horse and groom in Guildford

Went last night with a group of colleagues (consultants at the nearby hospital) and one of our hospitals executives. Ordered a burger at the bar. A clearly very angry and aggressive Waitress brought out the dish. I helped her by taking the plate and placing it in front of me. She scoffed and turned away to leave. My colleagues asked if she could get me some cutlery. She was very disinterested and left , never to return again. I helped myself to napkins , cutlery etc in the end. The food was nothing special. Burger was under seasoned and the portion of chips was tiny. I will not be returning

Amazing food, ambience, service. The manager is very friendly, accommodating and the staff is very professional, quick and lovely.

Nice place with great staff. However, the music was absolutely dreadful. It was like being at a six year olds birthday party. Avoid if you have ears that still work

Absolutely lovely pub. Great atmosphere, lovely food, impeccable service. Our server Ashley was great. Was incredibly attentive and couldn’t have asked more from her. Would highly recommend this pub!

Food was amazing service from Mohammed was impeccable, really knows the menu such a value to the team. Massive thumbs up to the chefs couldn’t fault the food !!

Amazing pub, good food and good staff. Helped with all our quiries and the food was amazing. Tasted so good! Ashley was class and made our visit superb

We were very lucky to have taken a chance on this pub restaurant for a quick lunch driving back home It was a very pleasant experience, staff, the Barlady in particular, very helpful, decor very fresh and food excellent. We only had time for one course but our default choices of Cod and chips and Burger were as good as any we've had. Helpful that there was both a formal restaurant or you could pick a pub table and order from the same menu at the bar which we did.

Really excellent Sunday lunch with friends, service excellent. Recommended.

We visited here yesterday with friends and I can honestly say this is hands down the best pub food we have eaten in years. It was amazing. I practically licked my plate clean (same goes for all the others in our party). Will absolutely be coming here again.

I love this pub, it has become a regular place for me to come. The staff are very efficient and friendly and there are many locals that come in on a daily basis. Ashley and Kirsty are always lovely to chat with, which makes it a lovely place to come and meet people.

Stunning pub and food was spectacular! Ashley’s recommendations were spot on and will be returning again soon!

excellent experience. food was delicious, staff were incredible, especially ashley. cant wait to visit again

Visited for the first time, had a lovely experience and was served by the amazing Ashley who helped with anything we needed from best food options to what drinks she thought we’d enjoy

Each time we visit The Horse & Groom, we’re consistently impressed by the food, cocktails, and outstanding service. The atmosphere is always warm and welcoming, making it the perfect spot for our Friday or Saturday nights. I can't wait to return for another great evening :)

I went here with my family for my grandmothers 70th and it was one of the best experiences I have had in a pub/restaurant. The staff was amazing especially the young lady (I think her name was Ashley) she was so lovely and warming. The food was also exceptional. I will be recommending this place to everyone.

Great food and even better service!

Another great lunch food amazing service fantastic thank you to Ashley and the team. Will be back on Sunday for the amazing roast

We came here for Saturday lunchtime. It was six of us and two of our six with disabled. Staff handled our requests perfectly and went above and beyond to help us out. We also had our pet German Shepherd with us who was made to feel incredibly welcome and manager even bought him a nice treat. All the food and drink was great with no complaints at all we just moving to the area so we will definitely be back.

Update March 2025. After a recent refurbishment the pub is once again looking sparkling and is a much more enjoyable place to spend time in. Some of the family ate in the restaurant recently and the food was good still on the expensive side but that is par for the course these days. Overpriced food from a limited menu in tired and run down premises. All long overdue for an overhaul.

So pleased with the changes and management. Such a great local now! Thanks so much

First time trying Horse and Groom, very underwhelming on quality. Ordered the pork belly roast, the small wedge of pork belly cant have been roasted as wasnt crispy by any means on top nor did it come with any crackling. Very small amount of food for the price, gravy was tasty as the only positive. The mac and cheese, didnt taste like cheese at all, just a plain pasta in white sauce, no cheese even melted on top just untoasted breadcrumbs. For the price, not worth the money at all as the food is not as decribed or pictured, in my opinion. Service and drinks were good.

Ruined my birthday meal when the waitress refused to accept photo ID of our 26 year old daughter, insisting that the law required sight of the original, despite not knowing the law that 16+ years old are allowed an alcoholic drink whilst in the company of someone's 18+ and having a meal.

A new paint job. It looks good and the food was nice. The barman was helpful with our child's allergy to some food she is allergic to. I hope it doesn't fall back to the old pub it was.

Disappointing Experience – Poor Service and Unjustified Policies The service was appalling, and the food, while mediocre, was vastly overpriced. The atmosphere was chaotic, with children running around and screaming, making for an unpleasant dining experience. I visited for my mother’s birthday dinner and was refused alcohol because I did not have ID. While I understand the need for responsible service, the law permits alcohol consumption with a meal from the age of 16. At 27, I have never been asked for ID when dining with family. The reasoning given—that I needed to be over 18 even with parental supervision—was nonsensical and inconsistent with standard licensing regulations. Furthermore, there was no mention of a Challenge 25 policy, which would have been a more understandable explanation. To make matters worse, I then witnessed two other groups, consisting only of friends with no parents present, being served alcohol without question, despite appearing significantly younger than me. Overall, the experience was both frustrating and confusing. I would not recommend this restaurant and certainly will not be returning.

Came in with my family me , my husband my 27 year old daughter and 25 year old son for a pre dinner drink and the young boy behind the bar refused to serve us stating that my family were underage , did not respect the parents and refused any photographs of passports etc his attitude was rude and belligerent. It felt like he enjoyed the power of the situation rather than nurturing his clients . I will not be stepping into this pub again and would warn others of a frosty reception

Horse & Groom is a lovely and welcoming place. Food is very tasty for both adult and children. Everyone working here are so kind and always make sure we have the best time. Children love spending time here, pizza and pasta followed by yummy brownie is always a win. Every time we here either for just a quiet time as a family or for an organised event/party we always have the best experience. Highly recommend!

My friend and I popped in two weekends ago for a quick drink and catch-up. A good welcome given by the team who offered us a nice range of teas to choose from.. Thanks to Robbie and the team for the good hospitality at this Merrow venue.

Served by Kirsty at the Horse and Groom on Valentine’s Day whilst my daughter attended a local disco. The restaurant area was full (though looked lovely) so we were in the dog friendly restaurant area but still happy with the atmosphere. I had scallops for my starter which were cooked perfectly, the stake was cooked brilliantly too. Well flavoured sauces, meats and vegetables. Desserts were not exactly to my taste but were all presented nicely. It was very busy and the service was a little slow, our drinks didn’t actually arrive until midway through our starters but I put that down the the fact that it was Valentine’s Day and that there were many parents from the local disco that had also occupied the bar areas. In spite of this, the atmosphere in general and the food both exceeded our expectations, we would definitely come back here again for a relaxed and tasty meal. Thank you chef.

We had a Sunday lunch delivery last weekend that was just beautifully cooked and presented so today we decided to try eating in the restaurant. Food was superb, service attentive but not in our faces, prices reasonable for the quality of the food

Small review.. Another visit within 2 weeks for Valentines. All very very good. The steak was sublime. Service great. All round excellent. See you soon.p

High quality food and superb customer service. Do yourself a favour and try their pie, you won’t be disappointed!

Super friendly and helpful bar man helped us get a table for a quick lunch even though it was booked for later in the day. Food was fine: nothing special.

Was better last time but the seats were limited in the restaurant

The Horse and Groom in Merrow is a true gem! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with a warm, friendly atmosphere. The food was absolutely delicious – classic pub fare done exceptionally well, with fresh ingredients and generous portions. The service was top-notch; attentive without being intrusive. Lovely garden area too. Highly recommend a visit! Five stars all the way.

Excellent pub- this is our new local having recently moved to the area and we visit weekly and had our Christmas dinner at the pub! We have 2 little ones and a dog- we’re always made to feel very welcome, staff are friendly and accommodating, the food is great and it has a great bar and coffees. Somewhere we bring our nearest and dearest for a drink and food- would recommend.

Every dish was a masterpiece, blending fresh ingredients and rich flavors. The staff was attentive, and the ambiance was warm and inviting.

Enjoyable great food good service

I went to the Horse & Groom Merrow Pub on Sunday night to celebrate my birthday, but unfortunately it wasn't a completely satisfying experience. I had booked a table near the fireplace, but when I arrived I discovered that there was no fireplace with real wood lit, only a sort of fireplace with a light on, which was more reminiscent of those in the cemetery. The food was quite good, but overall I wasn't 100% satisfied.

Absolutely superb, great staff and superb food!

Service has gone down hill took the waiter 20 minutes to come over and ask us for a drink. Was there for 2 hours and never got offered another drink one of my sides came out by the time I finished my meal. Also the waiter dropped a knife on my leg and did not apologise

Lovely pub with friendly staff and wonderful food. Great place for an after work meal or Sunday drinks!☺️

Great food and service as usual.

Love this pub! Excellent location with a nice country pub vibe. All the staff are so welcoming and there's a good selections of drinks. Food is excellent and a good few options for vegetarian and vegan.

Lovely atmosphere and fire place. Very attentive, efficient and friendly staff. Service was faultless. My mistake is that I don’t visit more often. Special shout out to Roberto. Sorry for butchering my delicious prawn & chorizo linguine with cheese (:

Lovely food, warm atmosphere, definitely recommend.

This pub is one of the best in guildford, especially since it’s beautiful refurb. I have made it my new local! Roberto and his staff are always efficient, friendly and helpful, especially Ashley who does a great job of running the bar and is always smiling!!! Highly recommend!

Good beer friendly staff and good atmosphere

The Sicilian gentleman who served us was very warm & friendly, food delicious, decor stunning

Lovely pub really nice. Food was excellent! Service was a little slow and felt as if the waitress waiting our table was inexperienced looked very nervous and made mistakes on our bill at the end but Roberto the manager sorted the problem quickly and professionally... I would definitely recommend a visit for the Sunday roast! The pub itself is very well kept and has a cosy feel to it with a nice fire pit to sit next to inside.... will definitely be returning in the near future.

Nice atmosphere with open fire. Great food and good price point. Dog friendly and made to feel very welcome with our Dexter-dog

The horse and Groom is an absolute gem! The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the staff is attentive and friendly, and the food is nothing short of amazing. Every dish we tried was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. It’s clear that great care goes into every detail. Highly recommend for a memorable dining experience!

Food tonight was spectacular. Five star service as always. Roberto is a great manager, very friendly and professional. We love coming here.

Excellent service, very good food and a really nice atmosphere. A very enjoyable pub experience all in all. Would highly recommend for food as well as drinks!

We went as a large family group on Boxing Day, the service was excellent and the food amazing as always. A really enjoyable afternoon and look forward to returning soon!

Great meal on Friday, pub is looking great - thanks to Roberto and his staff for looking after us all, Slovene family loved it!

Had a really lovely lunch here with a friend and her dog, they were so friendly and welcoming, very accommodating with my dietary requirements and allergies, and so friendly with the dog, made a real fuss of her, which she loved! Also was sent a birthday voucher which meant my meal was free with the purchase if another!

The atmosphere is very pleasant and relaxing, and it's a very well kept place. The food is definitely worthy of the gasto-pub label, superb! And the staff are very friendly, brilliant service to top it all off!!

We loved the experience at the Horse & Groom Merrow. They were able to find us a table at the very last minute and what a lovely surprise it was! Starters were amazing, I highly recommend the pizzetta and squid. We had the pork belly and the roasted chicken as main, and we loved it too! I saved this place in my Google Maps profile, I will definitely come back.

Very lovely atmosphere inside, and the food is absolutely delicious! As an Italian, I really cannot recommend the pizza more, simply spot on!

Great place to stop after hiking the area! The pizzetta for starter is amazing, and the roasts are great too!

A nice boxing day meal, good food an great service

Excellent bar and restaurant offering wonderful menu and wines all set in an historic building. Thoroughly recommend.

Only eaten here once but enjoyed the food and would return at some point

Staff were excellent, food delicious, atmosphere lovely

I could not fault the service as all of the staff were excellent and the food was very good with a varied menu.

Very pleasant decor, food and service.

I had an amazing experience today at the Horse & Groom in Merrow. The food was truly delicious, the atmosphere was cosy and the staff were friendly and professional. Recommend.

So we visited this afternoon and I have to say the food was unreal. Full of flavour and cooked to perfection, I couldn’t fault it. They also had some festive extras on the menu which really complimented the meal! Not expensive and absolutely worth every penny. I will be returning very soon. Thank you team

Still a good pub for a meal but clearly trying to move more customers through and the care over the food has dropped some. Tasty but overdone. Beer range and atmosphere still great on a cold winter night

Had a lovely meal. And was so cosy and relaxing.

Awesome food as always, big improvement on the atmosphere from a year ago. Clean toilet👍

Very enjoyable group lunch today, ordering off both the festive and regular menus. Tasty, well presented food, great service (thanks Emily) and a welcoming atmosphere. We'll be going again.

Lovely area where our large family group could meet for a long lunch - aged 2months to 90 years. Delicious food and friendly professional service.

We have had a really nice Sunday lunch. The manager is very welcoming and so it’s the staff. Food is great. Our dogs loved the place too. If you are in the area, definitely you should check it out.

Had our Xmas Party here. The Staff were really friendly and the meal was superb

Great meal! Festive menu is a must and the staff is very nice and accommodating

Atmosphere, waitress and drinks were good. Food was not up to expectations. The “raclette” cheese on the burger was almost nonexistent and disappointing. The recommended crème brûlée had the wrong texture and didn’t taste of real vanilla. The most annoying part was I signed up for the newsletter that gave me AND my guest a free dessert only to see on the bill that only one had been taken off!

Great menu quality food and service. we've been with a large and smaller groups and it's always great food and service. keep up the good work!

Fantastic service, amazing food and wonderful atmosphere. We highly recommend 👌🏼

Was given great service by Shakira very helpful and prompt with all our needs will deffo be going back there again thanks guys keep up the good work

Fantastic place and fantastic food! Great meal and service!

Lovely feel to the restaurant, food was excellent. Sadly the service spoilt our experience. Our server seated us and we didn't see him again. Waited 30 minutes to order a drink and our meals. Our Sunday roasts arrived without yorkshires, had to get up and go and find someone to ask for them. Halfway through main course drinks had run out, no-one in sight to order more. Would have liked a dessert but based on the service received so far we decided to pay and leave (took a whole to get the attention off someone to bring our bill.) Overall a real shame because the food was excellent, unfortunately have been put off returning again. It's not acceptable to dump somebody at a table and forget about them, ultimately you lost out on further drinks and orders.

Visited the pub restaurant four times before I write this. It’s definitely a hidden gem and truly deserves a five star rating. Menu options are aplenty. I tried both lunch and dinner options. Service is impeccable. Environment is very relaxing and clean. Parking is free .

Highly recommend the bottomless lunch. Great food and unlimited cocktails and prosecco for £35. Great service.

We visited this restaurant for my birthday and we stayed in the area on route to our next destination. A variety of options to choose from and we all thoroughly enjoyed our meals, the service was also very very good. Don’t hesitate to book!

We hadn't been here for years following a few uninspiring meals. Decided to give it a try after it's refurbishment. It is now owned by the same company that own The White Hart at Pirbright. Welcomed by a young man, followed by very good service. The food was very good, well cooked and a reasonable portion. I started with the cheesy mushrooms, which were surprisingly good, followed by the pork belly, very nice. My wife had the sea bass, which was also very good. They obviously have a good chef. We will definitely be back again.

Very nice meal, well cooked with reasonable portions

Fantastic food, great service, very good prices. Parking also good. Can’t complain on any front. Edit: Jeff was fantastic served us and checked in. Really good pub, they don’t mess customers around. I really respect that. Shows quality and class.

Emily and the barmaid made us feel very welcome . I phoned in the afternoon and Emily was so helpful and welcoming we decided to book for a meal in the evening . The table was all reserved as requested and we had a great meal and a number of drinks from the bar !!! Where the duty barmaid was also very helpful

It clearly changed ownership when compared to 3 years ago. Today is an outstanding atmosphere to have lunch at, with the most delicious octopus starter (special of today, so you won't always find it) and sublime British steak and malbec pie. Excellent.

Jeff sigma was great, good experience.

Great steak sandwich on lunch the menu - my waitress Emily was super lovely and attentive. The other staff were super friendly also.

Very pricey main courses average out at £20 and sides £5. Pint of Pepsi max £4.50. Very few light lunch options. Menus hidden behind the bar. Friendly staff but as there are so many lovely places on the area this doesn't stand out.

Fantastic birthday meal, all the food was spot on, and well.rpiced conpared to some other pubs. everything looking nice after the refurb. Can't wait to return.

This was our second visit to this pub. This was Saturday evening 26/10/24, the menu details were not good as my wife had the banana blossom stew, which contained peppers, but this wasn't mentioned on the menu. Also, my son's pudding came with ice cream and we asked to swap it for sorbet, however, when we checked the bill later, we realised we'd been charged extra for the sorbet. This won't stop us returning because we had a good time. Regards

Great meal and good customer service

The menu filled us with so much anticipation, we thought we were going to be disappointed. We weren’t. It was delicious. The lemon tart was too fussy and lacked a proper crust, but no matter, it tasted good. Would go again.

We visited the horse and groom for a birthday meal the first time since its refurbishment. As always the food was delicious. We enjoyed fish and chips, prime cheeseburger and a children’s sausage and mash for dinner. Followed by the famous chocolate bomb, a creme brûlée and ice cream. The service was friendly and attentive, care and attention was taken to ensure no allergens were present.

Really nice pork roast. A few items missing that we had to chase but this was quickly rectified by a nice member of the team. Kids portion was a bit small especially for the price (my 4 year old was still hungry after the fish and chips), but a lovely family friendly pub.

Bit of a let down and a shame from management. Booked a table for some Sunday lunch and a few drinks, was told after 90 minutes they needed the table back and we had to move upstairs if we wanted to carry on in the pub. When we got up and left our table - there were loads of spare tables around the pub both upstairs and down. We stayed a while longer and it stayed this way. Wasn't really sure what the big rush was about - don't see why we couldn't have stayed at our table. It was uncomfortable forcing us to move and open a new tab and I'm not a fan of anywhere that rushes and forces you to eat and drink quickly. Should change the system so that your table is guaranteed for longer. But of course that would mean less money.