Charles Dickens Pub

If you've read any of my previous reviews, you'll know that there are three main components that my wife and I look for when we're on the hunt for a good meal: food quality (of course), ambience/atmosphere, and finally, the customer service experience. I’m happy to say that Charles Dickens Pub succeeds on all fronts!After spending the earlier part of the day at the Oxford Renaissance Festival, we were looking for a satisfying meal to end our trip. Woodstock was on our way back to Toronto so after a quick Google search, we were impressed by what the Dickens (am I allowed to call it that?) had to offer.Upon arrival we found the vibe of the pub instantly appealing - rustic yet fresh, warm and inviting. Our server, Kristine, seemed a down-to-earth, no nonsense person - a genuine character -who made us feel as if she were inviting us into her home. Her easygoing attentiveness made us feel as if our dining experience really mattered to her. It's that kind of service that scores high marks for a restaurant and will keep us coming back.The menu had much to tantalize but my wife and I both settled on The Yorkshire Pudding Bowl: my wife went with the Roast Beef version while I had to try the Toad In The Hole - 3 English Pork Sausages, Fried Onions, Gravy, and Garden Peas. It was a massive undertaking but one I felt confident I could manage. And true to my word, I cleaned my plate and did not regret a single bite (nor bring shame to my family by not finishing).While this meal left little room for dessert, we managed to squeeze in a Deep Fried Mars Bar, something I'd always wanted to try. Served with vanilla ice cream and caramel and chocolate sauce, it was a decidedly naughty experience!And a pub meal isn't complete without a satisfying beverage to wash it down. My wife is a cider drinker so she was happy to see Strongbow on the Draught List. I prefer a good malty brew, so quite enjoyed a couple of pints of Smithwick's.My ONLY quibble with the food was the side veg. Many places treat this as a formality, a required accompaniment, a necessary filler. While an appreciated addition, our vegetables were simply steamed and unseasoned and could have benefited with a warm-through in some seasoned butter (tarragon/garlic?) or the like for some added colour and flavour. (Everything's better with butter!)But other than that, our experience was exquisite. And learning a bit about the family history of the pub only added to the friendly vibe and warm and welcoming atmosphere.Living in Toronto, we wished this place could be our local, but we will definitely find excuses to venture out to Woodstock again and pay another visit to Charles Dickens Pub.

Excellent service! The server was super polite and helpful. Fish was super crispy and good quality. Not too much breading on my fish tacos.

Fantastic food. Intuitive waitress. Comfortable atmosphere. Entirely enjoyable evening.

I want here for my friend's birthday, I don't live in Woodstock so she's the one who chosed it. The staff was really friendly, the drinks were really good. We got a bunch of appetizers to share, the nachos, garlic shrimp, and the spinach dip. What I liked about the garlic shrimp, was that they give you a piece of bread to soak up all the garlic butter with. I found that the nachos had just the right amount of cheese and we didn't ask for extra. And the spinach dip was just amazing, it came with soft pita bread and chips, so you get an option.

Fantastic pub fare with excellent service!We stopped in for a family meal and we all thoroughly enjoyed our meals! We had the a fish sammi special , the fish and chips, a caesar salad and the Yorkshire bowl with roast beef!Highly recommend this pub for lunch, dinner or watching a game! Great local spot.PS we shared the fried mars bar for dessert and it disappeared in 4 bites!

I love the atmosphere of an English style restaurant. English tasty style food. Bangers and mash and fish and chips.Charles Dickens has some good musical groups for entertainment. Was just there and listened to a duet called Unison. Excellent fun.

Went to the Dickens on Monday and ordered the 2 can dine fish and chips special with a side of mushy peas. Food was great, service was good and desert was yummy. Had the deep fried Mars bar, highly recommend. Great place to eat in woodstock and support local business.

Stopped by here for lunch, and it did not disappoint! The atmosphere was warm and inviting and the service was excellent. The wings were one of the specials of the day and they were delicious. My son had the deep fried pickles; they were the best I've ever had. The batter was light and crispy and made me think I should have tried the fish and chips. Couldn't go to a British pub without trying the sticky toffee pudding and that is definitely a decision I did not regret.

During our visit to Charles Dickens I had a special off of the “Big Cheese Days” menu called the Bacon Rarebit Burger along with a Pimm’s cup cocktail. My partner had a burger off of the regular menu. Her burger was good but mine lacked any semblance of bacon which due to ratio of bacon lattice to rarebit was overwhelming rarebit.The cocktail was however amazing and the service was excellent. I’d visit again to try their regular menu.

UPDATE:Still a 5 star experience! We ordered for pick up as this is our last night in Ontario!! I flew in on Thursday and all that's been on my mind is the Sticky Toffee Pudding!! They unfortunately forgot to give that to us, I phoned and they gave me double for my inconvenience!! Thank you!!!We were visiting from Calgary and my cousin took us here for supper the night before we left. I so wish we had known about this gem at the beginning of our trip! I had hmmm I cant even remember my main cuz my dessert blew me away!! Lol But everyone else had a beef dip and said it was amazing! The coconut shrimp were excellent and I do know that my meal also was very tasty! BUT the Sticky Toffee Pudding was to die for! I so wish I could have that every week! Lol hats off to the chefs there! Our next visit to Ontario we will definitely be in more than once!