Murrays in South Northamptonshire

I can’t believe this was on our doorstep all these years….absolutely excellent.For the past 18 years we have lived a couple of miles from this restaurant but never actually visited. Partly because Whittlebury is a big sprawling modern hotel which caters for the Spa market. However, what a revelation we had on Saturday when we visited Murrays for the first time (but certainly not the last). Tucked away in a lovely quiet area, there is a lovely lounge area where you have drinks, peruse the menu and enjoy some canapés, then into the well spaced out dining room (totally COVID safe). The staff were professional, welcoming and totally up to speed on everything on the menu. This felt like fine dining at its best and a world away from a hotel restaurant.We chose the 6 course taster menu, which also included an amuse bouche, coffee and petite fours. Hubby had the wine pairing – which we regularly do with a tasting menu, always worth the extra, sadly I was driving so just a small glass for me. Every course was delicious and beautifully presented. The service was fabulous.Having now been awarded 3 AA rosettes this restaurant rivals some of the 2 and 3 Michelin starred restaurants we have eaten in.We cannot believe that we had this on our doorstep for so many years without realising it. We have already made another reservation and feel this will become a firm favourite.

Most delicious food; fabulous service; totally COVID safe; the perfect venue for a wonderful evening.

OMG! This was a fantastic surprise. What a fabulous restaurant. The food was amazing and the service was second to none. They definitely deserve more accolades.

A fantastic meal in what in my opinion is better than some Michelin star restaurants. My wife and I visited for a lovely romantic setting. The restaurant itself is much better than the hotel bar area which could be described as disappointing. The service was exceptional.The food was outstanding.Nice selection of drinks.The price is very reasonable.Would highly recommend and certainly we will return.

I saw that Murray’s git very good reviews but was slightly nervous as it is within a large hotel which caters to conferences etc. My worries were totally unnecessary the evening was wonderful from start to finish, service was excellent, the food was beautifully presented and perfectly cooked. I’m currently in remission for throat cancer and have been struggling to get all my sense of taste back and this was the first occasion that I’ve been able to taste everything, normally there’s nothing there after the first mouthful but the flavours were wonderful. From the canapés and amuse bouchées to the lovely anniversary plate at the end everything was perfect.

We pre-booked (highly recommended) our evening meal here on Saturday 8th January whilst we were enjoying a overnight spa break at Whittlebury Park . The restaurant in a good way is hidden away from the main part of the the hotel to give itself space and this re-enforces its independence despite being part of the Whittlebury Park. This also provides privacy from what else maybe happening at Whittlebury Park. The setting and decor was/is perfect. Prior to being seated, you take a seat in the lounge area where you can relax, have a drink and decide what menu to choose from (tasting or a la carte main menu). Whilst deciding we provided with some delicious small bites (amuse-bouches). A little while after deciding what menu we wanted we were escorted to our table were we served another delicious amuse bouche. The dining area is decorated beautifully and tastefully. The area is sized to accommodate approximately 12 well spaced out tables varying in 2 or 4 seat reservations. This provides for an intimate and relaxed experience. We chose the 6 course tasting menu along with the wine pairing menu too. We were so glad we did. The wines to accompany the food were discussed to us prior to our meals being served. All the wines were delicious and truly did accompany the food it was served with. The food was presented magnificently and detailed to us. The food was delicious and credit must be given to the Chef for this. The waiters and waitresses were impeccable too. They were very friendly, informative and helpful. For instance talking to us about Murray’s and what that are trying to achieve. Each was able to serve us in a very timely manner between each course. They are a credit to Murray’s as well. Our dining experience was amazing and lasted approximately 3 hours that seemed to just fly by. This is beyond doubt the best 2 AA Rosette restaurant we have dined in to date and based on our experience here certain could rival some Michelin 1 star restaurants we have dined at. Overall I would definitely recommend Murray’s.

From start to finish we were looked after like royalty ! Our experience started by having drinks at our own personalized labelled table with a few tasty canapes. We were then led into a lovely decorated restaurant with soothing music in the back ground and shown to our table .The food was out of this world and the attentiveness of the serving staff was top notch !

We dined here as part of our spa break and wish we had upgraded before. You walk down corridors away from the hub bub of Whittlebury to find a haven of peace and tranquility. Greeted by welcoming staff who ensured that every moment of our meal was tended to. You are seated in a relaxed area to chat and receive drinks and canapés. These were absolutely delicious and gave an insight into the meal to come. Once escorted to the main dining room you see how the tables are perfectly spaced out without any intrusion from your fellow diners. This for me is a rarity as restaurants all too often try to cram in as many tables as possible. The food was exemplary and not what I expected at all. Having dined at Michelin starred restaurants previously, I have to say that this was at that level. I asked for a dairy free taster menu and they were able to meet all of my requests and my meal mirrored my friends. A really delightful meal and such a relaxed dining experience that I look forward to having again. Thank You

Absolutely fantastic food, well informed staff, wonderful experience Well Done to Everyone Great menu choices

Two of us visited Murrays for a birthday meal and had a lovely evening.Those who waited on us were friendly, knowledgeable and extremely welcoming. The tasting menu was absolutely fantastic; a wide range small plates to enjoy, each bursting with flavour. We also had the wine flight and it was paired perfectly with the food. We've certainly paid a lot more for worse, so will absolutely be coming back! Perfect for a birthday/special occasion.

My friend and I take a spa break every year at Whittlebury and this year we combined it with the "Gourmet Getaway" package of dinner at Murrays and stay in a Club Room. We have dined in Murrays before, and this year it was just as good, if not better than ever. The food was beautifully presented and delicious. The service was attentive, with every course being explained to us and the intimate dining room is a special yet relaxing environment, with no pressure to rush your courses. It was lovely to see the dining room almost full on this visit and I hope this is a sign that Murrays is going from strength to strength. Congratulations to the Chef and all the serving staff.

My husband booked this fine dining experience for our anniversary.We were here 2 years ago but this time is a lot lot better.The lounge is very cosy and just opposite is the restaurant.We were met by Dayana&Andrea-Cristiana with all smiles and fantastic service.Chef Harvey Lockwood’s menu was just amazingly beautiful and delicious.Every single part of each dish got distinct taste to it even the fennel which i don’t like much was very tasty.I just wished him the best & i hope this restaurant will get the recognition it deserves.Thank you again for a memorable evening!

Better than expected from this young talented chef who no doubt will receive a Michelin star one day. Truly delicious food.

Superb 3 course meal in a small intimate restaurant good wine list with some surprises The waitresses were all very polite and attentive

We had a fantastic time at Murray’s restaurant celebrating our wedding anniversary. The atmosphere is calm and delightful, and the service is warm and friendly. Our waitresses, Ana and Dayana, are a real credit to the restaurant - they answered all of our questions and ensured our comfort throughout the entire evening. Starting with canapés and drinks in the comfortable seating area, we were delighted to see our names printed on the reserved table which really made the experience feel more special. The food was out of this world! My husband and I cleaned our plates during every course, but still left feeling very satisfied. The presentation was outstanding and the pricing was extremely reasonable, considering the quality and fine dining experience. All in all, we couldn’t recommend Murray’s enough - a perfect evening!

When we arrived we were taken through to the lounge where we could order our drinks and were also presented with some tasty canapes. We were then taken through to the restaurant we were informed by our waitress Ana that we were, in fact, the only guests booked for that evening and pretty much ended up having a private dining experience which was fantastic! The food we ordered was spectacular right through to the dessert (highly recommend the 35 day aged Beef and Carrot Cake) along with all the mini appetisers and palate cleansers that were brought out in between. Everything tasted phenomenal and Ana was a superb and attentive waitress the whole evening. We were also asked the purpose of our visit which I stated was for my birthday and to our surprise we were given a small plate of truffles and chocolates with 'Happy Birthday' written. A massive thank you to the team at Murrays for such a wonderful experience, I highly recommend visiting here.

Food was excellent. Fabulous flavours. Best meal I have had out in a long time.

We had fantastic meal last night in a perfect atmosphere and great service.

What a nice experience. We arrived and were shown to a reserved table in the lounge while we chose our drinks and meal. Small snacks were brought with the menu, then we chose the 3 course menu. As much as I like a taster menu, I prefer to pair wines with these, and I was driving....

Food - Superb, interesting, varied. We opted for the standard three courses but in fact there were seven with interesting extras. More like a tasting menu, but with just the right amount to feel full.

Was not sure what to expect prior to arriving , I had brought a deal through whittlebury hall which included a 3 course meal at Murray’s, and the deal I got was so good just for the overnight stay I was not expecting the food to be anything to rave about.

From beginning to end..this experience is a Must for foodies Just a small indication that we were there for a birthday celebration

Took my husband to Murrays on Saturday night for his birthday. It was great. We eat for special occasions at high end restaurants including Michelin star ones. This was equivalent but better value for money. From the moment we arrived with the lovely little canapes to the petit fours on a plate iced with " happy birthday" the meal was superb. Attentive and knowledgeable staff, beautifully cooked and presented food and an extensive range of wines to suit all price ranges. Thank you all for making the evening so pleasant.

Had booked the spa with hotel stay for my mothers 80th Birthday celebration and as a special treat decided to upgrade to Murray's Restaurant for the evening meal, given the glowing reports. The meals served were mediocre at best, and not of the standard that one would have expected. As for a celebratory meal, it fell very short, not only with the disappointing cuisine, but the degree of constant up-selling offered by one member of staff. To top it off the restaurant saw fit to mark the occasion with a single candle placed in a scoop of ice cream. How very imaginative. Not to be repeated.

Just celebrated my husband's birthday at this first class restaurant. The food and service were excellent. Attention to detail and superb touches made it a very special dining experience.

Some friends and I ate here last night and it was a wonderful experience. We all tried something we had never eaten before and everything we tried was excellent. The service was wonderful. It's a rare treat to be looked after so well. Will definitely return.

What an amazing experience. From the moment you arrive you are welcomed and looked after. The food is outstanding. The best I have had in a very long time. I’ve never tried Sweetbreads before and I was not disappointed, they were amazing. The attention to detail on the plate demonstrates real skill that delivers incredible flavours. I cannot fault the service or the food and the ambiance is delightful.

Fabulous and splendid country house with lovely scenery, elegant decor and historical appeal. Looks impressive at night when you enter via the long driveway. VIP treatment from arrival.. I booked mid week for a Birthday dinner for a lady and having made the short journey from Northampton we were welcomed and served with understated style.

During our stay at The Whittlebury Spa hotel we had the most wonderful evening at Murray's. The whole experience was an absolute pleasure. We were taken on a gastronomical journey with Anna and Dee guiding us through each course. They were great hostesses, informative and charming without any pretentiousness. One of my friends, Mina is a professional cook, these are her photos. She knows her stuff and was really impressed by the dishes and creativity behind them. Chef Harvey Lockwood is a genius in the kitchen, we loved every course! I would highly recommend Murray's for a spectacular dining experience. I dined at The Savoy in London a few weeks ago, Murray's was way better and of course cost a lot less!! Please do go, you will not be disappointed!

We made a visit to Murray’s for a rare evening out since having children and found the whole experience fantastic.

We ate at Murray’s for our anniversary and what a delight. Harvey the chef is amazing, food wonderful, presentation excellent, service perfect. It was an absolute special evening, thank you Harvey and the team.

Stayed at the hotel and ate at Murrays. What a fabulous experience. Service, attention to detail and the food were divine. Ate from the Taster menu. Tried food I would not have usually tried and loved every course. So much flavour and glad I tried new things. Great place and fab experience.

Wow just wow! The food was amazing so tasty and well presented- such a change with the new chef. The service was outstanding and the waitress couldn’t do enough to help us she was well spoken, polite and knew all about the dishes she was serving. to Murrey’s

A fabulous restaurant tucked away inside Whittlebury Hall. Paid for the upgrade to Murrays as part of a spa stay deal and so glad we did! Not only does it take you away from the main dining room but it has a gentle, sophisticated ambience and great staff. As always it’s the little touches - from an invitation to pre dinner drinks to a reserved seat for those drinks it has the approach and standards of fine dining. The food was excellent as would be expected and the service impeccable. Classy without being intimidating. An excellent experience and would really recommend it if you like fine food and quality service. Will likely book to eat there every time we stay from now on.

Unlike the actual hotel, Murray's is fabulous.

Hidden away in the hotel you will find Murrays. Seasonal menus using all fresh locally sourced ingredients, Chef Harvey creates imaginative British dishes with a modern twist that look and taste wonderful.

My friend and I decided to pay the extra to upgrade for our meal in Murrays after a great day in the Spa. Food was wonderful, great choices and no rushing you thru your meal. We spent just over 2 hours in there and the service and attentive waitress made it a really enjoyable evening. Compliments to the chef on such a wonderful selection of food

Taster menu superb. Six courses of beautifully presented tastebud titivating mouthfuls. Recommended Hungarian wine cheap, delicious, no heady feeling the day after.

Murrays is absolutley incredible. I can safely say that it was the best meal out I have ever eaten.

Really outstanding food and service, fine dining but very reasonable prices, whilst there are many good pubs with good food, there are not many places around the area for this quality of fine dining, highly recommend.

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Murrays – right from the super-tasty canapés through to the luxurious petit-fours.

Gorgeous birthday meal as a couple for my husbands birthday.

We had a lovely meal for our wedding anniversary. The food was lovely and the service was great. All the staff were very attentive and made our evening.

My sister and I booked for an overnight stay as we always do, but this time it was a gourmet package which included a meal in Murray’s restaurant. We have stayed many times before, but never eaten in this restaurant so were excited to try a new experience.

Great quality food, excellently presented. Service was superb. Professional, friendly and knowledgeable. The team really make you welcome. Well worth a visit and good value for the quality delivered.

My husband and I were staying at the hotel for my birthday present. We were greeted in the "waiting room" with an area with our name on. Offered drinks before going through for dinner. I was pregnant so told our waitress this before ordering. I got a lovely mocktail. Then we were given our canapés which were lovely.

Excellent meal - delicious. Terrific service - attentive and caring. Greeted on arrival, small lounge for drinks and canapés. Met dietary requirements with ease, including one vegan. Lovely, relaxing evening. Fine dining as it should be. :-) Will definitely return.

I would highly recommend Murrays at Whittlebury hall. The service was wonderful attentive and knowledgeable about the dishes. The presentation was sooooo beautiful and the flavours matched it. As a woman who barely passes a second course I ate the whole tasting menu do it it is lovely !!!

We had our first meal at the restaurant launched Murray's last night and wow it was good. The ambience, the attentive but not overbearing staff and of course the star of the show Harvey's fabulous food. I can highly recommend it to anyone who wants a special fine dining experience. They don't have a Michelin star yet but it's only a matter of time surely. Thanks to everyone who has made this a wonderful time for us.

We visited the restaurant whilst staying at the Hotel / Spa (this will be reviewed separately) as a birthday treat my husband booked the six course taster option as we are complete 'foodies' and have been lucky enough to eat in some fabulous restaurants and I would rate Murray’s extremely high on that list, not only for the fabulous food but the atmosphere and experience as a whole. Upon confirming our reservation we received a room call to request we meet in the reception where would be taken to our table we were asked if we could arrive 15 minute before our reservation to enjoy some canape’s. We were met in reception and were taken to a gorgeous waiting area with four table with comfy chairs the whole ambiance was very romantic, the personal touches continued with a table reserved for us, we then were served with Canape’s and drinks- which were lovely. We were then escorted to our table in the beautiful refurbished restaurant area which also had a very romantic feel to it- the restaurant itself like the whole experience felt very personal and intimate with few tables so it gave the feeling of privacy (which we love) there was not one part of the evening did we feel rushed it all flowed very professionally. The staff were very attentive and very knowledgeable of the food and wine served . Now the food…. What can I say it was amazing, perfectly sized portions, stunningly presented and packed full of flavour… We definitely feel this is one to watch it definitely deserves the 2 AA rosette’s already awarded I can see this becoming a Michelin Star restaurant one day. If you are looking for a ‘dining experience’ on top of a fantastic food and service then I would highly recommend Murray’s Restaurant . I honesty can’t wait to go back.

Visited as part of an overnight stay at Whittlebury Hall (reviewed separately) and it was the outstanding part. We were greeted in reception by a Host who walked with us to a small room with comfy chairs and a reserved for us sign. Here we got to look at the menu have a drink and canapés which were delicious. We then ordered here and were taken to a table in the restaurant which was a small and intimate room. The atmosphere was very romantic and lovely. Staff were outstanding and the food was delicious. Top service and attention to detail. Completely different from the main restaurant. If you are staying at Whittlebury Hall and would like a lovely dining experience this is the place to eat.

My husband treated me to a lovely spa weekend at Whittlebury Hall which included dinner at Murray's. My husband treated us to the 'tasting menu' with wine pairings. The food and the wine was simply amazing, I can not think of a single negative thing to say. The staff were lovely, very tentative and explained where every glass of wine came from and what exactly it was we were being served to eat. Our waitress couldn't do enough for us - our compliments also go to the chef!! We are already planning on coming again! I can not recommend Murray's enough :)

Upgraded our spa package to include dinner at Murrays - wow we have been coming to whittlebury for 15 years and never found this gem!

Dined here as part of the spa package, and well worth the additional premium. This has two AA Rosettes, and that is really for the food which is excellent. Imaginative flavour combinations and a clever menu full of complimentary choices. Although very comfortable, slightly basic layout - report to reception and follow the waiter to a quite plain room on the ground floor of the hotel. Well worth it though.

Wouldn't recommend this make sure they get you booked in on time ours mixed up should been 8.00 pm

Dined here as part of our spa package stay. The meal was excellent, can highly recommend the steak. Brilliantly attentive staff, nice clean environment. Just a very old fashioned dining room set up. Could do with a refurbishment/different table layouts. It's not very intimate as the next table full of people are practically sitting at your table. Perhaps add in some partitions or booths to break up the room into different smaller areas?

As we were staying in the Whittlebury Park hotel we decided to upgrade our evening meal to Murrays what a great decision. We were requested to be at the hotel reception area 15 mins before our allocated time for drinks and canapés which we did after which we were escorted to the restaurant which is quiet small in comparison to the main hotel restaurant but a lovely atmosphere with soft background music. We had both chosen the tasting menu and what a delight the service and attention to detail was excellent . Each of the 7 courses were a picture to behold and were not rushed . There was a supplement of £20.00 per person for the tasting menu but we thought it well worth it . and would definitely go there again

We had a 3-course meal at Murray's, Whittlebury Hall's fine dining restaurant. We were very well taken care of; before the meal we were sat at a reserved bar table and ordered prosecco. Then we were escorted to the restaurant and treated extremely well, it all felt very personal and ; we ordered a bottle of red wine with our meal and loved the presentation, flavour combinations and taste of all our dishes. If you're looking for a meal to celebrate something special in Northamptonshire, this is a very good shout.

Please read my review of our stay at Whittlebury Hall for a description of Murray's Restaurant. My wife and I were very impressed, not only with the food but also the excellent service

Although the setting of Murray's is old fashioned and in keeping with the conventions of a hotel restuarant, the service was personal and memorable. As a Masterchef and Great British Menu enthusist it was a delight to actually be a diner of fine dining!

We ate here for our wedding anniversary and this is one of my favourite restaurants for special occasions.