We thought we would take my elderly father out for a Xmas meal, contacted the Malt Shovel to enquire, we were told you needed to pre-book which we did 2 days in advance, detailing exactly what we required starter, mains and sweet. £18.95 each so expectations were high. Arrived a good 15 minutes before our booking time and informed the staff who asked if we were ready to start our meal which we said yes. Nearly an hour later after 3 separate enquiries about where 2 prawn cocktails and a soup had got to? no sign of any starters. Others who we noted had come in some time after us ordering "on the day" from the "normal" non Xmas menu were started and finished before ours made an appearance. Needless to say we left angry and hungry, we shan't be bothering again. Staff are totally lacking any form of management, what appeared to be the "Manager" was downright rude and each time he came out of the kitchen was filling his face with food (lucky him) the bar staff didn't know what a medium wine the bar maid said wines were'nt her thing!! Don't deserve the trade - AVOID!! read more

This is a hidden gem in a predominately industrial town.The Malt, as it is affectionately known, is a friendly country pub on a busy High St. It was, in years gone by, a cinema but has been very tastefully and convincingly renovated and turned into the popular place it is today. The current licensees Simon and Belinda ensure that customers both old and new are made to feel welcome and will do their best to ensure your visit is a positive one. They are backed by an excellent staff team who are knowledgable about the range of real ales stocked and the excellent food served. The Malt is divided into two bars; one side is a working mans bar (but girlies are welcome!!) where for the price of a couple of pounds you can become a member and enjoy discounted beer prices. and; the other side is the lounge, traditional in style and serving food where children are welcome (during food serving times.) In addition to the two bars, the upstairs of the Malt houses a snooker club (again with bargain membership and beer prices.) There is a small beer garden and smokers are catered for with a covered area. Real ale buffs will be in heaven here!! There is always a marvellous array of ales, some resident and some guests but all expertly kept and served. The Malt also hold regular beer festivals and is a member of CAMRA, often winning awards for excellence. Added to these is all the usual range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages you would expect to see. The food is all home made and cooked to order (real chips and vegetables, not frozen!!) The menu is extensive and most people are catered for including vegetarian. There are often specials and mon-sat tea-times are a real bargain with two courses for a fiver or one for three quid. On Sundays the chef serves a choice of roasts and booking is advisable as it is very popular!! There aren't really any negative comments one can make, maybe that people in wheelchairs may find it a bit difficult to access the toilets without assistance, but otherwise disabled people are made very welcome. All in all, the Malt Shovel is personally highly recommended. Little touches the current licensees have added like the 'book swap shelf' have made it feel homely and serves to reinforce the country pub feel. If you want good food, a nice pint in a relaxing atmosphere and value for money then head there!!! read more

If you're ever in this town this place is a must. With fabulous home cooked meals (one course for £3 and two courses for £5) you can't beat value for money. Be prepared to have a couple of choices for food - this place is so popular they sell out fast. Highly recommend read more

Great home cooked food at reasonable prices. The steaks in particular are to die for. Booking is essential all weekend if you need a table. never had abad meal here. Highly recommended. read more

Truely excellent pub!. Quite honestly the best food I have EVER had in a pub - the fish and chips should be marketed as Whale and the Steak Pie as cow in pastry!! Stunning quality and quantity. And then the real ale - treuly stunning. Well kept, up to 4 pumps, great choice (often local-ish breweries). Lovey pub to sit inside and nice garden outside. Easy to get to - regular buses from scunthorpe, or taxis. And above all, really friendly staff and fellow customers!. Best pub in North Lincs by a mile! :-) read more

Good pub with good live bands once a fortnight. Food is hearty homely fayre, popular with the more mature person. As a pub, great, withh real Ales and a friendly atmosphere. read more

I went there last night for a meal with family. We reserved a table as this pub is VERY popular. It's a lovely venue and the bar staff are polite and helpful. We were told it would be 40 minutes before our food would arrive which was fair considering there were people queueing for a table. I ordered the garlic chicken, chips and salad and I must say that I wished I hadn't. Firstly, the chicken was cooked to a crisp, I had difficulty cutting it and it stuck in my throat, it was that dry with barely any hint of garlic. My hunger took the better of my and my perseverance paid off when I took the last mouthful. Secondly, there were no sauces on the table, the meal came with one sachet of mayonnaise, we had to ask twice for more mayonnaise. Thirdly, the table we reserved was to the right of the entrance door, my parents (who are on the largish side) were seated on a wooden high backed bench with sides, making it difficult to manoevre and use their cutlery, you'd think that reservations get priority seating at the most desirable table. My parents had the meat pie and were pleased with their meal. The only reason I didn't complain about my meal was to spare my parents embarrassment as it was them who chose the venue, and paid! read more

the malt is a nice pub that sells real honest food. the only place in town which has proper chips, everything is freshly made everyday. it gets very busy throught the day so best to book a table. sunday dinners are also very well persented lots of proper meat and proper gravy. there is also i wide range of ciders an real ales... and at a weekend has some good live bands on. its a very warm atmosphere and the staff are polite. the only thing i will say why i didnt put 5* is because the price of the beer is a little hight, but then again this place is not full of yobs an idiots. all in all a great place to have a meal that isnt microwaved but made fresh to order. read more

Went here for a family meal, which by all accounts was lovely it was a shame the night was spoilt by the management team. I can only assume they are in the wrong business. The landlady was very abrupt and rude and the landlord clearly cared about my situation as much as he does about his appearance which was not at all. Will not be returning read more

this is as far as im concerned the best pub in sunthorpe,shame is that although a good landlady she really needs a personality transplant,her people connection and communication skills would be best put use as a prison warden. read more

simply the eat in the area always very fresh and so well good and presented everyone so friendly would recommend with hesitation