Eating & Drinking In Surrey

Introduction

Here are some of the pubs and restaurants that I've visited in Surrey that I've liked. Alongside each entry I've made a note of when I last visited the pub or restaurant so you know how up-to-date the descriptions are.

As with all the sections on my site, the views expressed here are totally my own.

View a Google Map of my favourite pubs and restaurants in the Woking and Guildford areas.

Woking & Horsell Area

The Bridge Barn

Bridge Barn Lane, Woking - 01483 763642
This pub has been converted to a Beefeater - a brand I thought had disappeared years ago. In reality it doesn't really seem to have made a huge amount of difference.

The last time I visited the staff seemed fairly efficient but in the summer they appeared to struggle to cope with the number of outside drinkers, so empty glasses and plates can pile up. Hopefully they'll have that sorted ready for next spring and summer.

A playground for your kids is available too.

Last visited: October 2007

Larger photos of the Bridge Barn, Woking

The Castle

Brox Road, Ottershaw - 01932 872373
Traditional-style country pub in Ottershaw village with cosy bars and friendly staff. Tasty food is available and it's well presented with large portions when we've been there. A rotating selection of well kept beers are available.

Last visited: Summer 2004

The Cricketers

Horsell Birch, Horsell - 01483 762363
Large rambling traditional-ish pub on the north side of Horsell village on the edge of the common. Friendly atmosphere and the staff seem to know what they are doing. The pub changed hands recently and the separate restaurant area has gone but food is still available - it was pretty good on the last visit.

There is a climbing frame for the kids too.

Usually a couple of well-kept real ales are present.

Last visited: July 2006

The Jolly Farmer

Burdenshot Road, Worplesdon - 01483 234658
Excellent pub and restaurant in the country near Worplesdon station. On a Sunday visit the pub was very full and booking a table is advisable if you want to eat - although there is a large garden for the warmer days. The menu is not extensive but the food is very good.

This has been a Fuller's pub for a couple of years now and the beer is generally good. The usual guest beer slot was occupied by a Gales beer on my last visit - not really a guest beer for a Fullers pub, although it was tasty. Children are allowed but apart from high chairs there are no special provisons for them.

Last visited: July 2007

Namaste

21 High Street, Woking GU21 6BW - 01483 773311
The High Street just by the station in Woking is not exactly buzzing with shops, but it does contain some of the best restaurants in Woking.

Namaste opened in autumn 2007 on the site of the old Gurkha Hat nepalese restaurant and it is now my favourite restaurant in Woking. It offers both nepalese and indian dishes and they always seem to be well prepared and very tasty.

There is a full menu but I tend to visit at lunch times when they offer a good value buffet for £6.95. You can try as much or as little as you want from a selection of starters and main courses, and rice and naans are included too - just ask for them when you need them. There are also early evening deals too. Wash it all down with a bottle of the Gurkha beer - most refreshing.

Last visited: May 2008

The Plough

Cheapside, Horsell - 01483 714105
I used to go here a bit when I first lived in Woking and it was really good. Then it changed hands and in my view went downhill rapidly so I stopped going. Heard that it had improved and so I dragged my wife and daughter here on a warm evening to check it out.

The pub is on the south side of Horsell common and can be quite hard to find if you don't know it's there. This probably accounts for the noticeable 'locals' feel to the pub - but in the friendly sense. The bar staff were quick and efficient but with a human touch too. If you're eating look out for the extensive specials menu featuring many homemade dishes - although judging by the insistent pinging of the microwave I don't think the dishes are cooked to order. That said the food was OK.

The garden is a pleasant sun trap and there are some bits of play equipment for your younger kids in the shade. They have a good selection of beers - some constants, some rotating - and the two I had tasted pretty good.

Last visited: August 2006

The Rowbarge

39 St Johns Road, St Johns, Woking - 01483 761618
Recently refurbished pub near the canal in St Johns village. The original pub was obviously quite small but it's been extended at some point and there is also a hotel behind the pub now.

Food is available at lunch times and evenings. Well-kept real ales are available - but the drinks prices might make you gasp a little. Large garden (with children's play area) for summer days.

Last visited: Summer 2005

Larger photos of the Rowbarge, St Johns, Woking

Sovereigns

Guildford Road, Woking GU22 7QQ - 01483 751426
I've lived in Woking for seven years as I write this but I know people who have lived in the town for a lot longer. When I told one of them that I was planning to visit Sovereigns for their beer festival they looked a little shocked. Apparently this pub has had a bad reputation in the past and has been burnt down more than once. However I have to say that I think it's one of the best pubs in Woking and I have been back a few times since.

The pub is located on the south side of the railway near the Victoria Way bridge. It's quite large inside with many different seating areas. Their is a small 'garden' area outside too. The atmosphere feels really friendly and relaxed, although it is not a 'children friendly' pub. There is a regular pub quiz on Wednesday nights too.

Food is available and the couple of meals I've had have been tasty. Other review sites have commented that it can take a while to get served here but that has not been my experience. The beer festival was excellent and I drunk far too much. On other visits the beer selection has been interesting and they've all tasted well-kept. See you there!

Last visited: February 2008

Larger photos of The Sovereigns, Woking

Tuu

1 St Johns Road, St Johns, Woking - 01483 726290
Large two-floor restaurant serving Chinese and Thai food by the canal bridge in St Johns.

The menu here is extensive and the food is excellent. Bookings can be a good idea later in the week and at weekends. The fixed-price Sunday buffet offers good value and a chance to try things you've not had before.

The staff are really friendly and we always get a good reception when we go. They have high-chairs available too and a welcoming attitude to children.

Last visited: March 2008

Larger photos of Tuu Restaurant, St Johns, Woking

Vojon

2 St Johns Road, St Johns, Woking - 01483 725354
Small Indian restaurant in St Johns Village. Recently refurbished but still serving great meals. You need to book for meals later in the week and at weekends.

Last visited: 2004

Larger photos of Vojon Indian Restaurant, St Johns, Woking

Wetherspoons (Woking)

51 Chertsey Road, Woking - 01483 722818
Officially known as the Herbert George Wells the Wetherspoons in Woking is a large busy pub situated in the centre close to the station. I think the building used to be the Woolworth's. The centre of Woking suffers from a lack of traditional style pubs, but ironically, you probably get closest to it in here.

The food and drink is much as you'd expect from the Wetherspoon's chain - generally good quality and very reasonably priced. There are mid-week deals on 2 meals and curry specials on certain nights. However, unlike some other pubs in the chain, there is good selection of real ales including a large choice of guest beers as well as T.E.A. from the local Hogs Back Brewery.

In recognition of the quality and choice of real ale the Woking Wetherspoons is the local CAMRA group's 'Surrey Pub of the Year' in 2008.

Last visited: May 2008

Larger photos of Wetherspoons, Woking

Ash

Dover Arms

Guildford Road, Ash - 01252 326025
Small and friendly locals pub situated at the junction of the A323 and the B3411 and near Ash station.

Excellent food is served at lunchtimes and in the evenings, and there is a good and changing selection of real ales which are kept well enough to earn a place in the Camra 'Good Beer Guide'.

There is a car park and beer garden behind the pub.

Last visited: 2003

Farncombe

Cricketers

37 Nightingale Road, Farncombe - 01483 420273
Excellent Fullers pub situated in a commanding position on a hill about half a mile from Farncombe station (Guildford to Portsmouth line). They stock the full Fullers range including the seasonal beers and it's all kept well.

Restaurant and bar meals are available lunch times and evenings and there is a non-smoking room too. Because it's so good it can get very busy so it's a good idea to reserve a table if you want a meal. There's a small garden for the summer evenings.

Last visited: Summer 2003

Guildford

The White House

8 High Street, Guildford - 01483 302006
After a hard hour's shopping in Guildford what better way to relax than with a pint and a sandwich by the river. This modern Fullers pub is at the bottom of the High Street by the bridge and amazingly for Guildford is not surrounded by endless traffic jams.

There is plenty of room inside and a patio area by the river outside. Food is available lunchtimes and evenings and the pub seems to be popular with offices nearby.