With a new year comes the opportunity to change up your eating habits and delve into Surrey’s food scene. Over 2024, SurreyLive has profiled a number of award-winning dinner spots, delectable cafes and cosy pubs.
This list covers the full range of eating options and price ranges, from a quick bite to food cooked by a Michelin-starred chef.
Of course, this list only skims the surface of eating out locations in Surrey. To keep up to date with new openings and our favourite spots sign up to our Whats On newsletter here.
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Bird in Hand - Woking:
This country pub had to get a place on this list as it was named the best restaurant in Surrey at the British Restaurant Awards. With three sections, it suits all types of dining as customers can choose from ordering at the bar or sitting down and being waited on hand and foot.
The menu tries to keep the food as local as it can be and meat and fish are delivered daily. The menu does change, but bestsellers include their beef and chicken burgers as well as calves liver which is a customer favourite.
One happy diner recently wrote: “Consistently fabulous food, can not fault it. A really, really wonderful place and a nice selection…The puddings are also amazing”.
More information can be found here.
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Positano - Guildford:
While it was pipped to the post by the Bird in Hand in 2024, Positanos in Guildford has been named the best restaurant in Surrey in years gone by. This romantic Italian just off the Tunsgate arch oozes fine dining, but at a very reasonable price.
It is located in an Elizabethan building that used to be home to the town’s may, the restaurant is full of old world charm and attentive waiters. The menu is full of traditional Italian cuisine, and food is so popular that tables are often booked out.
However, it is the prices that tend to capture the attention of reviews. From Monday to Friday, there is a set lunch menu of 2 courses, which is £13.50 and £15.95 at weekends. In fact, one reviewer wrote: ”Perfect setting, very inviting, small but well set out. Very reasonable in price, we had the lunchtime set menu, good choices and well presented, always a favourite place to eat.”
More information can be found here.
The Lookout - Esher :
A more relaxed spot that got a revamp this year. The Lookout is a brand new clubhouse, bar and kitchen with stunning views across Surrey and West London. As part of The Oakwood, a fitness and location, the lookout and its deck is open to both members and non-members.
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It serves lunch and light bites and is a relaxing spot to recharge after a workout or take a break with the kids. It also has space for more than 100 guests and can serve as an event venue.
One recent reviewer wrote: “We tried the newly refurbished restaurant at Sandown and what a treat! Food was fresh and delicious and the service was friendly and efficient. We'll definitely be back! (The view is pretty great too!). The transformation from the old restaurant here is amazing - they've done a wonderful job!”
More information can be found here
Willaim IV - Albury
Another location that has had a revamp this year. The William IV is a 16th century spot nested within the Surrey Hills. Its rural location means the pub is surrounded by possible winter walks.
Having been put up for sale in September the pub recently re-opened after a long period of being shut. It has an open-fire grill and wood fire oven, and its Michelin star chef has created a menu around this.
One recent reviewer wrote: “We were a party of 15 and had a truly wonderful evening. The service was exemplary and the food was incredible - very much Michelin star standard which was commented on by every guest. Cannot recommend highly enough.”
More information can be found here.
Basil and Blue - Chobham
Named Muddy Stilettos' best cafe for 2024 this small coffee shop has community at its core. The cafe does alter the menu from time to time but customers can expect to find an extensive drink with a hot chocolate selection full of flavour combinations.
Basil and Blue aims to be more than a coffee shop, and the cafe hosts a regular Run Club. To make the location a relaxing space where people keep coming back, staff are encouraged to be chatty and generous with their time and can list all the regulars' coffee orders.
One recent reviewer wrote: “I was blown away at how delicious the food was. I had a ham and cheese toastie that was next level—really smoky ham, oozy cheese, and sweet chili sauce. Then I had a chocolate chip cookie slice filled with marshmallow fluff. Heaven! Chai late was top-notch, too! I highly recommend it. I’ll be back even though I’m not from the town!”
More information can be found here.
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