The Hind's Head

The Hind's Head

This Michelin-starred, Heston Blumenthal-owned gastropub might be across the road from The Fat Duck, but head chef Pete Gray’s menu of traditional British classics (with a little Heston twist of course) has turned this beautiful old building into a destination restaurant in its own right.
High Street
Bray
Berkshire
UK
SL6 2AB
Contact Details
  • 01628 626151
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  • The Hind's Head
    High Street, Bray, UK, Berkshire, SL6 2AB
    Telephone
    01628 626151
    Restaurant reservations
    Open Table Logo

    Despite moving on from the world of molecular gastronomy, whenever you hear Heston Blumenthal’s name you can’t help but think of dry ice, science lab beakers and all sorts of weird and wonderful techniques. And while there’s certainly some of that on show at his lauded The Fat Duck restaurant, his Michelin-starred gastropub The Hind’s Head – across the road – offers a more familiar menu.

    That’s not to say the food is any less intricate, however. While dishes such as Oxtail and kidney pudding, Strawberry tartlet and Quaking pudding might sound simple, the recipes have been rigorously tested by the likes of Heston himself and Ashley Palmer-Watts, with head chef Pete Gray ensuring they’re cooked to perfection every service. There are some stalwarts on the menu that never come off (such as the deservedly famous Scotch egg), but menus change with the seasons to ensure the offering is refreshed regularly. Being a Heston-owned restaurant means there are plenty of twists in the dishes too, although they remain true to the traditional British style of cooking The Hind’s Head is famous for.

    The restaurant itself is housed inside a fifteenth-century building, and many of the original features are on show. Wood-panelled walls, exposed timber beams and stained glass windows create a country bolthole feel, which is amplified by the quirky interiors. Chandeliers made out of hunting rifles, oddities and ornaments on the shelves, the odd bit of taxidermy and plush button-backed banquettes give everything a slightly otherworldly feel – just what you’d expect from one of Heston’s restaurants.

    The main dining room covers the ground floor, but upstairs visitors will find The Royal Lounge Bar, serving cocktails and wine for before and after dinner alongside a menu of bar snacks. These drinks are all created by The Fat Duck Group’s in-house team of sommeliers and bartenders, with plenty of choice for all palates.

    Diners can choose from the à la carte or go for the five-course tasting menu; there’s also a three-course set lunch available Monday to Friday. On Sundays The Hind’s Head also offers a Sunday Roast.

    Three things you should know
    1
    The Hind’s Head underwent an extensive renovation in 2017, with both the interiors and menu updated.
    2
    The Hind’s Head has a private dining room upstairs known as The Vicar’s Room, with room for up to twenty guests.
    3
    Heston Blumenthal bought The Hind’s Head in 2004 and it has held a Michelin star since 2013.
    The Hind's Head
    High Street, Bray, UK, Berkshire, SL6 2AB
    Telephone
    01628 626151
    Restaurant reservations
    Open Table Logo