Hof's Bar and Dining in South Oxfordshire

Most likely the BEST steak I have eaten. Went here for the first time last Friday with some friends, was a bit quiet to start with but gave us a great opportunity to have a chat with the owner. It very quickly got busy! We ordered our food and all of us were blown away by the quality and flavour. I will definitely be eating back here very soon.

Called in for Sunday lunch. Very friendly, welcoming and accommodating with our dog. We had the roast beef and a lovely bottle of Malbec, oh my goodness, incredible flavour, we loved it!! 😍

The most delicious meal I have had in as long as I can remember. Lovely to be able to head back in to the bar and enjoy some live music when we’d finished eating. Definitely eager to return.

Such a nice Pub!! Nice environment, so friendly and looks really nice! 5stars!!!

The Staff is amazing and so friendly and food is great. Best place to go in Henley!

We went to Hofs bar on a Saturday night for drinks . We did not have food so can't comment . But we enjoy live music from vocalist Jane . Really good atmosphere singing and dancing

I recently had the pleasure of dining at How's Dining & Wines, and I must say it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, making it the perfect place for a relaxed and enjoyable evening. The staff were incredibly helpful and attentive, ensuring that every aspect of our dining experience was perfect. They went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and well taken care of. A special mention must go to the owner, Christopher, who took the time to personally introduce us to their impressive selection of wines. His knowledge and passion for wine were truly impressive. Christopher shared fascinating stories about the vineyard where they source their wines, adding a personal touch to our meal. It was clear that great care and attention go into selecting each bottle, and it really elevated our dining experience. The food was outstanding, beautifully presented, and bursting with flavor. Each dish complemented the wines perfectly, making for a memorable culinary journey. Overall, How's Dining & Wines is a gem that offers not just delicious food and excellent wine, but also a warm and inviting atmosphere. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a special dining experience, with the added bonus of learning more about wine from such a knowledgeable owner.

My visit to How's Dining & Wines was truly unforgettable. The restaurant has a charming and elegant atmosphere that sets the perfect tone for a delightful evening. The staff were attentive and friendly, making sure that our needs were met with promptness and care. One of the highlights of the evening was meeting Christopher, the owner. He was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the wines they offer. Christopher took the time to explain the origins and characteristics of each wine, and his enthusiasm was infectious. It was fascinating to learn about the vineyard where the wines are sourced and the meticulous process that goes into their production. The food was exquisite, with each dish crafted to perfection. The flavors were rich and perfectly balanced, clearly prepared with great expertise. The pairing of the wines with the meal was spot on, enhancing the overall dining experience. Overall, How's Dining & Wines offers not only fantastic cuisine but also an educational and enjoyable journey into the world of fine wines. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a special place to dine, where the food and wine are complemented by outstanding service and hospitality.

Fantastic food always, particularly the Sunday roast, Jacob’s ladder and rib-eye steak. The Wiener Schnitzel is amazing. I would rate this as best place for food in Henley!

Really enjoyed our visit. The staff were tremendous.

WOW! This was the best food I’ve had in Europe! The Bar atmosphere was incredibly cozy and felt at home whilst still being a Bar 😂 the service was great and the staff made us feel like family. We came back twice in one day and brought our friends because this place and the people are amazing. I can’t wait to come back!

Amazing beer, wine, food and Biltong. Staff were great too. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a nice place to catch up with friends.

One of the best, and best cooked, steaks I have ever eaten.

Had a pint of Asahi, such a great place, jazz music and nice atmosphere...

Great Sunday roast saffa style. We were there on a Sunday late so was quiet but the food definitely worth going back for.

Family run business, the owners and the team are fantastic, the food is amazing and the atmosphere is relaxed, cozy and as you walk in you feel really welcomed.

What a great find , lovely different and unique menu, delicious food Always wonderful to support and experience an independent restaurant Owners were friendly and welcoming A lovely combination of South African and German food

This was honestly one of the best meals I have ever had! My children absolutely woolfed their food down and felt happy and confident there. The service was fantastic and all in all it was just a great experience. We will 100% be going back - many times!

I went there for lunch with my family. It was almost empty and understaffed.

We went to dine in with our 7 years old son. We absolutely loved the food. The chef was very kind to come out and serve the food by himself. We ordered steak and it was cooked perfectly. Will definitely recommend one visit if you are around.

Disappointing, not a south African beer in sight, most south africa food not available except the poikie that was tasty, service was not great, a dog tried to attack me inside the pub.. Way to expensive.

Wow! What an amazing venue! The food was superb and the staff were amazing and went above and beyond to keep us happy. A special mention to Sophie, the barman with the glasses and the bald gentleman working behind the bar (didn’t get names). Definitely worth a visit

Popped into Hof’s for a drink and ended up staying for a couple of hours. Very friendly crew who looked after us very well. Great wine from South Africa and some great small plates to go with it. We also had some good live music from a lady singer. Great voice and tunes. Got there at just the right time to secure a good table. Very happy place to spend some time in. Would definitely go back 😁🍾🇿🇦

What.a great place. Highly recommended.

Had an amazing Saturday night at Hofs. Professional staff and great music. It was delicious food with some tasty cocktails. Thank you Sophie for an amazing night. Highly recommend.

Nice enough food, little atmosphere as it was very quiet for a Saturday night, but was post New Year. Dishes we specifically booked the restaurant in order to try were not available, again due to post Christmas supply issues.

Really lovely friendly place. We had superb cheeses, great wine and a bratwurst!

We met with a couple of our friends for lunch at Hof’s. This appears to be a family run business by a lovely & welcoming South African family. Our order: a couple of beers, a glass of Rosé, starters of the Boerewors and Frankfurter, 3 orders of the Potjekos and a Piri Piri chicken. We finished with desserts (the chocolate mousse, a Sacher cake and the Koeksisters). All the food was flavourful and freshly prepared. The chicken has a 45min cook time and is worth the wait (tender and moist). The Potjekos has super soft lamb chunks & veg in a rich stew. The customer service was lovely and we were glad to have visited. The bill was about £40-50/head. Highly recommended.

We went here for dinner on my Birthday hoping it was a good choice of places to eat in Henley but unfortunately we did not enjoy our evening. We found it to be very expensive for very mediocre food and we were very surprised at the high cost of the South African wines !! The place lacked atmosphere…. there were a few people there when we were there but it was very quiet and had no ambience. The staff were ok but certainly did not go out of their way to make you feel welcome. We will not return.

One of the best Sunday roasts I’ve ever had.

All freshly cooked but this does lead to slow service. Younger generation had a problem with that 😄

The quality of the cooking is brilliant. Everything is perfectly flavoured. Been here 3 times. Go early and the service is excellent. Go late the atmosphere is warm and lively. Serving SA classics and a cracking selection of steaks.

We had a wonderful meal, the food was superb as was the service. We would happily return. Thank you!

An unusual menu but the food was really good, if quite simple. I enjoyed mine a lot.

3rd time of going to this wonderful bar , great atmosphere and excellent service , had the roast again which has to be one of the best I’ve ever had . Highly deserved praise.

We visited Henley on Thames for 1 night and wanted to try a local restaurant and decided on Hofs it was a lovely experience from start to finish highly recommend the Sunday roast (Beef).

We are quite new to the area and this is by far our fave place. The service and food are both amazing. We've been twice for a roast now and can't wait to go back soon.

Different and relaxed. Separate restaurant and nice bar to eat in too. Nice menu with a twist. Parking nearby. Good choice of wines

First of all, the owners Sophie and Chris are fantastic hosts that take so much pride in Hof's, their food, their wines, and making sure their guest have a great experience. The food is superb and provide an option that is different from most restaurants in Henley. We came back this time as visitors after living and dining at Hof's regularly when they first opened. We were pleased that the food was still as good, if not better than we remembered. Our favorites: The Zurcher, and if you have an appetite the Eisben which is one of the best I've had. If you like Red Wine go with the Hof's wines, they are always a treat. We look forward to coming back when in Henley.

THE BEST Sunday roasts around! Amazing quality delicious meat in particular. Would highly recommend! Delish!

Made to feel very uncomfortable by the bar man (possibly owner based on other reviews below). Popped in for a quick drink & the aggressive questioning & eye contact about where I came from & where I work made me & the person I was with very uncomfortable. When ordering a g&t he gave me a double when I specifically ordered a single (I was driving) & proceeded to put pepper in it ‘that is the way it is supposed to be drunk’ (it’s not, believe me) He then told me I had so much sadness in my face & that I was too young to be so unhappy & how I needed more love & TLC in my life. I came for a drink not a therapy session. He totally overstepped the mark, I won’t be back.

We came here for a meat feast and boy did we get one! This dish is a masterpiece of culinary preparation and melts in the mouth exuding all the subtle herb and spice flavours infused in the tenderest meat during the long slow cooking process. A generous portion with some to take home, but the dog can salivate in vain!!! We'll be back

First time visiting this quirky bar and restaurant and I was immediately blown away by the top class service and atmosphere. But let's talk about the star of the show.... THE FOOD. We ordered Jacob's Ladder Sunday Roast for three and the portion size was EPIC. The quality and flavours of this food made it one of the best meals I have ever had the pleasure to eat. The beef rib in this dish was so succulent, and soft there was no need for a knife. The vegetables were all cooked to perfection and EVERYTHING tasted immense. Totally blown away by the quality of this food. Do not miss visiting this place, you will not be disappointed.

Hoff's used to be such a nice place, the pub itself cozy and a great location, however I've been served off beer twice here and both times we were met with hostility - the man at the bar is rude and very defensive, both times he's ruined the experience for our friends, there are so many great pubs in Henley but this is falling far below the bar.

Shame, is a nice place went for a drink with friends. The man behind the bar served off Amstel. Went to the bar to ask for a change because it was off and he said ‘I don’t think you girls should drink beer…..’ The other women at the bar were lovely though!!

Had lunch here with my Mum and sisters. We were short on time but explained to the Hof's staff and they pulled out the stops for us. The meal was incredible. We eat out a lot and are real foodies. The meatballs were delicious, with just a hint of spice. The beef feel off the bone it was so tender and my sisters said the mozzarella salad was sublime. We are at least 2 hours drive away but we will return

Great wine, fantastic food, and even better service! Chris and Sophie are incredible hosts. Whether you’re South African or not, they make you feel right at home with delicious home style food and the friendliest banter. We LOVED it and will definitely become regulars!

Today we went to Hoffa for the first time and it was Father’s Day. We had a wonderful time! Being South African, it was such a treat to have South African food and drink options! Service was exceptional with Sophie and Anar looking after us from the moment we walked in. Food was absolutely delicious and the presentation of the food was outstanding! Everything was cooked to perfection! We will definitely be back! Thank you for making Father’s Day so special.

Had a decent burger and chips here, as well as a pint. Food was good and seating plentiful in a nice big garden. Service was quick and friendly... Nice place to spend an hour or two at the weekend.

Came across this during our stay in Henley-On-Thames. Me and my friend had the best Sunday roast. The chicken, beef and the gravy was amazing. The service was little slow but we enjoyed the food and ambience. Would definitely recommend! x

Went for Sunday lunch yesterday with friends, one word to describe the experience- AMAZING!!! Probably one of the best roast dinners ever. The roast potatoes were the best I have tasted outside home cooked ones. Staff were amazing, cannot wait to return to try the rest of the menu.

Hof’s turned out to be a fabulous delight, it was a last minute decision to visit and they didn’t disappoint. The German sausage sharing board was everything I hoped it would be and the chicken wings were some of the best I’ve ever had. The Hof’s wine selections were exceptionally good as well, highly recommended.

Disappointing dinner on Saturday night. We ordered one course and it took nearly 3 hours for dinner. I ordered a rare steak and it came out medium rare. I debated not sending it back as it had taken so long anyway, but when you’re paying for a steak and are also asked how you’d like it cooked it seems unfair to not have it as requested. So, when I pointed out that it was medium rare not rare to the waitress (who I believe is the manager) she stared at the steak inspecting it, essentially questioning me. Then proceeded to ask argue-mentally if I’m sure I’d like it re done and re cooked. She then explained it would take 10 minutes to re do (perhaps that’s why it was over cooked in the first place..) 20/25 minutes later it arrived. What I can say is that the food was amazing. My steak was delicious as were the dishes my friends ordered; the prawns and rack of ribs. Considering we were seated at 7:30 and didn’t finish till about 10pm for one course is pretty poor. We asked another waitress if there was a reason for the delay and she explained that they’re very short staffed. We are all human and understand things may be slow if you’re under staffed but why not explain this at the start and perhaps offer a complimentary drink as a nice gesture? A real shame as the food was so good, if they can resolve staff issues and level of service it would be a great place. There was some live music in the bar as well which was nice. Though just for some feedback in the dining area there was shakers playing loudly plus the live music so was a bit strange, think one or the other would suffice!

Lovely food and good wine and beer selection. Staff are always pleasant and they kindly fitted us in right at the end of service last minute on a Friday night.

Nice place but painfully slow service at the bar! Good to have some live music although the singer wasnt really into it. Still we had a good time and would go back.

Just popped in for a Pint but looking at the menu will be back here for a meal

We’ve been several times now and the food is always delicious, especially if you love meat, you won’t be disappointed, great vegetarian options too. Fantastic portion sizes! Great staff, so helpful given we were a big party with kids and dogs!

I work for a business based in Henley, and we had visitors coming from Spain and France for a meeting. HOFs was recommended to me by a friend. This hidden gem has left a great impression on our guests. Hospitable hosts, delicious dishes, beautiful presentation, wide wine list, and wonderful dessert. I 100% recommend HOFs to everyone!

Amazing food, super friendly staff, relaxed atmosphere. Highly recommend! Will definitely be back for more delicious food & yummy puddings.

Wonderful food, great staff, relaxed atmosphere. Highly recommend! Will definitely be back to enjoy more German food & their delicious pudding. Thank you , Sophie !

Excellent food, fantastic portions, great staff…. Don’t make my mistake and eat too much bread. 😀👍🏼

We had an absolutely fantastic meal at Hof’s. There were 10 of us and the service was exceptional and the food absolutely delicious. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meal and we can definitely recommend it.

I booked a table for a late afternoon dinner and selected the roast we would like - Mozambique Peri Peri Poussin. It was very obvious that no one at the restaurant had taken note of this from our online booking and we waited at least...

Had a great night out with friends. The food was simply stunning. We shared the meat platters and the steak was cooked to perfection. The service was spot on too. We were looked after by Sophie who had excellent knowledge of the menu and wines...

Fantastic food, but the service felt like an episode of Punk'd. We waited over an hour for our meal to arrive, and even then I suspect we only got it because I asked the bartender to check on its whereabouts. No apologies for the delay, no one checked on us for drinks while we were waiting. Overall experience felt really unwelcoming, which is a shame because the food was superb. Not sure we'd go back.

Yet again, a wonderful sunday lunch, enjoyed in this lovely pub and served by a very friendly Team, we highly recommend it! Their own wine is great too!

Great atmosphere and lovely staff serving delicious food and wines. Not my first visit but it was for our friends who had lived in Germany for several years and they loved it too! We had the Zucher with Rosti which was amazing! Will return very...

Excellent evening to celebrate a friend’s big birthday. Food was great hot & very tasty. Staff were really friendly helpful & knowledgeable. Live band were excellent and made it a really fun night. We will be back

Amazing meal tonight, can highly recommend hof's Bush board. Extraordinary meat superbly well cooked, if you have not been book now. Looking forward to coming back to try the rest of the menu. Great to find a superb restaurant in Henley-on-Thames.

We had a great evening at The Hof last Friday. The food was incredible. The staff so helpful. The bar was buzzing as they had a very talented Adam Isaac playing who had performed on The Voice. We ate, we danced and enjoyed the very...

Unfortunately we have just had a very expensive and disappointing evening at The Hof in Henley. The food was tasty and well cooked but was not good value for money and the service was appalling. The restaurant was busy as it was a live music night but none of the tables appeared to be getting any food! There were several complaints coming from other tables about waiting times and in total we waited for 2 hours and 20 minutes for main courses. We had to remind the waiter 3 times for our drinks order and when the bill came we were charged for drinks we hadn’t had! When we discussed our disappointment with the manageress, she proceeded to tell us that everyone is struggling at the moment with the cost of living and prices of everything were increasing. It wasn’t particularly helpful and we didn’t really feel as though she cared or wanted to improve our experience. We left feeling disappointed and reluctant to return.

Had a lovely lunch here. Food cooked with love and care.

Good food but pricey for what it is and, unfortunately, very poor service. Firstly the good... The food was good, bordering on very good. The Jacob's Ladder beef and Mozambique prawns were great but pricey at £29 each. The veggie board was half a butternut squash with some deep fried broccoli which is punchy for £25. The sausage board was good too but very simple: 3 sausages on a plate with sauerkraut. I think it should have come with some bread but it never arrived. The ingredients appear to be high quality which helps to justify the price but it still feels a bit like bar food (sausages on a board) at restaurant prices. For context, we ate at the Crooked Billet recently (which is head and shoulders above Hof's in terms of quality and service) and the bill came to roughly the same! What really lets Hof's down is the poor service. They were friendly enough (just) but from sitting down to getting the bill everything was so sloooow. It took just shy of 2 hours for us to eat a main course and a dessert. They then added a "discretionary" service charge of about 15% to the bill which I'd have paid, if the service had been worth it which is absolutely wasn't. Also, if it's discretionary, how about giving the customer the opportunity to add it while they're paying the bill vs having to ask to have it removed if they don't want to pay it? Finally, the barman is the only person I've encountered who either doesn't know how or can't be bothered to pour a pint of Guinness properly. Glass under the tap, full on, right to the top in one go as if it were lager. The result was a poor pint with a thin head instead of a lovely creamy one. If he doesn't know how to pour a pint, he shouldn't be behind a bar.

Friendly staff, freshly cooked food and nice atmosphere

We hired the room at the back of Hof's to host our daughter's 21st birthday party after a recommendation from some friends. We were not disappointed! We were able to go in and put up some decorations of our own earlier in the day and...

Nice clean place, didn't try the food as it was late but looks stunning.

It's not the classic Sunday roast but was so delicious, slow cooked beef ribs with spices , comes with vegetables roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings. . Was so tender , the meat didn't need any extra gravy. It's one of theat meals that you will remember !! Can't wait to go back again!!

Had great fun on Saturday night and enjoyed the live acoustic guitar/singer. Great fun and a friendly place. Would definitely go back again next time we are in Henley.

Lovely owners and great food. A must.

Everything we ordered was tasty, delicious and nicely presented. We went for lunch and had a selection of starters. Top marks for the Gruyère potato croquettes, flambéed prawns and calamari. The staff were friendly and helpful. We will return for Sunday lunch or dinner even...

Myself and my boyfriend visited Henley this weekend from London to briefly escape the hustle and bustle of the City. Hof's welcomed us with open arms and the cosy and warm atmosphere was exactly what we were looking for. The food was unbelievable - special...

Great spot just off the main street. Excellent food selection which is delicious, the staff were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful and the wine selection is well thought out and well priced.

Just amazing! A definite visit and revisit ❤️

Popped in for a quick pint before heading off for a curry. Ended up staying 'til closing, enjoying a phenomenal tomahawk (cote de boeuf) steak, and washed down with a very pleasant bottle of the house red. Great food, great atmosphere, and topped off with great service, particularly from Ilanna!! Thank you

It's really lovely but be careful if you have allergies as they use the same serving utensils for shellfish and meat etc

We had a 40th birthday celebration of our friend . Excellent hosting, food and live music. Very memorable experience. Thanks !

Been past many times, but never stopped by. We needed somewhere to eat before an evening Literary Festival session, and looked at the reviews for Hof’s. It lived up to the long line of excellent feedback. It’s a long narrow bar/restaurant that is very tastefully...

No visit to Henley is complete without visiting the Hofs. Meat eaters, wine connorsors and lovers of fine wine are most certainly in for a treat. The welcome in this place is like that of old friends. The food is consitantly excellent. All the time,...

We dropped in early and perhaps caught them at a bad time. Looks promising and I'll give them another try next time I'm in town.

Top quality food, big portions and wonderful service. We will be back.

Couldn't get a Sunday Roast in Henley today until we came across Hofs. If like me you have a healthy appetite you won't be disappointed as the meal was a good size and beautifully cooked. Very friendly and helpful staff. We'll worth a visit if...

We were so lucky to get in Hoffs on Saturday after another booking we had fell through . Our friends Golden Retrievers were welcome and we ate in the bar area. All four of us were delighted with our perfectly sized , flavoursome meals ....

Exquisite attention and cuisine

Great beers and staff. Droewors/biltong also really really good. I got a bag, shared with mates who proceeded to buy their own. Will be back.

Fabulous party here for a friend. Food was absolutely delicious and guests were still talking about the sea bream after the party! Hofs were so helpful and accommodating, giving first class service. The room at the back is light and full of character. Absolutely recommended for a party or any visit and they do their own wine.

A friend arranged a birthday party here and it was truly fabulous! The guests were delighted with the food (the sea bream delicious) and Sophie at Hofs was a wonderful host, staying calm and accommodating when we had last minute additions. It's reasonably priced and...

For those who like to eat meat, this is the place to go; they have butter which is so delicious. I highly recommend this place . And please don't forget the Hof's wine It's just amazing together.

Absolutely love the owners, the food and the atmosphere We will miss it dearly as we used to go there often during our stay in Henley. Chris and Sophie make everyone feel very welcome. Good luck with your future ventures!

Saw the menu online and was intrigued so we booked to go with another couple. Called ahead to say we were running slightly late but they said this was no problem. Received a warm and friendly welcome, went straight to our table and ordered drinks...

Sunday roast was fantastic. Very comfortable atmosphere. Bar and table service is better than average very attentive.