Beaconsfield Restaurant Guide

“The setting on the Thames at Sonning Eye is just fantastic, but better still, the quality of the food that comes out of the kitchen is always first class”, according to fans of this long-established and well-known Thames-valley institution, which has been owned by the Emmanuel family since 1972. “If you like formal, this is the place to go”, and while fans acknowledge that “it’s a little pricey”, they feel the investment is “well worth it for special occasions”. As well as its signature duck, spit-roasted over an open fire, it’s “very impressive wine list” is another feature (“we call it ‘The Bible’”).

“Incredibly original Indian cuisine served gracefully in a wonderful location” makes this well-commented-on Marlow destination one of the country’s top grand Indians outside the capital. “A beautiful dining room overlooking the Thames” and with a “fabulous view of Marlow Weir” (gorgeous in daytime, perhaps less impactful at night) is the venue for “an enormously enjoyable, fine-dining take on Indian cuisine that’s beautifully presented,: “with lovely spicing, but never being overwhelmed by too much heat”. It’s “one of those experiences where practically everything is spot on”.

Michael Mcdonald’s well-established favourite occupies an intimate room that’s part of a house that was, in days gone by, owned by TS Eliot. Fans continue to say its performance is “consistently excellent in all areas and amazing value”. As well as the à la carte menu, there is also now a five-course tasting option – at £60 per head for seven courses, it’s not punishingly priced by the standards of such offerings and fans say “it’s absolutely brilliant. You've got to go for it!”.

“Still worth the schlep across town”, says an E18-based fan of this “elegant corner of Chiswick” – “a brilliant, upscale neighbourhood restaurant” in a quiet backwater off the high street, which fans say is “pretty much on a level with its sibling Chez Bruce”; and which regularly features in the Top 40 most-mentioned restaurants in our annual diners’ poll. Like its famous Wandsworth Common stablemate, its culinary attractions include modern British cuisine that’s “up to date, with ingredients centre stage,” “complemented by a very fine wine list,” and with “a very good cheese selection”. But whereas reports this year often match the flawless pattern established over two decades (“just effortlessly excellent…”; “we have been regulars for a decade…never disappoints…”; “post-lockdown it continues to shine…”), there is also a growing minority concern that “while the food is still very good, the service has slipped”, with quite a few accounts of a “haphazard and brusque” experience. “Maybe it’s just because of these difficult times…”

“Exquisite” cooking is commended by diners at Ryan & Liam Simpson-Trotman’s well-rated venue, near Henley, where numerous reporters had their best meal of the year in our latest annual survey. There is a ten-course tasting menu for £130, but you don’t have to go the whole hog: there’s also a ‘half menu’ option (at £80) and an à la carte offering.

Laurie Gear’s “exceptional restaurant nestling in Old Amersham” has been “a favourite for two decades” and – having opened in 2002 – was “belatedly awarded a Michelin star” in 2019. “The best restaurant for miles” in this part of the outer burbs, it is one of the most commented-on restaurants in our annual diners’ poll. One or two reports did include some ‘rough edges’ this year (“a return to form after a former disappointment…”; “a couple of dishes were odd, but never boring!”) but the main theme was of “divine” food, “exceptional value tasting menus” and “delightful matching wines”, all delivered by “attentive and knowledgeable staff”. “I almost hate to give a good review as more people will find this true gem!”

If you remember ‘Four weddings’, this very characterful, beamed sixteenth-century pub in the town centre was the filming location for the bit where Hugh and Andie first start getting it together. Its food in recent years has been overseen by star Indian chef, Atul Kochhar, and is a highly rated curry favourite in (nearly) all reports.

Experience excellent food and fine wine in Crowne Plaza Marlow’s newly refurbished Glaze Restaurant in Marlow, AA Rosette awarded for its culinary excellence. Having recently undergone a huge refurbishment project, the Glaze Restaurant is now situated at the ...

“Within walking distance of the Monkey Island and Bray high street” – Giancarlo & Katie Caldesi’s “relaxed sister establishment to Caldesi in Marylebone” occupies a converted house complete with “a great bar and attractive glasshouse-type” addition. The dishes from its “excellent, typically Italian menu” are, say fans, “fantastic” and “the cost is rather like loose change compared to the nearby Fat Duck”.