The Merlin Billingham
Quick info
About The Merlin Billingham
The Merlin Billingham is a pub in Billingham, on The Merlin, with a kitchen built around parmos. Food is served every day, and a specials board adds changing dishes to the regular menu. Steak and ale pie and a Yorkshire pudding wrap sit alongside the parmos for those who want something different. Live entertainment is part of the pub's programme, so an evening here can include music as well as a meal. Tables can be booked online, which suits groups planning a meal ahead. Food orders stop at a set time in the evening.
Good to know
“Warm welcoming and friendly pub serving fresh food everyday. We offer some great live entertainment too.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom, seating
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention parmo, huge portions, garlic mushrooms and steak and ale pie.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention parmo, huge portions, garlic mushrooms and steak and ale pie.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers come back for the parmo above all, calling it full of flavour, one of the best they've had, and large enough that some could only finish half and took the rest home. Close behind are the generous portions generally, with a steak and ale pie, a Yorkshire pudding wrap and a specials board that one diner calls creative also getting mentions. Several describe the staff as friendly and quick, and the prices as reasonable. The complaints are specific. One couple found the garlic mushrooms, butter chicken and salt and pepper chicken overseasoned, the chicken coating inedible, and the curry tasting like it came from a jar. Another reviewer found the salad a bowl of a few leaves and coleslaw, and the Yorkshire pudding wrap very hard to cut. Orders can take a while to reach the table. Two reviewers single out an older bar lady as unwelcoming or rude, and one says she refused plastic glasses outside at 22:27 and told them to leave. Food orders stopped at 20:00 sharp for one anniversary table booked for 19:45.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers come back for the parmo above all, calling it full of flavour, one of the best they've had, and large enough that some could only finish half and took the rest home. Close behind are the generous portions generally, with a steak and ale pie, a Yorkshire pudding wrap and a specials board that one diner calls creative also getting mentions. Several describe the staff as friendly and quick, and the prices as reasonable. The complaints are specific. One couple found the garlic mushrooms, butter chicken and salt and pepper chicken overseasoned, the chicken coating inedible, and the curry tasting like it came from a jar. Another reviewer found the salad a bowl of a few leaves and coleslaw, and the Yorkshire pudding wrap very hard to cut. Orders can take a while to reach the table. Two reviewers single out an older bar lady as unwelcoming or rude, and one says she refused plastic glasses outside at 22:27 and told them to leave. Food orders stopped at 20:00 sharp for one anniversary table booked for 19:45.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Finding a pub that strikes the ideal balance between top-tier food, warm hospitality, and a welcoming atmosphere can feel like a rare treat, but the Merlin in Billingham manages to hit every single mark effortlessly. Visiting for the very first time, it took only minutes to realize that this establishment is something truly special within the local dining scene. Atmosphere & Design From the moment you step through the doors, the quality of the interior design is immediately striking. The pub boasts a remarkably clean, crisp, and fresh environment, clearly well-maintained with thoughtful decor. The aesthetic seamlessly blends modern style with standard pub comfort, creating an inviting space that feels both stylish and cozy. The thoughtful layout allows for a genuinely comfortable experience, whether you are settling in for an evening drink or enjoying a full meal. The Culinary Experience The real highlight of the visit, however, was the food. Simply put, every single dish served was absolutely gorgeous. It is rare to find a kitchen that delivers on taste, presentation, and portion sizes all at once, yet the team here pulls it off with ease. The ingredients tasted fresh, the preparation was spot-on, and the flavor profiles were exceptional. To complement such impressive culinary quality with genuinely reasonable prices makes the whole experience feel like an absolute steal. It is high-caliber comfort food that offers incredible value for money. Service & Hospitality Service can easily make or break a dining experience, and the team at the Merlin shines in this department. The staff are exceptionally friendly, polite, and attentive without ever becoming overbearing. A particularly refreshing touch was the complete absence of the dreaded "two-minute check-in." So many modern establishments rush over to ask if "everything is okay" the second you have taken your first bite, breaking up the flow of your conversation and interrupting the meal. Here, the staff trust the quality of their service and allow you the peace, space, and quiet to simply enjoy your food and company. When assistance was needed, they were right there, helpful and efficient, striking the perfect balance of professional hospitality. Final Thoughts The Merlin in Billingham is a standout pub that gets all the details right. Between the immaculate, beautifully designed surroundings, the exceptionally warm staff, the thoughtful approach to table service, and a menu that delivers genuinely gorgeous food at fair prices, it makes a phenomenal first impression. It is an absolute gem of a spot, and it will certainly not be the last visit.”
- Google user
“Thursday evening, 25/06/26. Lovely evening with a welcoming smile from the barmaid. Nice relaxed atmosphere with the delicious smell of food as it was carried past our table in the beer garden. My friend (a regular visitor) speaks very highly of the pub. And i agreeed. . . Until an older bar lady approached us and said, No glasses were allowed outside after 22:30. And no dogs were allowed inside. We asked if plastic glasdes were available.. . No! It was 22:27 So i asked what did she suggest.. . Leave! She then said something about being algeric to dogs and walked away coughing. I am absolutely positive this is a very unusual event, but i felt it could have been managed differently. Or not at all, as we appeared to be the last ones outside.”
- Google user
“Having previously eaten in the bar, sampling their amazing Parmo, we decided to eat here for out anniversary. We booked a table online with the only time available being 19:45. On arrival we were seated and advised they stopped taking food orders at 20:00 sharp so we quickly viewed the menu and ordered at the bar. We both had the Garlic Mushrooms to start and for the main course I had the special Butter Chicken and my wife had Salt and Pepper Chicken. The food came out quickly and we both enjoyed the starter with the only criticism being that something on the plate was very overseasoned. Again the mains came out quickly, the curry was nothing special, probably a large catering jar or sauce with marinated chicken but again, something was overseasoned, leaving my mouth feeling salty. My wife's salt and pepper chicken wasn't to her taste, yes it's salt and pepper chicken but the salt was ridiculous and inedible. She managed by removing the the batter coating and just eating the chicken. Overall, I'd say great for a pint and a parmo but probably stick with that.”
- Google user
“The Merlin is my favourite place for a parmo. The food is full of flavour and is so fresh. The kitchen staff do an amazing job. I've never had a bad meal here. It is reasonably priced and the portion sizes are generous. The two younger ladies who serve are really helpful and nice. Unfortunately, the older lady who serves is never welcoming and comes across rude all the time. This usually makes my family and I feel uncomfortable and a bit of a burden.”
- Google user
“What can I say, 1st ever Merlin Parmo wow was absolutely lush 10/10, and coming from a Boro girl thats a hell of a compliment. Couldn't even finish the half so brought it home with us. The girls that serve on are so friendly Couldn't fault anything! Coming from Durham was definitely worth the drive, see 👀 you soon 👌x”
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Bars near The Merlin Billingham
- The Isaac Wilson4.19533.4 miWheelchair accessibleWi-Fi
cask ales, parmo, southern fried chicken loaded fries
- Dovecot Bar & Kitchen4.51,0513.7 mi
fish and chips, bottomless brunch, hen party hosting
- Sandstone Nab4.31,9915.9 mi awayWheelchair accessible
steak and ale pie, gluten free menu, dog friendly pub
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Merlin BillinghamWheelchair accessible | 4.51,013 | — | parmo, huge portions, garlic mushrooms |
| The Isaac WilsonWheelchair accessible · Wi-Fi | 4.1953 | 3.4 mi | cask ales, parmo, southern fried chicken loaded fries |
| Dovecot Bar & Kitchen | 4.51,051 | 3.7 mi | fish and chips, bottomless brunch, hen party hosting |
| Sandstone NabWheelchair accessible | 4.31,991 | 5.9 mi away | steak and ale pie, gluten free menu, dog friendly pub |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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