Harden's survey result
Summary
Back in the day, this characterful, Adnams-owned Georgian tavern in the heart of the town was an easy entry in London-based journos’ round-ups of day-escapes from the capital. For many years now, however, it’s been a less commented-on and less reliable attraction: for the majority, “still a favourite in Southwold after forty-something years” and some would say “back on form”; but there is still the odd disastrous trip reported here.
Summary
This “homely” Georgian hotel restaurant “with great ambience” “continues to be the heart of Southwold” and “has usually been a reliably safe bet for an interesting menu and sound cooking”. But eating here has been a losing bet too often in recent times – “making the right choice from the menu is essential, as not all dishes are good”. “One change post-Brexit and Covid is that staff are mostly local, taking it back to what it was 30 years ago – which is fitting for such a retro location.”
Summary
“It's the ambience that saves this place” – an Adnams-owned inn that’s been a feature of the high street for longer than anyone can remember. “A must visit in Southwold” for many folks who head for the “relaxed restaurant in the large and airy front bar” (“visit the more intimate back bar for an aperitif or digestif”). “Excellent beer and wine” too. But as for the rest of the experience – “we love it, but the food, and service, are inconsistent”.
Summary
This good-looking, “relaxed and enjoyable” Adnams-owned inn is unarguably a “really great place” with massive potential – but its food offering continues to leave too many guests disappointed – “it’s nowhere near as good as it used to be”. Perhaps its enviable position in this popular town means it can afford not to try too hard.
For 33 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 The Crown?
90 High St, Southwold, IP18 6DP
Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.50 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
90 High St, Southwold, IP18 6DP
Opening hours
| Monday | 10 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Tuesday | 10 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 10 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am‑8 pm |
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