All-in-all, a really nice cosy pub / restaurant, not too busy or of the rowdy pub ilk (normally, the odd Saturday night can get a bit busy), but enough going on to enjoy the experience not least the canal-side location, which is very nice in the warmer months.
The staff are always very friendly and act like nothing is too much trouble. Although I generally only stick the the basic what I know drinks (Stella, Guiness, etc. no Fosters here by the way), they carry a varied array, including multiple wines and ales.
The food, compared to some of the other similar type pub-restaurants, is mostly pretty good. It's slightly towards the upper end of what you'd expect to pay for this range of meal, but is normally very well served and tasty; and I'd much prefer a decent meal here than crammed like a sardine in a tin into somewhere like Harvester nowadays. Occasionally I might wish a bit more from the portions, especially with the price in mind, but I find that with most places nowadays anyway, and the overall pleasant atmosphere of the place makes up for much of this; it also varies depending on exactly what you order.
This is one of those places, though, where just how large a portion and how well it is presented, is very much down to who is on in the kitchen I often order the same / similar dish, and normally it is lovely only occasionally it is presented a bit more slapdash and not as much of a treat.
Service on the most part is very good I generally only visit in the quieter weekdays afternoons / early evening or occasionally weekend afternoons, when there are a few people about but not totally packed. The poorest service I had was one Saturday afternoon, late Summer / early Autumn, where I waited 40 minutes for a single bowl of soup before I chased it up. In fairness this was very much out of the ordinary for the Shovel, normally I'm eating within ten or fifteen minutes or so, though I do feel promptness of service is the one area that might be tightened up a bit.
One thing I should mention disabled access. Although I don't have anyone with such needs myself, there are mutiple steps and levels (including the main entrance in) that, whilst alternative routes can be taken for wheelchairs and the like, probably make this one not very suitable for such needs at present.
In all, a really nice atmosphere, and a great location, make this one to give a try, at least especially if you're like me and hate noisy over-crowded pubs but like to sit and watch life go by as you eat / drink. The occasionally weak service (and maybe slightly variable meal quality) could be tightened up a bit (the only thing stopping a full five star rating for me), but nothing too much to moan about, and at least it's in a nice environment whist you wait. read more