Ever wondered where you can find a dining experience that feels like a hidden gem? Nestled in the heart of Gloucester, The Bumblebee promises just that and more. From the moment you step inside, you’re enveloped in a warm ambience and greeted by a menu buzzing with delicious options. Join me as I uncover the delights of The Bumblebee.
Our Review:
*We visited this venue back in December, catching up on all of the venues we have been to*
“We visited The Bumblebee on a chilly winter Sunday in December, gathering with family from my mother’s side to celebrate the festive season. The warm welcome from the staff set the tone for a delightful afternoon. As we were shown to our table and handed our menus, I knew there was only one choice for me—it was Sunday, after all! A traditional British roast dinner, which I consider the pinnacle of British cuisine and my all-time favourite meal, was the obvious choice.
The Sunday Lunch menu at The Bumblebee offers an array of enticing options, including 21-day aged beef, pork belly with crackling and baked apple, and turkey breast with lemon & thyme stuffing. For those like me who can’t choose just one, the trio option allows you to enjoy beef, turkey, pork, crackling, and stuffing all on one plate.
Accompaniments include ruffled garlic & herb roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, thyme-roasted carrots, glazed parsnips, broccoli, and as much gravy as you desire. But that’s not all! You can enhance your roast with additional sides such as cauliflower cheese, pigs in blankets, and stuffing wrapped in bacon. While these extras come at an additional cost, who could resist pigs in blankets this close to Christmas?
The mains are just the beginning. The menu also features a variety of starters, including Baked Brie Bites, Sticky Crispy Chicken, and a selection of vegetarian and vegan options.
As the starters arrived, our anticipation reached its peak. My brother and I both opted for the Sticky Crispy Chicken, a perfectly cooked chicken tender, deep-fried and coated in a sticky glaze. It was served with a ramekin of chipotle chilli jam and slices of red chilli. The dish was absolutely delightful, though I quickly regretted trying one of the red chillies—they were incredibly hot, and I couldn’t help but wonder where they ranked on the Scoville scale! My husband chose the Baked Brie Bites, which were accompanied by an apricot & ginger chutney. He thoroughly enjoyed them, as he does with anything cheesy on the menu.
Then came the main event: the roast dinner. As the plates were brought to our table, we couldn’t help but salivate at the sight. Most of us opted for the Sunday roast, which also offers a vegan alternative of Root Vegetable Wellington, while a few chose dishes from the standard daily menu. The roast looked incredible. The meat was tender and succulent, the crackling perfectly crispy. The roast potatoes were golden and crispy on the outside, with a fluffy, cloud-like centre. The pigs in blankets, often tricky to perfect, were cooked to perfection with crispy bacon on the outside.
However, there was a minor hiccup. My husband found a sticker labelled “TUE” on his plate, likely a health and safety label that had not been removed during preparation. Despite this small oversight, everyone else’s meal was delicious, and our table was soon filled with 12 empty plates.
Most of us opted for dessert, and I chose the classic chocolate brownie—a staple on nearly every menu. What could go wrong with a gooey chocolate brownie, topped with creamy vanilla ice cream and drizzled with rich chocolate sauce? Absolutely nothing, as it was perfect once again. Throughout our meal, the staff were helpful and friendly, expertly managing the challenge of catering to a large table. The only downside was our seating location. We were placed next to a closed window that let in a draft, which was less than ideal when trying to escape the cold outside.
Pros & Cons:
- Lovely, homely atmosphere. ✅
- Super friendly staff. ✅
- Outstanding roast dinner. ✅
- Drafty window letting in cold air. ❌
- Dated sticker found in roast dinner. ❌
Gourmet Gauge:
The food was incredible, with excellent presentation slightly marred by the sticker incident. The cozy and friendly ambience was affected by a drafty window. Service was amazing, and the prices were justified by the quality of the roast dinner and attentive staff, despite minor issues.
Taste: 7/10 🥄
Presentation: 7/10 🍽️
Ambience: 6/10 🕯️
Service: 6/10 🧑🍳
Value for Money: 7/10💰
Total: 33/50 Worth A Visit
Recommended Dishes: The Sunday Trio.
Parking: Plenty of onsite parking, shared alongside the nearby hotel.
Dietary Needs: Plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians.
You can find “The Bumblebee” at the following location:
Waterwells Business Park
Quedgeley
Gloucester
GL2 2AB
You can find their website at: https://www.vintageinn.co.uk/restaurants/south-west/thebumblebeegloucester#/
For further details and to follow them on social media, check the links down below:
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The Taste Trekker 
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