Harden's survey result
Summary
“A midsummer evening… drinks on the terrace overlooking the river… memorable” – and especially “great for special occasions”. That’s what the royal family thinks, anyway, about this Thames-side legend: one of few restaurants ever to have hosted them in the public dining area (and also, for private dining, the choice of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip as the venue to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary). Opened in 1972, and celebrating its 40th year of holding three Michelin stars in 2025 (first under the late Michel Roux, nowadays run by his son Alain) it is also one of the Top 10 most commented-on restaurants in our annual diners’ poll outside London; and is especially tipped for landmark celebrations with reports this year of successful 60th, 70th and 80th birthdays marked here. You don’t visit the Waterside for the latest in culinary trends – this is essentially “classic and refined” Gallic haute cuisine and “each element is so full of flavour” with “incredible attention to every detail” from a kitchen team headed by Fabrice Uhryn reporting to Alain. Deft, “welcoming and professional” service is intrinsic to its success, nowadays overseen by Frédéric Poulette, who began his working life as a commis waiter here aged 18. If anyone makes a complaint it’s that it’s “good only and overpriced” and that’s what drags ratings into more middle territory this year, not for the first time. For more diners though it’s just a case of “perfect food, done perfectly”. (“We’ve earned our spurs eating at the Fat Duck and Ynyshir in recent years, but the tasting menu at the Waterside was the best meal of my life. I wouldn’t go back to the first two, but I would definitely go back to the Waterside. My wife bought me a voucher for Xmas so we stayed the night along with two friends. The welcome, the rooms, the service, the tasting menu – all agreed it was outstanding. An expensive evening but an experience I will remember for years”.)
Summary
“A masterpiece of impeccable food and service” – Alain Roux is doing a fine job of steering the Thames-side flagship of the Roux culinary dynasty, founded by his late father Michel in 1972. It is one of the top-10 most commented-on destinations outside London in our annual diners’ poll and ratings were off-the-charts good this year, with it delivering “everything you would expect from a three Michelin star restaurant”. “This is formal fine-dining at its best” (jackets must be worn and sportswear is not permitted), with staff who “manage to make your experience feel individual and very special”. Of course, there’s a “price tag to match”, but even those who complain on this score (and a fair number do) generally go on to say something along the lines of: “even though I wouldn’t say it was quite worth it, it is a superb destination, even if you actually only go once, or just once a year for that (very) special occasion”. (The late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary here). There is a tasting menu as well as the à la carte, but at heart this is utterly classic French cuisine, with dishes such as: ‘Tartare et queues de langoustines d’Ecosse, caviar osciètre, macédoine de légumes au raifort et émulsion à l’estragon’. Especially in summer, it’s “a lovely setting too”, with pre-dinner fizz out on the terrace. “Superlative every time”. “A real gastronomic experience”.
Summary
“Traditional but still at the peak of its appeal” – Alain Roux’s Thames-side “stalwart of French haute cuisine” is “still the most glorious of gastronomic treats”. Founded by his late father, Michel, in 1972 – with the closure of Le Gavroche in early 2024, it now becomes the surviving flagship of the famous Roux dynasty. “Service is incredible”, with “the friendly staff offering the warmest of welcomes”; and the “magical setting” by the river “is very hard to beat” and means a summer meal here can start with a glass of fizz either on the waterside terrace, or actually on the river in their electric launch. The “sublime” cuisine is resolutely of the old school (a signature dish is ‘Lobster Medallions with Vegetable Julienne and White Port sauce); and backed up by an “exciting wine list” in a similar vein. “Obviously it’s also incredibly expensive” – to an extent a few regard as “clearly overpriced” – and some would argue “surpassed by quite a few other restaurants, despite its three stars”. But, “if you can afford it, this is THE place to go for romance and if you really want to splash out, the rooms overlooking the Thames are a perfect location for a night away (because one night is all you will be able to afford…)”
Summary
“Perfection… and in a perfect waterside location” – Alain Roux’s famous Thames-side bastion of haute cuisine (founded by his late father, Michel, in 1972) is “stunning in every sense” and above all for “a long summertime lunch”. Sit on the terrace or hop in the electric launch for your aperitif, before progressing to the comfy if old-fashioned Thames-side dining room, whose romance is enhanced by the “amazing view”. (It is one of the few in the UK to have publicly hosted her late majesty, Queen Elizabeth II). “Sophisticated, classical and luxurious French cuisine” is delivered by “incredibly attentive staff” who “make you feel like it’s their privilege to have you there (as opposed to some other places, where you’re made to feel the privilege is all yours)” – all part of an experience often described as “flawless”. “It is, of course, insanely expensive, so it very much helps if someone else is paying”. But, on practically all accounts, it’s worth the hit to your mortgage: “I just want to eat here again before I die!”
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Waterside Inn?
Ferry Rd, Bray, SL6 2AT
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £210.00 | £265.00 |  |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 275.00 | Always available | 7 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £60.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £10.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
Ferry Rd, Bray, SL6 2AT
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 7 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 7 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 7 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 7 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm |
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