There’s something about countryside pubs in Somerset that instantly feels comforting, and The Duck at Burtle is exactly the sort of place that reminds you why traditional village dining still thrives. Tucked away in the small Somerset village of Burtle, this cosy pub and restaurant has built a strong reputation locally for serving hearty food, quality local ingredients and creating the kind of relaxed atmosphere that keeps people coming back.
Blending rustic pub charm with a slightly more refined dining experience, The Duck manages to feel welcoming without losing that special occasion feel. Whether you’re stopping in for a laid-back Sunday lunch, an evening meal or simply a few drinks in the countryside, it immediately gives off the impression of somewhere that takes pride in both its food and hospitality.
After hearing plenty of positive things locally, we finally paid a visit to see whether The Duck at Burtle really lived up to its growing reputation.
Dining at The Duck in Burtle:
We visited The Duck at Burtle back in March for my brother’s birthday after hearing plenty of good things about it locally. My husband had actually visited a few years ago and always spoke highly of it, so it had been sitting on our “must visit” list for a while.
Tucked away off the main roads in the Somerset countryside, The Duck feels like one of those proper hidden gems that locals almost want to keep to themselves. Despite its slightly secluded location, it was clear from the moment we arrived that this is a hugely popular spot — both as a local drinking pub and somewhere people travel to for a genuinely good meal.
Atmosphere & Setting:
The venue itself strikes a really nice balance between traditional and modern. There are plenty of rustic wooden features throughout, giving it that cosy countryside pub feel, but it still feels fresh, stylish and well looked after rather than dated.
There was a really welcoming atmosphere throughout the evening too, with locals enjoying drinks at the bar while diners tucked into meals around the restaurant area. It had that relaxed, community feel that great countryside pubs often have, whilst still feeling like somewhere ideal for a special occasion meal.
What We Ordered:
The menu offered a really good variety of dishes, ranging from burgers and pasta dishes through to more traditional pub classics. Even the more classic options had their own little twist to them — for example, gammon topped with melted brie rather than simply served with egg.
I ordered their signature 8oz burger, topped with sliced duck, melted cheddar and bacon, served alongside fries and celeriac coleslaw. Meanwhile, my husband couldn’t resist one of their pasta dishes — tagliatelle topped with chicken breast, smoked bacon, mushrooms, spinach and a roasted garlic cream sauce.
Safe to say… it was all bloody delicious.
The burger was cooked perfectly, with the duck practically melting into the burger itself, while the fries were wonderfully crispy on the outside yet fluffy in the middle. My husband said the pasta was genuinely one of the best pasta dishes he’s had in a long time, with the roasted garlic cream sauce tying everything together beautifully.
Of course, we also had to order a side of garlic bread because we’re both obsessed with garlic bread — and thankfully it didn’t disappoint. Gooey, cheesy and dangerously easy to demolish.
We also ordered a dessert each because there was no chance we were leaving without trying something sweet. My husband went for the chocolate brownie, served with vanilla ice cream and a homemade shortbread biscuit shaped like a duck — because honestly, why not? Meanwhile, I ordered the steamed sticky toffee pudding with warm custard poured over the top.
DE-LISH-OUS.
Everything was beautifully presented too, with each dish arriving looking just as good as it tasted.
Service & Overall Experience:
The service throughout the evening was excellent. I believe it was actually the owner serving behind the bar and looking after tables, and he was incredibly friendly and welcoming throughout the meal. It’s always nice seeing owners getting involved directly because it often says a lot about how much pride they take in the place.
Combined with the warm atmosphere, cosy interior and genuinely fantastic food, it made for a brilliant evening from start to finish. Nothing felt rushed, and the whole experience felt relaxed and enjoyable from the moment we arrived.
Final Thoughts:
The Duck at Burtle completely lived up to the reputation we’d heard beforehand. Great food, generous portions, lovely service and a welcoming countryside pub atmosphere — it’s exactly the type of independent Somerset pub we love finding.
We’d happily return in a heartbeat, and after this visit, trying their Sunday lunch has immediately shot near the top of our Somerset food bucket list.
Pros and Cons:
- Great balance between cosy countryside pub and modern restaurant✅
- Excellent quality food with generous portion sizes✅
- Popular dining times could make booking ahead essential❌
Gourmet Gauge: The Duck at Burtle delivers exactly what you want from a countryside pub restaurant — comforting food elevated with creativity, genuinely warm hospitality and an atmosphere that makes you want to settle in for the evening. From the duck-topped burger to the sticky toffee pudding, every course felt thoughtfully prepared and packed with flavour.
Taste: 9.5/10 🥄
Presentation: 9/10 🍽️
Ambience: 8/10 🕯️
Service: 9.5/10 👨🍳
Value for Money: 8/10 💰
Total: 44/50 Highly Recommend!
Click here to see where they land on our Gourmet Gauge Scoresheet!
You can find “The Duck at Burtle” at the following location:
The Duck
Station Rd
Burtle
Bridgwater
TA7 8NU
Have You Visited The Duck at Burtle?
If you’ve visited The Duck at Burtle, what would you recommend ordering? And more importantly… are we making the right decision by putting their Sunday lunch firmly on our Somerset food bucket list?
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of food does The Duck serve?
The Duck at Burtle serves a mix of elevated pub classics, burgers, pasta dishes, steaks and seasonal specials.
Do you need to book to visit The Duck?
Booking is highly recommended, especially during weekends and busy evening service times.
The Taste Trekker 
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