5 /5 Mark Trompeteler: I have lived in Croydon for some 47 years and this is the best place to eat In Croydon and the surrounding areas. It has a truly unique charming atmosphere that cannot be matched anywhere in the local area with ample free parking right outside the door !!
Forget the reviews and memories of the last couple of years of its former identity as "The Chateau" which closed in 2022. This restaurant has had a major re-investment and refurbish and has re-opened under new management, with a brighter slightly more modern look without losing any if its unique charming character. The welcome, the service and the new staff are just so welcoming, professional and personable.
The menu leans towards classic good quality restaurant English cuisine and on our first two visits the food was excellent. The food was served in ample portions, potatoes and vegetables included in the price of the mains ! Home made bread appeared on the table as we arrived, as did an amuse bouche, all included in the service charge ! The drinks and wine menu is broad and affordably priced with bottles of wine starting at around the £24 - £25 mark. Four of us had a great Sunday lunch today, and three of us had a desert, and we also had a bottle of wine. The bill came to just over £35 per person including service.
Nearby very predictable chain restaurants and well know country pubs instead of identifying as pubs are attempting to be restaurants charging restaurant prices. Coombe Wood House provides a truly great informal pleasant restaurant / brasserie experience with great service, food and drinks at the prices the chain restaurants and local pubs are charging.
In comparison to Coombe Wood House nearby chain restaurants and country pubs often deliver a very predicable and sometimes overpriced noisy disappointing experience. Congratulations to the new operation - we already have our next two dates lined up.
