A polished country gastro pub with excellent roasts, accomplished cooking and warm service, but current pricing, occasional noise, and a few serious recent complaints warrant choosing your table carefully.
The Malt Shovel delivers solid food quality anchored by well-executed roasts and consistent cooking across proteins and desserts, supported by attentive service that handles varied groups effectively. The attractive country setting with garden seating and cosy interiors creates genuine appeal, though value perceptions split between those who justify premium pricing and those who find it steep. Strong baseline execution across dimensions keeps it just short of the very top tier.
The Malt Shovel feels like a destination country pub rather than a quick local bite: an attractive village setting, a separate dining building, garden and terrace seating, and a cosy open fire all recur in the feedback. One reviewer summed up the mood as a polished but relaxed place where staff made a celebration feel genuinely special. It can become lively and noisy when busy, so a quieter table is worth requesting. The cooking is classic gastro-pub fare with a contemporary, globally influenced streak. Sunday roasts, pork belly, chicken, lamb and desserts are the dependable crowd-pleasers, while the current menu also ventures into sashimi, gochujang, ssamjang, Thai curry and harissa. Most diners describe carefully cooked, well-presented food, though a few detailed recent reviews report overcooked fish, soggy rösti, bland dishes or a disappointing chicken course. Expect a polished treat rather than bargain-pub pricing: a full meal commonly lands around £45-60 before drinks. Families are well catered for by the dedicated children’s menu: burger slider, tomato-and-basil linguine, mini fish and chips, gelato and brownie provide familiar choices. Reviews also describe successful family groups and celebrations, and the menu includes vegetarian and several gluten-free options. The main caveat is atmosphere: children and noise-sensitive diners may find peak periods boisterous, particularly beside large parties.
Area vibe: Affluent suburban town with commuter links and village fringe charm.
Safety: Generally safe, quiet streets with low crime and comfortable evening walking in village areas.
What's nearby: Near Solihull town centre and suburban villages, close to greenbelt countryside, small local shops and accessible by A-roads.
The safest bets range from pork belly and Sunday roasts to a dark chocolate and orange tart, while the menu also takes some more adventurous turns.
Expect destination-pub pricing and a lively peak-period atmosphere, with a few practical details worth checking before you settle the bill.
Its country-pub setting and open fire create a celebratory, relaxed feel, although peak periods can be much louder than the cosy surroundings suggest.