Crown

The story

Crown at Bray: Modern British & French Dining, Maidenhead | Michelin Recommended

The Crown at Bray: A Relaxed Pub with Serious Cooking

In the village of Bray, Berkshire, The Crown at Bray is a “relaxed cozy pipe and slipper pub” that has earned a Michelin Recommended distinction for its kitchen. Chef Simon Bonwick leads the charge, cooking the kind of food he likes to eat: “generous, gutsy and gloriously full of flavour.” The menu is a weekly affair, changing with the seasons and the mood of the market.

The cooking is described by the team as “a cooking of the old religion,” and the à la carte delivers on that promise. Starters might include a French Country Style Pâté or Smoked Marshland Beetroot with sheep cheese and walnuts. Mains run from a Navarin of Welsh Mountain Lamb to Market Fish simply cooked with flavours of the pan. Sundays are reserved for a classic roast with all the trimmings. A Choisi menu—five thoughtful, seasonal courses—appears when the larder is brimming, and a bargain prix fixe is offered on Mondays and Tuesdays.

The atmosphere is warm and unstuffy, welcoming families, friends, and well-behaved dogs. The bar and garden offer a more casual setting, while the dining room and various private rooms (the Troublesome Lodger, Escoffier Room, Blavatsky Room) provide options for different occasions. The wine list is serious, with a deep cellar selection alongside well-priced glasses.

This is a place that takes its food seriously but wears it lightly. The Modern British and French cooking is rooted in technique and a deep respect for ingredients, served in a setting that feels like a proper local. The Michelin Recommended award simply confirms what regulars already know: this is a pub where you can close your eyes mid-bite and mutter, “Oh yes.”