Harden's says
One of the oldest pubs in Essex, The Green Man, by the river Chelmer, has been lovingly restored by local lads Chris and Jeff Galvin. The menu focuses on classic pub dishes made with local ingredients. Craft ales are also a feature.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Pub grub done the Galvin way” is to be found in the chef brothers’ home county at their “beautiful pub, restaurant and garden, set in stunning countryside” (if “in the arse end of nowhere”, according to a day tripper from South Woodford). “The cooking here is very good with something of a European vibe (with pub standards to fall back on if you choose to dine in the bar rather than the more formal restaurant setting)”. “The staff always make you feel welcome, and the landlady, Katie, is particularly charming”. Top Tip – “an unusual highlight is Christmas Day lunch, which is well thought-out and nicely cooked (Chateaubriand or halibut if you hate turkey!)”.
Summary
“The Galvins’ rural outpost” – on home turf for the Essex-born-and-bred chef brothers – is much commented-on: a “great gastropub deep in the countryside”, where it’s “an oasis in an area with very little in the way of good eating”. The “smartly decorated” fourteenth-century venue is “well worth the trip” for its “consistently excellent food”, “special atmosphere” and “lovely views over an extensive garden”.
Summary
“Highly recommend for a slice of London in the heart of Essex” – the Galvin brothers’ “large gastropub” (dating from the 14th century) “in a lovely Essex village” is one of the most commented-on destinations in our annual diners’ poll. And it draws fans from across the county as well as from ‘The Smoke’ for a run-out. One “splendid lunch” included “torched mackerel fillet, a top burger, lovely wood-roasted skate wing in beurre noisette, lemon posset”, typifying the kind of superior “everyday” food that secures its fanbase, and staff who are “always friendly and helpful” is another recurring theme. Top Tip – for parents, there’s a big garden with a play area.
Summary
Acclaimed in September 2021 as the best pub in the UK by the National Pub & Bar Awards, the Galvin brothers’ converted fourteenth-century pub “in the middle of the Essex countryside” inspired nothing but enthusiastic feedback this year. Unlike at some pubs run by top chefs, “there is something for everyone on the menu here” – “delicious food, well above the usual standard you would expect for what is essentially a country pub”; and “staff are very kind and thoughtful”. “The restaurant area is bright, airy and well decorated” (a bit “brash” for the odd reporter), “and the bar area is cosy. There is also a lovely big garden outside with a play area for kids”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Galvin Green Man?
Howe St, Great Waltham, CM3 1BG
Restaurant details
Galvin Green Man Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Smoked cods roe starter tasty; duo of beef special was fillet steak (medium rare) and slow cooked beef very good; panna cotta desert rather grainy and plain. "
"The Green Man is our local restaurant and never disappoints us, although things are sometimes a bit iffy. The food is always reliable, and the service friendly and excellent. The difficulties of recruiting and training staff are sometimes clear, and getting forgotten when we move from restaurant to sofas is regular. Nevertheless, the restaurant is solid and reliable and a firm recommendation. "
"Generally tasty food and quite a big menu."
"Great gastropub. Good, well executed food. Faultless and friendly service. "
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
Howe St, Great Waltham, CM3 1BG
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑8 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑8 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑8 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 11:30 am‑2 pm |
| Sunday | 11:30 am‑6 pm |
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