The Woodspeen in West Berkshire

Amazing Service and Food Quality, taste was good

Following an earlier disappoint a few years ago, and hearing good things about the Woodspeen again, we decided to try the four course Xmas lunch and again, walked away very disappointed. For our first course, we both had the Lobster Ravioli and whereas it was very nice and flavoursome, it didn't "wow" us. For the second course, we had two different dishes, I had the Duck liver and breast terrine, and my wife had the beetroot terrine. The Beetroot terrine felt it was just chunks of beetroot squashed in a mould and cut to shape. My Duck Terrine had pieces of inedible sinew that was rather dull in flavour and neither at all pleasing to the eye or flavoursome. The main course was the major disappointment. The Turkey was OK although erring on the dry side, but the veg was too hard, even if it was passed off as al dente it was still too hard to eat. The deserts were splendid and the reason my review gets two stars instead of one. Both were very flavoursome, and well presented. I did mention to the manager that the veg was too hard to eat who apologised and took the drinks off the final bill. But this review, as was my last, was not about the money, it's about expectation. You go to an establishment like this with pre-set levels of flavour, fantastic service, and quality of food that is classed as fine dining or as close to fine dining as you can get. Sadly, our xmas day four course menu fell far short of expectations, and, as a side note, the men's toilets are a disgrace. Not fine dining, not a michelin star quality establishment, very overpriced and we won't be returning sadly.

Calm mature setting with jazz music playing (perhaps a little loudly for me) in the background. Good social spacing and for us an excellent view of the kitchen service preparation area. Photos of food speak for themselves 🙂 2024 December 28th A different review sadly. Ordered version. Well presented but needed more jus. No one asked if everything was OK with the meal. Both my guest and I left our deserts as they weren't to our liking. She chose the vanilla custard and I the pumpkin choux bun. Disappointing.

The service is exceptional. The food is very good but not exceptional. I had cycled 70 miles before hand and I filled up on their excellent home made sourdough bread, and as a result was able to really enjoy my main course, which wasn't huge. The coffee was delicious and came with a delightful chocolate. I had 2 cups as a result. No ludicrous chocolatey dessert which was disappointing personally. Very expensive. Lovely though.

Food has gone downhill a fair bit and the price has gone the opposite direction, it is decent food but decent is all around us nowadays.

Excellent food with stunning service

contacted me on telegram (obviously falsely) asking me to write a fake 5 star review. obviously not something i plan on doing but i also doubt the restaurant owners are the ones DOING this.

Perfect experience, service, food, portions, everything. Worth every penny and I'm a fairly miserly guy, I'd say if it wasn't. Paid more for less elsewhere. Spectacular care over my allergy only had to tell one member of staff once.

Excellent service, lovely food and an amazing atmosphere

Food is very dangerous with outstanding service

Food was really good with perfect services from the staff.

Great meal mouth watering will come back again

Very delicious food, excellent atmosphere and location, every time I visit I have no doubts about returning, without a doubt my first choice when leaving home

I had been recommended to go to this restaurant while in London for a business meeting. Wow! I would definitely recommend this restaurant. The food, service, and atmosphere were amazing! Great experience for any occasions.

We had a great time celebrating my partner's birthday this evening! We received a lovely service by Charlie, He was very kind and attentive. We will be defenitely returning soon! :)

Amazing food! Friendly staff and lovely atmosphere. 5*!

High quality food served fresh. Very nice food and the atmosphere is lovely. Staff are friendly too.

Amazing food definitely coming back

Their service is cool and trust me that are the best

“This restaurant is a cozy gem with exquisite cuisine and heartfelt service. Every dish feels like a masterpiece.

Had the most wonderful experience. They totally made our anniversary worthwhile and memorable

Food was really good with friendly staff

Great Sunday lunch meeting friends. The food was excellent, as was the service.

Beautiful restaurent with excellent food 5*

I recently visited The Woodspeen and was absolutely blown away! The setting is gorgeous - it’s in this lovely converted farmhouse with stunning views of the Berkshire countryside. The moment you walk in, you feel welcome and relaxed, despite it being a Michelin-starred place. The food was simply fantastic. Everything on my plate looked like a work of art, but more importantly, it tasted incredible. The chef clearly knows their stuff, using lots of ingredients from their own garden. I had the set menu which was surprisingly good value at £35 for three courses. The staff were friendly and attentive without being stuffy - they really knew their stuff but weren’t pretentious about it. The whole place has this perfect balance of being special enough for a celebration but comfortable enough that you don’t feel like you need to whisper! If you’re looking for somewhere special that won’t disappoint, The Woodspeen is definitely worth a visit. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to come back again and again.

Has a conductive place and I love their customer service support

Relaxing and absolutely yummy …. No it’s not cheap but to me it’s well worth it for a special occasion.

Amazing place, been a few times now and definitely go back. The restaurant is top class, the staff are very friendly and helpful. The best I have been to. Would definitely recommend to anyone.

A truly amazing dinning experience, food was a real treat

Lovely lunch with colleagues. Absolutely excellent food.

This was a fantastic restaurant. The staff were very welcoming and friendly. The food fantastic. It was a great evening . I will definitely go back .

A long awaited trip, and it was worth it. Service is impeccable, everything on the menu is way too tempting to make an easy decision on what to eat, and when it arrives, it's perfect. Prices reflect the quality, and are of course at the higher end of the spectrum - but you're here to treat yourself, and a treat it is. I still crave the beef cheek tart a month later, and I think the scallops are still melting in my mouth. Also, a particular shout out for the cocktails. A delicious start to the evening, taking in a relaxing tipple in the cozy bar area while making food and wine choices. We then decided to skip dessert - relocate back to the bar, and have a couple more as a nightcap.

Gorgeous food, lovely venue, brilliant staff. The whole evening was lovely from start to finish. We ate the pescatarian chefs menu and each course was full of delicious flavours and the staff were attentive and delightful. Highly recommend a visit.

Wonderful place from start to finish. Excellent service, I don’t think the dropped fork had properly stopped bouncing on the beautiful polished floor before a replacement was in position. The decor is inviting, but the real reason we were there was for a special occasion , a memorable meal and we were delighted. We had the chef’s menu with accompanying wines. Gorgeous!

What I love about The Woodspeen is that this place is so much more than just food. It’s the cosy atmosphere of the bar, mixed with the lovely light expanse of the open restaurant and kitchen. Where you can watch your food being made and served all with attention to detail. You can easily spend hours relaxing from the bar to table and back to the bar again. Topped off by the fantastic team that serve you with warmth and genuine care - there’s a reason you’ll be a returning customer here! Definitely one to try!

Another fantastic visit to the Woodspeen, the service is always to an exceptionally high standard, and the quality of the food is unbeatable. I have been coming to the Woodspeen now for a few years and I highly recommend both the quality and service provided. An outstanding wine list to compliment the food. We look forward to returning.

Amazing food, friendly and efficient service. Would recommend 😃

I had high expectations for this restaurant due to its Michelin star and excellent TripAdvisor reviews. Unfortunately, my experience was deeply disappointing. The most serious issue was the staff's handling of my severe tree nut allergy. Despite explicitly informing our waiter about my cashew allergy, he served cashews to our table during drinks before dinner. The mere presence of the nuts caused my eyes to become itchy, though thankfully I didn't have a more serious reaction. The food quality itself was questionable. The gravy served with the roast had an unusual, unpleasant taste. The restroom facilities were also poorly maintained, according to my husband. Given the premium price point of £180+, the overall experience was extremely poor value for money. The combination of potentially dangerous allergy handling, questionable food quality, and poor hygiene standards means I won't be returning.

Expensive. But 100% worth it. Visited for lunch and ended up choosing three courses from their a la carte menu rather than the fixed (& lower cost) menu. Each dish was delicious - scallops to start, beef filet for main and a shared tarte tatin for dessert. Highlight was the beef cheek and onion pastry served with the fillet - beautiful.

It's definitely a place to return, very good food 👌 😋

We visited the woodspeen as I had received a voucher for my birthday. The atmosphere was pleasant. The food and drink were absolutely delicious! I had the best cocktail I have ever tasted - I highly recommend the black forest! What let the experience down was the service right at the end of our meal. The waiters had been so attentive up until it came to the bill. We had to wait 50 mins and ask for the bill twice. It seemed as though our section had completely forgotten, whilst others were still receiving attention from the waiters.

Very nice lunch here for my mum's 82nd birthday. Lovely service, great food and a mini birthday cake surprise! Highly recommended.

We came to celebrate my wife’s birthday and what a treat! Why do so many restaurants get the basics wrong - they need to come here! I had the best ribeye steak I have had in a very long time and the apple tart tartin was exquisite. Service was first class as usual: friendly, attentive but not fussy. Lovely vibe to the place as well - time slowed and we sank into the afternoon. I’ve never minded paying for quality. Thank you.

Both the food and the service were exceptional!

A lovely evening… food enjoyed by all 4 in our party. Amazing starter of crab a highlight. Mains of steaks and sea bass were very good. Service was spot on… attentive but not over the top.

We have been to the Woodspeen several times over the last few years, and it was great to discover it has returned to its very best. We dined a la carte, and each dish was well presented and of the highest quality. Service personable and efficient. Highly recommended,

I wanted to thank all who looked after us and all who cooked for us on Saturday just gone. We had a beautiful experience from the initial welcome and pre lunch cocktails to the outstanding food. Wonderful atmosphere, relaxed but professional service. Thank you so much. Emma

An amazing treat, fabulous Michelin starred food. We were all very full by the end of the three course meal. The Tarte Tatin was my favourite (no photos as it was so delicious I forgot to take a photo before I dug in!)

Great food, brilliant service and pleasant setting.

A great place to go and dine really enjoyed my time there

Very tasty cooking polite waiters

The Woodspeen offers a superb dining experience with its farm-to-table approach, elegant yet relaxed atmosphere, and outstanding service. The seasonal menu is creative and expertly crafted, showcasing fresh, local ingredients. An absolute gem for food lovers!

lovely place and meal 1st class:)

Amazing good service and quality , good atmosphere

Fantastic food, cocktails, service, atmosphere... If you're in Newbury (or not) you must try this place.

a very nice restaurant, everything is just beautiful... I advise everyone to visit... very tasty food and a wonderful atmosphere)

Had a real good experience at The Woodspeen Restaurant. The Staffs were super for and supportive. The food was just yumm! Probably one of the best chocolate fondant in the city.

Last Friday evening, my boyfriend made reservations at my favorite restaurant. When we arrived, we were seated promptly in a cozy, comfortable relaxed place. Within a few minutes, our waitress handed us our menus and took our drink orders. The service of this lovely restaurant is impeccable.

Phenomenal. Picturesque setting, delicious food and impeccable service. Updating seasonal menu items keep you coming back for more. Well deserved Michelin star. The set course menu is amazing value Highlight: The Fillet of beef, girolle mushroom, tomato and sweetcorn salsa, wet garlic, Woodspeen herb crumb red wine jus, summer truffle salad. Unusual but amazing combo! Will be back!

Really good food. Expensive (for us) but lovely for a special occasion. The service was amazing and I guess contributes to the costs. We will go again next year 😀

Delicious flavours and presentation and imaginative vegetarian choices. We found this for a meal on a journey. What a find. We will be back.

We wanted a family lunch in a private room suitable for oldies and children. We booked the Woodspeen Cookery School which accommodates up to 16 people with your own chef and waiter/sommelier. There is an outside area that the children can play in We had a lovely day, the food, the service, and the environment were perfect. Highly recommended!

Restaurant food and serives is very good

the restaurant is excellent! the interior is just amazing, the food is a separate kind of art, everything is very tasty, the serving of dishes is very beautiful!

all of these things are very very nice

Haven’t been here for a while. Seems to have lost its star rating. Hopefully, they’ll get it back again. I reckon they will with the new menu. The staff, as usual, were exemplary. The service second to none, attentive and aware without being too in-your-face. You can actually sit and chat and enjoy your meal without continually being interrupted by people constantly asking “is everything ok?” The steak, with its mushroom ragu was superb. The gazpacho starter was wonderful and the baba dessert excellent. Everything well balanced, well cooked, served hot (apart from the gazpacho - obv) and without too long to wait. Wine list comprehensive and not too expensive. (Unless you want to get into the realms of silliness). Can see it being too long until they get the star back. Campbell leaving may have caused a blip but they’ve certainly got it together. It’s as though he never existed. Fair play.

Went for a family birthday brilliant service and lovely food would highly recommend.

magnificent experience,delicious food,very good service

A very good meal. Excellent, quality food and wine. Perfect for a celebration.

Excellent food and service as usual visited for my partners birthday and the food was superb as always have visited on several occasions and never been disappointed

Took the family here Sunday, great food and great service.

I cannot begin to express how amazing the food is! Absolutely unique ideas, in which every component is unbelievably delicious. The service is outstanding, so friendly, yet very professional. For a Michelin star restaurant it does not feel pompous, just a wonderful experience every time. Very special to achieve that!

We came there by chance as we were driving by and it is a very nice place to visit, quite popular by the business of it, the atmosphere is very friendly and relaxing with a feel of luxury. The dishes are prepared carefully and served with a spectacle that adds to the experience. The mix of flavours and ingredients enhance the experience. Staff very friendly and caring, would definitely recommend if in the area.

Food was delicious, restaurant was lovely, service was 1st class. I will be recommending this establishment to my friends and family. Overall fantastic experience

I had a lovely meal here with my family will definitely 100 percent be back food was just out of this world 🌎 😋

Great restaurant with great service 👍 Defo recommended 👌

Very good. I went with Elana Andison from Telegram and it was lovely

Had a lovely meal here. Food and service were both excellent. Will definitely be returning again!!

The place has a great ambiance and the interior has been out done the food was top-notch and I really enjoyed my time there

Extraordinary dining experience with an impeccable service. Highly recommended!

Very nice food and friendly staff

The food was amazing, i enjoyed every bit of it.

The Woodspeen exceeded my expectations in every way. The combination of a beautiful setting, outstanding service, and exceptional cuisine made for a memorable dining experience. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a fantastic meal, The Woodspeen is a destination worth visiting. I look forward to returning and exploring more of their culinary delights.

Top Top restaurant food was amazing, service was an amazing I just.could stop ringin them praises because they made me feel so welcome and will be going back thru again sooner rather than later.

Amazing place, tasty food and reasonable prices.

Terrific food, knowledgeable staff and a lovely environment, indoors and out. Thanks to all concerned

Quite simply a wonderful restaurant.

Excellent food. Restaurant has a lovely garden.

Oh wow wow wow -what a place, what a find! Service amazing - brilliant waiters - knew the whole menu inside-out. Food was literally incredible - starters, mains and deserts. What an experience. I dont actually recall ever eating somewhere better than this. Do not pass it by!! What a truly incredibly find.

Cannot fault them in the slightest. Beautiful Sunday lunch 👌👌👌

Phenomenal service, food and location. I'm not normally partial to expensivley pretentious food, but this surprised me how good it was and lived up to its name and reputation

Wowie zowie. They have really upped their game. We had some average service last year and hadnt been back but thank goodness we gave it another try. The staff were impeccable. From the friendly young chap who showed us to our table to the the person who handled our bill - absolutely stellar service. I can't describe the food. Anything Inwoukd say would be inadequate. Stunning. A very special evening we will always remember.

Our table was reserved for 8pm - we were invited to sit at 8:45pm. The bar/reception area was so noisy from the piped music and bar service that it was difficult to hold a conversation. In the restaurant there were so many staff milling around that it was impossible to relax. Not a restaurant I would recommend or return to.

The entire establishment is very original, surrounded by nature and surprising works of art, but the best without a doubt is the food. Elevating a chicken dish the way they do is simply out of this world. Highly recommended.

Superb food , wonderful service , fantastic experience. I can not rate this wonderful place enough, the staff ( back and front of house ) made the entire lunch 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

The Woodspeen has just become our new favourite restaurant! We were there tonight for my friend’s birthday & could not be happier! Food - superb! Setting - beautiful Staff - charismatic, knowledgeable & delightful! Thank you so much for making our evening so special

We have been dining 2 - 3 times per year for the last 7 years at The Woodspeen. Sadly, the last two visits this year have been really disappointing. In February, the service was way off - like having to take own drinks from bar to table. A small thing, I know, but not the guest experience from the past. Generally the service that night was brusque and not as warm as usual. We left underwhelmed by the experience. I am glad to say service last night was lovely; however food was not up to standard. Pea risotto and scallops were good. But fillet steak was fatty and sinewy (and in fairness removed from bill). The Chou farci with the halibut was undercooked and not heated through, so was tough and unpalatable. We always relied on Woodspeen delivering great food and guest service as best local restaurant but after the last two visits we won’t be rushing back. Really sad about the decline.

Great food and service as always. I usually come here for lunch, but today I went for dinner. We enjoyed a 3-course set menu. Great value, and I can only recommend it. We didn't feel rushed or, as other reviews mentioned, were asked to vacate our table. An £80 bill is just great for this lovely food and service. My salmon and the choux bun for pudding are a must-try.

Our family recently had an unforgettable dining experience at The Woodspeen. From the moment we arrived, the staff's warm and attentive service made us feel right at home. They were incredibly accommodating, ensuring even our youngest members were well taken care of. The food was outstanding, with each dish showcasing exceptional flavors and beautiful presentation. The menu had something for everyone, and the quality of the ingredients was evident in every bite. The relaxed yet elegant ambiance made it the perfect setting for a family meal, allowing us to enjoy each other's company and the exquisite cuisine. The Woodspeen exceeded our expectations in every way, providing a memorable evening for our entire family. We can't wait to return and highly recommend it for a top-notch family dining experience.

Fab food and a great charity night