The Crown at Bray
Berkshire, Bray - British - Pub - £££
Unpretentious pub offering good value for the area
* Simon Bonwick is taking over as chef-patron of the Crown at the end of March 2025, but will continue to run the Troublesome Lodger in Marlow as normal. * It’s easy to feel sorry for the villagers of Bray (no, really). They can hardly emerge from their front doors without tripping over starry temples to gastronomy and a slew of celebs. Small wonder, then, that they cherish this disarmingly unpretentious old English pub (sibling to The Oarsman in Marlow), praised for its ‘lovely local atmosphere’, its ‘articulate and knowledgeable’ staff, and its ‘superbly cooked’ Sunday roasts. Dark beams, wood-burning stoves and venerable ale-drinkers reading newspapers set the lunchtime scene. Outside, a large beer garden beckons in warm weather. The food follows suit, with a brief set menu (a bargain for Berkshire) augmented by a concise carte of mostly pub classics, executed with care. A neat, tasty square of ham hock terrine, well-matched with piccalill...
* Simon Bonwick is taking over as chef-patron of the Crown at the end of March 2025, but will continue to run the Troublesome Lodger in Marlow as normal. *
It’s easy to feel sorry for the villagers of Bray (no, really). They can hardly emerge from their front doors without tripping over starry temples to gastronomy and a slew of celebs. Small wonder, then, that they cherish this disarmingly unpretentious old English pub (sibling to The Oarsman in Marlow), praised for its ‘lovely local atmosphere’, its ‘articulate and knowledgeable’ staff, and its ‘superbly cooked’ Sunday roasts. Dark beams, wood-burning stoves and venerable ale-drinkers reading newspapers set the lunchtime scene. Outside, a large beer garden beckons in warm weather.
The food follows suit, with a brief set menu (a bargain for Berkshire) augmented by a concise carte of mostly pub classics, executed with care. A neat, tasty square of ham hock terrine, well-matched with piccalilli, might precede steak or something fancier such as our succulent little slab of hake on orzo with seafood bisque, which we teamed with a side of grilled hispi cabbage, truffle mayo and crispy shallots – a dish that would have made quite an appealing vegetarian dish in its own right. To finish, a slice of dense, creamy strawberry cheesecake did the trick. Only the drinks list hints at the moneyed locale, with a batch of extravagant fine wines tagged on to the otherwise moderately priced list. Oh, and the odd Bentley lurking in the car park.
VENUE DETAILS
High Street
Bray
Berkshire
SL6 2AH
01628 621936
OTHER INFORMATION
Separate bar, No background music, Outdoor dining, Wheelchair access, Parking, Family friendly, Dog friendly, Credit card required