Excellent old-fashioned English restaurant + pub. Large selection of beer. Great food too. Friendly wait staff. Can accommodate large groups if you don't come at busy times. Most of the staff are actually students from the UK on a study abroad program, and they're both good and authentic. read more

Had an english breakfast. Pretty good. I don't know what was in the black pudding though :/

Great beer selection served with only modest amounts of the snark you'd expect at such a joint. Good food, very enjoyable all around. Best place to bring any beer snob friends. read more

I thought the food was really good. Great options for carnivores and veggies alike. Overwhemling (in a good way) selection of beer, cider, etc. The hardest trivia in the world on monday nights. My only knock is that the beer is a bit steep in price. read more

Walked here in almost-zero degree weather and it was well worth it. The OT Burger was juicy and savory, the bun was warm and soft, and the fries were super crispy and flavorful. Service was quick and friendly, and the price was more than reasonable. The portion size was decently large; I had some trouble finishing everything. I did not try any of the alcoholic offerings, but I can speak to the quality of the food and it was very good. read more

I will start off saying I like the atmosphere the staff was really cool.My boyfriend and I had some shots of Don Julio,The staff were awesome and the menu looked amazing. read more

Great food. The shepherds pie is amazing. Good place to go and just have a beer as well if you're not a club person.

I am a regular for Triva night Sunday, One of my favorite places in the city. Great food and fun service. Trivia night and the other regular events are always a good time. Even though they are located in the heart of the jackass-bar district their staff has zero tolerance for young drunks and trouble makers. The menu is fantastic, and the specials are always great. I have never had a bad meal there. Service can be a little hit and miss due to the training nature of the young UK bar staff, had a few issues in that regard, but nothing to make me want to avoid the place. read more

Great Fish and Chips! Friendly staff and extensive beer menu. They have a pretty fun trivia night as well. Definitely one of the more low key bars around the East and Alexander area. More of an older twenties crowd. read more

Really good Brit food. I had the Shepard's Pie, and my Husband had the Bangers and Mash, we enjoyed both. The beers were good. They have a really nice selection of scotch, at reasonable prices. Also they have a nice cute British bartender named Zach. read more

I went to the Old Toad on Friday, January 8. I sat at the bar and was greeted by a lovely bartender whom the locals sitting next to me seemed to know and like. She was nice, but distracted. And really pissed off that she had to do dishes. However she was nice to me and took care of what I needed, so I really didn't care. The thing that drew me to this place was their Scotch list. You can see it on their website. It was spectacular. I tried three different varieties, two of which were in the $15/ounce range. This is normal for the brand and ages of Scotch. If I had more time I would have stayed there all night. It felt like I was in a pub in Britain, and I felt at home, even by myself. They had a great selection of beer, too, although that's not what I was there for. I highly recommend this place, especially for Scotch, and for a real Brit pub experience. read more

Hands down my favorite bar in Rochester. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, the regulars are smart and approachable, the food is addictive and the beer selection is as good as it gets. I don't have one negative thing about to say about the place. In a sea of drunken, boisterous inebriated college kids on a weekend night, The Old Toad is a quieter, more conversational, living room atmosphere, where a more mature, beer-savvy crowd gathers. It is, in fact, the ultimate beer drinkers bar, with a beer list the size of a New York City phone book, an ever-changing draft list, and authentic British-style cask ale. Those who drink nothing but Coors or Bud Light, or prefer deafening hip-hop and half-witted debutantes dressed as whores might want to spend an evening elsewhere, but I have a feeling the employees and clientele at the Toad won't mind so much if you do. read more

Just left The Old Toad for a Lenten Friday fish and chip dinner. Haven't been here in forever and wish I knew why, love this little pub! First of all when you walk in you feel like you've been transported across the pond. The staff for the most part are English college students working at the old toad for a year. Many are hospitality majors. The staff is so attentive!! Wide selection of beer both local and English. I chose a creamy Boddington to accompany my fish and chips. The platter of fish came with a side of "mushy peas" which are mashed green peas with melted butter and mint, well balanced. I seriously want the recipe, that's how much I loved the peas. The fish was a fresh white piece of haddock, bear battered and wrapped traditionally in newspaper. Oh my gosh that fry was seriously the best I have ever had. Fish fry is tough to do right, can be over battered, greasy, over/undercooked. This was pure perfection!!!! Right balance of batter to fish, not greasy and texture of the fish perfect. Fries were good and I enjoyed them with the malt vinegar we were given. Well done Old Toad! read more

No place like it in Rochester. Authentic British pub run by a great local family that hosts hospitality/business majors from Sheffield University in England on an exchange program, the "toadies," as they're called. I just love the Old Toad. The beer selection is never amiss, there's always something yummy on cask and the draft selections are frequently enticing as well. The bottled selection is overwhelming and there's typically a "special' for the evening written on the chalkboard behind the bar. The service in July/August/Sept is always a bit of a gamble because the students are new. Therefore, the best times to go would be the spring, like now - April/May/June. Things are running smoother! The food is of a high standard...the fish and chips are definitely worth trying. You should probably try a roast dinner with a yorkshire pudding as well. I'm not sure why, but their cheesy garlic bread is REALLY good, and their chips are thick and fat and soak up salt and vinegar perfectly. Another winning dish? The shepherd's pie. I've also always liked the Regent's Park sandwich. Yes, I agree the place could use a new carpet, but we'll forgive them for that. Oh, and BTW, try the OT 20 on draft. One of the best beers in Rochester. read more

You want a pub in Rochester? This is where you should go. The food was great (and plentiful), the service was exceptional, and the atmosphere was outstanding. I had the fish & chips, which was lovely, but also the cold pea & mint soup which was AMAZING. read more

This is one of my favorite watering holes! The atmosphere is always really relaxed and at times gets a bit crowded but friends and I have always found a spot to park ourselves. They have a great selection of beers and a nice selection of imports not usually seen at other bars/pubs in the area. The Old Toad also offers a nice menu ranging from appetizers to entrees (fish and chips, sheperd's pie, etc). The staff is always rather friendly but because it gets so crowded at times getting a drink is not always as quick as you'd like. As for fun times there, they have a trivia night (on Sundays?) that can be great fun with a few friends. The prizes for correctly answered questions? Why, beer of course! Drink costs are a tad higher starting around $4 and up- but for the beer connaisseur- cost won't matter as much- you have to experience this place. Even most of the staff is imported (from England)! read more

Loved the food and the drink selection! This is by far the best pub food I've ever had. Absolutely delicious grilled vegetables, french fries and shepherd's pie. All homemade and delicious!! Boris the Spider draught beer complemented the food perfectly and was enjoyed thoroughly. Best of all: Kevin and Abby and the company of others and conversation. A quaint oasis in Rochester. Can't wait to get back!! read more

Loved everything from the atmosphere to the British staff to the beer selection. I was disappointed to learn that they were out of bangers and mash, but I settled for the beef cobbler which was delicious. My wife had the shepherd's pie which was also delicious. I really have no complaints about the place. Will certainly be back. read more

It's a bit of a worn-down old place kind of dirty shoes stuck to the floor in the bar, sat in the main dining room and it was a bit like a picknic experience, some outdoor visitors on the table. However the food was rather interesting, and the service was very nice. I might go there again but don't expect much as far as atmosphere. read more

Love going to this place, always have a great draft and CASK beer selection, and I love flicking through their Beer Bible full of all their bottled beer and interesting beer related facts. A great place to take out-of-towners too. read more

Always great. The menu gets me, because I am equally tempted by a good whiskey (fantastic selection of single malt Scotch), as I am by a good beer. Also, believe it or not they have great food, the chips with curried dip is good before and after meals. read more

Authentically awesome. From the smell of beer to the British accents everywhere this place is as close to a British/Scottish/Irish pub there is. Great beer/whiskey and scotch selection and some pretty good British pub fare as well. Everyone is really friendly and its always a great time at the toad. Will be back over and over and over again. read more

The perfect pub. Delicious food, huge drink selection, and friendly staff. The menu also offers a ton of really filling vegetarian fare, not just boring salads like most restaurants. read more

Love everything here! Great atmosphere, delicious food, large beer selection, and the staff is friendly!

I like the atmosphere and the beer selection is great. The food left something to be desired. I ate lunch there last Saturday and went with the Shepherds pie. I thought a classic dish would be safe but it was not. The dish was a greasy mess with a layer of cheese on top instead of potatoes. It was more of a Mexican dish than English/Irish. I sent it back after 2 bites. When the waitress finally checked on us she said "oh sorry everyone makes it different. To add insult they left the total price of the dish on the bill. Good place for a beer- beware of the food. read more

100% authentic British pub. SUPERB beer and whiskey selection. Really good food. Outstanding atmosphere. I've been here at least a dozen times and I have NEVER ONCE not had an outstanding time. The wait staff are all excellent. The atmosphere is super cozy and friendly. I have never once felt the slightest bit rushed or unwelcome. It's family friendly as well, and if you're looking to watch some decent football (soccer) matches, they bring in huge plasma TVs and play the games - they did this for the Champion's League and the Euro, most recently. My #1 favorite spot in any city I've ever been to. If you go to Rochester and don't go to the Toad, then you haven't been to Rochester. read more

yummy food, great beer selection, and the people who work here are truly from across the pond! great all around!!

Wow! First time there today, and was very impressed. I'm always hunting for an 'authentic' British pub, wherever I go in the states, and have typically been disappointed when hunting off the coasts. This place is great! Good beer selection, their batter is delicious, and the chips are well done. It's sometimes hard to pull 'authentic old-school' theme, but they do it well. Great decor: old, dark wood, cushioned, wrap-around booths. Good stuff. Not to miss if you've been to Britain, and are looking for something to remind you of it. read more

Awesome beer selection. Not a place I would choose for food, though! I enjoy Trivia Night on Mondays.

We are at the old toad last night. Staff is very friendly but our waiter messed up our order more than once. The place smelled of stale beer and there where fruit flies buzzing around us all night. The food was actually pretty good everyone enjoyed the fish and chips. This was one of my favorite places to go when I lived in Rochester. Unfortunately it appears to be sliding down hill. read more

Good beer, average food, service spotty. Love the place

Went the other night for dinner with a good friend. We were seated almost immediately but it took over 15 minutes for a server to even bring us water (I had to go up to the bar and ask). Then then brought out our apetisers without napkins or silverware. We debated leaving but decided to wait it out. We have never had service here like that (usually go about once a month). The food was ok, even though they were out of what we originally wanted, but the poor service really ruined the meal for us. Even the couple next to us was complaining with us about the service. Hopefully they figure it out soon. read more

My son graduated from RIT this past weekend and we were staying at a hotel within walking distance of The Old Toad. We stopped in after graduation on Friday night and were pleasantly surprised. Old world charm and the staff were very nice and accommodating. My sons chose the fish and chips and loved it! I chose the sheppards pie and it was excellent and reminded me exactly like the pie I had while visiting England. Our experience here was so good, we stopped back on Saturday night too! A MUST stop if you are in the Rochester area. read more

went here after a great dinner across the street and although my sister and husband loved the place I was disappointed by the lack of wine and the barf smell overwhelming the place. read more

I ate here during a trip and was very pleasantly surprised. The food was delicious, the waiter was good, and even though the place was very crowded, it wasn't too hot in the building or too loud. read more

Brought my roommate here for his first visit. I've always been a fan of their vegetarian shepherds pie and tonight was no exception. He got the paddington (corned beef on rye) and I practically had to resuscitate him from bliss. Apparently "of the flavored went perfectly together like when you watch a cooking show and they talk about balancing favors . . . Yeah, that". So my review is 4.5/5 stars but his is a 6 so 5 stars! read more

A british Pub in Rochester! Great selection of beers, great food. The service is a bit hit-or-miss but I keep going back.

I've traveled to England, and the best food there is not in the restaurants, it's in the pubs, with the owner as the bartender, his wife cooking the most awesome food in the back (or vice versa). That said, the food here is good, hearty fare. I don't know why British food gets a bad rap, but this is pretty authentic. I've had the shepherd's pie, the fish and chips, bangers and mash, and they were all stellar. To put the icing on the cake, their beer menu is larger than most restaurants' food menu. Amazing, and THE place to go for cider. The only thing I didn't like (someone else ordered) was the nachos, and I don't even count that, because...seriously, who goes to a British pub for nachos? read more

Good atmosphere and wide variety of Scotch are main reasons to recommend this bar. Only downside is that service can be slow at times...but make sure you order a deep fried snickers if you go! read more

i am really disappointed in the service i received from you guys since i was back home. my uncle brought me here when i was 12 and i loved the food and the british atmosphere and everything. i moved to north carolina over a yr ago and very rarely get to visit home. so when i did visit home my parents tried to take me here, but apparently we couldn't sit down and eat because it was "trivia night" and we had 3 people, my mother my father and i. I'm sorry, but i work with people on a day to day basis for my career but that is no way to provide any customer service. and in all honesty, you guys are quite dumb for letting money fly out the door..we WERE loyal customers and tried to eat there but you told us we couldnt simply because you could only sit two people to a table? pathetic...i mean i guess the owner is well off enough that he doesn't care about money coming in the door and loyal customer satisfaction read more