Basingstoke Restaurant Guide

This “truly exceptional” establishment near the Hampshire/Berkshire border strikes “a nice balance between a traditional pub and a gastropub, combining the best of both”. Jason King & Simon Page are notching up their 21st year here in 2025, and “the consistency of the quality over the last two decades has been great”, with “delicious food” on a blackboard menu that’s “always interesting” and “impeccable service”.

A Georgian country house hotel packed with British post-war art and “within easy reach of London” for the mini-break set; Skye Gyngell of Petersham Nurseries Café fame oversees the two restaurants, with Marle being the fancier, orangery-style dining room with a Michelin Green Star reflecting the hotel’s focus on sustainability. As in previous years, not everyone is convinced by the pared-back dishes, with those who “enjoyed the occasion” counterbalanced by those who found it “somewhat lacking – expected more”. But even cynics concede it’s still “above average”.

The ‘live-fire’ option at this Hampshire spa hotel offers “excellent if expensive food from the marvellous Skye Gyngell”, making best use of “lovely locally grown ingredients” and of an informal setting in the old stable block – for some guests it’s their “favourite of the Heckfield Place restaurants”, in preference to the more formal dining room-based Marle.

“A long-established restaurant that has moved with the times” from classically trained chef-patron Keith Marshall and his wife Julie, who have together provided “consistent quality cooking with excellent service” for almost four decades, in a pair of elegantly converted 16th-century cottages with a beautiful garden boasting views over Watership Down.

Basque-influenced cuisine – much of it from the charcoal grill – is now the order of the day at this “beautifully situated” pub, deep in the back-of-beyond of West Berkshire (in fact quite close to the M4, though you’d never know). The days when it was famous for its game dishes are gone – today you will discover an assortment of tapas plus more substantial fare – from Catalan fish stew to ‘12 Hour Lamb Shoulder’. Fans say it’s "really lovely” and “very well executed”. On the downside, one or two old timers can’t get with it. (“I really want to like this pub, I have been coming for years and its situation and ambience is idyllic, quintessential English countryside. But the prices are expensive and the tapas-style small plates and mains to share just aren’t that inviting”).

This “Reading institution” occupying an 18th-century tollhouse in the town centre has “had a few ups and downs over the last 25 years, but this year is back on top form with a solid menu and excellent service”. Self-taught chef owner Paul Clerehugh, a former rock guitarist with Sweet, also runs the Crooked Billet music pub in Stoke Row (see also).

“It would be damning with faint praise to say that this is one of Reading’s better restaurants, but it certainly is” – a “striking” and “carefully converted Lido” with spa, where you dine poolside and enjoy the “romantic” and “soothing” spectacle of “watching others swim whilst you eat”. “The dishes nod towards the Mediterranean and feature a wealth of flavours and textures”, as well as feeling “healthy and wholesome” (except, that is, the “naughty but nice” desserts). Some regulars here this year, though, said the food was “good, but not as good as on our last visit”.

“A charming venue in a picture-postcard village location” – this “excellent” pub-with-rooms has a “lovely bright restaurant serving superb food” with influences from around the world, and a “good range of private dining options”. Charles I is said to have dined here during the English Civil War.

Relaunched in January 2024 by the owners of the nearby 16th-century country house estate Avington Park – who stepped in to save the day after receiving a letter from villagers aghast at the closure of their beloved local – this “recently refurbished, attractive pub” is once again back in business. Nowadays there’s a “lovely outdoor terrace”, plus a village shop and deli, and rooms should you wish to overnight; on the food front, “good” small plates and pub classics, and it’s also “perfect for a traditional Sunday lunch”.

2023 Review: “A wonderful country experience” is reported at this rural inn (‘The Hodd’), run by the Barnes family since 2015, whose concise menu aims for superior realisation of classic pub dishes.

This August 2025 newcomer (opened too late for any feedback in our annual diners’ poll) occupies a converted 16th-century pub and is run by Kelly Shaw, a first-time publican, joined by chef Tristan Lee, previously chef-owner of the well-regarded Restaurant Tristan in Horsham (who has returned to the stoves after a two-year sabbatical). The aim is ‘not about chasing trends’ but an all-day kind of pub with food that’s ‘simple, seasonal and soulful’ from a short evolving menu (sample dishes include Spiced Monkfish with pakora; Pork Schnitzel with samphire and fennel remoulade; and Lemon Meringue Pie). There are also carefully curated beers, wines and cocktails.

A menu of ‘British Tapas’ “changes regularly and the wine list has loads on it to love” at this popular venue, in a very scenic townhouse, next to the bridge and overlooking the River Kennet, in the centre of the town, also praised for staff who are “always welcoming, but never stuffy”.

“A revelation and, given the mass of chains in Reading, a wonderful surprise” – Nandana and Sharat Syamala’s “full-on” subcontinental blends “decidedly different” dishes from Andhra and Hyderabad, the two South Indian regions from which they hail; its many fans claim it turns out the “best Indian food, period” (“rich, fragrant and mind-blowing”, “original” and “ultimately good value”, too). There’s also a roaring takeaway service (partly owing to the muted atmosphere), and even those who think it “a bit over the top to order Indian food from Reading (where the restaurant moved in 2024) rather than buy from the local Indian” report it’s “definitely worth it” if you do.

2023 Review: After months of restoration, this 17th century Georgian building near Newbury re-opened in January 2022 and now boasts a traditional pub, very attractive pitched-roof dining room in contemporary style and 30-bed coaching inn, as well as a covered garden terrace. No feedback as yet in our annual diners’ poll – reports please!