The Thames Valley Restaurants

Londoners weekend here, and where they go, stellar restaurants follow. Bray (near Windsor), Marlow, and Great Milton (near Oxford) claim some excellent tables; you need to book months ahead for these. Simple pub food, as well as classic French cuisine, can be enjoyed in waterside settings at many restaurants beside the Thames. Even in towns away from the river, well-heeled commuters and Oxford professors support top-flight establishments. Reservations are often not required but are strongly recommended, especially on weekends.

Sort by: 5 Recommendations {{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }} 0 Recommendations
CLEAR ALL Area Search CLEAR ALL
Loading...
  • 1. Branca

    $$

    While visitors don't need much persuading to venture out of the town center to the trendy nearby enclave of Jericho, Branca's charming interior, vibrant atmosphere, and solid menu of Italian classics provides yet more allure for the neighborhood. À la carte options inside the rustic, airy corner restaurant include everything from stone-baked pizza to risotto along with a wide selection of meat and fish dishes. Look out for the lunchtime and supper specials and be sure to check out the next-door deli.

    111 Walton St., Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX2 6AJ, England
    01865-807745

    Known For

    • Great lunchtime and dinner set menu deals
    • Popular weekend brunches
    • Deli next door provides perfect picnic food
  • 2. Crooked Billet

    $$$

    It's worth negotiating the maze of lanes leading to this cozy, 17th-century, country pub 6 miles west of Henley-on-Thames. Choices could include John Dory with anchovy beignet and duck leg and lardons cooked in red wine. British cheeses and filling desserts round out the meal. There's a garden for open-air dining and live music on many evenings. Fixed-price lunches are a good deal. The restaurant is popular, so book ahead.

    Newlands La., Stoke Row, Oxfordshire, RG9 5PU, England
    01491-681048

    Known For

    • Old pub atmosphere
    • Booking ahead is necessary
    • Garden for open-air dining
  • 3. Hinds Head

    $$$$

    Fat Duck's esteemed chef Heston Blumenthal owns this Michelin-starred pub across the road, where he sells less extreme dishes at more reasonable prices. A brilliant modern take on traditional English cuisine, the menu may include roast chicken and smoked almonds, or stone bass with mussel and saffron broth. The atmosphere and dress code are relaxed, and the look of the place is historic, with exposed beams, polished wood-panel walls, and brick fireplaces. There's also a menu for kids. It gets busy, so book ahead if you can.

    High St., Bray, Windsor and Maidenhead, SL6 2AB, England
    01628-626151

    Known For

    • Famed celebrity chef
    • Historic ambience
    • Big crowds so booking ahead is smart

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.--Tues. No dinner Sun.
  • 4. The Three Tuns

    $$

    Walk past the cozy bar in this traditional 17th-century pub to eat in the snug dining room with the clutch of locals who come nightly for the traditional British comfort food. Plates such as beer-battered fish-and-chips or local butcher's sausages and mashed potatoes are easy crowd-pleasers. They also do a popular traditional roast on Sunday at lunchtime.

    5 Market Pl., Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 2AA, England
    01491-410138

    Known For

    • Excellent traditional savory pies
    • Lovely old pub atmosphere
    • Delicious desserts
  • 5. Vanilla Pod

    $$$$

    Discreet and intimate, this restaurant is a showcase for the French-inspired cuisine of chef Michael Macdonald, who, as the restaurant's name implies, holds vanilla in high esteem. The fixed-price menu borrows the flavor of a French bistro and shakes it up a bit, so you might have filet mignon with polenta or something more adventurous, such as fennel escabeche with mackerel and vanilla. The three-course lunch menu is a fantastic bargain at £25, and the seven-course menu gourmand for £60 is a tour de force.

    31 West St., Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 2LS, England
    01628-898101

    Known For

    • French-inspired cooking
    • A flair for vanilla
    • Great value set lunch

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon., Reservations essential
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

No Restaurants Results

Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:

There are no results for {{ strDestName}} Restaurants in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:

Recommended Fodor’s Video