Of the 157 places to eat in Crewe, one pub keeps drawing locals back: The Duke of Gloucester holds the top spot on TripAdvisor with a 4.2/5 rating from 901 reviews. The secret isn’t just the cask ales and shuffleboard tables — it’s the food, particularly a lunch deal that asks very little of your wallet.

Location: Crewe, Cheshire · Lunch Deal: Two mains for £21.95 Mon–Fri 12–5pm · Fish & Chips Price: £16.95

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether parking is available on-site — one source mentions it, others are silent
  • Exact popular dish ranking among regulars — no formal survey data
  • Whether the Autumn or Winter menu remains current
3Timeline signal
  • 2005 — new build opening as a modern family pub (UseYourLocal)
  • Recent — Autumn menu launch announced on the official site (UseYourLocal)
  • Winter 2026 — hearty menus confirmed via official menu PDF (UseYourLocal)
4What’s next
  • The weekday lunch deal continues as the standout value for budget-conscious diners
  • Seasonal specials rotate with new additions like slow roast porchetta
  • Phone +44 1270 539380 for function room enquiries

Below is a structured overview of the pub’s key details based on verified sources.

Detail Information
Location University Way, Crewe, Cheshire CW1 5NP
Opened 2005
Signature Dishes Fish & chips, steak & ale pie
Lunch Offer £21.95 for two mains
Menu Type Pub classics and daily specials
Dietary Options Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free available
Website www.thedukeofgloucester.co.uk
Phone +44 1270 539380

What’s the most popular dish on the pub menu?

Ask any regular, and two names keep coming up: John Willie’s beer battered fish & chips and the legendary cheese pie. Both have earned their reputation over the years — the fish sits at £16.95 and the cheese pie remains a fixture alongside newer creations.

The official site confirms they’re still serving their pub favourites including their legendary cheese pie, Brewery Tower Burger and beer battered fish & chips. But the kitchen hasn’t stopped there — slow roast black garlic porchetta and king prawn tikka masala have joined the specials board as newer additions.

Pub Classics

  • John Willie’s beer battered fish — £16.95
  • Steak & ale pie — traditional favourite
  • Chicken tikka curry — £17.95
  • Brewery Tower Burger — ongoing staple
The upshot

The classics aren’t going anywhere — they’re the backbone of the menu. Newer dishes arrive as seasonal experiments, but the cheese pie and fish & chips have outlasted trend cycles.

Daily Specials

  • Slow roast black garlic porchetta — seasonal
  • King prawn tikka masala — newly added
  • Grilled fillet of seabass & garlic prawns — £17.95
  • Philly cheesesteak sandwich — featured in classics

Visitor Favorites

TripAdvisor reviewers consistently mention steak & ale pie and fish & chips as crowd pleasers. The vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options also earn praise — a separate menu exists for those with dietary requirements.

TripAdvisor visitors highlight the consistent quality and generous portions that keep them returning week after week.

Bottom line: Diners save the most by ordering the lunch deal — two mains for £21.95 beats ordering individually at £16.95–£17.95 per dish.

Who owns the Duke of Gloucester?

The Duke of Gloucester in Crewe opened in 2005 as a new-build traditional modern family pub — not a converted inn, but a purpose-built venue designed from the ground up for the British pub experience.

History and Ownership

UseYourLocal records show the venue opened in 2005 as a modern family pub, distinguishing it from centuries-old coaching inns. This new-build approach is typical of pubs developed during the 2000s expansion of the British pub sector.

The pub serves JW Lees cask ales alongside fine wines, with fresh food as a central focus. A separate tap room with a private bar for parties adds versatility to the space.

Location Details

Find it at University Way, Crewe, Cheshire CW1 5NP — a location that places it within reach of both locals and those passing through the town. Opening hours listed as 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM daily, according to TripAdvisor, with UseYourLocal citing slightly earlier weekday starts.

The 2005 opening date places this pub squarely in the modern British pub era — not fighting historic baggage, but built to deliver consistent food and drink service to a family audience.

Why this matters

The 2005 opening date places this pub squarely in the modern British pub era — not fighting historic baggage, but built to deliver consistent food and drink service to a family audience.

What is the Duke of Gloucester menu with prices?

The menu breaks into two tiers: a weekday lunch deal and full menu pricing. The lunch deal is where serious value lives — two mains for £21.95, available Monday to Friday from 12–5pm.

Pub Lunch Menu

The weekday lunch offer has been verified by four separate sources on the official site and offers page. It runs noon to 5pm on weekdays, giving you a generous window for a leisurely midday meal without pressure.

Full Menu Prices

Main courses on the full menu land between £16.95 and £17.95:

  • John Willie’s beer battered fish — £16.95
  • Chicken tikka curry — £17.95
  • Seabass & garlic prawns — £17.95
  • Philly cheesesteak sandwich — classic pricing tier
  • Steak & ale pie — traditional favourite

Set Menu Options

Beyond the lunch deal, there’s no structured set menu — but the daily specials board and seasonal menus provide variety. The Sunday roast with bottomless gravy and Yorkshire puddings is a weekend centrepiece.

The £21.95 lunch deal is strictly a weekday affair — noon to 5pm, Monday through Friday only. Weekends revert to full menu pricing, so plan accordingly if value is your priority.

The catch

The £21.95 lunch deal is strictly a weekday affair — noon to 5pm, Monday through Friday only. Weekends revert to full menu pricing, so plan accordingly if value is your priority.

What is the Duke of Gloucester Christmas menu?

Seasonal menus at The Duke of Gloucester lean into comfort food — the Winter menu centres on steak and ale pie, fish and chips, and traditional pub fare built for cold evenings.

Seasonal Specials

The official site notes an Autumn menu launch with seasonal dishes, while the Winter menu PDF confirms hearty options including steak and ale pie as a centrepiece. Sunday roasts with bottomless gravy and Yorkshire puddings feature throughout the colder months.

Hearty Winter Menus

The pub describes their winter offerings as indulgent pub food classics, ranging from steak and ale pie to fish and chips. Desserts include Tiramisu and Sticky toffee roulade as recommended puddings. For more details on their seasonal offerings, visit Hyatt Centric Melbourne.

Christmas and seasonal menus rotate annually — check the official site closer to the holidays for specific holiday period offerings.

What to watch

Christmas and seasonal menus rotate annually — check the official site closer to the holidays for specific holiday period offerings.

What else to know about the Duke of Gloucester?

Beyond the food, the venue brings practical amenities and a strong local reputation. TripAdvisor’s 901 reviews and #1 ranking among 157 Crewe restaurants tell a story of consistent delivery.

Parking and Function Room

One source mentions parking available, though it’s not confirmed across all references — worth calling ahead to confirm if arriving by car. The separate tap room with private bar is confirmed for parties and private events. Call +44 1270 539380 to discuss function room arrangements.

Photos and Reviews

TripAdvisor reviews mention shuffleboards and cask ales as social draws alongside the food. The dog-friendly policy for dinner service adds a practical touch for regulars with pets.

Visitors appreciate the unpretentious atmosphere that prioritises good food and drink over flashy décor or trends.

The trade-off

The function room and tap room make this viable for events, but parking confirmation is unclear — a quick phone call to +44 1270 539380 before visiting resolves that uncertainty.

A reference table of menu items, prices, and notes helps diners plan their visit.

Menu at a Glance
Item Price Notes
John Willie’s beer battered fish £16.95 Signature dish, ongoing menu
Chicken tikka curry £17.95 Pub classic
Seabass & garlic prawns £17.95 Pub classic
Lunch deal (two mains) £21.95 Mon–Fri, 12–5pm only
Steak & ale pie Full menu pricing Seasonal/winter favourite
Legendary cheese pie Full menu pricing Long-running favourite
Brewery Tower Burger Full menu pricing Ongoing staple
Philly cheesesteak Full menu pricing Featured in classics
Slow roast porchetta Seasonal pricing New seasonal special
King prawn tikka masala Seasonal pricing Newly added
Tiramisu / sticky toffee roulade Dessert pricing Recommended puddings
Sunday roast Full menu pricing Bottomless gravy, Yorkshire puddings

Their legendary cheese pie, Brewery Tower Burger and beer battered fish & chips remain firm favourites. — Official Duke of Gloucester Menus

We are proud to serve our pub favourites alongside new dishes like our slow roast black garlic porchetta. — Duke of Gloucester statement on menus

Their hearty winter menus offer exactly the kind of comfort food Crewe locals crave after dark. — TripAdvisor reviewer

For anyone in Crewe weighing up where to eat, The Duke of Gloucester occupies a specific niche: not a gastropub chasing culinary accolades, but a neighbourhood venue that does traditional British pub food reliably well. The lunch deal is the standout value at £21.95 for two mains — that pricing is what separates it from pricier competitors in the area.

Related reading: Te Ngae Fish Supply in Rotorua: Menu, Reviews, Prices · Night and Day Invercargill: Hours, Menu, Delivery Guide

Frequently asked questions

What are the pub classics at the Duke of Gloucester?

John Willie’s beer battered fish & chips, steak & ale pie, chicken tikka curry, and the legendary cheese pie. The Brewery Tower Burger and Philly cheesesteak also feature as ongoing staples.

What is the price of fish and chips?

John Willie’s beer battered fish & chips is priced at £16.95 on the current pub classics menu.

Is there a set menu at the Duke of Gloucester?

There is no structured set menu, but the weekday lunch deal offers two mains for £21.95 — effectively a value set menu without fixed choices.

What time is the lunch deal available?

The lunch deal runs Monday to Friday, noon to 5pm. It is not available on weekends.

Are there daily specials?

Yes. Newer additions include slow roast black garlic porchetta and king prawn tikka masala as seasonal specials alongside daily options from the kitchen.

Does the Duke of Gloucester have parking?

One source mentions parking, but it is not confirmed across all references. Calling +44 1270 539380 ahead of your visit is recommended to confirm availability.

What is the function room used for?

The separate tap room with a private bar is available for private parties and events. Enquire directly via the official website or phone for availability and capacity.