Windsor might be best known for its royal pedigree, but beyond the castle walls and ceremonial pomp lies a town with a quietly confident culinary scene serving up far more than postcard worthy views. In the town itself and the surrounding villages, you’ll find everything from candle lit brasseries to modern British gastropubs and two of the most celebrated dining rooms in the country.
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The Ivy, Windsor
Just across the gates of Windsor Castle, The Ivy exudes Roaring Twenties grandeur with a menu rooted in continental classics. Inside, the interiors lean into the drama of its regal surroundings: mosaic floors, marble tables, and chandeliers that throw soft light across gilt-framed mirrors and velvet banquettes. It’s lavish without being loud. Like all Ivy locations, it’s a carefully curated nod to another era, but this one wears it particularly well—comfortably theatrical, consistently polished, and just self-aware enough to pull it off.
The menu leans into bistro-style comfort, with a clear European accent—hallmark French and Italian dishes sit alongside a few global detours. Think lobster linguine in saffron bisque, blackened miso-glazed cod, and a classic shepherd’s pie, elevated with slow-cooked lamb and a velvety mashed potato. Cocktails at The Ivy are an essential part of the ritual here, with in-house mixologists offering playful spins on vintage classics, from the gimlet and grasshopper to a blood-orange margarita and a Japanese take on whisky sours.
The Fat Duck, Bray
Opened in 1995 by acclaimed British chef Heston Blumenthal, this three Michelin star establishment is famed for its innovative dining experience offered by the tasting menu “The Journey”. At The Fat Duck, guests embark on a 12-course tasting journey, courtesy of a conceptual menu that takes diners through a nostalgia-driven experience with a keen focus on immersive, sensory driven experiences.
Dishes such as "Sound of the Sea" test out all of guests' senses by pairing edible foam, cured seafood and seaweed, with an audio element that sees diners listen to waves crashing through provided headphones. The depth of immersion that Blumenthal has created through the various layers of this tasting menu draws its influences from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. The further they progress through each dish, the deeper their experience becomes, and diners find themselves going down the proverbial rabbit hole as they enjoy the sensual experiences of each new dish.
The Loch & The Tyne, Old Windsor
A short distance from the town of Windsor, Old Windsor is a small village that predates its namesake and is within the charming parkland of Windsor Great Park, used extensively as hunting grounds by the British Monarchy. On the village outskirts, visitors will find the country-style inn The Loch & The Tyne - the brainchild of acclaimed chef Adam Handling and named after a location in his native Scotland. The restaurant retains its original exposed beams and brickwork, with dark wood panelling and a grand stone fireplace in the heart of the dining room. It is a warm, intimate dining space that’s perfect for guests to settle in and savour every course.
The food at The Loch & The Tyne expresses Handling’s dedication to sustainability and zero-waste cooking, with produce sourced extensively from both the local area and the restaurant’s gardens. The menu is filled with indulgent items, including venison tartare with truffle emulsion and crisp sourdough, wild mushroom agnolotti, and treacle tart served with clotted cream ice cream. It is an ideal establishment to refuel after a day exploring the area's historic sites and wonderful walking trails.
The Greene Oak, Windsor
Perched towards the outskirts of town, The Greene Oak is one of Windsor’s best gastropubs, loved by locals and quietly sidestepped by the tourist crowd. The large, open-plan dining area is flooded with natural light during the day, highlighting beautiful period features such as flagstone floors, exposed brick walls and oak timber beams.
The menu is driven by a commitment to seasonal British produce and provides incredibly hearty dining options, from 45-day dry-aged flame-cooked British steaks to hand-dived scallops bathed in seaweed butter. The pub’s dedication to local produce extends to its beverage selections, featuring a curated collection of English organic wines and locally brewed craft ales.
Gilbey’s, Eton
Across the river from Windsor lies the celebrated town of Eton, famous globally for its eponymous private school. Nestled in a 17th-century former coaching inn, Gilbey’s Bar & Restaurant is a cornerstone of Etonian hospitality. Natural light floods in through the skylight, crafting a luminous, airy dining space that is resplendent in all seasons.
When it comes to dining, Gilbey’s offers a fusion of British and French-influenced dishes. Pan-seared duck breast with a rich cherry reduction, whole grilled plaice, and slow-cooked belly pork are hallmarks of the restaurant's approach to simple yet fine dining. The dark chocolate tart and raspberry coulis is a tempting end to the meal, but with this being Eton, diners would be remiss not to try Gilbey’s take on the classic Eton Mess.
The Waterside Inn, Bray
Just outside Windsor in the village of Bray, The Waterside Inn is a cornerstone of British gastronomy. Founded by Albert and Michel Roux, it has held three Michelin stars for over 50 years, making it the longest-running three-star restaurant outside France. Overlooking the Thames with an expansive range of dining rooms and suites designed by Michel’s wife, the restaurant remains a family-run affair, with Michel’s son, Alain, in charge of the kitchen.
The menu is a masterclass in French cuisine, with signature dishes that have stood the test of time: fillet of turbot in Champagne sauce, duck and lobster à la presse, and the rhubarb soufflé. Multiple tasting menus cater to every diner’s preferences, offering delicate dishes of pike quenelle with langoustine tails, grilled tender rabbit fillets and pink champagne sorbet with blackcurrant epsuma.
