My husband and I live in Buffalo. When we are in Rochester we stop at the Old Toad. It is an authentic British pub experience. We have been going to this establishment for many years. Last evening we stopped for dinner and a beer. We had an excellent British beer, Speckled Hen. We shared the Chicken Korma and Fish and chips (with the peas). The chips were very crisp and the fish was fresh. The curry was mildly spiced. We meet a couple from England. The man in the couple did an internship at the Old Toad years ago. He stopped in when traveling in the area because The Old Toad is the kind of place that you remember. You should stop in soon. read more

The Old Toad - Excellent British beer on tap - Pubs Near Me - Rochester, New York

Rochester staple for beer and whiskey. Decent menu and eclectic crowd. If looking for chill spot and just simple service ... it's an old standby read more

The Guinness was great. Unfortunately the Mashed potatoes went bad so no Shepherds pie. But on the plus side the fish and chips were very good! Nice people to chat with, all in all a very nice experience! Will go back on my next visit. read more

I was visiting the area with my two boys. This was not too far from our hotel (within walking distance of the Hampton Inn). It had a great kids meal (only $8 for meal, drink and icecream!) & my own meal was not bad (the curry with rice). The vibe was cozy and welcoming. My waitress was very accommodating and understanding as my kids were a bit all over the place. The night we visited happened to be trivia night, & the kids and I had fun learning random trivia facts. I would stop by again if I was ever in the area! read more

Low key, friendly atmosphere to grab a pint or two. Excellent chips (aka French fries) with small selection of sandwiches, fish and chips, and shepherds pie. Great place to chill. read more

The Old Toad - Bar - Pubs Near Me - Rochester, New York

This was a pleasant treat that almost didn't happen. We got there about 7:30 and there were so few people in the tavern we almost thought they were closed. The reviews we good on Yelp so we went on in. We had a few beers and ordered the fish and chips. The food was really good! Like so good that even the next day my wife was still remarking on how tasty it was (and she isn't too into food so this really says a lot about how much she liked it). After a fee more beers we met a couple locals and between them and the bartender, Kevin, we pretty much planned out the rest of our time in Rochester. Really really friendly people who pulled out their phones to help us find a few places and were just so pleasant to meet. Get by the Old Toad and enjoy the great food and friend people! And give me a follow on Instagram @CheatDay_SA and let's talk about food! read more

The Old Toad - Beer Battered Fish & Chips Give me a follow on Instagram @CheatDay_SA - Pubs Near Me - Rochester, New York

A fine authentic English Pub where the focus is on the pub itself rather than the typical TVs, Jukebox, electronic games, etc. The food is simple but very good. Friendly service and nice regulars in this establishment. I loved it here. It reminds me of the UK where I grew up. A lovely different change of pace from a typical American bar. Not that they are bad, but this is a nice change. read more

I have never been to Britain but I could imagine that this is what a traditional pub would resemble. Has lots of dark wood and old pictures. Has both booths and tables, and a very small bar. It also has a couple outdoor tables. The Meatless fried chicken sandwich was PHENOMENAL, we have tried a couple at other places which were good but now that Ive had this one, they dont compare!! This sandwich will make us a regular customer. We also tried the Drunken cheddar soup which was very good. For beer we had a local made Ithaca draft. They only had 8 beers on tap, but shelves of different whiskey.. The staff were all very sweet girls and were constantly asking if everything was okay. *Would love to see a couple more vegetarian/vegan options. read more

I will always be a fan of the Old Toad. We came here for dessert and I just really like their speciality desserts of the week. This week was the Triple Sec chocolate mousse and it was really delicious. We didn't taste much of the liquor but it was so great nonetheless. My husband really wanted to try their scotch egg and he really liked it to the point that he was thinking of making it at home by himself. We bumped into some friends, one who was from England and she was having their roast dinner, she said "it reminded her of home". Thanks Old Toad for keeping up the experience. read more

See all

This place is so unique and gives the genuine feeling of being transported to a local British Pub. Many of staff are brits and even the pub furniture/ bar etc were shipped over from a Old Pub across the pond. If you're call Britt and feeling home sick a visit here we'll do ya good. ****They even serve a full English breakfast with black pudding! Recommended- Yorkshire Pudding Shepherds Pie Scotch Egg Fish chips! read more

We came for the fish and chips and we were not disappointed. It was a pretty quiet Friday night and too nice to sit inside so we grabbed one of their four sidewalk tables. Despite this being the Old Toad I did not order a beer but one of their very reasonably priced Moscow Mules - only $5! We order the fish and chips and it was very good - perfectly fried. Crispy yet tender even the chips - nothing soggy or greasy here. Our server did a good job running between us and his inside tables given they were having some computer issue. I will return again for a proper meal of fish and chips. read more

Went there on Saturday May 11 food was very good service was exceptional and the ambiance is dated but I guess it's in line with the old English pub. read more

I've been here twice on Monday night for dinner and trivia. Both times have been pleasant. As far as food goes, I would recommend the beer battered fish and chips or the yorkshire dinner. Both were yummy and simply oh so British. Just a note, the yorkshire dinner is the deconstructed version of the beef and stout pie. I did venture out and try the scotch egg, but it was too heavy for me. I'd recommend to those with strong stomach and heart capacities. read more

See all

I really enjoy The Old Toad for its laid-back atmosphere and extensive Scotch menu. The food menu is smaller and is nothing fancy, but it's exactly what you'd expect from a British pub. I'm a fan of the chips and dips (chicken fingers and fries), which is what I ordered when I visited tonight. It's inexpensive and tastes great. I also tried the Drunken Cheddar soup for the first time. It was thinner than I was expecting (I was thinking of a really thick, cheesy soup) but had great cheddar flavor and veggies mixed in. The service was a bit slow on this particular night; it seemed like everyone who was waiting for food was waiting for a while. Although it took a bit longer than I would prefer for us to get our food, the staff is always friendly and attentive. I'm giving this place four stars instead of three because it's the best place to get Scotch (or any other type of alcohol, really). I love how relaxed and no-fuss the vibe is, and I always enjoy my time here. It's a great place to catch up with friends without too much noise or any nonsense! read more

Food is okay (fish of fish and chips is excellent, however), beer selection is solid, but come for the warm service and fun environment, particularly on trivia Tuesdays. Staff's a little disorganized -- a little bit inefficient and chasing their tail -- but your patience will pay off. read more

(Vegan review) Open late and was close to our hotel. I had the vegan burger and a beer. It was good but it's like this place is allergic to vegetables or anything green in general. It was good, but it's not like I am going to think about this burger the next time someone mentions Rochester, ya know what I mean. If it had a green (even cooked spinach) it would have been a lot better. I left in a gross food coma. read more

The Old Toad - Pubs Near Me - Rochester, New York

Fish and chips on a Wednesday? You can at the Toad! I've been coming here for years and it's always great. Today's order is a takeaway: 4 meals, each with something little changed for the picky eaters in my family. The bartender was attentive and careful, having me double check the order before she sent it to the kitchen. My mom's boyfriend is English, and super excited about the Shepard's pie. We're eating fish and chips, which are always solid, and my boyfriend's going with a chickpea burger. I've tried multiple times to duplicate it at home, but NOTHING comes close; this is my favorite veggie burger in Rochester! The bar is always clean. The people are always friendly. The beer and whiskey choices are some of the best in the city. Keep an eye out for their special events; they're worth attending for sure. read more

The Old Toad - Pretty much a pub. Great food, wide selection of beers - Pubs Near Me - Rochester, New York

BEST FRIES IN TOWN. try with curry mayo tho peeps!! Also mushy peas sounds gross but are so yummy, don't knock it till you try it! read more

The Old Toad - Pubs Near Me - Rochester, New York

Everything is authentically English about this place - even the staff! Go on Monday night for the trivia night, starting at 9:30. But if you want a table, show up at 8 or 8:30 (or better yet, call ahead and reserve a table). Great food, great beer selection, and great atmosphere! read more

Best karaoke in town! Loved Me and my wife Chrissie had a real blast singing our hearts out with the staff read more

This pub has an old time feel to it. The place is filled with wooden booths and the bar has that classic wooden look to it. The waitstaff is friendly and you'll probably get one with an accent which adds a nice touch to the experience. For apps we tried the scotch egg. This was my first time having a scotch egg and it was delicious! The outside's breading is crunchy and I love the rich flavors from the sausage. I didn't need the dipping sauce it came with, but the sauce does have a nice creamy taste. I would definitely order this again next time. For entrees I had the old toad burger and my boyfriend had the shepherd's pie. The burger was piled pretty tall, I could barely fit everything in one bite. I love how well cooked the meat was (I requested medium rare) and how juicy it was too. Even with the bacon and onion ring I liked that I could still taste the meat. The only thing lacking was the taste of the stilton, I didn't get much of it. But nevertheless a very good burger. The fries that came with it were a bit lacking. The potatoes were dry, but I didn't care much because the burger was so good. My boyfriend's shepherd pie was disappointing for me. It tasted like nothing. I felt like there was more mash potatoes in there than actual meat. The roasted veggies that came with it though was really good. They were perfectly caramelized, yummies!! We also both got drinks. I got a merlot and my bf got a scotch that I've forgotten the name of. My merlot was disappointing. It tasted really strange........I was starting to think it was wine gone bad. They gave me a lot of it too, like 3/4 of the wine glass! I did like my boyfriend's pick though! The scotch was not too smokey and had a very nice lingering taste. It's pretty expensive for what you get, but I think it's worth it! Overall it's a pretty good experience, because I really loved the scotch egg :) read more

See all

WOW I LOVE THIS PLACE! I've been trying to come here for a few years now. I got the fish and chips! Obviously a staple. It was so so so good. Really just loving everything about it! My cousin got grilled cheese! She said it was something! Amazing! Fire! Exciting! Ranting and raving for days!! Go here! read more

The Old Toad - Pubs Near Me - Rochester, New York

I heard a lot about the Old Toad so I was looking forward to having dinner there but left a bit disappointed. It has a limited menu, which is fine, but the food was mediocre and the service was poor. They weren't busy so I don't know why. Also, I know it's an English Pub but the beer was warm. read more

Does this place even need reviewing? It's a Rochester-staple, and it's consistency of good service, authentic British comfort food, and varying beer selection are renowned in this city. But for any of you out-of-towners, I'll share some more deets! What? British Pub downtown, a welcomed alternative to the over-crowded, fist-pumping bars full of sloppy under-dressed youths. It's cozy, it's warm, it's casual. It's usually not crowded unless you come on St Patrick's Day or a Trivia night (Monday's). It's the kind of place you wish you could walk to from your home to meet friends for a pint and food conversation. It's a true pub. Service? Excellent and served with a smile and a British accent. Most of the staff is working here on a work-exchange type program. I'm unsure of the exact details, but it adds a depth of authenticity to the place! Food? Delicious, comforting, British pub fare. It's always good, and hot. Some of my favorites: Chips & Dips (try the hot sauce... it's not Buffalo sauce, and it's not actually hot. It's a joy mixed with the blue cheese), Cheddar Ale Soup, Cheesy Garlic Baguette, Sheppard's Pie. The steak pie looks amazing, as does the burger. And I've heard rave reviews of their daily-curry. Are you getting an idea of how good this place smells? Spirits? Pints, pints, pints. Their beer menu is my favorite beer menu in the city because it has a wide variety, and detailed descriptions. There's a huge draft list, as well as a special Cask list. They also have a bottle list, and some wines and spirits as well. I've had some of the best and unique beers of my life here. Untapped-users can have a party! Fun stuff? Darts! British Darts...is there a special name for that? They also have an array of games you can get for your table to play in exchange for your license for the time. Cards Against Humanity, checkers, dominos, and more Im sure. And finally.... TRIVIA. I used to be a Monday-night trivia regular until my confidence was so completely shattered by the difficult questions. This Trivia is for PRO's. Serious stuff. But it's fun with a large group- multi-generational groups seem to have the most success! read more

The Old Toad - Pubs Near Me - Rochester, New York

I am surprised I did not check in here.. I was her in May for a old school English Tea and Bake off. We had tea.. it was not loose it was a tea bag, the finger sandwiches were ok at best and we got mini quiches they were tasty. Also scones and of course we got to try the Cakes for the bake off. It was the first time they did it but it got kind of cramped in the room. If they did it again I would be interested to try it again but... the plus is the staff is ENGLISH FROM ENGLAND. Ok... the end read more

First time here! Loaded fries were so good! But we waited forever at the end of our meal to get the check and be told the card machine was not working, so we'd have to wait. Every time our waitress passed, she'd say "just a little longer." Then eventually told us we could run up the street to an ATM. It was about an hour after we finished eating where we just sat and hoped they'd communicate something to us. It gave off like weird small town bar vibes, where everyone in there is a regular. Probably somewhere we wouldn't go back to, but was worth a try! read more

Came here yeaaaars ago for a small gathering with family, the staff was great and the food and drinks were all good too. Great selection for alcohol as well. Recommend :) read more

a nice old English Pub, filthy and mossy in all the right places. try the fish & chips, reputed to be best in the city. My impression? quite good, but not quite a stand out. I liked the condition of the place and the grumpy barmaid. But under current conditions, minus a lively Friday night crowd I found it wanting. read more

I wish I was more fluent in British slang because it would make writing this a lot easier. I guess I'll just have to refer to a British slang website I recently found for guidance. This might seem like Mad Libs gone horribly wrong, but here goes... The Old Toad is an ace pub that I've been coming to since I was at university. A mate of mine was on the pull one night and starting chatting up a fit totty who was working here a little while back. They got to talking and he, at some point, asked her for a shag. I'm sure he thought it was quite brill when he was finally able to see her fanny and roger her. They eventually got married. Any road... I recently fell arse over tit for the fish and chips here when the missus and I were trying to relive the "British Nights" we used to have at the Druid, an Irish pub in Cambridge, Mass (we couldn't locate a British pub). We would go there at least once a month to get a little squiffy and eat a stonking great fish and chips that was served in newspaper. It was the bees knees. The fish and chips at the Old Toad isn't served in paper, but it's just as corking. We were chuffed to bits when we tasted it for the first time! They cover a stonker of a cod fillet with a thin, crispy layer of batter, chuck some freshly cut chips and peas next to it, serve it with a bottle of malt vinegar and, bob's your uncle, you've got a smashing British favorite. The Old Toad also has a scrummy Shepard's Pie and the Guinness Braised Lamb Shank is pukka as well. With one of the most extensive beer and whiskey selections in Rochester, you can get bladdered to your heart's desire. The cheeky British staff is always hunky dory and never beastly, unless of course, you act like a wanker and make them cheesed off. For a bloody good time at a pub whose grub is the mutt's nuts, don't fanny around, run here for a good nosh up. I'm zonked. Cheers! (I hope I didn't cock up too badly) read more

See all

If you have an Old car, get it Toad away and replace it with a new one. Speaking of replacing things... I think they should replace this entire menu and their concept of British food. They may be British - I don't know. But they're having a laugh, here. It's not just that it isn't authentic. Nothing on this menu tastes remotely English nor is anything made the English way. So that aspect of it is a fail. But I wouldn't care if it was good. However, it's not good - it tastes awful. The pies taste of alcohol (no matter what you may think, in England, they really don't). The chips are just American french fries. The Bangers and Mash are American Sausages and American Mash. None of this is remotely English. To add insult to injury, the prices are astronomically high, like, unthinkably high. You'll pay more than $10 for any given nom here, and they're all going to be both unauthentic, and bad. People will say "well that's because English food is bad." No, it's because this isn't English food. English food is good when it's made well. This is neither English, nor made well. It's really just a place to cash in on drunk people. If it were judged purely as a pub it'd score a 3 or 4, but with these rip off prices for awful and unauthentic food, a 2 is very generous. Meg is right. "Food so bad, they have to be TRYING to make it bad." Well said. read more

It's shocking to write, considering how long I've lived in Rochester, but I went to Old Toad for the first time last week. I have been missing out on a treasure among some of the crazy East End clubs. Who doesn't want a friendly server with an English accent waiting on you? Plus, the beer selection is great. Lots of options to choose from - light to dark to bold flavored, and a regularly rotating Guest Beer list is a plus. They successfully achieved the authentic English pub vibe. Next time I visit (which will be very soon!) I'll try some of the food. I hear the Shepard's Pie and the Bangers and Mash are some fan faves. read more

Finally made it to the Old Toad for food after a Fringe Festival show the other night. The show ran 6:30-7:30 and we decided to wait until after to eat. British comfort food and beer won us over. Get ready for a strong accent from your server - most of them are students from England. I have to say it's really cute and adds to the authentic British experience. They have a great beer selection and everyone at my table found something they liked. I went with the Victory Red Thunder, a red ale aged in wine barrels. It offered some coffee and chocolate notes but also oak, fruitiness, and a high alcohol content (8.5%). My friend and I split the classic Bangers and Mash, which I had never had before. I'm so glad we chose this dish. The sausage was very tender and the casing was thin (I hate when it's hard to chew). At first it looks like there is too much gravy on the dish but you can easily soak it up with the sausage and potatoes. The peas, which I thought might be frozen, actually had a nice pop with eat bite. The atmosphere is casual and friendly. Dim lighting, exposed wood, close seating. I've never been to England but I hope it's like this over there. read more

The Old Toad - Bangers and Mash - Pubs Near Me - Rochester, New York

See all

I've been here a few times now, mostly for food and once for trivia. Old Toad has this cozy pub vibe and most, if not all the staff, are actually British. The food is very heavy and hearty. I always feel somewhat lethargic after eating here. The beer and whiskey selection are great. I've been here for pub trivia (Mondays at 9:30pm), and enjoyed it. The questions are very difficult (lowest score that night was 2 and highest score was 14), and there are quite a few about sports, history, and UK-themed events. I think they get their own staff to read off the questions, so depending on who you get, it could vary a lot... when I went, the trivia host wasn't the most enthusiastic person. A bit of energy would have been nice! Prizes for both the highest and lowest scores. read more

The Old Toad - Fish and chips! - Pubs Near Me - Rochester, New York

scotch egg was ok. fish and chips exceptional, toad in the hole very good and chicken korma was delicious --great service! recommendation--steam clean seating...not reflective of the quality of food being served. Definitely recommend having dinner here!!!! read more

I am so glad that I finally got to try the Old toad, unfortunately not on the trivia night! Let me just start by saying that it was really hard to focus when our waitress "Georgie" was explaining about the ongoing list of the "draft beers" with a british accent and the words coming out of her mouth sounded more like a lullaby to me than anything else!!!! ( that is officially weird) The place is genuinely charming and definitely has a british character into it. Had I gone there only for the drinks, I would have given them no less than five stars. But the downside is definitely the food and it was bad enough for me to dock even two stars! But turns out I have been enchanted by the Toads and am giving them a solid four. They have a stellar menu for drinks and our waitress was very knowledgable and helped each one of us choose something. I ended up ordering a Hefeweizen and it was amazing! I also loved the coffee-infused stout! The food though was consistently bad!!! From shepherd's pie to the Yorkshire pudding and fish n chips, I didn't like any of them. The exemplary service of the staff, the vibe of the place as a whole and the beers made up for what it lacked in food. I will definitely be going back just for the drinks and probably the trivia night. read more

See all

Old Toad, thank you for the good times. Thank you for allowing me and my large group of friends come in 20 minutes before the kitchen closed and letting us order a ton of food. Thanks for the nice, English waiters who brought us our food and beers. Thanks for tolerating our rambunctious laughter. Thank you for being a part of my college experience. With that said, Old Toad is a lovely place to come with a group of friends on a Friday night (or any night for that matter) for food and drinks. Good beer selection and good grub AND affordable prices on a college budget. What more can you ask for? It gets pretty busy here on the weekends, but the waiters are always attentive and friendly. Thanks Old Toad. You're great. read more

The Old Toad - Out front - Pubs Near Me - Rochester, New York

The Shepherd's Pie was a winner a million times over. What a dish. The beer, ridiculous. And the service, second to none. Caroline is an amazing server! The best!!! read more

Hubs and I have been meaning to stop by for awhile now and I'm so glad we did! Delicious comfort food in every way-perfect for a cool fall evening. Though the place could use a good scrub down, the food did not disappoint! We started with the Cumberland Sausage roll which was flavorful and flakey. Then I had the red and stout pie and hubs had the Yorkshire dinner. They don't look like much all smothered in gravy but man was it tasty. Authentic, reasonably priced, great food, good service. It's no surprise why this place has lasted so long when all the other places in the general vicinity change over every couple of years. We will definitely be back and will be bringing the in-laws! read more

See all

Cheese soup was not very warm. I had to ask for the best that was supposed to be with it and it was two little slices of bread. The Shepherds Pie was very good and came out hot, it just ~40 minutes to get out to us. Nice atmosphere and warm on a chilly night. read more

My favorite pub in the city. Used to live across the street from the pub, so this review is long overdue. First off, the ambience is unbeatable. The only pub that plays real rock and roll (yes, from the 70s) and that too at a volume that doesn't make it difficult for people to have a conversation without having to scream at the top of their voices. The service is slightly on the laid back side but that's probably how they roll in the Queen's backyard! Also personally, I have always enjoyed my conversations with the bar tenders when they are not busy working their rear ends off. Besides, the Irish car bombs are the best I've had anywhere. Trivia nights are especially fun and people take it rather seriously, so if you want to take a shot at it, expect nothing less than Jeopardy. Again, I've had great conversations with regular patrons on trivia nights which is why you are much less likely to be bored in this pub if you are going all by yourself. As far as the food menu, the Scotch eggs cannot be missed neither can the baguettes. They have some traditional north Indian stuff on the menu that everyone raves and rants about but I always stick to the roast beef sandwich which in my opinion, is the best thing on the menu. They have the longest liquor and beer menu among in the area, so come thirsty. You will quite simply, be spoilt for choice. To keep my already lengthy review from spiraling out of control, I think the Old Toad is best described as a classy pub with a laid back vibe that instantly puts you at ease and hope to God they keep it that way. read more