2022
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.
General Manager A
W0tcha, we're disappointed to hear of the negative experience you had at our location. all comments help us to improve and we certainly feed comments about the brand to the relevant people.
if you would like to contact a manager regarding your visit our number is 01323 483037, a Duty Manager will happily be able to assist. we hope you give us another chance soon, take care
Written 12 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
KateCornwall83
Eastbourne29 contributions
Aug 2022 • family
I appreciate we visited for food at a strange time (3pm) but it was very clear from the attitudes of the staff that they’d much have rather we hadn’t bothered. The restaurant is really dirty and the disabled toilet was filthy. It felt really grubby.
I ordered a chicken wrap without the mayo. When it arrived I noticed it had lots of mayo (but it looked really nice! Lots of lettuce and salsa- big pieces of chicken and loads of mayo). I took it up to the servery as there were no staff around. I explained the problem to a waitress whose only response was ‘yeah ok’ 🤦♀️ No sorry, I’ll sort that out, I’ll bring another one… she literally took the plate off me and stomped off to check something on a computer leaving me stood there…
I really feel I was then ‘punished’ for having complained. After a wait, another wrap appeared… still no sorry or anything just ‘chicken wrap’ and put it down next to me… it looked like it had been thrown at the plate. The three tiniest chicken pieces, can’t have been more than a tsp of salsa and one teeny lettuce leaf… I was left with a super dry and bland lunch…
I totally understand mistakes happen, it’s really not a problem and I don’t expect staff to grovel but it’s polite to give a cursory- ‘sorry I’ll sort it out’. The second one was so poor in quality compared to the first but I didn’t dare ask again and I didn’t want to make a fuss.
Then came the worst bit… I tried to use the disabled toilet with my physically disabled child. She doesn’t look immediately impaired but she really is and she can’t climb stairs (she uses a wheelchair usually but I hadn’t brought it in as we’d parked right next to the door). I asked where the disabled toilet was and was directed to the bar for the key- no problem… but before I got there another woman hollered at me that I couldn’t use it… a little child was having a nappy change. Her attitude and tone implied that this woman, with a small child, had far more right to be using the disabled toilet than us and that we could just go upstairs and use the ladies.
When I tried to explain she turned her back on me and left me stood in the bar with my daughter. I found the disabled loo myself, we waited for the other mum and I let myself in behind her without the key.
I have never before been refused access to the disabled toilet with my daughter or had it made hard to use it. A venue this size should have a designated disabled space but it doesn’t… I was happy to wait… but we didn’t need to be spoken to like this for trying to use the facilities. My daughter shouldn’t have to be in her wheelchair to get to use the disabled toilet, we weren’t asking or expecting preferential treatment.
We won’t be returning and I’d ask their staff to think about being kinder to a disabled five year old next time one comes into their family restaurant.
Written 27 August 2022
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.
General Manager A
Hi Katecornwall83,
Thanks for taking the time to leave your feedback, we have contacted you via another platform to rectify the issues you have mentioned.
Kind regards,
Team Horse& Groom
Written 14 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Philippa H
6 contributions
Nov 2020 • family
This restaurant is so dirty which given all the measures in place for covid is worrying. Food all over the floor and yet a sign on the table saying it's been sanitised and is ready for the next customer. All surfaces are dusty and the windows are grimy. Just dirty everywhere. We could smell the toilets from our table and we weren't even sitting near them. The food was mediocre and we were preoccupied with how gross the kitchen probably is based on the rest of the place. The staff were pleasant enough although our 20 something year old waiter kept calling my 70 year old father in law "mate" which was annoying. I would recommend going elsewhere but if you're already in Polegate then it's already too late for you.
Written 1 November 2020
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.
General Manager A
451philippah, we regret to hear that you had a negative experience with us, the cleanliness of business is vital and is upsetting to hear this wasnt the case on your visit, your comments have been passed onto the service and cleaning teams. I apologise that your visit was dissapointing
Written 21 December 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Firstlady1982
Royal Tunbridge Wells49 contributions
Jun 2021 • family
Great food, great service
We visited here yesterday after a day at the beach as a family. We were served by such a friendly lad named Nile the service was second to none and we are a fussy bunch especially myself ! I even asked if my steak had fat on it would the chef be kind enough to cut it off ( I told you I was fussy) and he actually did! Not one piece of fat on my perfectly cooked rump steak ! I was so impressed with all the food here I wish I lived nearer as I would bring everyone here. The staff are all very accommodating, it was a joy to eat here. Thank you guys for a lovely dining out experience 🥰👌
Written 6 June 2021
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.
General Manager A
Firstlady1982, wow what a great review, thank you for taking the time to let us know how we did!
we will pass your lovely comments onto Naill and the chefs
We look forward to seeing you again when you are back in the area, until then then take care and see you soon
Team Horse and Groom
Written 7 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Aimee W
3 contributions
Jun 2021 • friends
Sat out on the patio area underneath a large sunshade, which was lovely and cool.
We ordered passion fruit martinis abd they were delicious, food was cooked well and nothing was too much trouble for our server Lana, who we had a good giggle with. The manager Tom is also lovely and we will definitely be returning
Written 8 June 2021
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.
General Manager A
Thank you for taking the time to leave us this wonderful review. We are so pleased that you enjoyed our outside seating area and food. I will inform Lana and Tom of your kind wordes as they will be very happy to hear this.
We look forward to seeing you again soon. Take care
Written 9 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kathryn G
3 contributions
Jul 2021 • family
Popped in with my mum for lunch and ordered off the lunch menu. Had nachos to start which were covered in bright orange 'nacho cheese' that smothered everything and tasted awful.
Followed that with salmon and dill fish cakes one which had no salmon in whatsoever, just potato and dill. Also had the cambembert a tomato tart which was OK but pretty bland with the tiniest dish of coleslaw I've ever seen.
We finished off with a syrup sponge pudding which was edible and by far the nicest part of the meal but still managed to be bland.
Very disappointed, its been a long time since visiting a harvester and always been happy but this was a very negative experience.
The staff were very nice though - can't fault them.
Written 8 July 2021
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.
General Manager A
We are disappointed to hear that you did not have a more positive experience with us at The Horse and Groom. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We will use your comments to refine our efforts to ensure this issue does not happen again.
Written 21 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sam C
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • family
We went for a family meal to celebrate the end of a day out and had meal of two halves. Our waitress, Ella, was fantastic and helpful and kind and made our experience a great one to start of with. Unfortunately, a member of our family who is vegan received a meat option by mistake. Ella was very apologetic and went to rectify this straight away, but this where the disappointment began. The kitchen staff were dismissive and rude to her, loudly enough that we could hear at our table, telling her 'it was vegan cheese'. They didn't even bother to listen to the complaint that it was a meat patty and Ella was forced to bring it back to us. We had to return it again as it was obviously meat, and she was once again berated by the kitchen staff. She was accused in aggressive tones of making a mistake and belittled in earshot of us. They did finally agree they had sent a meat option out to us but blamed her again for taking the wrong dish, something that we appreciate can happen in a busy service, but they obviously could not. As someone who has worked in restaurants, if their serving shelves weren't such a mess, then maybe it would be easier for their waiting staff to do their jobs in the first place.
An extremely apologetic Ella came back to our table and offered numerous discounts and took the full vegan meal off the bill. We all felt extremely bad for her as she was a great hostess for our table and her treatment left a sour taste in the mouth. We decided against a dessert course after this and wanted to leave as quickly as possible.
Written 6 August 2023
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.
General Manager
Hi Sam C,
Thanks for taking the time to leave your feedback.We are sorry to hear that your recent visit to us was not to the standard we strive to achieve. We aim for all our guets to leave us happy and can only apologise that this was not the case on this occasion.
We take comments of this nature very seriously and it is very upsetting to hear that this affected your experience on your recent visit to us.
We are currently in the process of retraining the team, using the feedback you have left to ensure that similar situations do not occur in the future.
It is good to see that Ella went the extra mile and went some way to try and rectify the situation although unsuccessfully.
Once again please accept our sincere apologies with regards to this matter.
Kind reagards,
Team Horse& Groom
Written 14 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Karen
2 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
Absolutely appalling treatment by the manager on arrival and during the 5 mins we were there before walking out. He was rude, arrogant, totally unable of reacting favourably with the patrons. You lost 11 customers last night and we will NEVER be back this nor will be recommending this restaurant.
Written 16 August 2020
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.
GeneralManagerAA
Thank you for the review. Action has been taken to prevent this happening again.
Written 24 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Vacationer825821
Dover4 contributions
Jul 2021 • couples
Probably the worst burger I've ever had. We had tacos for starter. There was massive lumps of the packet made dips and about five tacos underneath, was pointless having so much dip as we had no tacos to dip. I ordered a true blue burger. The only thing blue was my mood. The blue cheese was disgusting didn't even look like cheese. I wanted to complain but we never saw another waitress and didn't want to wait. Had to remove the disgusting so called cheese off my plate. You should be ashamed of serving crap to paying customers.
Written 12 July 2021
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.
General Manager A
Hi Vacationer825821, thank you for taking the time to let us know about your recent experience. We are disappointed to hear that you are not satisfied with your visit. I will pass your comments up to our food development team who decide on the products we use and the specification of the dishes we serve. We hope that you will give us another chance to restore your faith. Team Horse and Groom
Written 21 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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