Queen's Head in Epping Forest

Have visited on a few occasions over the last 5 years. The food/ service used to be amazing. I returned this week with two friends who had not been before. The food on this occasion was average & the service ok. However, the overriding issue was how extremely cold it was. I touched the rads, they were not on. There were logs by the fires,but they were not lit. Then the door was left wide open. It was very uncomfortable- we commented and were moved to a corner table, but it didn’t really make any difference. Sorry to say, we will not be rushing back.

Food was average, service was poor and slow, no salt and pepper on table, over price, staff miserable, cramped surrendering will not be returning

Visited here for a 40th birthday celebration. Rude front of house, food cold and heart pulpitations after. Too much salt. Crampt enviroment, no where to stand pre drinks before meal. Hot and sweaty. Drinks are really expensive and service is slow. Just adverage!!!

Came here after a recommendation. So glad we did! Food was absolutely sublime ! We didn't book but tables soon filled up so we will next time. Didn't feel rushed and the atmosphere is lovely.

Wonderful pub, lovely food and excellent people.

Great food and will definitely be back

Went to the Queens Head on the 30th of December with my son and his family got a fantastic greeting on arrival got shown to our table we ordered some wings and pigs in blankets that were ridiculously good we then had our mains which were unbelievably good I had properly the best pork schnitzel I have had the service was impeccable. I will 100% go again and suggest you try it a little gem tucked away

Just got bad from spending nearly £90 on lunch for 2 people. This place use to be amazing!! main course turned up and the sirloin steak was Luke warm and chicken burger was much the same. The chips were horrendous, could taste the oil, the oil definitely needed changing in the kitchen. When we first walked in, not sure if he was the manager, but he ignored us as he was speaking to a member of staff, sounded like he was training her up. I’ve worked in pubs and bars in London and this is not how you treat you punters. I ignored it though! The young man who served us was lovely, a credit to his parents, he couldn’t do enough for us, he even offered to get the food re-warmed up for us, but we were so hungry we declined (should have been hot in the first place). When it came to taking our plates away, the manager did this, no smile and didn’t even asked if we enjoyed our meal, probably because he heard off the young boy that we wasn’t happy. I’m not sure if it’s been taken over or under new management, but in the 13 years I’ve lived in the area, the food has always been superb. Note to self: I won’t be going back and I certainly won’t ever recommend it again

This was a birthday celebration and the food was shocking for which the management agreed and no charge was made. The service and food has gone down hill as spoken by many locals. That same night a Christmas eve booking made by myself months prior was to be confirmed if any change to the original booking only to be now told the table has been given to someone else as I had not confirmed. Sam the so called bar manager said I could confirm nearer the date if we are not 6 people we could move over to a smaller table which was fine. On receiving a call today from Sam was told we can't have that table now and also the time had changed from 3pm t 4pm somehow?????? When you make a booking and it's confirmed why the drama? I was lied to and told what was said the night of my birthday celebration was something totally different although I have several friends at the table who could confirm otherwise. I asked to speak to the manager as this is shocking treatment and arrogant only to find the owner has also been lied to and completely inconsiderate and no compassion for this dreadful upsetting situation. Now told the table is cancelled after. told him some truths about what locals are saying and that Sam the manager had lied which should come as constructive criticism only to be told not to be allowed in the pub again.?? Most of the staff are clearly in the wrong profession as are miserable in their work and now very incompetent! There are plenty more welcoming pubs in the area with friendly professional staff and great food consistently so go try them instead for sure.

Really lovely Christmas lunch at this pub. Good service and generous portion sizes! We’d visit again.

Had our works Christmas do at The Queens Head on the 8th December. Everything was lovely from the table we had upstairs for 16 people to the food and service we received. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Thankyou

Thank you to Rachel and Dan for giving my father the most amazing send off. The pub was packed with over 80 people celebrating my fathers life. The food and service was out of this world. Dan’s suggestion for the food was spot on and we have had so many comments about how wonderful it all was. The waiting staff were very helpful and kept the drinks flowing all afternoon. Thank you The Queens Head 🙏

Had an evening meal with 4 friends a very bad experience meal was very sub standard the venue was quiet which might be indicative of standards slipping raised the concerns with the manager more to express my disappointment than looking for any discount

Fantastic food, a little on the expensive side but well worth it. Not your typical pub food restaurant at all. Done with a twist, menu is interesting and different. Beware, portions are big! Great service, very pleasant and accommodating staff in a lovely and warm surrounding. Definitely coming back.

Excellent experience, we will be back

Came from walking the old runway in Willingale. We had dogs, so sat in garden. Staff very helpful and friendly. Wide and interesting menu - we had all sorts of different things - loin, scotch eggs, burger. All cooked realy well, good sized portions. Beer fine

Not dog friendly, very much focused on food rather than a local pub

The food was delicious but prefer plates to wooden boards. The staff very friend friendly and helpful. Very quaint with a cosy atmosphere. Will visit again.

Our special place to meet up with friends, enjoy great food and made to feel most welcome.

Been here lots of times but the last few times haven’t been very good, we won’t be returning. I ordered the lamb rack, it came out and the potatoes were stone cold so I sent them back… 10 minutes later when my partner had almost finished his dinner mine came back. The potatoes were lovely and hot but that meant the lamb was over cooked and tough! When ordering my partner asked the waiter if he could change his chips to the truffle fries, the waiter said yes of course… when we got home and checked the bill we realised we had been charged an extra £5 on top of the £36 for the piece of steak, mushroom and tomato!!! They had charged us extra but not even given us the fries that came with the steak! And didn’t bother to tell us! So £41 for a sirloin steak, truffle fries, a tomato and a mushroom!!! It’s a shame we only realised when we checked the bill at home because I would have queried it. I then emailed them and didn’t get a reply! Terrible customer service… such a shame.

Good food but long wait otherwise good service and lovely setting.shame about the brown exterior colour.

I have eaten at The Queens Head many times, but on this occasion the Service was appalling, I had to ask for side plates three times before they arrived, we brought our daughter in law who enjoys Rose wine we asked the person taking our order if they could recommend one out of the two Rose wines that was dry, to be advised that they did not know so we had to google from our table to find out. When our dinner arrived we had to highlight something that was missing from my granddaughters dinner order to be told that , that was not the case but then advised so the missing item was brought to the table. I genuinely do not mind be charged for Service, but only good Service, £17.00 for appalling Service is a stretch.

Great atmosphere and the food was amazing. Good choices on the menu and helpfully staff.

Such a wonderful pub and restaurant. We have been so many times and have never been disappointed. The service is second to none, professional yet friendly and helpful, the food is inventive and delicious. Its one of our favourite places to go as a couple and as a family. Highly recommend it here.

Just had a lovely lunch here today. We walked from Ongar following the Essex Way and stopped at the Queens Head for a very tasty lunch and a cheeky beer! Our sourdough sandwiches were delicious and a good sized portion. The staff are very welcoming and friendly. We've been here for evening dinner before too and the menu is varied with lots of choice. This is a great pub run by friendly staff. We'll be back for more visits and definitely recommend. The garden by the river is lovely too!

Though we would try this pub again after a long time, a bit disappointing food took ages to come and then some was not cooked properly and Luke warm 😕 nice place for a drink

Not for the first time this Gastro Pub exceeded in every aspect. Fab food, great service, and a fine selection of beers. Can it get any better?

Wild boar burger was to die for would definately recommend.

You cant get it better around the area. Doesn’t matter if you you go for a sandwich or lamb everything is delicious. Only but is that they took the sausage and mash out of the menu. I hope they bring it back as it is the only place where i eat it! They are also fair with the price and have a lovely wine selection.

As Londoners we have an Essex country walks book. We are always on the look out for a great country pub beer garden on our walks. Last Saturday we found the best one so far. The garden by the Roding is fabulous. Great place for a drink after a walk and left us thinking why do we live in london. Warm welcome as well from the youngsters..

We only popped in for one so ive based my review on one round nice little pub

Great service and food. Highly recommended.

I’ve been coming here since it was just a regular pub and I live locally. The food has always been to a really good standard and generally the service too. Until now. As the manager said to me - when a table goes wrong it seems to really go wrong and she was right. We booked on Open Table as usual but when we arrived were told we had no booking and they no longer take bookings via Open Table. Fair enough. We were shown to a table upstairs which wasn’t really what we wanted but was ok. Drinks and starters came out in good time and it all seemed to be going well. Mains arrived - the Lemon Sole (which was mine) a few mins after the others but again no big deal. As soon as I tasted it I knew it was not cooked correctly and was cold inside. Another in our party had the Sole and had a similar issue but it was only minor so didn’t ask for it to be changed. I asked for another which took 10 mins and was given an apology. We also asked for an additional glass of Sauvignon Blanc but that didn’t materialize. Again no massive deal but not great. When my second Lemon Sole came out it was good and properly cooked as was the mash but the kitchen had not changed the broccoli which had been sat under the heat lamp and frizzled. When the waitress checked back I let her know and was given another apology - things were starting to unravel. Deserts came out mostly ok but the donut wasn’t great - again no big deal at this point. Afterwards I asked for the bill. On receiving it I had been charged the full amount and a full service charge with not even a mention of an additional apology or maybe a free drink or something to acknowledge the fact that the Lemon Sole was raw. The additional glass of Sauvignon hadn’t been charged but again we let it slide. I tried to pay the bill. Half way through the card machine switched off and I was told it was fine and that if it hadn’t worked they would call me. I asked how? They said from the number in the booking to which I replied you don’t have a number because I booked on Open Table. I’m not comfortable leaving financial matters open ended like this but was literally left with no choice - I had no idea if I had paid or not. The whole thing seemed cobbled together and totally different to any other time I have visited. At this point things had been so hit and miss that I was confused and probably should have made a general complaint but with family and kids in tow I don’t want to hold things up so we went in our way. In summary - this used to be a great place to eat with amazing food but something has changed and not for the better.

Love this place..sit by the water and chat for hours.

Lovely quiet pub with a great little garden at the rear.. very friendly staff

Best food I have had in a very long time. Rack of lamb was immense. It was quite expensive, but reflected in the quality and deliciousness, so fairly priced!

Birthday dinner last night! Scallops, followed by duck with a fantastic wine. The Queens’ is the best it’s ever been and I’ve been visiting for 21 years.

Wonderful staff, great food, scotch eggs are to die for

Lovely garden. Beautiful place to relax.

Beautiful food. We had the scallops and tiger prawns, both cooked to perfection & presented well. Cosy bar setting (mind your head on the ceiling if you’re tall) and friendly staff. We’ll be coming back as soon as possible!

Serious burger. Great location.

Just been to the Queen's head for our anniversary meal.The food is excellent and the staff are so friendly, we will definitely be going back.

The Queen's Head serves excellent food and I would thoroughly recommend it. I had the liver with pancetta, mash and cabbage with Madeira jus - absolutely mouthwatering. My husband had the starter from the specials board of garlic prawns on sourdough toast - I had a forkful and it tasted lovely. He then had fish and chips, a very large portion! Finally, I had to have the passion fruit sorbet, which I had on my last visit. An unusual pudding to find on a restaurant menu and it was well worth waiting for (20 minutes was quoted, though it didn't seem so long). What a lovely mouthwatering experience. My husband had the apple and rhubarb crumble and custard which he thoroughly enjoyed. I am sure we'll be back again soon, even though it is some way away from us. Compliments to the chefs and the front of house staff - very efficient.

Lovely garden going all the way to bank of the beautiful River Roding and the most awesome Minute Steak Sandwich in a choice of breads served on a plate with crisps and a lovely salad

So impressed with our experience at the Queens head. I had a nut roast, my partner had the pork roast. Not to mention, the pub itself is lovely & cosy and the staff were so friendly & couldn’t do enough for us. Would recommend!

Great mixed meat Sunday roast. Very friendly staff. Will return.

I wrote a review previously when we had Sunday Lunch here a few years ago. Since then we have been back several times on a Saturday for lunch & it's been fantastic. Everything we've had from the menu has been delicious. There is always a warm welcome from the staff & especially from Rachel. We love it here & drive out especially for their lovely sandwiches! They also have a great selection of wines (I don't do the driving so I can sample the wines!) Thank you to all of you, we always enjoy our weekend lunches with you!

Went here today for a Sunday roast. It has been recommended to us and we were not disappointed. We had three courses, reasonably price given the quality of the food. The service was great too, all the staff were very friendly.

Really lovely Sunday lunch. The staff are so friendly and helpful - even preparing something off-menu due to a nut allergy. Really appreciate their thoughtfulness! Beautiful garden and surroundings too - we’ll definitely be back soon!

Lovely old pub, we have been a few times, got a lovely feel to it. Good food, can be fancy , a couple of people from our table had trouble choosing as it’s a bit posh! Food is presented beautifully. We sat upstairs and the serve was swift with no problems. Only thing i will add which isn’t anyone’s fault is the stairs are extremely steep , and my husband went literally top to bottom down them, really hurting himself, he took a while to get himself together in the toilet before coming back up to us, I was dissapointed that no one came to check on him , it really was a bad fall, should of probably been recorded. But it’s an old pub and that is life but if you’re a bit older or maybe not so good on your feet ask for a table downstairs.

The food was amazing, the staff were very attentive and friendly, and the place itself was very warm and cosy. Would definitely go again

I went with a party of eight friends for Sunday lunch We all had roast dinners Three Lamb Three Beef and Two chicken A couple bottles wines It must be said that the restaurant menu caters for more than Roasts There was also a very comprehensive specials Blackboard However we decided on roasts All of us thoroughly enjoyed our dinners Great value The service was very friendly I would highly recommend this establishment to all

Enjoyed our lunch in this very welcoming pub. We were looked after very by our waitress Mel. We will be going back here again soon.

We held a memorial service for my mum recently and booked a table for 9 at the Queens afterwards, and I would like to thoroughly recommend it as a place to eat and drink. The food is still excellent, even better than I was expecting after not having been for a while, and the drinks are far more than the usual big brands. Both the wines and the beers are a genuinely decent selection. If it had been summer we would no doubt have ended out in the lovely garden watching the ducks swimming down the River Roding at the end. I'll be coming back very soon!

Visited here on 12th November with family. Meal was average and service was terrible with waiting for drinks for 25 minutes, the staff are young so maybe need some training but really did look like they didn’t want to be there. We complained to the manager and she offered £85 off our bill for drinks and dessert, this was her decision. The next morning the manager called me and spoke very, very aggressively demanding to know why this amount of money was taken from the bill! He completely spoke over me again in such a aggressive and vile manner calling us a group of horrible and disgusting people! He then went on to say “Never come here again and darken my doors! He also said I was rude when I called to make a reservation which is laughable. Maybe he needs to employ another manager if the one working that night was not capable of making the right decision’s or vet every bill himself. I’m sure he or his wife will respond to this review stating I was which is total nonsense but he will want his say for sure as it seems hearing his character on the phone it’s his way or no way. We actually decided as we spent the evening there that we wouldn’t return and after telling friends that use the pub they are shocked by his aggressiveness and said they also wouldn’t return. Never mind plenty more pubs around serving delicious food!

Went for lunch today for a birthday celebration, amazing food, excellent service, couldn't fault anything.

Lovely food good choice of wines great customer care service Lovely atmosphere 🤗

On 18th September, myself and four friends went for a roast dinner, We had previously eaten here a few weeks before and enjoyed the meal, although that time it was not a roast. The roast when served were tepid warm after a long wait. Two of our party asked for their meals to be put in the microwave, but 3 of us just asked for some hot gravy. A huge mistake on our part as that night and the following 2 days the 3 of us were really unwell with stomach cramps and diarrhoea. By the Wednesday I had emailed the restaurant to advise I had been so ill and my 2 friends also contacted the restaurant. One via a phonecall and the other by email, we had no response from the emails and the phonecall was met with the response the manager will call you back. But worryingly no one called, I followed up the following week ago with another email and still no response...the restaurant was advised on 21st September that 3 guests were seriously unwell , so unwell they were unable to go to work after eating at the restaurant and we have been totally ignored, I feel to email the restaurant again would be totally pointless, they do not take the safety of their customers seriously. The 2 guests whose dinner was microwaved hot were fine , but really a meal served tepid is not safe, especially when the only thing that made the food safe was a microwave...I have waited a number of weeks for a reply and have left this review to warn others if your eating here to make sure your food is piping hot or just avoid the restaurant. This is the second review about this I have left on trip advisor about this the first was not published, I am unsure why this is.

Three of my party of friends became really unwell after having eaten the Sunday Roast a few weeks ago . We each contacted the restaurant to inform them of this . We were all unwell for 3 days and no one has contacted us as...

Good food, friendly atmosphere, pretty garden on river side.

Very good food with imaginative dishes although quite expensive, very good service

We have been to the Queens Head a few time now over the years, but everytime we go it gets worse and worse, so now I don't think we will bother going again. The service is really bad, all the staff are teenagers, and don't...

Delicious Sunday lunch!! Stopped in here for lunch whilst driving through the area on the way to a gig. The lamb was succulent, portions generous and the staff beautiful and helpful. Would definitely recommend and will stop in again if in the area. Only problem...

Lovely cosy dinner, huge portions.

Staff are brilliant, I had burger and chips for lunch and I have to say it was one of the best burgers I have ever had. On par with the likes of burger and beyond

What a lucky break. We popped in on the off chance for Sunday lunch without booking. Unfortunately they were full. However someone was late for their booking, so they rang them to see if they were still coming. They said they were not coming, so...

We had lovely starters, toasted sourdough, olives and tempura courgette flowers and roasted padron peppers which were tasty but pretty hot! Main courses were less good in my opinion- unfortunately over cooked pasta, a tough ish beef fillet and mushroom onion bhaji burgers which were...

Three male motorcyclists on a bench are enjoying drinks next to a romantic stream under a weeping willow tree at sunset

5 mins to be seated for a booked table 45 mins for starters to arrive Flies buzzing round and a fly graveyard on the windowsill Food ok staff busy but very nice Dinner for 2 2 courses 2 drinks £104 so pricey

Perfect pub by the river Roding

Had a lovely long lunch - sat in the garden overlooking the pond. Good food but driven mad trying to eat with wasps all over me and the food. Would definitely go back but would have pre and post lunch drinks in the garden (weather permitting) but will eat inside next time!

Booked on line after a friends recommendation Parking is very limited Went into the bar area and waited at least 5 mins before i could attract the attn of staff 5 mins for a menu 45 mins before starter arrived Food is ok but had...

Friendly place with Beer garden.

Some friends whom we were visiting took us here for lunch, because it is within walking distance of their home and they use it regularly It was a good choice. The bar is atmospheric and the staff friendly and efficient. Three of us had the...

Great food. Lovely surroundings. Friendly staff. A very nice atmosphere.

Food & staff are always great ....always recommended it

Lovely lunch outside on a very warm day. Excellent menu, plenty of variety.

Gorgeous Pub, lovely staff and great pub garden. We came in for a drink and took in everything on the river. Will be back!

Very nice beer. Lovely staff. Thoroughly recommend.

We were recommended this pub by a friend who is super fussy about where to eat, and she loves it Service was great, friendly and efficient. Food was delicious, quality of ingredients brilliant, beautifully cooked. The menu choices were extremely good. We will be back.

Really lovely pub with beautiful gardens. Food very nice, fairly expensive but still good value for money. Opening hours published on line and advertised on side of building are wrong and it doesn't open until 12pm.

Parking is a bit of an issue with this restaurant and too many tables crammed into the bar area. Table service was not very attentive and the food was over priced for what it was. I would come here again to sit in the beer...

Just had Sunday Lunch and have to say probably the best we have ever had..Meats cooked to perfection and vegetables full of flavour. Definitely be back again. Thankyou

Lovely location, great service & food.

Excellent, atmosphere ,wide ranging menu backed up by excellent staff

A long awaited visit ! Just up the road is the church we were married in, er, rather a long time ago. We had tried to get in a few years ago but hadn't checked, they were closed. This time I did book but only...

Only wish this place was nearer but it won't stop me returning. Not good pub grub but great pub grub. Top quality produce, meat or fish and well cooked. If you manage to consume the large main course, the home made desserts are simply awesome. The last word goes to the staff who were attentive but not obtrusive and happy to accommodate all our special food requests.

Lovely food and very pleasant staff

Lovely food staff very friendly especially with children

Cyclist friendly pub, great beer, great food, nice ambience. We stopped for lunch mid week and we could get a seat at that time.

Very acommodating, staff helpful and very friendly. We had a nice drink in the pub garden near the river.

We were driving through the village & decided to stop for some lunch. We hadn't booked & it was busy, however the lady was very accommodating in allocating us a table. My partner had the roast beef & I had the pesto linguine. Both meals...

Another visit to this excellent pub. Excellent wine beer and cocktail selection was augmented by an equally wide ranging menu and specials. Our host accommodated our guests’ lactose preferences superbly. Attentive service and reasonably priced, superbly prepared plates. We look forward to making another visit.

Took my wife and 2 sons on a Saturday night, great service, great atmosphere and food. The staff are really on it and the service is very good, we will be back for sure.

We popped in here impulsively last weekend for the first time, initially for a quick drink, then ordered some scratchings from the nibbles menu, and then we decided to stay for more! We were seated in the restaurant upstairs, enjoyed the most delicious food, very...

Arrived for our pre booked Sunday lunch, booked some 3 weeks ago. Horrified to discover we were installed at "Table 9", a small table by the front door. No room on this table to sit comfortably, table top jammed into my waist. Asked to change,...

Absolutely amazing! Staff, food and service, top notch!

Great Food and good service Friendly staff

This is a great little gem of a place. Second visit in a month. The service is great, the atmosphere is warm and friendly and the food is superb. Opted for the homemade Lamb and Mint Pie which was a special and the other half...

Amazing food, make sure you check out the specials! Super friendly host, great place to settle down for a few drinks and a card game