Monkey Island Brasserie in Windsor and Maidenhead

Lovely service from Ellie and the team, the portions were generous and food was very satisfying. Calming views and playlist added to the overall ambience. Great for a chilled Sunday lunch.

We decided on an Easter Monday lunch by the river, and despite the weather, Monkey Island seemed a good bet. You can't fault the location. The Island is fabulously well kept, the river view is terrific and the dining area definitely up to spec. Car parking well catered for. But this is Bray, and withing 20 mins walk you have dining experiences at Caldesi, Waterside, Fat Duck, Hind's Head and the Crown. Between them, they set a high bar, and disappointingly, Monkey Island fell a long way short. Which is a shame, because the location does give them a head start. But with the lack of options or information about restricted diets in today's highly competitive market, the obviously pre-prepared meals (leading in no small part to said lack of options) and the parsimonious portion sizes of 'extras', meant that the prices, while on a par with the rest of Bray, did not feel justified. Yes, it was a bank -holiday, yes it was lunch. But that's no excuse for a meal which could have come from our home freezer. Service was attentive, albeit a little un-thinking: a "dairy free" request shouldn't really then involve the individual being served a bread basket with butter. Nor being asked 'It contains eggs - is that OK?" One would hope that staff in this type of establishment are trained to recognise the difference between dairy and the produce of other farmyard animals. I'm afraid that despite the lovely surrounds, with so many other options close by, and the re-birth of Maidenhead town centre and its ever growing array of quality dining options, we are unlikely to choose Monkey Island as a 'must do' in the near future. A pity.

We stayed at the hotel so breakfast was convenient (not sure where else you could have one, even if you walk 20 min to get to Bray...), but it was disappointing as other reviewers noted. Low quality for the extra £25 pp we paid: sliced bread (vs. fresh loaf/baguette), frozen pastries, OJ not freshly squeezed, very average pancakes (I can probably make better ones at home). Dinner was similar - very disappointing. Although it may sound comfortable to have dinner at the hotel, I would advise against it and take cab back into Bray or even Maidenhead...

We were meeting for our quarterly Afternoon Tea and had chosen this place as we had all seen it, driven past it etc. and never been. The grounds and hotel are simply stunning and on a regular spring or summer day this place would be simply divine to wander along the river bank or sit and sip drinks in the grounds. The staff were incredibly helpful and friendly and could not be faulted. The brasserie and bar area were ver pleasant. Sadly the Afternoon Tea (specifically the food) was not great at all. The sandwiches were either very bland (we couldn't tell the difference between the cheese and the egg), or incredibly spicy (the salmon sandwiches were a sort of mashed up affair - with lots of something spicy added - a bit like the kind of thing you get from a tin). The desserts were delicious, but unfortunately the scones were rubbery and dry. I would not have afternoon tea at this venue again and it seemed incredibly expensive for the quality of food!

Relieved to arrive after a terrible start to the evening at The Fairmont, Windsor where it was full of screaming babies, out of control children. Greated by lovely staff, great food and a lovely view of the river. Enjoyed a lovely relaxed quiet dinner and would recommend to all

Can’t review hotel as didn’t stay but restaurant overpriced for quality of food and £18 for a white wine spritz is just ridiculous and it was billed as an Aperol Monkey same price as a cocktail No comparison to the Waterside Inn Will not be going back

Overpriced. Lovely location but food average and service very poor. It relies heavily on the location.

Beautiful location but food average and poor service. My drink arrived 30 minutes after ordering, despite tables who arrived later receiving theirs first, and when my food finally arrived it was undercooked and had to be sent back. I had to move tables due to people smoking in a non-smoking area. Very disappointing.

An idyllic location but I’m afraid that’s where it ends. We ordered aperitifs and were served the wrong drinks. The prawn cocktails are substandard, sweet cheap tasting sauce and hunt the prawns. £15 each The duck was full of sinew and for this reason I am pleased the serving was so small. The fish and chips, fish had raw batter that coated your mouth and a very thin sad piece of haddock. The chips were its saving grace which were very nice. The £40 ribeye was tough and tasteless The blood orange sorbet when it was served had melted and was in fact blood orange soup. It was a fantastic sunny day on Easter Friday and it should have been very busy, we now have some idea of why. What a shame and such a waste of such a lovely location. The summary. Terrible food Inadequate, disinterested service. Expensive Trading on the location alone. Don’t go.

Came to the Brasserie for the first time with friends and assumed because the hotel was a 5 star hotel the food would be consistent with the hotels 5 stars rating. Bad judgement by me. I ordered a prawn cocktail which when it arrived was presented in a circular fashion(like a burger) The base was lettuce and the prawns were placed above the lettuce. In order to confirm that there were prawns involved here, one needed a magnifying glass, as when I located one eventually, it was so small it must have been on a strict diet in its former life. The rest of the dish contained diet prawns too. To make matters worse, the dish was served up at room temperature rather than being chilled. I left the dish completely! Cost £15 Main course chosen was Barberry duck breast, and confit duck leg, puree and comie pear. By this time I was hungry. When the large white plate showed up with the duck, it basically consisted of two small wedges of duck, a small pear and a few blobs of puree. I ordered a side of new potatoes too, which arrived in a "smashed" form. Both courses were luke warm, but the most disappointing of experience was the grossly inadequate amount of duck placed upon my plate. Price of the two duck wedges etc came to £26. I have eaten in many restaurants fine and otherwise, but this experience was one of the worst in living memory. Whoever is in ultimate charge of the Brasserie need to be dismissed as the brasserie fell short on all counts. There were two redeeming features however. I ordered a portion of chips as my "main" meal, and they were hot and tasty, and the manageress, Charlotte, who apologised profusely and was an absolute darling throughout. Needless to say my meal was removed from the bill. I was asked to return compliments of the house, but until there is a change of management and chef the answer was a polite but firm "no". You have all been warned, eat there at your peril!

Came for my birthday meal with family on Monday evening and we were served by a lovely waitress who was friendly and attentive (I wish took her name!). The food was outstanding, in particular the duck with the poached pear and the stone bass and seafood veloute - chefs kiss. I know the menu changes regularly and I’ll definitely be back again

Visited for lunch yesterday. Loved the new decor with windows everywhere and great colour in the Brasserie. Food was very tasty and well presented. I had the fish which was delicious and my Husband enjoyed the duck and pear. Desserts were huge and very tasty. Staff were very pleasant. Agree that a lighter lunch choice would be a good idea as an option but certainly enjoyed our visit and based on this visit would return.

Having had such an amazing stay at Monkey Island we were really disappointed by the brasserie/restaurant which detracted from everything else. First off, the dishes are VERY expensive, but given where it is this is to be expected. The restaurant operates a small menu which doesn't change at lunch time when a more casual bar style menu would be much better. A small menu is great if the dishes are all executed well, but none of these were. Of the 3 occasions we ate there (dinner, breakfast and lunch) there were items or ingredients forgotten (e.g. I was served pan fried greens without the lemon oil dressing - so just bland greens). Two of us had the steak, which for me was tough and had almost as much inedible fat as meat on it. The aubergine parmigiana, one of the few vegetarian options, was also inedible and when you're paying £25 for it being unable to eat it is somewhat annoying. The waiting staff were all pleasant but didn't seem to know what was going on most the time, which may be inexperience. Several times we asked questions which they went to the kitchen to answer and then didn't return. We also had long waits to order or have our plates cleared. The bar staff in contrast seemed to be much better, although I note they don't sell any lagers (draught or bottled) which is strange considering that this is the most popular beer. A draught pint will set you back about £12 after which I think you'll be using it to drown your sorrows. All in all the monkey island brasserie was a real negative on the whole stay in what is otherwise an absolutely stunning location and hotel.

Crikey ! This restaurant was among the finest in the UK with exquisite food, prepared and presented with flair and imagination. I have been dining there since peacocks roamed freely around the island and for the last year the food has been sensational. A brief closure to non-residents and we return to spoil and treat ourselves to something splendid. Oh dear. The sunday lunch set menu from 6 months ago was an absolute feast. This time, the chicken had obviously died of old age and natural causes, couldn't find any prawns in a prawn cocktail, just a massive coup of lettuce. What used to be quiet and discreet service has been replaced with constant , pointless attention and questions. The venue is absolutely wonderful. However, if this is a sign of things to come it will be our last visit to the restaurant. I'd love to know where the previous Chef has gone, we'd be sure to follow.

We, a group of friends, went to Monkey Island Brasserie for Sunday lunch. We had been earlier in the year, May 2022, and had a great lunch so we decided to go again. The Sunday lunch menu was similar, so we all had a good idea of what we would order. We all ordered three course at £45 per head. When we got our first course all the portions were exceptionally small, so small we all laughed. How can you have prawn cocktail the looks like a disc of chopped lettuce with less than 1 chopped prawn in the sauce? This was a sign of what was to come. Previously, when we had the main course, it was a substantial, very tasty lunch. This time, we had large plates with a very small potion of food placed in the middle. Two small slices of beef, which was not medium rare, two small pieces of broccoli, 5 green beans, a few slices of carrots and a tiny jug of gravy. The saving grace was a reasonable portion of roast potatoes to share amongst the table. We had to ask for horse radish which came in a tiny individual bowl, so we had to ask for a tiny bowl for each person. The theme continued….. peach crumble was half a very small peach with a little crumble on the top. It was very disappointing as even the peach was not well cooked. The other desserts were equally disappointing. No one asked at any point about our experience. Maybe they heard us talking about it? We all agreed that the food quality was good but the portion size a joke. We will never return to the restaurant, which is such a shame as our first visit was excellent. If you are hungry, do not go here!

The food was excellent. The mackerel was a stunning starter. The menu is minimal and is typical brasserie style. However as the menu is minimal the quality of ingredients and execution is excellent! Bottle of Rose starts at £30 which is sensible for they type of place. Tips to improve: Update the menu on the website, I doubt it is that difficult Add the Breakfast Menu to the website Create a Cocktail Menu, you have a talented bar man, and I think it is a lost revenue stream for the business.

The difference being the river Thames. Watching the boats chug slowly past whilst enjoying a lovely meal. You should go.

We had dinner at the Monkey Island Brasserie for the first time yesterday. The location is remarkably peaceful despite being so near to Heathrow Airport, the M4 and a busy town. Our meal was delicious and exceeded expectations. The pina colada cocktail I had was...

Sunday roast for 6 adults, exceptional standard, exceptional service exceptional value, in fact, an absolute bargain, definitely returning soon ,many thanks

We stayed at the Monkey Island Hotel for a couple of days, and the Brasserie is part of the estate - I have never experienced such incredible food; however that was just a piece of the pie - The staff were so welcoming and made...

We visited Monkey Bar - a Great outside and inside area around Monkey Brasserie. Good wine list and excellent and friendly service. Great drinks. Ask for bartender Russel. On an island along The Thames.

We had a reservation for four at your restaurant during bank Holiday Monday. I would like to take this opportunity to compliment you and your team for the exemplary service provided. In particular Keshi, Marius and Charlotte, who were exceptional and made our dining experience...

ow key professional service made this a very pleasant experience. The menu selections are somewhat but the quality of the food and its presentation are excellent. We had a midweek lunch in the Brasserie which was very quiet and the waiter went out f his...

A very enjoyable dining experience, friendly but polite staff, and the fish and chips don't get any better than this. Superb!

Bray is spoilt for good restaurants and pubs and this is another one. It is a relaxed modern place in Monkey Island hotel serving good but more simple food than the Michelin starred places nearby. There is a large car park and then you walk...

The environment is gorgeous and the food is very good despite the small selection, but what is really outstanding is the service, which I have honesty not found as good in any other restaurant around Windsor, bar the Waterside. Always smiling, always available, and unlike...

Stayed the hotel for a few days and it was a fantastic experience. Would definitely return . Food and service was great to

Went there for a meal on a Saturday early evening about two weeks back, the food is really excellent, but it's let down by a mix of highly experienced and clearly inexperienced staff. Overall they were quite apparently understaffed, with it being difficult to place...

The perfect setting for a lovely meal I thought. As the evening progressed I realised that the food was pretty poor. I never complain but 2 out of 4 of us had to send are food back only to get an even worse replacement. The...

Very lovely setting - beautiful gardens facing Thames. Young staff - very lovely but clearly learning (everyone has to learn). Food was way over priced and average. Wine list limited and also overpriced. We opted for cocktails and beer. Beetroot starter with goats cheese? 2...

Visited for dinner last night (31.8.21) with a couple for whom it was their first time at Monkey Island. We had a wonderful relaxed evening. All of our dishes were simply delicious; expertly cooked and beautifully presented. The Italian house red & white wines were...

Had dinner and breakfast here, while stay in the rooms on the island. All of the food was delicious and service was friendly and attentive. Would definitely recommend for a luxurious meal.

I’ve just come home from a fabulous afternoon with 7 friends, celebrating a birthday. The staff at Monkey Island made our visit very special, especially Matthew who went above and beyond to ensure our visit was memorable. Super food and spectacular setting. Will visit again...

espite the Open Table address being wrong on our booking confirmation we eventually arrived at the superbly situated restaurant located on a Thames island which is only accessible by a short 150 meter walk over a footbridge. The grounds and views are stunning and the...

We attended this beautiful place for a birthday dinner. We sat outside at the restaurant by the river on a lovely sunny day and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It was the perfect evening with great venue, great service and great food. Lovely surprise with a birthday...

Had breakfast here as a hotel guest. The brasserie was very busy that morning and service was charming, a bit chaotic but the staff were cheerful and willing. They failed to do the learner essentials like taking down details of orders which led to confusion...

We have been many times years over the years and it had been ok, but it is so much better these days. The smoked salmon starter was terrific and the fish and chips are the best in the area. We sat inside, because it was...

Always a nice experience We visit when we have a celebration or anniversary Food, service & ambiance is always good & this time was exactly as it should be.

Delicious food and a beautiful setting. The tempura octopus main was fabulous. The service was friendly and generally efficient but not always very attentive.

The location is absolutely gorgeous. Go to enjoy the beautifully renovated estate, the lovely river sights and their gardens. The food was also delicious, the steak especially was cooked to perfection, and it was clearly quality beef. Unfortunately service was lagging, though there were plenty...

The restaurant is not large but very nicely fitted out. A good welcome and quickly served with water. We had a basket of sourdough which came with two types of butter, both very nice. Both of our starters and mains were very enjoyable. We sat...