Hardens Guide to the Best Restaurants in Watlington
Hardens guides have spent 34 years compiling reviews of the best Watlington restaurants. On Hardens.com you'll find details and reviews of 100 restaurants in Watlington and our unique survey based approach to rating and reviewing Watlington restaurants gives you the best insight into the top restaurants in every area and of every type of cuisine.
Featured Watlington Restaurants
1. Cherwell Boathouse
British, Modern restaurant in Oxford
Bardwell Road - OX2
“One of Oxford’s classiest dining establishments” – “the location and atmosphere are hard to beat” at this beautifully situated destination on the banks of the river Cherwell – a working boathouse for punts, which has been in operation for over five decades – and which unsurprisingly is “lovely by the water in summer” and “very cheery” inside too: so “very much a place to head for” for many an occasion. It has long been known for its “deep wine list”, but the straightforward food too “has come a long way in recent years and just seems to get better every time” – “not cheap but well worth it”.
2. Sindhu
Indian restaurant in Marlow
The Compleat Angler - SL7
“A lovely view of the weir at Marlow and over the Thames” through old-fashioned leaded glass windows is a highlight at this “friendly and professional” outpost of star chef Atul Kochhar, which – true to the contrasts of 21st-century Britain – aims to pay homage to his love of Indian cuisine in the environs of a “pretty” dining room by the river whose situation is archetypal of the traditional English Home Counties. On most accounts, his team provides “exceptional” cuisine that’s “sometimes full-on Indian” but mostly “a subtle, not-too-fiery fusion”. Ratings, though, are dragged down this year by a minority who find its performance “very average”. Top Menu Tips – “sublime Dal Makhani”; “the best ever soft shell crab and amazing monkfish”.
3. The Sir Charles Napier
British, Modern restaurant in Chinnor
Spriggs Alley - OX39
“Charming… heart-warming… brilliant” – “There’s no better place in England to enjoy quality cuisine in the atmosphere of a friendly neighbourhood gastropub” according to fans of Julie Griffiths’ renowned hostelry, which has operated “off the beaten track”, deep in the Chilterns countryside (not far from the M40), for the best part of four decades. “Worth the effort of the drive” for fans from far afield, it is “still turning out brilliant food” and “the surroundings are second to none” with both the “lovely, cosy pub interior” and charming garden, complete with sculptures. “Interesting wine” is also a key feature. “Prices can raise an eyebrow” though – no change there then over very many years.
4. The French Horn
French restaurant in Sonning-on-Thames
‘We are closed for a holiday period – looking forward to seeing you soon’ is – as of October 2025 – the message on the website (and answer-machine) of this famous Thames Valley institution, in a gorgeous Thames-side position at Sonning Eye and famous for its spit-roasted duck. Owned by the Emmanuel family since 1972, it went on the market in September 2023 but we can find no record of any sale, and it seems to have been closed for most of 2025. Will it reopen?
5. Home Sweet Home Inn
restaurant in Wallingford
Roke - OX10
2024 Review: “Excellent pub food in Chilterns countryside” is to be had at this cosy seventeenth-century country pub in the hamlet of Roke, near Wallingford. The straightforward menu specialises in grills, and if you still have room for cheese afterwards there’s a notably good selection.
6. Orwells
British, Traditional restaurant in Binfield Heath
Shiplake Row - RG9
“As always, outstanding food” is again reported at Ryan & Lian Simpson-Trotman’s converted 18th-century pub in the lush countryside surrounding Henley-on-Thames – “a brilliant place that’s always a delight to visit”. There’s an à la carte menu with two courses for £65 per person or you can opt for a seven-course tasting menu for £130 per person.
7. The Chequers Inn
British, Modern restaurant in Weston Turville
35 Church Lane - HP22
It fits the bill as a “good traditional pub” but the food (from Pine Nut and Feta Lasagna, to Berkshire Downs lamb pie, with zingara sauce) is high-end at this country inn, set amidst the Bucks countryside and run by Ranka Lani, who began her career at Soho’s Bar Italia.
8. The Lamb Inn
British, Modern restaurant in Little Milton
High Street - OX44
“A very knowledgeable team with an interesting and varied selection of dishes” wins praise for this 16th-century thatched village pub near Oxford (under its current ownership since 2022). Ex-Manoir chef, Nat Berney, produces a seasonally changing menu that’s of restaurant quality rather than being especially pub-like (for example Côte de Boeuf to share or Whole Lemon Sole in Rose Harissa Butter). More reports please!
9. The Vanilla Pod
French restaurant in Marlow
31 West St - SL7
“Year after year the food is consistently excellent and the value incredibly high” at Michael & Steph Macdonald’s well-established fixture, which they founded over 18 years ago in a house once occupied by poet TS Eliot. “Whether it’s the excellent value set lunch or the full tasting menu” you opt for, all reports are full of praise (“I hadn’t been to the Vanilla Pod since before the Pandemic, so was delighted to discover that it was still in business and as good as ever”; “I have yet to have a course I didn’t enjoy”). “Others in the locale get more publicity, but in reality offer less for more”.
10. The Bottle & Glass Inn
British, Modern restaurant in Binfield Heath
Bones Lane - RG9
A short drive from Henley-on-Thames, this thatched pub, has a “modern dining room extension to a traditional wood-beamed interior”. Classic pub dishes (for example steaks or honey-glazed ham, egg and chips) are served alongside more ambitious fare, including venison from the surrounding Phillimore Estate.
11. Glaze at Crowne Plaza Marlow
British, Modern restaurant in Marlow
Fieldhouse Lane - SL7
Experience excellent food and fine wine in the 4 silver star 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 no...
12. Olivier at the Red Lion
British, Modern restaurant in Britwell Salome
2023 Review: Chef-patron Olivier Bouet, who had presented “excellent rustic French cuisine” at this Chilterns village gastropub for five years, recently moved on, and the new owners reopened in July 2022, announcing their plans for an ‘eclectic modern British menu with South African influence and popular grill favourites. Every item on the menu will be made on the premises’. It’s a big change of style, hence for the time being we’ve left it unrated.
13. The Crazy Bear, Thai Dining Room
British, Modern restaurant in Stadhampton
Bear Ln - OX44
2022 Review: Despite its weird and wonderful decor, this lavishly decked out hotel not far from Oxford – a fixture of the area for over a quarter of a century – attracts relatively little feedback nowadays. It’s all still positive though, especially when it comes to the Thai dining room (there’s also a more traditional, British one). Service is “very engaged” and the classic twelve-dish sharing menu “well presented and flavoured food that reflects the cuisine”, without being “touristy”.
14. Mash Inn
British, Modern restaurant in Radnage
Horseshoe Rd, Bennett End - HP14
2023 Review: “Foraged food prepared over a fire: unbeatable?” – Nick Mash’s higgledy-piggledy village inn is “an absolute treasure of a place”, with “really interesting, special cooking” on a purpose-built wood-fired grill that helps achieve outstanding results. It’s “well worth the trip” to the Chilterns, “(and the beautiful rooms mean it’s worth the stay, too)”. We’ve rated it in the hope that it can maintain the high standards set by former chef Jon Parry, who departed in mid-2022 after five years at the helm.
15. Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons
French restaurant in Great Milton
Church Road - OX44
It’s the end of a storied era at this famous Oxfordshire manor house – a permanent fixture on the annual Harden’s 100 list of the UK’s best restaurants – which is to close for 18 months: from January 2026 until summer 2027. Its original founder, 75-year-old Raymond Blanc, is stepping back from his role as chef-patron to become a “lifetime ambassador” and there will be a “visionary redevelopment” by owners Belmond (part of French-owned luxury goods conglomerate LVMH) who acquired it in 2014. Opened 41 years ago, it has long been a leader of the British gastronomic scene, a training kitchen for generations of young chefs and a pioneer of sustainable cuisine. It’s a lifetime work that helped Raymond earn his Légion d’honneur in 2013 in recognition by La Patrie of his services to culinary excellence. As to the future: according to the press release: “The redevelopment will allow Le Manoir to evolve for the future, to meet the needs of the modern guest while staying true to its soul and values. It is not simply a renovation, but a reinvestment into sustainability, in creativity, and in the spirit of excellence that has defined us”.
16. The Crooked Billet
British, Modern restaurant in Stoke Row
Newlands Ln - RG9
One of the UK’s first wave of modern gastropubs (est. 1989, pipping the Eagle in Farringdon by a couple of years), this Chilterns village boozer serves an “imaginative menu which changes daily” in a “great atmosphere”. But there’s more to it: founder Paul Clerehugh is a former guitarist with 1970s glamrockers The Sweet, and organises “great music nights” in the pub’s heated marquee, attracting an eclectic line-up of performers (George Harrison in the early years; last year, Nigel Kennedy, the Bay City Rollers and Geno Washington).
17. The Golden Ball
British, Modern restaurant in Henley-on-Thames
Lower Assendon - RG9
“What a gem of a gastropub” – “creativity and good value” (“the set lunch menu is a tremendous bargain”) are the hallmarks of the cooking from chef Ben Watson, who returned to his home district in 2022 after working for some of London’s top chefs (Gordon Ramsay, Jason Atherton, Clare Smyth) to take over this well-established foodie venue just outside Henley. His wife Priya (ex-Gymkhana) runs the front of house, and the occasional South Asian twist on the modern British menu reflects her heritage.
18. The Chequers
British, Traditional restaurant in Burcot
Abingdon Road - OX14
2022 Review: “Some pubs in the Cotswolds really go above and beyond, and this is one of them” – Steven Sanderson’s 400-year-old thatched village boozer with rooms (and garden) offers “lots of interesting small dishes as well as the usual suspects” (notably grass-fed British steak).
19. The Greyhound
British, Modern restaurant in Henley-on-Thames
Gallowstree Rd, Peppard Common - RG9
In summer 2023, citing the need to ‘slow down’, TV chef Antony Worrall Thompson bowed out from his Oxfordshire gastropub after nearly two decades at the helm (the latter part of which was overshadowed by controversies relating to its anti-vaxxer stance, and, more recently, a worrying hygiene rating). While David Brown, who heads up Marlow’s Royal Oak has stepped into AWT’s shoes (the latter will remain on hand as a consultant), head chef Jamie Webber remains from the previous line-up, which should ensure continuity when it comes to the popular venue’s “generous” and “well-cooked” pub grub.
20. The Mole Inn
British, Modern restaurant in Toot Baldon
“Definitely a good choice if you’re in the area” – i.e. just five miles from the dreaming spires of Oxford – this “very comfortable country pub” boasts one of the best gardens in these parts and is particularly appealing come summer. Some feel the menu is “limited” and “relatively expensive”, albeit “generally good with some unusual dishes”, much local sourcing, and a fair selection of veggie-friendly options.
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