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The Crown at Bray

Berkshire, Bray - British - Pub - £££

Unpretentious pub offering good value for the area

Overall Rating: Good

Uniqueness:Does the establishment stand out in the context of the local area? Good

Deliciousness:How delicious is the food? Good

Warmth:How warm is the service and the hospitality in general? Very Good

Strength of recommendation:How enthusiastically and widely would you recommend the establishment? Good

* 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.

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VENUE DETAILS

High Street
Bray
Berkshire
SL6 2AHGB

01628 621936

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OTHER INFORMATION

Separate bar, No background music, Outdoor dining, Wheelchair access, Parking, Family friendly, Dog friendly, Credit card required

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