Three Broomsticks vs Leaky Cauldron, which is better and why?

[Tormania]

Trying to decide between these two places for a meal on our upcoming trip, so was curious for those that have been to both, which do you think is better and why? The menus are similar but there are some differences so just trying to get a feel which we should choose for a party of 10 people.

 

[macraven]

I have eaten at both and similar fare for them.

The decor is different for both of them.
Why not eat at one and the other drop in just for a butter beer?

 

[RamblingMad]

You get more UK like food at LC such as bangers and mash. You get more of a Boston Market menu at Three Broomsticks. I prefer seating arrangements in the Three Broomsticks. I usually eat at both and always get frozen butterbeer.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

You get more UK like food at LC such as bangers and mash. You get more of a Boston Market menu at Three Broomsticks. I prefer seating arrangements in the Three Broomsticks. I usually eat at both and always get frozen butterbeer.

Neither serve anything like any British food, I have ever eaten in the U.K.. What’s with the croissant on the full English plate? And a pie with beef, is a cottage pie, not a shepherd’s pie.

 

[RamblingMad]

Neither serve anything like any British food, I have ever eaten in the U.K.. What’s with the croissant on the full English plate? And a pie with beef, is a cottage pie, not a shepherd’s pie.

I agree. Some of it tastes good.

Now, I did find restaurants in Edinburgh that I liked. London I found awful for anything but curry.

 

[schumigirl]

I have eaten at both and similar fare for them.

The decor is different for both of them.
Why not eat at one and the other drop in just for a butter beer?

Good idea. Both are lovely for a drink of something or other....atmosphere and decor are lovely.....

We tend to stop in at The 3 B`s for a drink.

Neither serve anything like any British food, I have ever eaten in the U.K.. What’s with the croissant on the full English plate? And a pie with beef, is a cottage pie, not a shepherd’s pie.

lol.....isn`t it awful that`s what folks might think that`s what real British food is!! We too have never seen anything like it.....

Salad with a cornish pasty that`s not really a cornish pasty....and fish and chips that`s not chips, but wedges!

Food was a huge disappointment in both places....never went back.......when they serve up a good Aberdeen Angus steak with real chips, or a good old proper steak and ale pie, or a decent lamb dish, I`ll give it a try! But, most definitely not lamb and beef together love both meats but not in the same dish.....in a bread bowl!

 

[jennyq87]

We can never make this decision so we do both! 1st lunch and 2nd lunch

 

[Disneyfan754321]

We really like 3 broomsticks, with the big dining room we always get in.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

We were at 3 Broomsticks last week - weekday. Of our entire trip, the hint that said get there early was the best tip of all. We got in line at 10:50, with only 3 parties ahead of us. By the time we were seated, ordered on line, we got our food around 11:30. When we left, the line was LONG!! Through the back and forth, and past the restrooms. We enjoyed the fish and chips.

 

[Tormania]

We were at 3 Broomsticks last week - weekday. Of our entire trip, the hint that said get there early was the best tip of all. We got in line at 10:50, with only 3 parties ahead of us. By the time we were seated, ordered on line, we got our food around 11:30. When we left, the line was LONG!! Through the back and forth, and past the restrooms. We enjoyed the fish and chips.

Curious, did you have to wait to be seated before you could order or can you order ahead of time (or while waiting in line), similar to how it is done at WDW and select a return time?

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

I believe you can order before you sit down, but I waited because I hadn't set up my mobile ordering credit card yet. But you end up showing your order number to the server, so honestly, I wonder if they don't put your order in the "make our food now" queue until your server enters it. The reason I suspect this is that if you ordered your food while standing in line, and your food was prepared right away, your food may be ready before you are seated. I didn't see a prepare now - or "we are here" button/option like you do with the WDW mobile ordering.

 

[yulilin3]

Curious, did you have to wait to be seated before you could order or can you order ahead of time (or while waiting in line), similar to how it is done at WDW and select a return time?

You can order ahead of time but you have to queue up and get to the TM who then takes you're order number and sits you for your food to be prepared

 

[Jane Miller]

Couple of weeks ago when we were there, went to Three Broomsticks. Was after 1:00 and still crowded. Two of us and we ordered the two different soups and salads, a tea, a water, butterbeer potted cream and ice cream. Was fine with a bit of a que to get in and get table, that was to be expected; however, was more than 45 minutes after we were seated and I had hit the button to fix food. Ended up having to flag down a manager/supervisor and ask him to check. They knew we were there as had brought our drinks after first 10ish minutes. That was a really long time to wait for soup and a plain Jane salad. Food finally arrived 10 more minutes after he went to check, without the potted cream. He did send another TM to get it when I pointed it out on the ticket.

I had the leek and potato soup, friend had the split pea and ham. Soups were good but I wished the leek had a few chunks of potato instead of just creamed in. Salads were fresh but very basic. Much preferred the potted cream to the ice cream. We went mainly since friend was a Universal newb and huge HP fan. But almost an hour to be served such a simple order? Yeah, no.

 

[condorthb]

Question about the LC.

We have the Potter package, we have a scheduled 9:30 arrival time scheduled.

Does that mean arrive at 9:30 and then have to wait in line to enter or we arrive and get seated at 9:30.

 

[Alicefan]

I've eaten at both several times and I find that Leaky Cauldron just isn't very good, consistently. I'm always pretty happy with 3 Broomsticks though.