Walsh's Snug

The draft lines need replacing for customers health. Snug ignores with excuses when confronted. The published menu price list on their site is much lower than what they charge.

Trip Advisors highest rated pub AND Irish Cuisine in all of Ontario for 2016. They're doing something right!! …definitely get a reservation, though, it's always packed!

Great for date night or family night

Every time we go (at least once a month) the food has always been good!! We had a not great night of food and I spoke with the manager and it has never happened again. The people there are friendly and the manager takes every opinion with a grain of assault and will make things better. Not like the previous review, they are great with the kids and my kids love the selection compared to other restaurant in town. We recommend this place to our friends and family and enjoy taking them there

The only pub I need

I honestly don't believe some of the reviews below. I've been to more than a few pubs in Durham and Toronto and the Snug is one of my favorite. The Walsh's are perfect hosts and the food is always great. It's become a spot we always recommend or take friends and family to when they visit us in Newcastle. If you're expecting plush seating and fine champagne look elsewhere (actually skip Newcastle altogether), but if you're looking for a hearty meal and a nice pint you've found your spot.

Dissatisfied again...

It's been a while since I've made a return visit to the Snug but tonight I was in the mood for some good Irish fish and chips so alas, the Snug it was! The thick chips were lovely; crispy on the outside, fluffy inside. However, I was forced to write yet another review because of the not so lovely fish. I don't know what's going on in that kitchen of yours Mr. Walsh, but unfortunately I'm more than sure that the fish had been fried then left at room temperature until an order was placed and then re-fried to save time. It was soggy. There was absolutely no crispiness in the batter. The Snug reels me in and crushes me every time. I will make a return visit because of the atmosphere and nachos, but will travel a few minutes up the highway for some decent fish next time I get the urge. On a final note... What's up with the Snugs funny tasting water?

see: Dee's Harvest Table

Steamers was sold and Walsh's Snug is now at this location. If you liked Steamers then go to Dee's Harvest Table which is just 30 seconds east. This is owned by the chef who cooked at Steamers. Really good home cooked style food.

Great spot

Gave it a shot and wasn't disappointed. The sheppards pie was fabulous. My wife had the burger which was a little undercooked, but all in all the food was good. I will definitely be going back to try out some of the other menu items. It's small but the place was packed (with mostly Irish seniors) but still a good atmosphere. Service staff was great.

Wonderful!

I've heard nothing but good things about this place (in fact, this site is the only place I've heard ANY negative feedback!) from my friends and acquaintances. I was pleasantly surprised even by THOSE standards! My food was awesome, cooked to perfection - and I'm a very picky eater! The servers were extremely helpful and really seemed to enjoy themselves. One did a very good job at keeping his cool with a particularly needy customer. I love all of the "knick knacks", they, along with the warm celtic music, really add to the atmosphere! I would definitely return. Five stars across the board!

pleasntly surprised

PROMPT SERVICE AND FRIENDLY EVEN WHEN I CAME IN AND IT WAS BUSY ALL THE STAFF WERE GREAT COLD BEER GREAT APPS AND THE MENU LOOKED YUMMY. I HAD STELLA (ICE COLD) AND ALFRADO AND IT WAS CREAMY. WILL DEFINATLY GO AGAIN A++++

Great Food & Atmosphere

Let me start off by saying that some of these other posts are outrageous. I actually really liked the Snug. I went on a Saturday night and had a great time. My liver and onions was delicious, and my boyfriend's "Irish Mixed Grill" looked amazing and was a ton of food. Personally, I found the "knick-knacks" on the wall relevant and interesting. There was live Celtic music later in the evening which was really nice. As a local, I think it's safe to say that this is one of the best places in town.

couldn't even eat the take home

Well, it is a bit pricey for a small town pub...small in size and overwhelming with all the nick knacks all over the place. The walls at our booth were dirty and needed a wipe down and the service was ok. The only good thing I experienced there was a cold pint of beer...the food was tasteless and overcooked. We got a basket of wings each (not served with fries, they are extra) and the wings were dry and hardly covered with any sauce. We also had the garlic bread ($6.00) as an app. which had no garlic to it, just a small (4 slice) loaf of toasted bread overloaded with greasy cheese. The fries were ok, but you really can't mess up fries. We took the remainder (most) of the wings home and tried eating them later that evening and neither myself or my daughter could choke them back (and we are not picky eaters) but none the less they went in the garbage. I will not return...$45.00 lunch that essentially got thrown out.

Not too bad...

Atmosphere is fantastic. The Snug has a very homey, cozy feel to it. It’s a great place to grab a beer. The chicken wings are somewhat overcooked, very dry and not very meaty. The rest off the food is generally very good. Unfortunately the last time I was at this location, I was charged for 3 beers instead of the two that I actually had. The owner said I was wrong, and refused to take the $6 beer of my bill. I would recommend this restaurant to people, although it is slightly over priced.

Second time back and it seems to be a bit worse than the previous time, fod was cold, servers were not really interested in being there, and apparently there was urine on the floor in the mens washroom, which was cleaned up once the staff were notified.

A LITTLE GEM

Since arriving in the Durham Region in 1986 obviously a lot of things have happened, But one thing always eluded my wife and I and this was trying to find a genuine 100 percent British or Irish Public House, with a warm welcome, fabulous atmosphere which was complemented by cooking that had that special ingredient which personally I cannot put a name to but you just know by reading the menu that the chef and cooking staff love what they are doing. I will not mention or name the other so called "pubs" available in the area - the thing is they simply do not get it and do not have a clue that for instance a typical hostelry in the British isles does not have to have 6 television screens including one in the washrooms, nor do they have to include "spudskins and wings etc just to keep their Canadian clientele happy. What you should do if you are ever thinking of opening a "back 'ome establishment" is take a trip to Dublin, Glasgow or London and see for yourself. If thats a bit drastic then try the next best thing go see how Mr Walsh at the Snug in Newcastle does it. Well if your aim is perfection then the Snug has it in spades. My wife and I could not find anywhere to spend our 35th wedding anniversary, we looked at the usual spots then I suddenly remembered a buffet breakfast we had had on a whim late last year whilst travelling through Newcastle. I remember the place being packed but someway as if by magic a table was produced. The breakfast was all you can eat and being my favourite meal I did not hold back - I remember asking this kindly Irish gentleman if they do black pudding and he replied that it was around now and then - apparently it still is. But the Breakfast would be a whole new review in itself - a sort of all you can read effort. Now back to last Saturday we arrived around 6 and of course if appeared packed - Mr Walsh welcomed us and led us to the bar whilst a table was prepared.We were given Menu's and wow for an ex-pat Brit what a read I cannot wait for the film to come out. Even my old friend from the UK appeared on the back of the menu "The Mixed Grill" - this is a dish that for some reason I loved back "ome - but to have it served with delicious lamb chops was a real bonus. I actually had already ordered so I must admit to return the Wednesday afterwards and enjoying one. Mr Walsh showed us to our table and immediately rolled off the special of the night - my wife asked in her usual timid but polite way if she could have a different sauce with her Salmon and Pasta - yeah you guessed right "no problem at all". I had a fish special as well. We both had superb home made starters and a classic English dessert good old Sticky toffee Pudding. Incidentally there seems to be a hot pudding available every night - I had Bread and Butter pudding the next time. Hope my cardiologist is not reading this...... So to finish before I use up all the space please try the Snug - you will not be sorry at all - there is the correct beer and stout available - good Irish Whiskey - in fact anything you desire drinks wise - and it all complements the wonderful food and ambiance of the place. Never been to Ireland? then call Mr Walsh - he will look after you and you will step through the door into a world of music, great conversation (there are no strangers in here) - you may feel you have stepped into a Museum - but to me its a loving tribute - to everything British and Irish thats good for you, Oh and I nearly forgot the live music is free.

Comfy Spot

The Snug is a friendly, small & cozy pub. The food isn't bad - some of the home specialties are pretty good and the atmosphere is excellent. Great choice of beer on tap. Pity some people bring their young kids, but that's what they do these days. Personally, I like the knick-knacks (unlike the previous reviewer!). They tend to get quite busy, so it's best to call ahead.

I have eaten here many times and have something different every time almost adn the food is always well worth the money and I honestly couldn't say what I liked the best but the wings are worth the trip there. Thursday night is wing night and so they are $9.99 for 20 wings. Seriously try the chicken pot pie. Yum!

loved this place ..great food and plenty of it ..great service..the server was really helpful and truly seemed to enjoy her job.. very friendly.. we had a wonderful evening and plan on making this a regular place to eat. AWESOME!!!!!!

Nice cosy pub hold the flies

Lovely meal, nice server, lots of atmosphere and about 10 million flies. They even have a fly catching machine just over the door. Without the flies it would have been pretty perfect. I'm going back in the winter time.

Warm smiles

love the atmosphere, i am british, this place makes you feel at home. The staff are warm and friendly and give personal service. great prices helps also.

Love the food and the atmosphere

I like The Snug, it's a traditional Irish restaurant and Irish dining. I really enjoyed the food here, I also found their food to be really filling and tasty as well as having very friendly staff and a friendly atmosphere. I will definitely come back again for sure.