The Crown at Bray

Lovely, cosy restaurant with attentive staff who clearly know the menu and recommend confidently. We enjoyed a superb starter of pâté and salmon, and mains of perfectly cooked duck and a tasty vegetarian tart. Everything tasted fresh and thoughtfully plated — service was friendly and speedy. Will definitely return.

⭐ Review: The Crown, Bray – Simon Bonwick at His Glorious Best I was genuinely excited to have the opportunity to dine at The Crown in Bray for a lunchtime booking. The Crown is no stranger to great chefs – it was once home to Heston, who is still only a few doors down – and the village itself remains one of the most extraordinary dining destinations in the world. Now, Simon Bonwick is back doing what he does best: running a proper British boozer with food that is unmistakably him. Maison Bonwick at The Crown is everything you want it to be. There’s a classic bar lined with real pickled eggs and onions, a warm welcome from the locals, and the sort of comforting charm that reminds you why the British pub endures. And then there’s the food – flavour-packed, honest, and cooked with complete confidence. Nothing on the plate is unnecessary; there are no gimmicks, just deeply satisfying cooking and sauces so good you’ll want to mop them up with some of the best bread I’ve had all year. Simon encouraged us to try his pigeon dish, served with two perfectly cooked breasts, beautifully diced vegetables, and one of those trademark sauces that quietly stop you in your tracks. For my starter, I chose the French Country Style Pâté, which was absolutely stunning. Generously served with chutney, cornichons and pickled silverskins, it was the perfect beginning to the meal. Next came the Goosnargh Duck with a Rather Nice Sauce of Rowanberry. The duck was cooked pink and tender, served with Simon’s mashed potatoes, carrots, and yet another glorious sauce that demanded to be mopped up – or scooped with your fingers when no one was looking. Dessert was pure nostalgia: the Warm Syrup Sponge with Vanilla Ice Cream – a proper steamed pudding and absolute heaven. My dining partner started with the Pickled Majtec Herrings, Potato ’n’ Dill, then moved on to a full main course of pigeon, followed by the Pie ’n’ Mash, which on the day happened to be rabbit. I managed to steal a little of the pie and it was superb. They finished with the Chocolate Sablé, Mousse & Orange, which disappeared very quickly. It is genuinely exciting to have Simon back behind the stove. The Crown is once again a must-visit – a pub with soul, heart, and cooking that stays with you long after you’ve left. An absolute gem in the heart of Bray.

Love the place. Only discovered a couple of weeks ago and am already on my second visit despite slicing half an hour away. Haven't eaten here yet but intend to soon. Great atmosphere and friendly happy staff.

Just had the most delicious meal here. Sunday roast with pate to start was my choice and it was amazing. The food is presented beautifully and there’s plenty!! The pub itself is a gorgeous 16th century building. Worth every penny!!! Staff are friendly and attentive too. Would definitely treat myself to another visit.

We went here for Sunday lunch but although the food was tasty a few things we experienced which I hope helps - - Roasts - only options were pork and beef (over £27!), no chicken or vegetarian options and never offer chicken apparently. This we were surprised at because not everyone is that keen on red meat (including me) and love a roast but would rather chicken or vegetarian option - Over priced. I think this is the most expensive roast I have ever seen on a menu - Serving size of the roasts could have been bigger really especially given the price - Roasts - lukewarm - Only 3 x small roast potatoes included - Lime and sodas £3.50! - Waiting time from ordering to receiving the mains were long - Sausage and mash £18.00 and rather small, more of a children’s portion. For the price one would expect either a bigger portion or some greens to be included We felt it was rather disappointing, however the carrots and red cabbage were especially delicious. The beef was soft and it was tasty but very overpriced.

Lovely team, nice bar though limited seating if you're only drinking. We visited for the weekend and the lad behind the bar recognised us and asked after our weekend plans which was nice. Very good food with some very nice touches. My chips were very slightly under, but not all of them. I have no idea how they make their peas and tartar sauce taste so good!

A lovely old pub with low ceilings and quirkiness throughout. The food was incredible and I can highly recommend the Rabbit and Gammon pie which was a gastronomic treat! Our server was a chatty Irish girl who explained the dishes fully making great suggestions throughout. Highly recommend.

Had the most amazing meal tonight, despite the place being very busy. So glad we booked a table. The atmosphere was wonderful with the fire going and our mains of Duck and winter tart were beautiful and tasty. Hopefully we will be back again soon.

Unless you're going to The Fat Duck, Bray isn't the first city that comes to mind when planning a trip to the UK. Since I was staying there two full nights and one of the nights was dinner at The Fat Duck, I intentionally made the other dinner as low-key chill as possible, which was the beer garden at the back of the Crown at Bray. Supposedly the owner is Heston Blumenthal, who is also the owner of The Fat Duck but unlike TFD it is not listed in the four restaurants that comprise the TFD restaurant group - apparently he wanted to keep this a local's pub. But ever since TFD and the other 3-star Michelin Waterside Inn arrived Bray has been the UK's culinary mecca so even the local pub food is already elevated. But just because it's pub food doesn't mean it's cheap... fish and chips here is a tad more than $20. BUT since it's the UK the price of a pint is regulated, so £6/pint is pretty sweet considering how the country is one of the most expensive to travel in the world. I visited here on two occasions, both in the afternoon. During the summer the back garden opens up and service is primarily held over there. You wouldn't be able to tell there was a garden just by looking at the pub. But on both occasions I had to be led into the back because if you didn't know your way you could get lost. On the first visit I just had a very small plate of kofte (think doner but meatballs) served with a dollop of yogurt cucumber with a beer. Simple in execution but delicious since TFD's dinner would've been a few hours later. The following day I went back for a full meal. Beer: Brixton Electric IPA (£6). This is an American-style IPA but better in execution. Being an IPA it's hop-forward but not overly so, as the beer is supposed to be a good balance between malt and hop. I normally don't like IPA's but considering that my meal was fish and chips, you want something as a palate refresher after eating hearty food. Fish & Chips, Crushed Peas, Homemade Tartare Sauce (£19.75). The fish here is haddock, which is more flavorful than cod. Love the skin because it was consistently crispy even 10 minutes later. The chips (fries) are triple-cooked, a method that first brought Heston to national acclaim. The end result is that by nature the fries are extra crispy and hold their crunch for a long time. Very good meal to wrap up my last day in Bray.

Came here as a party of six on a Monday night for dinner. Large outdoor tent setup with several heaters blowing in hot air during the cold evening. No issue getting a table as we were immediately seated and given menus. Started off with a Sipsmith Gin & Tonic (£8ish) - a refreshing drink that went well with a couple starters. For my main course, ordered the Pork Tenderloin (£25) - glazed sections of pork served alongside carrots, pig oyster, and sage crumb. Incredibly tender pork balanced by the hearty pig oyster. Finished the night off with the Praline Parfait (£10.50) - a domed dessert of praline, chocolate, and Pedro Ximenez. Not overly sweet or decadent; just a nice quick hit of praline flavor. Servers here came by often as they refilled waters and took more drink orders. Definitely worth stopping by no matter what time of year.

Fabulous dinner and service at The Crown. Ordered the Winter greens salad---fresh with a lite vinegar. So good. Paired was a beautiful chicken and mushroom pie---pastry so flaky , chicken so tender with mushrooms in a delightful white sauce. Licking the bowl crossed my mind,but I think it would have been frowned upon in such a nice establishment. The cheese platter is also delicious . The food and service are worth the little extra. Highly recommend.

Food was amazing and it was lovely and cosy inside. Dogs welcome, drinks were tasty and the team were on point

This place scores for its location as well as service. Their food itself is good but the whole experience makes it a bit more special. They have a massive garden at their back for seating in summer. I can imagine this place completely packed outside during summer. The menu is nice and a bit Indian for pub food (but it was good). Bray is a small place and this pub has very tough competition from its neighbours, however, their food and service are good and worth visiting more than once.

Heston Blumenthal's molecular gastronomy creations piqued my interest as soon as he rose to prominence and a couple of years ago I decided to embark upon a quest to experience each of his establishments. In doing so The Crown has since become one of my firm favourites as a place to eat. The pub is full of character, with low beamed ceilings and the welcoming aroma of a roaring open fire burning in the winter months. The menu usually consists of around 8 options for each course and changes often enough that only the most frequent visitors would struggle to find something new to try. The service is good and unhurried. You won't find the dishes as opulent as some of the fayre on offer across the road at The Fat Duck, but you won't get a bill like you would over there either. Although the prices are relatively high for pub food it still represents good value as this is no ordinary pub food! I've probably eaten here 10 or so times, and always come away having thoroughly enjoyed the experience. An optional 12.5% service charge is included in the bill and for a 3 course meal for 2 including wine my total is normally around the £100 mark

"It was lovely to be able to return to the Crown to celebrate special occasions once again. Food excellent as always, really like the new outdoor eating area & as always, the real stars are the friendly knowledgable staff (from chefs to waiters to management & all else) who always make each visit special. Thank-you & see you soon"

Excellent food in a really nice old pub. The soup we had was amazing and our mains were also very tasty. Our waiter was super friendly, accommodating with special vegetarian requests and he made sure we have everything we need. We had been at the sister restaurant cum cocktail bar down the road for pre-dinner drinks which are also recommendable. Both places were in traditional old buildings but very nicely appointed. Nice atmosphere, worth coming out here from Maidenhead for lunch or dinner.

Items Experienced: Fish and Chips with Minty Peas Bread and Butter Pudding Eton Mess Practically glowing as I exited The Hinds Head it was entirely at the recommendation of my server that I decided to "check out" Chef Blumenthal's second local pub and although admittedly quite full from the previous two hour's dining I simply couldn't help but peruse the menu as I walked past, a string of four words beckoning like beacons to a seat at The Crown. Ever the tight space with history seemingly well preserved despite controversy amongst locals who continually lament the loss of a patina of smoke and the cheap drinks of days past it was once again to warm pleasantries that I breached room's cusp and with eyes still adjusting to the darkness as I was informed that the kitchen was due to close in "two minutes" a hasty decision was made - a two-course meal ordered as I walked to the sunlit confines of the pub's open court. Clearly a bold move, yet one not entirely outside of my travel-dining 'norm,' it should probably go without saying that much like each of my three prior experiences Chez-Heston neither style nor service was lacking in the least within the cozy confines of The Crown and as a few remaining tables relaxed with wine it was on food no less impressive than that of its Michelin starred sibling that I dined, the plank of supple cod so dense with batter yet light in oil that it seemed like a trick - a similar compliment to the thick-cut chips, their starchy center proving even better than those just moments before. Turning next to the prize that originally bid me through the aged pub's doors it was with wide eyes that I watched my waitress from kitchen to table and sporting two plates large plates I suddenly wondered what I'd done - the answer never specified, but a lovely 'gift' of Strawberry Eton Mess tinged with zest of lime nonetheless offered alongside a smoldering pan of bruleed bread pudding I'll not soon forget.

A very nice friendly village pub. Located in the village of Bray, alongside the top restaurants of the Fat Duck & Waterside. The Crown is a very nice traditional pub. It has a nice clientele and is busy most nights. In the winter theyhave a lovely roaring fire and in the summer, they have a huge beer garden. So great all seasons pub. I do agree, a bit pricey but good food ad you are in the village of two of the top restaurants in the country!

The Crown Inn in Bray is a nice Gastro-pub in the centre of Bray with a nice beer garden and car park at the rear. On this occasion we just had a drink and some fresh home-made pork scratching. The staff were friendly and helpful and the beer garden very pleasant. The food looked good. I have eaten here a long time ago but not recently: looks worth a visit.

Great gastropub. Very cosy atmosphere, friendly personal, quick service, awesome food. Great place to spend time in an intimate setting with a significant other. Would be five stars if not for the price. Three courses, one ale, one espresso and one water for fifty quid. Well spent though.

Good location, very helpful service, and a great ambience -- although somewhat cosy, so if you are sensitive to voice levels it may feel a bit noisy. Staff extolled the fish and chips, but we were bent on meat, so we shared a portion as a starter. It was excellent, and whatever they do to the batter (something nitrogen something) works a treat: there's a perfect degree of crunch to the batter, and no sogginess. The chips that came with the dish were very good, with a good contrast of crunchy skin and soft interior. Our mains were a pair of Angus bavette steaks with marrowbone sauce, which were prepared perfectly (for rare and medium-rare requests), and were juicy and tender on the inside, with a lovely grilled flavour on the outside. It is very difficult (read: impossible) to prepare meat like this on a home range, this was just right. The chips that came with it, however, were not like the ones accompanying the fish & chips, but run of the mill stuff that you'd ignore at a lesser place. In this environment they were an insult to the steaks. We din't really have space for a desert, but were intrigued by the chocolate Cranachan, which apparently had chocolate and berries and whisky. It turned out to be an overly sweet concoction with an excess of cream -- neither chocolatey, nor generous in berries. The desert was so sweet it nearly spoiled the superb memory of the steaks. The espresso was good, though. With a couple of glasses of wine per person, the meal came to 60-something each.

A traditional pub with very good food. The food's a little expensive, but the concise menu is always reliable and good quality. In the bar, the good beers and a decent selection of wines make it a great place to go for a relaxed drink. For a more formal meal book a table in the restaurant area. Large beer garden is great in Summer. Wood fires inside make it cosy in winter.

Went as a walk-in on 3.4.11, they found us a table straight away. The Doom Bar bitter is the best bitter I have ever tasted. The roast beef is up there with one of the best ever. Service impeccable, hosting exceptional. Prices a little high but you definitely get what you pay for. Absolutely superb.

What a disappointment..menu great - service beyond despair! vegetables arrived cold, when asked to be heated up...disappeared for 20 mins by the time they came back the main courses were cold! ruined Easter Day lunch! Perhaps service lessons from Michael Roux would help. Waitresses talking huddled together ignoring clientele. Half hearted/abrasive apology at the end of the meal. How very disappointing.....Hind Head & The Fat Duck - by far the better options!

If you like fine dining but without all the faffing around, this might be the place for you. We had the table for the evening, which i wasnt expecting, and the service was pretty good despite the fact that the pub setting (small rooms low ceilings) makes it tricky to get around for the staff. I have no idea whether the head chef comes anywhere near the place these days but whoever cooked our food did an excellent job and id go back tomorrow if i could. £70 per head for 3 courses and wine was somehow a bit more than i was expecting to pay but it was worth every penny.

Agree with other reviews here - a very pleasant, comfortable pub run by friendly people. A decent selection of quality drinks, and the food is great. Mostly fairly traditional dishes, but well cooked and very tasty. The moules and Zrazzy Nelson beef fillets are particular favourites. The crackling fire is lovely in the winter. Overall well worth a visit.

can't agree with the comments made here. I run a country pub/restaurant and this is most definitely a goody. we ate just before christmas and had one of the most well-cooked, simple and tasty meals for a long time. Expensive food??? what planet are you people from? Staff were also very pleasant. Go here for a good night out, not to pick fault. My only problem is the crown is in bray and not herefordshire!

Great pub food! Melt in your mouth fish ...fresh minty peas and piping hot hand cut chips! Great service - reasonably priced! Definitely worth the trip! Building is picture perfect quaint! Desserts were delicious - try the crumble! Great selection of local beers...oh and get the bread ...it's a meal in itself!

I am sorry to say that being taken over by Heston Blumenthal seems to have ruined this great pub. This was my local some years ago and I have been eating regularly there for many years. When I ate there at lunchtime 3 weeks ago I was disappointed to see that this once vibrant and friendly local pub has turned into a stagnant imitation of the Hinds Head. The place was totally empty and the locals who used to drink in there were totally absent. All the staff have been changed and the atmosphere was totally flat. The food was ok but nothing to write home about and I missed the familiarity of the previous menu which hadn't changed significantly in years.

Nice looking pub inside and out and great to drop in to, but lacking the feel of a friendly local pub for some reason. prices high for drinks. cosy in winter with log fire. live 100yds away but never bother going in. hinds head bar up the road has friendlier locals

Wow! I can't believe all the negative comments about this place. I had a really nice lunch here, sat outside in the courtyard under vines on a warm day. The fish was perfect and the waitress was quiet but pleasant. Didn't try the beer. I'll go back