The Brown Bear in East Hertfordshire

Stopped here for Sunday roast food really wasn’t that good and I did hear from one of the locals that the cook isn’t a qualified chef, the meat was very chewy and the vegetables were undercooked with a limited selection, I was recommended this place however it’s nice for drinks but wouldn’t recommend the food at all.

Just a quick review for the brown bear, we visited with friends for food, the pub itself is lovely and the staff are very welcoming, but the food has a lot to answer for! Two of the dishes were very disappointing and really over cooked, we did not enjoy the food experience at all but the pub is lovely! Compared to other pubs in the area this was very poor.

We were a big party of 16. We booked our food in advance to speed up the process and this worked beautifully. The communication prior to our visit was fantastic. There were lots of comments from our group about how friendly and welcoming the staff were once we arrived. Every dish was hearty and received lots of compliments. The pub also offered to make the mushroom stroganoff as vegan dish.

I booked a table for 11 adults and one infant on the 7th July for Sunday dinner , our annual family reunion. From the moment we walked in Jess looked after us. The service was first class, attentive but we were given time to chat and enjoy our meal. The food was delicious and good sized portions. With ages ranging from 10 months to 80 years all tastes were catered for especially with 2 of our party needing gluten free there was a lot of choice for us all. Thank you for giving us a lovely day and we look forward to seeing you again next year.

I've been coming to this pub for years so how lovely to find that despite Steve and Katherine are no longer here this pub has got better. Ronnie and Harriet have transformed and freshened up this place and made it a great place to meet and eat. The food is excellent, I can't remember ever having perfect home made hand cut chips anywhere other than a good old fashioned Chippy back in the 80's. The meat is locally sourced from Pearses - I recommend Harriets ham egg and chips. We had a lovely Italian wine & everything is reasonably priced. Nice garden with parking, cant wait to back to try the popular Ceaser Salad and all the other choices. Booking advised to guarantee a table, very pretty village pub with the best atmosphere and hospitality. Ideal for the maturer customer like myself to meet up with friends to chat and enjoy food & drink. No tvs or loud music, what a breath of fresh air

Gorgeous Country Pub, Fabulous home cooked food. Harriet & Ronnie are so lovely, food is just delicious.. highly recommend a visit. A rare fantastic find in such a quaint little village. Staff are so friendly, Helpful and polite. Thanks Harriet &Ronnie we will be back

Just had the most brilliant Sunday lunch at the Brown Bear in Braughing. We're aware it changed hands at the end of last year, we would often have a Sunday lunch there previously, this was our first visit under the new ownership. The roasts were worthy of a WOW, just all delicious and the puddings were very good too. Recommended but do book as it is not a big place.

Great Sunday lunch, perfect portion size and lovely flavours. Lovely ambiance & sitting was perfect for chatting during our meal. fast service with a smile :) ....great team work from Ronnie, Harriett & their team.

Ist time Visit to Brown bear for breakfast today. I’d heard good reports regarding how improved The Bear is. New Landlady Harriet has improved the Pub on every level. Warm greeting with an equally warm smile, courteous,polite, refreshingly well mannered. Delicious fresh ingredients, proper sausages,yummy mushrooms & Bacon👍. Complimented by a teapot of piping hot tea. We understand the new Chef produces amazing food. Looking forward to trying an evening meal. Well done

Went today with my parents-in-law for a Sunday roast, and wow ! what a find ! The Pub was so warm and cosy with the crisp " snip-snap-whoosh " of the roaring blaze as wooden logs gasped for they last breaths before tumbling into ashes in the chimneys... We ordered the roast, one beef, one pork and two of lamb. Very nice cooked, beautiful roasted vegetables and a rich and tasty gravy accompanied the Italian Pinot Grigio. I forgot to mention the starters: the baked Camembert and the marinated olives with pickled onions and sun-dried tomatoes. There was no room for the desserts but the options on the Menu were delightful. We definitely need to come back soon. The bar area and the restaurant were full of the locals, so I advised everyone to book in time.

I had an absolutely excellent experience at the Brown Bear. The food is wholesome, filling and yummy (Padron Peppers, Camembert, Pie, what’s not to love?). The staff are bubbly, friendly and helpful and there is an excellent choice of drink. Would 100% recommend for a great night out, any day of the week :)

A very lovely lunch cooked perfectly, Lovely atmosphere and very friendly staff. We visited for a light lunch and it was very enjoyable and very reasonably priced. The pub was very relaxing and clean and the staff were very welcoming

Recently visited for a Sunday roast dinner which fell extremely short of expectations. A clear lack of flavour in the main course and uninspiring boiled vegetables. The pricing structure seemed disproportionate to the underwhelming quality of the meals served, indicating room for improvement in both taste and value. Prices vary from £20-24 for a roast. Above average for the area. Is it too much to ask for a parsnip to be roasted and not boiled? Apparently, yes! Yorkshire puds - aunt Bessie? Certainly not homemade. Very bland, over priced and disappointing. Won’t be in a rush to return. Hopefully the new owners will soon realise their shortfall, up their game and reduce their prices! People eat out on a Sunday as a treat these days and will expect much more than what they can cook themselves at home. Perhaps in time they will improve but don’t rush out if you’re looking for something nice based on their prices, you will only be left disappointed!

Locals Harriet and Ronnie are breathing new life into The Brown Bear in Braughing. With a great new pub sign and complete interior makeover, the pub is warm and welcoming with its blazing log fires. Serving great ales and splendid pub-grub, is a recipe for success and there is oodles of that here. We booked Sunday lunch and were very impressed with the quality and taste of our roast lamb with perfectly cooked vegetables and lovely roast potatoes. All brought together with a tasty lamb jus - not Bisto! All served with a smile which is what we all want. I thoroughly recommend a visit.

Cannot recommend this place enough, Ronnie and Harriet are fantastic owners and run the pub very well, fantastic evening at the pub, will definitely be visiting again.

We came here for Sunday lunch and had a great selection of roasts. Fantastic roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings with tender beef. It was great value for money and the staff could not be more helpful, we will be returning .

We recently visited for dinner and to join in the quiz. Food is lovely, home cooked and good and reasonably priced. The quiz is good fun, everyone was super friendly even though we were newbies to the quiz. The quiz is run really well, doesn't go on for too long and quiz master was kind to us and helped us with clues and by 10pm you know if you have won or not - we didn't win the quiz but still came away with a box of choccies which was nice. Highly recommend this pub.

Just returned from a lovely lunch with family at The Brown Bear. Perfectly cooked beef and lamb accompanied by great roast potatoes and the best yorkshires along with a generous selection of veg and very moreish gravy. Option to mix meats if you can’t decide which to choose as well as a vegetarian option. The Brown Bear is the kind of atmospheric, relaxed and friendly place that everyone wishes they could have as their local. Sit by a roaring fire and soak up the historic surroundings before heading out for a scenic walk through the church and down to the stream. Dogs are welcome and we’ll be back soon with ours as there can be few better ways to spend a sunday.

Those of you who read my reviews know that I don’t pull my punches. We regularly have take out Sunday lunches from The Bear but last night, ordered three steak, ale and mushroom pies. They came piping hot from the oven - not microwave - no soggy bottoms, gorgeous creamy buttery parsley mash, only just cooked fresh seasonal veg with that lovely crunch. And a gravy, not sauce, that was so luxurious you could drink it. This meal was just super delicious in the comfort of our kitchen table and lots of red wine. Catherine is a great chef and I thoroughly recommend one of her fabulous pies.

A lot is written about Fish & Chips from 'it has to be by the seaside' to 'posh restaurant deconstructed Fish & Chips' however, the key is fresh ingredients prepared with love, care and respect for the fish. The Brown Bear in Braughing High Street meets those criteria to a tee. Chef Catherine hand pics her fresh fish, and only the best will do, and cuts her own chips then lovingly prepares the dish. It is exceptional food and is heads above shops in the region that appear in 'The Best Fish & Chips in the U.K.' book. Give it a try and you will not be disappointed I guarantee.

We were a table of four with a reservation. We were greeted very welcomely and shown our table, we were asked what drinks we would like and service was very good. We sat at our table and the menu for that day and we were given time to read through the whole menu and each chose a meal the order was taken and the food was freshly prepared and cooked. The food and service were very good and the pub/restaurant was very quaint. Will sure to visit again soon.

Excellent food in a cosy traditional country pub with great service The open fire is very welcoming and the choice of gins is excellent The pub is also very dog friendly and the landlord has a doggy treat tin behind the bar 🐶

Whilst doing some family research last Sunday we popped in for a quick drink . The chap behind the bar was so welcoming and helpful. It had a lovely feeling, warm and cosy. The clientele were creating a gentle chit chattering sound, making you feel part of homely pub. We only had crisps but the food looked great...Will go back for some! If you want a traditional country pub , this one is for you.

We visited this pub recently and have to say the welcome and food were excellent. Nice though old decor, in an old traditional timber frame building with loads of character. Highly recommend a visit.

Have been meaning to write this review since our visit on Easter Sunday 2018. Our group of 7 could not have been happier with our roast at The Brown Bear. The welcome was spot on - a landlord who greets you, immediately offers a drink and happily welcomes the children. Such easy things, but so often not the case! Lunch was plentiful, good, and served with a huge smile. The landlord, Eva and the other staff really couldn’t have tried any harder to make us feel valued, to make sure we were happy and to check we had all we needed. We would thoroughly recommend - nothing fancy but perfect in all the important ways.

We visit The Bear at least once a week, Great Wellcome ,Choice of beers well served,Food is freshly cooked & locally sourced. Great venue where you can hear yourself speak We will visit again. Keep it up.

Called in with my family this week for Sunday roast. The meal was really tasty. I had a mixture of Pork, Gammon and Beef. Roast potatoes were particularly "yummy". I also had a pint of the pale ale which was delicious. It was good to see the place busy with locals supporting it.

My partner and I have just moved into the area from nearer Clavering and wanted to try somewhere new for his birthday. Trip advisor threw this place up and we gave it a shot. I love The Brown Bear! It’s intimate, quaint with two fantastic open fires to keep you warm. The owner was serving us on one side while seamlessly hosting a quiz night on the other (will have to come back for this!). The service was unobtrusive, timely but friendly and welcoming. The food was fantastic with our group polishing off the last of the steaks for the day. Such a lovely evening and the guys appreciated the beer on offer - would love to see more in the way of cider :) Only loses 1 star as my medium rare was more medium-well. Generally a lovely experience would definitely recommend!

What a find! A proper pub, with really nice food. We eat out frequently, but only seem to leave reviews for the good or the bad! The Brown Bear is definitely the former! The service was great and well informed regarding the locally sourced produce on the menu. Warm, friendly and welcoming. Oh and dog friendly in the bar area, which is more than comfortable! We'll be returning for sure! Loved it!

Sunday Lunch. A relaxed atmosphere. Good food. Good service. Good value. Lovely old pub with an open fire.

Arrived to this friendly village pub and welcomed, a cold Remembrance Sunday and the fires were on, the roast was perfection with extra veg and gravy if wanted, child friendly with attentive hosts, topped off by the brass band and Remembrance Sunday parade passing by. Steve the landlord has got it right & massive compliments to the chef

The Brown Bear is a great local Hertfordshire pub. The building dates back hundreds of years and is decorated in that vein. In the winter the roaring wood inglenook fire invites you in. The beer is just great and Steve and Cathrine are very inviting and friendly. Traditional pub grub is well cooked, served and priced.

Went for Sunday Lunch. Plenty to eat, choice of four meats or have a bit of each and all nicely cooked. Landlord couldn't do enough to help and was very friendly. Local real ale was very nice too. All in all a very pleasant experience.

Just got back from a lovely Sunday meal with 3 teens + dog. Such a friendly welcome, genuinely helpful and accomodating service and a great menu. As a party of 5 we each had a different main ranging from extremely good veggie fare (where we were also offfered choice of both vegetarian/non veg roasties and yorkshire pud) to traditional roasts, burgers with all the trimmings and pheasant pie and chicken bhuna from the specials board. Lovely convivial setting by a roaring open fire and even a wonderful sausage for the dog. Followed by a scenic walk in this pretty village. This was our first family meal here and was a great success - we'll certainly be back. For an inviting and atmospheric setting with bags of character, great sevice and a tasty menu the Brown Bear is highly recommended. Thank you for a wondeful family lunch.

This is a very old pub with no pretentions Never mind the décor, here you will get a friendly reception, good real ale (and draft Staropramen) and really good fresh meat fish and veg. I had the pheasant pie in crusty suet pastry with fries made from the whole potato and well cooked savoy cabbage served with a rich gravy made from the pheasant juices. My husband had the cod in beer batter. If you are looking for a pleasant no frills meal you couldn't do better. The puds were a difficult choice between the sticky ginger cake, a fruit crumble, treacle tart and a lemon suet pudding. We both were very happy with the ginger pud. For the meal and two rounds of drinks we paid £40.00 and went away very happy(and full!)

Visited on Saturday - all 14 of us - and had the room on the side. A quirky little pub which we all love. Roaring fire and very helpful staff. Yes the menu was petite but its a petite pub - however there was plenty for everyone to choose from and they were happy to change things around to suit the children in our party. Enjoyed by everyone and great landlord. Just wished we all lived a lot closer so we could visit much more regularly.

Popped in after a great walk round the Braughing area popped into this lovely village pub one can only say a proper pub great lovely local establishment very friendly

Visited on Wednesday, 21 December 2016. Put was quite busy. We wanted cod for our main course, but we were told cod was unavailable because the fish van only comes on a Thursday. The owner obviously can't be bothered to go out and buy fresh fish every day. We were offered desert and all decided on the apple crumble. Five minutes later, he comes back and says they don't have any crumble. Really poor. He then offered us plum pudding and my friend asked if it would be free because there was no crumble. He said yes. Then when he brought the bill, he'd charged us. When we said he'd offered free dessert, he completely denied it, as us to settle up and not come back. We did and we won't. They can't even manage to cook a fried egg right and his attitude is poor at best. Avoid like the plague.

If you want to go to a proper country pub. Not a gastro-empire and not a twee "look at me I'm a country pub" go to the Brown Bear. It is a proper traditional pub. It serves good value straight forward food. The beer is great, brewed by the Buntingford Brewery which is run by the Landlord.

Visited today, haven't been for years even though we are local.

Have eaten here several times and not been disappointed. Recently had a pleasant lunch and sat in the garden for the first time and was pleasantly surprised to see the Pizza oven and BBQ area which are excellent not to mention the petanque pistes. Two of our group had fish which was excellent and the other two tuna baguettes which were served on a wooden platter with a tasty portion of salad and vegetable crisps which were a nice touch.

As per the first visit, there was a good welcome.

I visited The Brown Bear on Saturday evening with relatives who live in the village. We all ordered the beer battered haddock, chips and mushy peas! I have to say it was absolutely delicious! The haddock was coated in an extremely light and and crispy beer batter, together with thick hand cooked chips. The manager and staff were friendly and efficient and we didn't have to wait long for our meal. I will definitely be returning to The Brown Bear!

Been meaning to visit this pub for ages; the trip from Letchworth was worth it. Lovely Sunday lunch for the family and top beer. Highly recommended.

Lovely food and local beer. I only wish I lived closer so could go more often. Good garden with plenty of parking in a quiet village. I want to work my way through the whole menu.

Very friendly welcome in this local pub. Beer is the Buntingford Ale, which is produced here. Lovely to see the landlady draw off the dregs in the pipe before serving a pint and offering a sample of something to compliment the meal. Real pride and dedication in the quality of the beer. Freshly prepared home made curries, delicious, and with full accompaniments, good value.

I visited to try the local beer they sell , which I did and was very impressed with .

Wow, what a friendly pub. Popped in for a family meal and thoroughly enjoyed it. The locals made us feel extremely welcome and the staff were fantastic. Everyone enjoyed their meals, highly recommend.

Lovely old pub. Welcoming open fires. Great home cooked food and friendly, helpful staff. Reasonably priced. Highly recommend.

Nice quiet little pub with open fire. Wife had lamb I had pork, as was not able to have rare beef. Food very good and more than enough veg, Menu states that more veg and gravy is available if required, No charge. Home made desert very good.

Steve and Catherine, the owners, have created an old English pub atmosphere in a charming location. A good selection of fine ales including their own from Buntingford Brewery which they also own and run. The home prepared and cooked food is a pleasure and very good value.

Stopped for dinner here the other day and had the best fish and ships that I have had for a long time. It was well cooked and tasted delicious. The service was also excellent We found it to be a warm, cosy and quiet pub to relax and enjoy the beer, which I discovered was brewed locally by the publican and well deserved the many awards that it has won. I have also heard that their Sundays roasts are also very good so are planning to return soon. . I would highly recommend the Brown Bear.

I've only had the pleasure of having a Sunday roast at The Bear and it's a cracker. I'm really fussy about my roasts as it's never like home but.......this is as near as you'll get!! We've been here 3 times now for their roasts and expect a few visits over the winter. Lovely people that run it and you get a very generous portion of gravy and veg (free top up of veg and gravy if you want it). Homemade yorkshire puds. And the icing on the cake is a side order of cauliflower cheese if they have it ;) Fantastic. Totally recommend.

Our cycling group enjoyed a light lunch today in this pub where the landlady showed discretion in letting us choose sandwiches rather than having a full roast dinner. Lovely cosy atmosphere on a bright but chilly day.

16Th Century Inn,Beams,Stunning Inglenook fireplace,warm fire and greeting from Landlord & Staff,Famous Gold & Silver award winning Beer,brewed in The Publicans own Buntingford Brewery.Food selection is great,as are the prices,The rear Garden is beautiful and has the benefit of a Ptanque course,plus a unique outside bespoke built wood fired oven,delicious !! Highly recommended a visit,

We found this great little pub and popped in for a drink and bar meal.They stop serving food at 2 and as we got there bang on 2 they still took our food order without hesitation. Not many places do that .Bacon baps and sausage baps were our choice along with a round of drinks which came to £30 for 4 of us. Sat in the beer garden which was so peaceful , great lawn with a superb view of the thatched cottages which surround the pub.Food was superb , warm rolls , propper bacon with homemade beetroot and parsnip crisps and salad. Will definitely return to this hidden gem in Braughing.