Shakespeare Pub and Grille Reviews

The food is really good, I usually get the fish and chips or the shepherd's pie, and they have some of the best I've ever tried. The service can be a little slow sometimes, it takes a while to get your order taken, your food or the check, mostly due to this place being very popular. When there's a soccer match, it's almost impossible to get a table, but if you do, the atmosphere is awesome (if you're into soccer), obviously the service gets slower but while you're waiting you can watch the match and still have a great time.

It was fun ... wish there had been a breakfast menu as fish and chips at 8:30 a.m. is a bit much. As always, the hospitality was terrific.

This Pub brings back my undergraduate and graduate days. We made time this visit to see if it still was as good as when we were younger. It has had just a few changes. The outside seating has grown and so has its popularity. However, the inside atmosphere is still the same dark wood, British feel with servers that are from the U.K. “Love that the experience is still as good. We enjoyed the: chicken pot pie (my go to as an undergrad.), Chicken curry (delicious), fish & chips (good), burger. We also enjoyed the brownie bites dessert. Of course, the beer is always good. We enjoyed the half & half.

A wonderful dinner at Shakespeare’s Pub. The food was excellent and the service was impeccable! I highly recommend this pub!

We're not English but London is our home away from home so we feel qualified to rate a pub. We've eaten here numerous times and the food is always outstanding and as close, if not better, than anything you'll find in England. Add to that; always warm, friendly service with wonderful recommendations and a fantastic patio to enjoy San Diego's always great climate and you've got a great place to eat great food.

I had gone out for dinner, but a nearby place I was recommended had already closed. I saw the Shakespeare Pub and decided to visit to see if I could get some food and a beer there. The pub was fairly full in the bar area with a relaxed atmosphere; it was not brightly lit. There were a couple of sports screens and background music and a separate seating area away from the bar that was quieter. The helpful staff found me a table, gave me the menus and I chose the steak and kidney pie with chips ( proper British style chips!) and peas and gravy and a pint of Fullers London Pride beer to go with it. The food and beer were really good. The quality of the meat in the pie was great and cooked just right. The pie was tasty and went well with the chips. The beer was remarkably good considering how far we were from the UK brewery. So good that I stayed for another two pints! That also indicates that this is a homely place with nice staff. I liked some of the signs in the pub and the older British music they played. In the end I stayed out later than I meant to and went back to the hotel happy. Very good food, beer and service at this pub; the only issue I had was finding the way in! I would have gone back again, but I went there when my work trip was nearly over. Maybe another time.

It was okay. They did not have my Stella Beer, so I got a Carlsburg beer instead. Make sure you pay when you park, because you will get a ticket. English foods items on the menu. I didn't eat, just drank a beer. Cheers!

Food was fantastic. Casual dining. Plenty of seating (both indoor and out) and some parking (although we used Uber). Both Fish and Chips and the Burgers were elite. This would be a regular stop if I frequented SD. Good for family dinner or a friend hangout.

We had a great time on our short visit here and only regret we visited a different pub earlier in the week for a Barcelona/Madrid game. The service here is GENUINE and EXCELLENT. We will be back and recommend this place to everyone!!!

Nice English style Pub in San Diego, we stopted in here after walking round the Italian district street market. Pleasant surprise to have a real English waiter, he really knew the menu and was full if Information and suggestions’ ordered tomato soup, sausage rolls, fish and real fat chips not the usual thin ones, and a nice fresh salad. For our icy cold adult beverages, we order Bass and a Smithwick’s in a real pint glass (20oz). A very enjoyable meal we would visit more often if we did not live so far away. TIP: There is parking behind the pub so go there if the street is full

Went here with friends. Super fun night playing darts. Great food. And our waitress Jessica was the best. Definitely would recommend. If you get a chance stop by and check it out. They are always doing something fun.

Spent the weekend in California and wanted to try something new. Used my trusty TripAdvisor and found this pub. It's really easy to find but parking can be tough. Valet is offered for the area and that is the option we used. We got there around dinner time and it was just getting busy. We were seated quickly and greeted with friendly staff. It is a English style pub and the food and drink reflects this. I ordered a Smithwicks and tried the Cream ale. Very good beers. We ordered fish and chips and a chicken pot pie for our entrees. The fish was very good. The filet was at least 10' long and not greasy. The chicken pot pie was very tasty. The fries were great. We also had a spotted dick for dessert. Now before you go there, it is a very good warm spiced caked served with a warm custard. They have a great menu with great food. I will be bringing my friends here in the future. It a bit pricey but most of it was double shots of tequila. So minus that it was reasonable. It has indoor and outdoor seating and is kid friendly. Overall I enjoyed myself and we sat there for about 2 hours eating and drinking.

Stopped by here as in CA and enjoyed this Pub, Staff was very Pleasant and took care of us, for an old Englishman I really enjoyed the Steak and Kidney pie washed down with a Lager and the Wife had a Pasty - I will say there food is a little pricey for bar food, However based on how close to the real thing this was I was OK with that, Please also note parking sucks so if you want to get in and not have to worry about parking pay the $7 Valet Parking ***** Enjoy *******

Great food. Great atmosphere. It's the real thing. Lots of ex-pats hang here so it feels very much like you are in England.

A bit of the UK in San Diego, near downtown and the San Diego airport! This is the perfect place to drink Boddingtons, Harp, Guinness, Bass,& many more. The food is proper British pub food , including proper chips, English peas etc! Chicken pot pie, steak and mushroom pie, and other great choices. Indoor and outdoor seating. Dart board. Frequent eating programme!

We stumbled upon the Shakespeare Pub years ago and make a point of stopping there on almost every visit to San Diego. It's just off the freeway and near Old Town San Diego. The burgers are great and my wife loves the fish and chips. The curry dishes are also very good. Staff is always friendly. There is a decent selection of beers and in particular, they serve Smithwicks, a rarity. The outside patio is very enjoyable during the summer with a limited view towards the airport. Only downside is that parking is limited and the police do ticket on the street if you overstay the time limit.

Visited here twice, once for breakfast and once for dinner. Being a Brit myself, I can confirm that this is an authentic British pub! A must for a real Full English Breakfast, and a delicious Shepherd's Pie that reminded me of home. Also, if you've never had HP Brown Sauce before, you're in for a treat! Have to say that service was a little slow at times, and hard to get a server's attention, although it was understandable as it was rather busy when we visited. That said, the server's were very friendly. Well worth checking out for a real British pub experience!

My husband and I came in last weekend for breakfast. Food is good and prices are reasonable. Waitresses are friendly and efficient. Good place for a cold beer and watching soccer.

Honestly the best fish & chips I've had outside of England. We went back twice during our weeks stay in San Diego. The beer was amazing. The Irish cream ale can't be beat & my husband loved the Speckled Hen. Wish we had this place in Southern Oregon.

Traveling with the family and found this place to view the final day of the Prem. 200 people packed in at 7AM for authentic English eats and drink. All smiles and respect to all fans. Wish I had a place like this back home on Philly.

I have recently moved to San Diego and wanted a little taste of home. (I’m a Brit). This place did not disappoint. It felt like I was back in England. The ambience inside was very much like being in a pub at home. However it was the Fish n Chips that were the Star of the show. In all the years of traveling all over the States, no one comes even close to making this meal the same as an English Chippy. Today was the first time ever in the States this meal tasted like I was eating at the local chip shop back in the UK. Due to the pandemic I have not been back to the UK in over 2 years and have been craving this dish just like I would get at home and today I got it. Finally someone who knows how to make fish n chips just like we do in the UK chip shop. We will be back. You are my new favorite place to eat in San Diego. Thanks for giving me the taste of home.

We had a family dinner at the Shakespeare Pub & Grill when my daughter visited San Diego with her husband and my 3 grandchildren. The food was excellent, the atmosphere reminded me so much of my homeland and the service was impeccable. Add to that the personal touch of the owner visiting our table and it was a wonderful family time with memories that will last forever!

The pub has great British food, and a good selection of beers. Its a bit on the expensive side. Service has always been good. The fish and chips is highly recommended, and authentically British. The curry sauce is also a highlight.

I know, I know short staffed due to pandemic but it was very tiring just sitting in the heat on the patio. Tried the steak and kidney pie and the fish & chips dinner and the food was well done. Skip the beer battered pickles.Want to try the tea house out back for the next visit.

It was just like we were visiting London again. Yummy ale and bangers and mash. Must visit while you are here.

I visited Shakespeare with a large group of friends, and we all agreed that the place had great atmosphere and quality food. I tried the Curry Chicken over chips and was impressed. Many friends said the fish and chips were also excellent. If you're looking for a great British pub in San Diego, then this is definitely the place.

The food is good, on par with tavern style food with an english flare. I love to watch the games here while enjoying some Boddingtons and Scotch Eggs. Service is good and the menu has a great selection.

We were feeling a bit sentimental one day, missing the adventure, fun, booze and food of our recent European vacation. We pass by this restaurant every day on our commute, and it never really clicked: this is a British eatery. I did a bit of research and found not only do they serve the food and drink that we've been talking about, they also have a tea service next door! We finally made our way there one Friday night after work. We were worried about parking, but got lucky with street parking right next door. The patio area was packed that night, and it was just after 6 pm. It seemed like every table was taken, and people were out there smoking and playing darts. It looked like one helluva party, but we wanted to be able to enjoy our food out of the cigarette smoke, so we chose to dine inside. There was no hostess, or anybody who even acknowledged us, so my husband had to go up to the bar to ask if we could just seat ourselves. We were given the go-ahead, and found a table near the back, by a window that overlooked the street. The waitress came around with food and happy hour menus, and then told us a bit about their specials and most popular dishes. She took our drink orders (I changed from a Kilkenny to a Magner's just so that I could take advantage of the Yelp check-in offer of a free Magner's glass...but I *really* wanted that Kilkenny!) and then left us to pore over the menu. One of the things that has stuck with me since our trip is that I never had a chance to try a pasty in London. There were shops all over the place, and they were super-prevalent in the train stations, but we were never hungry when we passed by those, and before we knew it, we were out of London and off to the next country. So, when I saw they had pastys on the menu, I knew I had to try it. When our waitress came back, I asked her opinion on which version I should try - "traditional" or the special of the day. She recommended the traditional, since I'd never had one before (and she gently corrected my pronunciation of the word along the way). My husband ordered the fish and chips, in case you're curious. The restaurant started to fill up as we sat there drinking and talking, so I'm glad we got there when we did. I never realized how popular a destination this place is, but they sure aren't hurting for business! Our food came out quickly, and there was a ton of it. The pasty was fairly large, which made me feel better about dropping $15 on it. I was expecting a small pastry-filled item, so this was a pleasant surprise. The pasty came with mashed potatoes and peas. The fish and chips (one large fried fish piece) also came with peas. Brits love their peas! The pasty was very good. It was hot and the crust was flaky. The filling was piping hot - almost scalding my tongue! - and the meat and veggies mixed very well together. It was a lot of food, and I couldn't finish it all. My husband did love his fish and chips entree, but he was also unable to finish his meal. The batter on the fish was crunchy and light, and didn't overpower the fish at all (I may have snagged a piece of his fish...) I really do like this place. I want to go back for another meal, but I also want to try afternoon tea here! We got afternoon tea on our vacation, but I felt it was a "light" version of the service. I wanted to have a true version before we left the UK, but that never happened. So, hell - if they've got a good service, I'm down to try it!

Fun, funky English-style pub. Good food and brew. Parking is a challenge. Super staff. I'd go again.

We enjoyed our meal here after visiting the National Comedy Theatre. Our group of six was seated quickly on a Sunday evening around 8:30. We ordered a variety from the menu-- Fish and Chips, Soup of the Day, Bangers and Mash, Pasty, and the Traditional Roast (Lamb that night). It was all solid good food, but nothing stood out as especially memorable. One member of our party ordered a beer and said it was okay. I think this Pub is more about the feeling of community one gets from hanging out here than the food.

The chips are just OK. The fish is soggy, extremely breaded and not good at all. Thankfully the beer come on tap or in a bottles, so at least that quality is guaranteed. I like the terrace and the casual environment. Didn't ask if the terrace was dog friendly... should be, the quality of the establishment shouldn't be so demanding. Anyways, I'd be back for a couple of drinks. Sure. Why not?... Not to eat, though.

Googled for British pub San Diego and it came up with the Shakespeare. Popped in on the way to the airport for lunch. The food was great. First time I've had chips overseas that were like chip shop chips. Old Speckled Hen on draught was excellent too. Great find!

I just arrived to San Diego, and this place is close to the airport. I had fish and chips with a glass of Strongbow. Everything tastes great! The wait was short, and the weather was beautiful enough to sit outside. Definitely a great place to eat, especially if you just flew in

This was my first visit to the restaurant. I have visited the British store before and quite liked it, nice selection of items in the store. The restaurant offered a huge variety of beers/ciders. I tried both the British cider and the Irish cider both very good. Also had the fish and chips which were excellent! Super fresh large portion of fish and the best chips I have ever had!. Also had a mixed green salad which was fresh and tasty. Service was very good, and the wait staff could not have been friendlier or more willing to accommodate our large party. Also enjoyed the "give away" engraved Guinness glasses that were offered the night I was there. Definitely would go back!

The only thing this place seems to get wrong is the black pudding. This is a typically English pub serving typically English food at a decent price. The staff are variously British and American - and they are super friendly. The loos (restrooms) need a little work but overall the layout and decor of the place is great. Plenty of outside seating and it's Pet friendly for those of you with fur babies. Their breakfast bacon is very British (none of this super fatty American cremation junk y'all got going on) and they do superb chips. The black pudding is pitiful - as is the white pudding and I would happily pay more for better quality fayre. They do quizzes on Sundays I believe and the competition does not seem to be too stiff. I don't drink alcohol - but I am assured their beers are great. Definitely a fun meal to have. They have a gift shop next door that also does high-teas (look it up if you don't know that that is) but be warned - imported British goods are super expensive and many of the items are so overpriced I definitely would rather go without.

We took a friend here for lunch. The food was good and wholesome - we had fish and chips and shepherds pie - all really tasty and filling. By chance Liverpool FC we’re playing Bayern’s Munich, so we kept an eye on the big screens dotted around the pub - Liverpool won! So this is a great place to catch a Premier League (soccer) match and have a Boddington’s or a Bass Pale Ale - love this place.

Shakespears has wonderful ora you feel when you arrive. We arrived on a rainy afternoon and the place was a hub bub or activity. Rather full and lots of low key conversations going on. Everyone seems in very good spirits and jovial. The bar seats were full and a few tables here and there were still open. Our waitress was very attentive and quick to take orders, bring drinks and our traditional fish and chips with peas. Fresh peas and not the canned version often found in brit pubs. The fish fillets were big, jucy and hot on arrival. Chips plentiful. My ginger beet tangy and as expected quenching. Can not say enough about the great service and food. We loved our afternoon lunch here.

Nice little British restaurant with a pleasant pub atmosphere. Poured a good Imperial pint of Kilkenny. Good Shepherd's Pie too. Enjoyed their "Proper chips" but my wife and kids preferred the regular French fries. My wife wasn't to happy with the fish and chips though. Really enjoyed their Sticky Toffee Pudding with vanilla custard. Pace is very leisurely so if you're in a hurry and want to eat here, you'll have to be assertive. Pleasant staff. Overall an enjoyable meal (at least from my perspective).

Best fish and chips in California and the Steak and kidney pie is to die for. Been living in California for20+ years. This place from the food quality to the staff is hands down No. 1 Grew up in the UK with great fish and chips on every street corner and this was hands down the best I have had in the states!!

Went here last night for the for the first time in a long time for a drink, dinner and to watch Monday night football. The Drinks were perfect and the place was nice and quiet. My only complaint is that the had football on all the television's, but no sound for the game. Regardless, that was fine with me and I never asked to have the sound turned up. I'm guessing they would if I asked, so that's on me. I had the Monday night hamburger special. It was huge, enough to split with someone else along with the pub chips (large cut fries). The waiting staff was very attentive and friendly. My drink glass was never empty, the bartender was quick at making the drinks. I didn't see any kids in here so don't know if this was kid friendly or not. There are outside tables so kids must be allowed. My only complaint were about three ladies sitting outside smoking cigarettes and the smoke blowing in the window on occasion's. Being a visitor to California, I thought that Cali had a smoking law within a few feet of buildings and such. Oh well, the night was successful and I got to watch Drew Bree's break Peyton Manning's passing yards record. You charger fans must be a little pissed off after all these year's. Way to go Drew

Perfect place to come for a late lunch and have fish and chips on the patio. Bartenders know their beer and they have a great patio for San Diego weather.

Great atmosphere. Sampled a variety of traditional dishes and all were very good. Curry was excellent. Service was exceptional, friendly and attentive. Ale selection was fine. This would be a great place for a family meal during the day, or a pint at night. Parking could be a little tough, it’s metered street parking, but it was fine the day I was there. Meters take credit card. I’m a bit of an Anglophile so I’ve been to a number of this type of theme pub all over the country, and this was far-and-away my best experience.

Went for dinner on a Saturday night. Parking can be a challenge but that's typical of India Street in this area. Restaurant was crowded, but still got a decent table. Good selection of beers (try the Blacksmith--Guinness and Smithwick's). Fish and Chips was flavorful with tender fish and large amount of "chips". Evening was a little rowdy as it was "trivia night", but still had a great time. Will be coming back soon.

Great English pub, good atmosphere, great fish and chips and peas, service great and looks exactly like a pub. Will be back

I came here for a few drinks and maybe a small snack. I ordered the Apple Crumble. It was awesome! I couldn't even finish the whole dish.

Went for breakfast on a Saturday morning at 9:00 A.M., but there was a game on the T.V. which meant I needed to pay an extra $10, because I could see the T.V. The food is good but expect a lot of noise if there is a game on. There are better places to have a beer.

We were craving good fish and chips like from Wales. We called them and they were still doing Take out. The fish was very good and moist and hot. The chips were very high and tasty. Only negative was when people do take out they need to put utensils in the bag. But over all very impressed.

Went on my birthday and was not disappointed. The food was good and our waiter was very nice and made the experience all the better. I got Shephards pie, and tried some fish and chips, but I have to say that the bangers and mash were my favorite! It definitely is authentic and most of them are actually British. They even had an amazing little corner shoppe right next door that had lots of things from the UK. Definitely will come again!!

This is one of San Diego's best English restaurants and pub. Very good food and great ambience. Highly recommend.

Used to frequent the Shakespeare back in 2011 to watch the rugby word cup or hand out and have a beer the last time I lived in California. Though working in SD for a number of weeks had not made it over. A buddy visited and thought Sunday lunch, lets try it. Good move and realized that I should have been getting along for a beer/food a least once a week. Sunday lunch was excellent far better than I remember from 5 years ago; if one complaint the roasted spuds were that hard they could crack a concrete floor. Do a lovely pint of Harp; which we preceded to have quite a few of. Staff are very pleasant and organized.

My wife, teenage son, and I had lunch on a Saturday and sat outside, what a great time we had. I had a fried cod sandwhich with proper chips, my wife had a Pasty with proper chips and peas, and my son had a burger with proper chips and it was unanimous, the food was great and it came out really hot and fresh. Podge our server was fantastic. I had a beer ($5.50) special for 20 ounce draft. We had a spotted dick for dessert which is bread pudding with custard on top, again it was outstanding. Lots of beer on tap and a couple TV's with football. We will be back. If you are near by you need to try it. We drove 40 miles to eat there and will do so again.

If you’re an expat you’ll love it here, and if not then you’ll still love it here!!! A really great example of a British pub, with a nice choice of food and drinks. Highly recommended!

This was the place to be for New Years Eve as it was rung in British time at 4pm. I came in also on Christmas Day and it was packed but New Years Eve it was really buzzing. So I came in early like noon and got a good table. Being as it was cold & rainy outside - just like in Britain, I got a hot coffee & Irish Cream drink. Then as my table was filling up I got the fish & chips of course to go with my London Pride and Old Speckled Hen beers. The group at my table were into real fun and the big screen TV was showing New Years Eve celebrations from around the world as they were happening. Ordered Prosecco to toast in the New Year. I was amazed at how the servers & bartenders kept up with it all and didn't seem frazzled in the least. It was such a good time. This place has been around since 1990 & is owned & operated by Brit ex-pats. It's a really fine establishment & even has a red phone booth out back. They have been voted to have the best fish & chips in America. This place is very well known and loved and worth coming to anytime. I was able to just hop a bus coming from North Park.

Been here many times starting from when a couple of Manchester blokes opened it 20+ years ago . I've ordered fish and chips in England numerous times and never had any this good. Shepard's pie, Sunday roast, corned beef taco, full English breakfast all good. Food has been very consistent over the years. Nice selection of beers. Weekday lunches till 4 PM are $8.95.

Unlike most "pubs" this one actually is one. Step inside, and it feels like a true English pub, with a great selection of British beers and a menu of excellent Brit fare. The fish & chips are consistently outstanding, and the grilled salmon is as good a piece of fish as you'll get anywhere. Besides, where else can you get a Full English Breakfast?

Cant beat good old english grub. Food really good and tasty. Had the sunday roast beef. Amazing! Staff really friendly. Just like an okd english pub. Great little store next door selling british classics. Well worth a visit

Food is really good. Have had breakfast and lunch before. Others dinner and tea too. No complaints ever. Servers friendly and fun even when a zoo. Always fun to meet friends here. Soccer lovers haven. Games will pack crowds to the walls. San Diego weather makes for comfortable outdoor seating most of the year. Covered patio. Parking not fun. Tempted to knock off a point for location. I didn't realize they have valet. We got lucky last and got a spot in the tiny lot in back of pub. Not the best of areas so street park only if with a group. Carpool is a good idea here.

I was there for my honeymoon and the great Manchester United were playing so we decided to go for breakfast and watch the game while there. The breakfast was great and there were loads of football fans watching the game too! Great atmosphere. Apart from that it's very close to the old town in San Diego too!

We are in San Diego last weekend and we're going to a restaurant down the street from this pub. The restaurant didn't open for another hour, so we came back to Shakespeare's pub and grill to have a beer and appetizer. As we entered the pub, you could here the cheering and singing of soccer fans. Almost everyone had soccer jerseys on and were watching a game being broadcast from Europe. Since there were no tables inside, we chose to sit outside along the railing. The deck is an excellent place to eat, drink and enjoy friends! We had to old speckled hens and as an appetizer we ordered Scottish eggs. Our waitress had an English accent and was helpful with choosing the appetizer. It was a great experience!

I spent a "girls getaway" weekend in San Diego, and this pub was on my list to visit! We used the trolley system, and it was less than a half mile from the nearest station, up a manageable hill. The walking route was okay, nothing scary but not a pretty area. This seems to be an authentic pub. It's obvious that this is a local hangout and the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. They had American football on several screens, but the volume was off. I had the sausage rolls, which were very good. They have lots of British beer - plus Cider and Shandies :-) Prices were a bit steep (well, honestly, so was all of SD to us) and I wish that they had offered more British "bites" so I could get a sample of different items. But I'd certainly return.

Is the Shakespeare the only true pub in San Diego? It may very well be... from the quiet corner seats and fireplace to the Poppy Fund box on the mantle, this place just exudes English pub. Which is odd considering it's about as far from England as you can get. Shakespeare Pub is a great place to catch a soccer game or just swing by in the late afternoon for some pints with friends. Gets a little too crowded for my taste after dark, but I think this place is best frequented on a Saturday afternoon anyway. Come for the beer and experience. Food is okay but nothing special.

Friends, We normally go to El Indio (which is great) when dropping off visitors before they hit Lindbergh field. Today we tried Shakespeare's. It looks and feels like a real pub in London. The lunch specials were about 12 bucks and a perfect pint of Guinness was around eight. We tried the Roast beef which was a little bland, the fish and chips that were pretty tasty and the Shepard's pie that was excellant!! The service was great. We also got to witness a food challenge. Two pounds of fish, two pounds of "chips" and a large bowl of peas that must be consumed in 45 minutes. If completed it's free and the winner gets a Tshirt. If not, 35 bucks. We will definitely go there again and enjoyed it tremendously!!

Another amazing ‘dinner pairing’ at Shakespeare’s Pub in San Diego. This is the 4th course and we ‘love’ the Drambui marinated beef over rice in a sautéed mushroom sauce, accompanied by a Rusty Nail. If you love good food, drinks and great Craic please check their website and join us for these awesome monthly dinner pairings. I guarantee you’ll be hooked. Cheers!!

Came upon this gem by mistake? So glad we did! Wanted to return but didn't fit into our short stay in SD. Excellent service, friendly staff, great atmosphere, some free parking lot in rear. Fish and chips were excellent, I had the beef and mushroom pot pie, it was loaded with tender beef, and savory gravy, flaky puff pastry crust. I could not eat the entire pie. Will be back on our next trip!

Really a great restaurant for British Food and to watch sporting events. Visited recently and enjoyed the food, friendship, and a great soccer game between Peru and New Zealand. Great Atmosphere. Food and service was excellent. Will return here when we are in the area.

Fish and chips, curry chips, cider, cider and black currant, Guinness, lovely wait staff, fun British themed novelty and tea house out back.

After having a decent meal a couple months ago we were back in San Diego and wanted to go again. We had a completely different experience. Out of about 4 beers, everything was asked for. Then they had a kitchen fire so could not make a lot of food. We had fish and chips and it was not as good as in the past....peas were hard like bullets and not as tasty as before. Bit of a let down.

This pub is off the beaten touristy path in SanDiego, but so with the trip. We started out breakfast with spiked coffee drinks. They were heavy on the pour and delicious! Between the three of us, we ordered the three egg omelet, eggs Benedict, and breakfast burrito. All the meals were served with potato pancakes.portions were large, and so good the temptation to lick the plate was real.

I love this pub and it is better now than ever! Took family for lunch after a morning at Cabrillo National Park. The place has great ambience. Wood tables with lots of Windows and a nice view. Great bar and great English restaurant pub menu. The fish & chips are incredible and I am fussy about them having been brought up in New England. Recommend the place for any occasion.

The Sunday Roast is fantastic with the best Yorkshire puddings we have ever tasted! We're from Yorkshire so are qualified to rate them. Excellent service. A real gem in San Diego.

After several visits never a disappointment. The staff has genuine concern for your positive dining experience. Food portions are very satisfying and the beer selections are fantastic! Trivia contests are very entertaining whilst enjoying a pint. Definitely a five star pub.

I had the steak and kidney pie, mash and peas and loved it .....the pastry was a little hard on it but other than that great. My husband had the curry with 1/2 rice and 1/2 chips and loved that too and our friend had the fish and chips and he said it was great and it looked like fish and chips in England ......I would have this next time. We all had many Boddingtion's. Everything was wonderful and we had a great time !!.

We were hoping for something better than the average pub food experience, but we were somewhat disappointed. Had the shepherd's pie and fish and chips: acceptable, but not memorable. Our waitress (from Great Britain) was delightful and attentive; the decor was appropriately British pub-like. Area has limited parking.

We stopped into the Shakespeare on recommendation from a friend and were not disappointed. Very nice English pub with great food. We had Bangor’s and Mash as well as a Guinness Stew that were both great.

I was so impressed with the menu, food quality, and choice of beverages! Likely one of the best fish and chips I've had. So happy to discover this treasure.

We have eaten here many, many times over the last 10 years. It is one of our favorite places to eat Fish & Chips, Shepard's Pie, Spotted Dick and Sticky Toffee Pudding. Also love the British Store on the property so you can get authentic Scotch Eggs, Sausage Rolls and many British Food items and seasonal gifts. It is not often you can find a pub that is remotely close to a real pub from England. So many say British Pub or Irish Pub and are really, really awful. This Pub is a pub. Some days they have football matches on the TV's and the place if full of people in there teams colors. It really is authentic. The food is good and the shop is a nice touch. I can't recommend this place anymore than saying you are missing out if you never go here. So on Sunday and you can have a traditional Sunday Roast Lunch.

I am a big fan of pubs and breweries, but this one missed the mark. The food looked good, although I wasn't impressed with the fish & chips... the service was not so great, the tables were sticky, that's always a turn off... It was loud and not very busy, with 4 TV's going it was a distraction trying to talk to the people I was with. Parking was a bit of a challenge, and we were there at 9pm.

I love to try out pubs during my travels. Always a good time with good food and friendly people. Large choice of beer and cocktails. I really enjoyed my small spinach salad with grilled salmon. I ordered the small but it was actually huge. My friend said the burger was fantastic. Had some drinks and enjoyed visiting with the staff. Everyone was great and the atmosphere warm and charming. Will be back soon.

We spent almost a week looking for a proper pint of Guinness. On our last day we stumbled upon Shakespeare's. We wish we found it on our first day. The Fish and Chips were outstanding. They were served with proper fluffy chips and peas. But the Cod fillet was perfect.

A real English style pub a short drive from the harbour.Had a lovely family meal on the terrace. All of the food was very tasty with the star being real fish and chips, served by polite helpful staff. Icing on the cake being that they show the football.

Shepherd's pie served with French fries and a side of peas was a new experience for me but it did not detract from the great MAIN DISH. Outstanding menu selections. Super, attentive staff-and best of all, REASONABLY PRICED. Definitely worth trying.

A great English bar. six vegetarian meals on menu which made a nice change. I had the veg burger which was excellent. All three meals where good. The staff were very friendly.

Last Sunday my friends joined my husband and I for Breakfast at the Shakespeare Pub. The Premier Soccer was on T.V. so the place was full of people having a good time! My egg breakfast was delicious and we wanted to take fish and chips home, but it was too early! So we will be back for lunch. Afterwards we visited their little shop and treated ourselves to British goodies. This is a great place to meet friends.

Fun atmosphere! go early for parking. Staff here is jolly and wants you to have a good time. So love the fish and chips with vinegar the best !

Wonderful employees. Good atmosphere and the food was good and warm. Everything is suppose to be fresh but the mashed potatoes were at least 2-3 days old… and the gravy lacks flavor. One person in our party got fish and chips which she said were good a little thick on the batter which absorbed a ton of grease.

In San Diego visiting my son, while over here decided to meet up with a friend originally from Liverpool now living over here. Friendly pub with very friendly staff, excellent food choices which when arrived were definitely home made. I had the steak and kidney pie and it was amazing. The Margarita's weren't bad either!!

The best fish and chips this side of the Atlantic! I always hit Shakespeare's when in the San Diego area. I cannot wait to get back for an order and a pint! The food is awesome. The staff is super friendly! Enjoy!

Visiting family in san diego. My sisterin law took us here. It was ok. We ordered the proper chips first. Ten minutes later they arrived. Luke warm. I love Reubens! So I had the reuben .it had hardly any corned beef on It and was all In the middle so It looked like It had a lot and was also barely warm. My sister in law had the british dip she said it was alright after the fourth time asking waiter for the horseradish it supposed to be served with(the waiter blamed the kitchen being slammed) which while we sat outside i watched maybe ten people come in.not cool. my wife had the bangers sandwich, which I was jealous cause hers was steaming hot and im eating a cold reuben. So maybe go back maybe not. Had I not been on a plane for the last 10 hour and starving I wouldve sent everything back and asked for a free hot meal.

Old speckled Hen to Blackthorn cider, Boddington's, smithwicks, Guinness, Harp and many more on tap. A good beer selection. The sausage rolls are authentic and excellent. Fish and chips was exceptional. Service at the bar was friendly and they gave great advice. Chicken pot pie and Sheperds pie were also a hot with our group. Definitely order the curry sauce for your appetizers!

Loved this place! We were staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Old Town - a 10 min walk away and on our first night decided to head over in the direction of Shakespeare Pub & Grille, to find somewhere to eat. This was without knowing that there was a British pub there! Of course - being British born myself, after seeing this place - there was no other option, we had to stop in for dinner. Started with Sausage Rolls, which were the best I've had in the US - then had the Fish & Chips with Curry Sauce on the side, which were also very good. Proper British chips - not silly French Fries. The next day on the Sunday, we decided to stop by again in the evening - after a day out at Sea Port Village & Balboa Park, for the Sunday Roast, which I was a little disappointed with. Rather than being slices from a proper roast joint, the beef was more like thick slices of deli meat - although the veggies & Yorkshire pudding made up for that a little. The wife had the Veggie Shepherds Pie - which she was happy with. We stopped by a 3rd time before we left San Diego and I had the Bangers & Mash from the lunch menu, which were very good and well priced. Not too bad - but not the best sausage I've had in the states. Peas were excellent tho! We also enjoyed a few English Beers and a Shandy with all the meals we had here. All in all - I would recommend this place to a British traveler, who would like a little touch of home. I've been gone from England now for 15 years, other than a few short visits. So it was nice to enjoy some home touches like the HP Sauce!

Well what a find THIS was! As-authentic-as-you-can-get comforting shepherds pie with peas. I had the lamb burger (but many tastes of the shepherds pie). Atmosphere was absolutely pub-ish charming; staff very friendly. Service was quick. Servings generous. Of course we just had to top it off with the warm sticky toffee pudding!

This was a last minute choice. We got a table for 9 right away. Everyone in my immediate family loved their choices! My hubbie says it was the best fish & chips he's ever had. Shepherd 'a pie and chicken pot pie were excellent! Highly recommend!

I loved the food and casual atmosphere in this place. The fish cakes were fabulous. Great selection of beer on tap as well. The service was fine, but not stellar. I gave it a four instead of five just for that reason.

We Eat here every time we are in San Diego. We lived in England and it brings back fond memories. There is a little shop selling hard to find British goods as will.

Great atmosphere and good service. Pretty authentic and lively. Good selection of draft beers including Boddies,Speckled Hen and London Pride. Wife was disappointed with Shepherds Pie as she felt it was lacking in taste. My roast beef dip was good but,again,lacking in salt. Easy to put right,so we did. It’s an average 3 star eatery plus an extra point for its genuine Britishness

We had the fish and chips as well as the sticky toffee pudding which was excellent and not too sweet. This is a favorite of ours to stop in when we're in the airport area.

My sailing club goes here every Tuesday evening for happy hour and a bite to eat ! Wide variety of beers ( boddingtons, harp, Guinness & more). Food is good for pub grub and they offer gluten free and vegetarian and flights of beer to taste. They offer indoor & outdoor dining. The view of the sunset and watch a few flights take off from Lindeburg Field. Wine and beer happy our prices are reasonable .

Every 4th of July, San Diego hosts an amazing fireworks show on San Diego Bay. We don't like to mess with the traffic after the Show so choose to spend a few hours at Shakespeare Pub and Grille. The Pub is on a hill above the 5-freeway and has a great view of the Bay and so on the patio you see all 4 barges going off. You feel like you're stepped into a local Pub in England minus all the accents. The food is good - Try the sausage rolls and the pot pies (Steak and mushroom and chicken pot pies are my favorite. Their "proper" chips, in fact the fish and chips are worth the try - Ask for gravy on the side. The service is easy going and the ladies friendly...a little slow. The drinks at the Pub are typically priced. If you want a real English experience, go on Sunday for the Roast Beef Sunday Roast...It's worth the visit.

Well, not that impressive as an English theme pub but food & detail lacking - we were a large party & got there to a 'corner' of 4 separate tables so sorted that ourselves. Ordered ok & food ok but average, sadly. Think we went outside or to bathroom and waitress cleared everything even drinks which pissed me off! Novelty place for tourists really with expensive shop attached selling 'British/Irish' products.

After watching the St. Patrick's Day parade downtown, we felt a pub would be suitable for lunch. Our friend introduced us to Shakespeare Pub and Grill which was an excellent choice. Also, the beautiful sunny day where we were able to leisurely eat outside added to our pleasure. Our chilled blonde Guiness beers helped to quench our thirst while we waited for our meals. My fish and chips were excellent-hot, not greasy and the side of spring peas were tasty. My husband raved about his reuben with it's delicious sauerkraut and pastrami which was piled high on delicious rye. Our friend had a country breakfast-sausages, egg, ham, fries, and beans which would keep him filled all day. Our servers were very friendly and efficient. I thought prices were reasonable for the quantity and quality. The pub is a maze of rooms which adds to its charm. Our friend has lived in Ireland and remarked the food is very authentic. We look forward to returning there soon.

Fun, English pub experience. I had the Bangers & Mash and it was first rate. Terrific, friendly service.

Happy Hour prices for food and drinks are fantastic. My husband had a $7 hamburger , extra for side servings of chips or small salad. He was happy with the big hamburger & small side salad. Unfortunately I chose wrong. I had the Indian chicken curry with white rice and naan. The curry had chicken breast cubes, very soft green beans, and cubed potatoes in a yellow curry. I make better curry than this at home. Most boring plain curry dish. Next time I will choose something else like the meat pies. Service is friendly. Atmosphere is quaint. I like the British memorabilia. Quiet at early dinner hour. Food: 3/5 | Service: 5/5 | Atmosphere: 5/5

Shakespeare is as close to a real English pub as you will find in San Diego. The fish and chips and Shepherd's pie are truly authentic. Their beer and ale selection is fantastic. And, you can join all of the ex-pats watching soccer on the weekend mornings.

We stopped in here for a few beers, obviously being English you always find yourself in an Irish bar when abroad at some point! A good range of beers and friendly service. Can't comment on food as we only had alcohol. Worth a visit, friendly staff and good atmosphere.

We stopped here for an early dinner and since it was happy hour, we also had a couple of beers. $1.00 off pints during happy hour. My wife had a pasty. It came with chips and peas. I had a chicken pot pie with mashed potatoes and peas. Both were excellent, with large portions. My only complaint would be that my mashed potatoes were lukewarm, like they had been sitting on the plate while the chicken pot pie was in the oven. Still good, though.There is indoor and outdoor seating. Lots of food and drink choices. It’s close to I-5, so that can be a little noisy at times.

We wandered into this English pub when we didn't feel like waiting an hour for the Blue Water Grill to thin out. It's located up stairs with modest signage. The waitstaff was friendly and helpful with the menu. I had the corned beef tacos as an appetizer, they were stuffed with meat and tasty. I had the Fish & Chips for dinner. The cod filet was very good and cooked to perfection, done and still juicy. Tried the spotted dick for dessert and was not impressed. To their credit, the only other time I had such was in England and I enjoyed it there so I do not have much to compare it to! We enjoyed it and is good as far as British food goes.

Authentic British Pub. Many guests around us had a British accent! We had fish & chips. It was very good! Anxious to go back and try another dish!

Close your eyes but keep your mouth open cause Shakespeare Pub has authentic English food. Everything on the menu is great but fish & chips live up to its reputation. Sit on either porch but watch out for smokers.

Highly recommend the bread and cheese appetizer that I was initially hesitant to order, as it came loaded w great cheese and other tasty items like pickled onions. Their pub chips/ fries are thick and crispy and their overall portions large. The fish and chips were phenomenal. Only drawback was the beer menu became more limited when the beers we selected ran dry. Otherwise, good food, service and atmosphere, also affordable.

Fair. Parking limited, choices fair, pricing fair, food fair, many beer choices, would maybe try again.

Really authentic British pub. Great beer selection and very good food. Lots of English favorites. Service was good. Indoor and outdoor seating.

The best English pub in SD. A must visit. Great food and drink selection. Nice inside and outside seating. We stop by every time we are close. Parking is a drag sometimes but have $5 valet. It's a full house during big soccer games so be prepared for that. Still good service when busy though.

We were visiting friends who recommended here to eat. The pub was nice with indoor and two patios to dine on. The food was all delicious we all ordered something different. Apparently my dish had been forgotten, so everyone was almost done eating by the time mine came out. Which ended up missing the correct side. Our server was still waiting on others, but never came back to our table. Other staff waited on us, apologized, and offered free desserts on the house for the mixup. Our friends said service is usually good so maybe it was just a one time thing. The fish was very tasty and seemed like a fun place. We only come twice a year for a few days, so I'm not sure I'd use one of my few meals to go again.

We go to Shakespeare Pub for breakfast several times a month. It has indoor and outdoor seating and outdoors is dog friendly. Breakfast are good size but not overwhelming, modestly priced and delicious. They have traditional British and American offerings. Service is very good and often with humor. Check the EU soccer schedule as when top British teams are playing, you will not have room to turn around. So if you love soccer, go at that time. While i am not a morning drinking, there seem to be plenty of British Ales at all times. Enjoy

Wonderful British Pub and Grub that definitely reminds us of our visits to Britain. We are reviewing them again this year because they just won "America's Best Fish & Chips" from a survey of British pub patrons across the US by Old Speckled Hen, a most popular British crafted fine ale. Over the past 4 months all of us voted. We were confident that Shakespeare's Pub would indeed win with its incredible fish and chips. We were right and proud. The award was given on 24 April 2017 this year, and it was selected because it is indeed Shakespeare's birthday !! What better choice. Please enjoy the photographs shared with this post and feel free to read my earlier post and prediction 16 July 2014.

Stopped in for dinner because we were looking for a casual place with a variety on the menu. British pub fare is their mainstay, but enjoyed other eats as well. Our party had Shepard's Pie, Tikka Masala and fish and chips and were all really good. Lots of vegetarian options including some tasty salads--I had a vegie burger with feta and red peppers--awesome! And of course, a full bar including British favorites. Nice outdoor seating on a deck with gorgeous sunsets...inside seemed a little warm, but it was a record setting weekend in SD....we enjoyed our visit so much, we came back a second night just for drinks on the deck! Friendly serving staff...casual atmosphere.

I would definitely recommend this pub to everyone visiting San Diego. The food was amazing and plentiful. No skimpy portions here. Service from Jackie was fabulous. Good variety of beers on tap and reasonable prices.

Fantastic english food! We had the Shephard's Pie and Fish and Chips. The Fish was the best I've ever had and make sure to ask for the good malt vinegar. Shephard's Pie was delicious and full of meat and flavor. I was disappointed the mushy peas were an extra charge. Instead the meals come with regular steamed peas. The sausage rolls are worth ordering to-go for a snack the next day. Yummy! The pints on tap will meet the needs of anyone in your party and the servers are friendly without being intrusive. A plus is the wireless devices the servers carry which allows them to place your order from the table and allows the guest to pay by credit card directly from the table so your credit card stays with you. Finally, the parking can be tricky, but try the restaurants parking lot behind the building or look for street parking (which can be challenging). Overall, a fantastic place to meet with friends for food and drinks and you won't be rushed.

My son and I went to the Shakespeare for lunch today I had the fish & chips which comes with peas. And my son had the Bangers and mash that also comes with peas. Excellant food and great service. My son also had the chocolate brownie with ice cream. Very good, this is the best place in San Diego to go for the fish and chips, many other great item's to choose from.

I was visiting San Diego for a week and came to the Shakespeare pub 3 times. It was really nice to find such a homely place with welcoming barstaff. They show live sports including Premier League football (soccer) - when they do, the atmosphere matches British pubs. It was great to see Americans dressed in football tops (Chelsea, Liverpool etc) and shouting and cheering.. although this did not detract from those who just wanted a meal or enjoy a drink. I ate here 3 times: shepherd’s pie twice and fish & chips. Portions are generous but if you don’t want traditional chips they will readily substitute a salad or french fries. Highly recommended if you are visiting San Diego.

We called in on a Sunday evening and had some drinks. It is an English style bar so we were at home.The food looked great but we had eaten already. We then heard that a music quiz was starting and we joined some locals in a team, we didn't win but it was a lot of fun. The pub is close to several other good eateries off Washington Street.

Very unimpressed. While the atmosphere was very nostalgic of our visits to Europe, the food left alot to be desired. We started with sausage rolls, bland... boring and overcooked by a longshot. I had chicken pot pie, which was fair. My husband had fish and chips, entirely the worst we've had. The chips were aweful. Beers on tap were excellent, so if your coming for drinks and atmosphere then you may be ok. We won't return.

We absolutely love this place, well worth traveling from Arizona for their wonderful English food and beer, highly recommend the Boddies! The food is excellent, “a taste of home”. And the staff, well what can I say:- There is always a warm welcome from any of the staff members, most of whom have been here for years! The manager Jackie is wonderful, a pleasure to meet her. They also have a British shop so we can top up on some of our favorites 😃

Celebrated some birthdays on Sunday afternoon. Yorkshires are yummy. Great fish n chips. Bangars and Mash just need mushy peas. Everything was served nice and hot. And for dessert.....the sticky toffee pudding is OMG so delicious.

Great service. Goose island IPA. Spinach blue cheese bacon salad. Reuben sandwich. Top notch burgers

This was a good find in San Diego. The food was good and they had a great drinks list that even had Pimm's no 1. The selection of beers is also good. Food was served hot and fresh and was as close to traditional as you could expect. Service was also very good. Would definitely return. Only complaints would be that parking could be an issue and our table was dirty and sticky. Suggest you check out British shop that is next to the pub. English teas being served looked terrific.

As an expat living in San Diego this is my perfect place!!! A great choice of beers and some classic meals. Shows every premier league football on tv plus other sports. Also has a small shop of those English treats we just can’t live without... it is truly home from home!!!

We had planned to eat at the Blue Water Seafood Market, but the wait was way too long. So we walked down to this pub and had a nice British meal. The kids menu was pretty normal, so our kids were happy. My husband and I had fish and chips and Shepard’s pie. The outdoor seating was a bonus.

The most delicious Fish and Chips I've ever had in the city. Also, do try the Scotch Eggs which are served with Branston Pickle which is a nice change from the usual mustard sauce.Excellent as well are the great selection of beers on tap. Charming, friendly servers with a real eye for detail made for a delightful evening. A great experience and a spot I shall to again and again. Super place!

As Brits, we camehere with American friends hoping to give them a taste of English pub grub. We were not disappointed. The selection was good and the portions generous. We opted for the Chicken pie with chips, the Shepherds Pie and the grilled salmon. All dishes were very good and the chips were obviously made from fresh potatoes. And served with HP sauce and Sar sons vinegar.

We stopped by to check it out at a friend's recommendation. The menu looks definitely British and several patrons told us the have the best fish and chips in the area. Glad to see it is cod and not tilapia. The vague slight smell of old beer and vomitus along with cigarette smoke wafting in from the sidewalk, helped make it seem more authentic, too. The staff was very friendly.

As an ex UK pat we picked this pub for some nostalgia. Met by great staff pub atmosphere was great. Managed a few Boddingtons for old times sake and had a great pub dinner. Had mushy peas with the fish n chips and they nailed the peas up with the best homemade mushy peas. Also had the curry sauce which was tasty like a chippy style curry sauce yum. Also tried chip and curry sauce burrito worked real well with extra sauce for dipping.

Shakespeare Pub is easy to get to, near the I5 Freeway. Very British pub food, fish and chips are great and plenty of fish (take home is a given). Service was friendly and professional with meals delivered in a timely fashion. Good selection of beers and wines. We will definitely return.

A leisurely lunch with family. My first visit here, and it will probably be my last. The imported draught beer was flat, which is a bad sign for a pub! The steak and kidney pie was OK - not even close to English, much less London standards. The service was the saving grace: friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient.

Recommended as the rest place to see the new year in at the same time as those back home in the UK. The place was rammed full and was reminiscent of popular UK pubs in the 60s and 70s on a Friday and Saturday night when pubs were the only place to be. The atmosphere was buzzing as the countdown moved towards 16.00 (midnight in UK). There were bagpipes and a drummer to add that special touch. We didn't eat but according to the locals we spoke to, the food and beer is top class. Well worth a visit.

We love this English pub, we travel from Arizona a few times a year just to go there!! All the staff are very friendly creating a great atmosphere. The beer is excellent (a real taste of home 🇬🇧) the food is excellent also. It is also dog friendly.

My wife and I very much enjoy visiting this English Pub. We find the outdoor seating perfect for an afternoon pint, and the fish and chips excellent for a meal. The chips are proper English chips which I very much appreciate. Good selection of draft beers and ales. We have always found the derive to be friendly and eager to help. However, service can be a tad slow when the place is very busy such as on "big" soccer match days. We know this, and as we enjoy a good soccer match, we plan accordingly and find it no problem at all. The "pints" are 20-oz. pints, so you get a nice pull. Would definitely recommend a stop here when in San Diego if you are looking for a good English Ale, some great fish and chips and a bit of English football....heck, stop by anyway...great beer and plenty of other food selections if fish and chips is not you pr favorite pub food as it is mine....I have had fish and chips in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales....and the fish and chips here stack up perfectly to the best I have had in any of this "traditional" spiots around the globe.

My corvette was hit in the designated parking lot in back of Shakespeare s. Note left on my windshield, but no other help provided. I will not be returning to this business.

Good food, friendly staff, plenty of seats inside and outside, and good English beer. On a nice day sit outside and enjoy the view. I usually get only the fish and chips when I dine here. It is a good size and it is tasty. Fries are ok. I like them cooked a little more. I think they are to soft. The beer selection is good. I usually get a british beer. This last visit I got the English flight. Parking can be hard so arrive early or arrive late. I like that they are open late. They have Sunday Brunch which I have not had before. They also have a fish and chips food challenge which I have never seen anyone attempt. The regular fish and chips is pretty filling on its own.

A lot of potential, however mismanaged. Service is slow due to understaffing. Server was polite but never new their name. Everyone seemed like they didn't want to be working. . Food was good, but hardly made up for the experience. Would not recommend.

Although I am from The States, my wife's family is from Yorkshire, and when the brothers moved to Carlsbad to open a business, they quickly found all the best pubs in the area with Shakespeare Pub and Grill as one of their favorites. My wife and I have eaten there on several occasions and agree that it is one of the best in SoCal. To start, the pub has many English ales & beers "on tap" like Boddington, which is my wife's favorite. To my wife and my opinion, "on taps" always taste better than bottles or cans. On this delicious trip we had fish (haddock) & chips, bangers and mash and spotted dick for dessert . . . all washed down with several glasses of Boddington (wife) and Newcastle Brown (me). The decor feels authentic and several of the waiters and staff are English. English decor, English pub food and English staff is why the title of this review is so apropo. An over-all English experience in San Diego.

Ok this average pub is really there to show UK premiership games and whilst it’s not a fantastic pub it has served its purpose in the past but certainly not today. My advice to anyone wishing to watch a game is they cannot really be sure they will actually show it, despite checking their web site twice in the run up to the game that they were showing it when physically turning up at the pub just before 7am they advised “oh sorry we are not showing this”. No understanding of the importance to those that follow their team but merely in a consumerist “we have lots of other games you can watch “ approach. Useless understanding here of why having the game advertised on their web site and having no intention of actually showing it is a very poor thing to do. I would of clearly made other arrangements if they had said they weren’t showing this but with just 15 mins to ko there was nothing I could do. Very disappointing amateurish approach to football. I will be watching next weekends game elsewhere and then thankfully I will be back in UK attending matches after that Poor from the Shakespeare , after all these years they should know better than to falsely advertise . Even as I write this their website says it’s being shown, nonsense stuff

Known for best fish in chips so we ordered and were not disappointed. We are always on hunt for truly exceptional fish and chips and these met our standards. Fish fresh light perfectly cooked batter no soggy interior or greasy taste. They are huge, one 12 inch fish that will fill up the best of you. Great beer options and interior and e xterior seating Fun pub atmosphere only negative, parking is beyond miserable!

Came for fish & chips and a couple of beers and wasn't disappointed. Fish was very tasty, nicely cooked with crispy batter. Chips were not as highly rated but good nevertheless. Good selection of draft beers to choose from. Service was very good. All told, a pleasant visit

Great food, atmosphere and portions! The fish and chips were delicious and the kids meals were huge! Highly recommend this place!

Night out with a bunch of work friends.... REAL Boddingtons on draught... It was like being back in Manchester..... Food was good huge portions with English style chips.... ( fries) Serviced was good would visit again if back in SoCal

For years, I've listened to my husband describe his favorite foods from back in good ole London. This place seemed to have SO many of his favorite foods and ales. We had their famous fish n chips and wanted to try to bangars and mash and the spotted dick, but we just ran out of room. We plan to go back for their Sunday roast dinner and full English breakfast too. They also have an authentic tea service with homemade scones and devon cream. Our servers were wonderful and welcoming.

I have been going there for many years and was looking forward to their Fish and Chips, what a disappointment. The fries and peas were tasty but the fish was chewy and not tasteful. Hope they improve.

A Southern California version of a British Pub. If you want to sample British beers and food then this is the place. There is indoor and outdoor seating with good views of the city. Menu is mainly traditional British fare such as fish and chips, bangers and mash , Cornish pasties and other favourites. For a real treat, try the traditional Sunday lunch roast. ( Only available on Sunday). The beer selection is good with a few well know British beers available in addition to American offerings. There are several flat screen TVs dotted around the interior , generally showing sports of some description with naturally soccer being a favourite. Sunday night is quiz night. A typical British pub activity with questions ranging from history to entertainment to politics to sports. Good spot for a relatively inexpensive evening out.

This is a great pub to visit. Lots of good beer and food choices, many of which you won't find in your average sports bar. If you want to actually talk with your friends without the distraction of multiple TVs, then this is also a good place to go. Our waitress was friendly and helpful, answering any questions we had about food and drink. I will definitely return when I'm next in the area. Great shop next door which sells British food and souvenirs.

Great English style pub. Excellent assortment of imported beer on tap. Food was great, all three occasions we feasted there. I highly recommend this establishment as a stop during your visit to San Diego.

We stumbled on the Shakespeare late at night on New Years after a long flight. It was packed. Had a great beer selection, excellent pub food, with curries, burgers, fries and sandwiches. Good service. We will visit again. Side note - the pub has a small british shop behind it, very appealing to expats or anglophiles looking for some Brit food options or souvenirs.

Summary: This is a good pub near the airport. The food is rather tasty, the service is good and the atmosphere is enjoyable with an outdoor patio seating option to enhance the experience. The prices are not bad considering the quality of the fare and the location. I will look forward to another chance to try this place. Details: My colleague and I had just attended a conference near the airport and wanted a place for lunch. My companion had been to this place in the past and recommended it as a good lunch option. The area was rather nice and the storefront for this place had a certain appeal. The interior was likewise nice enough. The main floor was a bit simple with wooden floors and was dominated by the bar. We gravitated toward the patio, however, which was elevated one story above the sidewalk. It was a beautiful April afternoon making outdoor dining a great option. Our server, Tara, attended to us right away. She was very pleasant and did a good job taking care of us. The menu was what one would expect for a British pub with plenty of sandwiches and English favorites such as fish and chips. My colleague opted for a Reuben which he liked quite a lot. It was accompanied by fries. I had one of my top choices, Chicken Curry over rice. It was quite tasty. The prices were rather reasonable. With food, drink, tax and tip included, our final cost was $29. At $14.50 per person, I was quite happy with this value. In general, this is a good option for lunch. The pub-grub menu has many excellent choices. The food is good, the service is pleasant and the atmosphere is agreeable. The availability of patio dining is particularly attractive. The prices are rather reasonable making this place a good deal. I would not hesitate to recommend this establishment if you like this type of cuisine.

Being born in Wales and having lived in San Diego for almost 40 years we had missed this experience until invited by some college alumni to join them for lunch. The experience was pretty authentic given the changes expected for Americanization and the years since we lived in England. The beer selection was broad, with a range of serving sizes, and the temperature was perfect - not American ice cold, but cool. The food offering of UK standard fare was well prepared and presented - especially the steak and kidney pie with exceptional gravy, but the fish and chips did not match the claim on the menu. All the portions were American-sized, such that some dishes could be shared between two. Although there is a parking lot to the rear, parking in the area is not the easiest and a Uber ride from some distant easy-park spot may be the best way to arrive, and leave!

The fish and chips were excellent. Fish was large and very moist and many many chips, crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle. Just like an English Pub should be. We had Guinness beer. Service was great and in and out within 1 hr. Free parking in rear. At the edge of Old Town San Diego.

This is the place to go to watch English Premier League games. They offer a wide selection of English beers on tap and traditional English fare (fish and chips, shepherd pie, bangers and mash, etc.). On a sunny day enjoy the seating on the outside deck.

I loved the food but bartender julie not friendly more concerned about side work than her customers we are from out of town and always have had a good experience..I sensed the other customers felt the same way I did.

At the foot of the palisade leading to Hillcrest is the best English pub in San Diego. What better place to celebrate your departure from the Empire. Shakespeare’s has a good view of the bay. One can see three of the barges pretty well and the one in Coronado in the distance. That being said, one is inside a pub! English style food (better than the real thing) and a bar. Jackie is from Manchester. How perfect is that and she is very sweet. The manager, Tabitha, was very concerned about the service. Lots of TVs American sports bar style and it was wine month. $5 for the house but they specialize in beers. The best thing is, it’s easy to get home after. We come every 4th but this year it was not totally jammed like it usually is. Better for me. I don’t know what the locals are thinking. That’s San Diego for you. 12 minutes to the start so I have to go. Don’t come here next year and ruin it for me.

Popped in for the full monty breakfast, best breakfast I have had since leaving the UK six years ago. Was like being in a british pub except for the weather. Service was great the food was good and the atmosphere was great. There is also a well stocked shop on site with lots of favourites from home.

Great quality fish & chips. Best value is the M-F lunch special. Also try their Sunday Roast a British MUST!

Always come here for a meal after landing, NEVER disappointed! Sunday lunch is also a real treat. Great beer selection, excellent decor and the staff are pure perfection, nothing is too much for them. Back in the day, you could play some darts, and the atmosphere was very close to what we remembered from the "Old country". I recommend this pub to anyone with a yearning for the "old life". I ALWAYS stop in when I come to San Diego, also nice to watch a game with "fans". Wierd to sit out on a sunny "verandah" in February, but its BRILLIANT!

We were lucky enough to visit the Pub twice last week. We had family in from North Carolina and they asked to visit. Of course, they wanted to try the Fish and Chips, which it is famous for. It lived up to expectations and was delicious! Afterwards we took them to visit the little shop.

we had a great lunch here on our last day in SanDiego the food and service was excellent wish we had 1 close to home

I had been looking for a place for a full English breakfast and this was the place. The food was really well cooked for us and the tea was nice and hot, good since we sat outside that morning and there is a nice ocean breeze and view of the water to go along with it. Most definitely will be going back.

We stopped in for dinner and a drink before attending the comedy show (National Comedy Theater - highly recommended!) next door. We appreciated the selection of UK beers and drinks. The portions were certainly American-sized, though! The pictures of the fish & chips are accurate - it's a huge piece of fish. Two of our group went with the fish & chips and enjoyed it (I got my fish grilled instead of fried and it was excellent, while the chips & peas were nothing special), the third got the Sunday lamb roast and said it was good.