The Crown Inn Minchinhampton Restaurant Review

Back open, after seven years dormant and as the latest opening from The Lucky Onion group, The Crown serves cask ales and polished pub fare in the Cotswold market town of Minchinhampton.

Who's cooking at The Crown?

Danny Fields leads the kitchen, while executive chef Ronnie Bonetti (previously of Soho Farmhouse and Babington House) oversees the menu here, as well as at sister eateries including No.131 and The Hollow Bottom in Cheltenham.

What's the vibe?

Dating back to 1715, The Crown has been handsomely restored. Think candlelit wooden tables, chandeliers and leather banquettes, alongside exposed-brick walls painted in shades of sage and grey, with glinting rose-gold detailing. It’s as welcoming whether you’re windswept in wellies or dressed up for date night. There’s a sizeable sun-trap patio, too, with its own bar, and it’s all dog-friendly.

What's the food like at The Crown?

Expect traditional British dishes, done right. Meat eaters take your pick from the dry-aged chiller cabinet – steaks are locally sourced, aged for a minimum of 30 days, served with fries and watercress, and are as fresh and juicy as they are earthy thanks to a final grilling over charcoal. There’s fish and chips, chicken in a basket, ham, egg and chips, and the like, as well as tempting veggie options. Silky-smooth field mushroom baked with a golden, crumbly garlic-and-stilton filling served us well for starter, while a pie from the specials board arrived as a steaming-hot mix of mushrooms, beetroot, broccoli, carrots and spinach with a proud pastry lid. Puds are similarly traditional and well done – jammy plum crumble neatly balanced sweetness with tartness and was the perfect foil for a creamy custard.

And the drinks?

Knowledgeable advice on the ever-evolving cask ales selection and a thoughtfully compiled wine list, makes for easy decision making – we lapped up a tropical IPA from New Zealand brewery Two by Two. Plus, to help diners make planet-friendly choices, wines are handily labelled as organic, biodynamic and sustainable where applicable.

olive tip

Proper portion sizes are perfect for post-dogwalk hunger so work up an appetite first with a stroll on the picturesque Minchinhampton Common nearby.