The Brown Dog in Richmond upon Thames

The food at The Brown Dog used to be amazing - much better than could be expected at an unassuming pub in the backstreets of Barnes. However, since the takeover last year, I fear it has gone downhill. We ate early evening on a Saturday and already the two most interesting dishes on the menu were no longer available, leaving a very overpriced turbot and braised leeks (vegetarian offering, I assume) plus a burger and a steak. The burgers were very mediocre, with buns that looked and tasted as though they came from Sainsburys... the 'mixed salad' comprised three little gem lettuce leaves and they chips were just warm. The steak was tough. We had to ask for our orders to be taken and waited quite a long time although we were only the second table eating. Finally, I wonder if there was a problem with the heating, as we were all cold and there was actually a tiny fan heater plugged in just outside the toilets - making no different to either the temperature or the ambience......I won't be returning - a very underwhelming meal at overwhelming prices. Such a shame.....

The Brown Dog solía ser nuestro destino - pub para bebidas y cenas, pero desafortunadamente, recientemente ha disminuido en calidad. El nuevo chef es pésimo, y la comida, que una vez fue excelente, simplemente no es agradable - y caro de arrancar! El bar y el personal de camarera también parecen haber cambiado, y este cambio no ha sido para mejor. Parece haber una notable falta de encanto, entusiasmo y carisma entre el personal, hasta hace poco era muy nuestro "local", pero ese encanto se ha ido. Algunos pubs de cadena son mejores Por ahora, me encuentro regresando a The Victoria en East Sheen y The Plough en su lugar. Espero sinceramente que reemplacen tanto al chef como al personal del bar para restaurar su antiguo atractivo.

El Perro Marrón está en una calle secundaria en Bsrnes. Fue toda una tarde. Había un ambiente cálido y agradable allí, y yo era reacio a salir. Tomé su sopa de cebolla francesa, que recomiendo encarecidamente. Bebí su sidra de ruibarbo, que me gustó mucho. Tristemente, los tibetanos estuvieron activos, esta noche, y pusieron al Perro Marrón bajo presión para arruinar mi plato principal de opción vegetariana. Sí, los tibetanos han estado poniéndome todo tipo de magia en los últimos años, incluyendo algo para convertirme en vegetariano. Eso es, por supuesto, reversible, y el plato fuerte de mierda de esta noche tenía la intención de hacer ese punto, y animarme a considerar la posibilidad de eliminar la magia. De todos modos, me volví muy paranoico, lo que ahora está causando grandes preocupaciones. Pero, fue una velada agradable, y si nos tienen de vuelta, no dudaremos. Dr. Paul Harris

One of the great pubs in London. It's cosy, it's warm, it serves the best ale in town and the people are what it's all about. Do not miss out.

Excelente comida, personal y ambiente. Éramos un grupo de 6 para las bebidas y la cena. Tuvimos bebidas en el patio exterior precioso primero antes de deliciosa comida para la cena. Definitivamente volveré.

Amazing evening last night (Sunday 1st December) for the monthly pub quiz. First Sunday of every month! Lovely atmosphere, great food and drinks, staff so lovely and friendly! The quiz is really well done and questions are excellent and doesn’t go on too long like some pub quizzes have a tendency to. Really fun evening and highly recommend it! 👍👍👏

Sadly the excellent chef has left (November 2024) and the new one is nowhere near as good. What used to be some of the best food in Barnes is now very standard.

Me and my partner were visiting in London for the weekend and we were pleasantly surprised when we visited The Brown Dog in Barnes, we found it to be a lovely, warm and welcoming pub, with all the staff being super friendly towards us throughout the night, The bartender was super accommodating to all our needs despite the busy atmosphere, and the food came in good time and was to a good standard, I would highly recommend anyone in the area to pop in even just for a drink and to enjoy themselves 5/5

Amazing place. Staff are brilliant, friendly, and fun. Food and beers are spot on. Great atmosphere, real local feel. Best pub in Barnes!

We had a lovely time at The Brown Dog. Great atmosphere, delicious food and such lovely staff. We will definitely be going back.

Superb Roast dinner and great range of beers (not often you find Stihl) and drinks. Service was excellent too.

As always, an absolutely lovely evening in the brown dog. Amazing staff, awesome atmosphere and stunning food. Loved the pub quiz, great fun!!!!!!!

Really disappointed our experience didn’t match up with the reviews online. Messy bar, limp salad, chewy meat, unpleasant toilet. Overpriced for what was served.

We’ve been regular visitors to The Brown Dog for some time and used to really like the neighbourhood local feel. However, during the last couple of visits, we feel like there is a continuous churn of staff who are either not adequately trained or managed. The lack of knowledge and care of has been noticeable. On the most recent visit, we were served warm glass of white wine and when we queried this, we’re just brought a replacement that was exactly the same. Then were offered ice, which of course alters the taste. When we declined this, we were told all the white wines are kept in the same fridge. We ordered some nuts with our drink and the scoop had been used to take olives from an oily pot resulting into the pot and nuts being covered in garlicky oil dripping all over! We were served by so many different people which was confusing in itself. The waitress who served us for the drinks/ snacks first time round seemed to have disappeared, but another waitress did deal with the issue well. We hope the management team will restore the pub back to the standard it was... We’d love to be back, as we like to support independent and local businesses and hope to see some improvements on our next visit.

Christmas meal with family. Poorly cooked meat, and one person suffered food poisoning. No quick resolution, and now a week later still no financial recompense.

I arrived down from Cheshire on Friday to stay with friends in Barnes, they had booked The Brown Dog, the service was excellent and the food was superb. Faultless. Wonderful atmosphere great food.

Poor choice of dishes particularly vegetarian.

Excelente domingo asado y noche divertida! Cuando llegamos a este acogedor restaurante pudimos sentir el ambiente cómodo. El menú es interesante (al parecer el chef ha estado en MasterChef) , la carta de vinos es impresionante y el servicio es impresionante! ¡Casualmente llegamos a la Noche Trivial (primer domingo del mes)! ¡Qué experiencia maravillosa y agradable! Muy recomendable.

You must like dogs to use the Brown Dog. There were plenty on the floor. I had excellent service and made to feel welcome by a young female member of staff. One word enjoyable

Great little pub, hidden gem in Barnes highly recommend the steak - cooked to perfection will definitely be back, customer service was on point, so polite and attentive. Our server Valerie couldn't have done more for us! As another plus - they're dog friendly so it feels like a home away from home. The GM also touched base to check if we were enjoying our time. It gets busy so book ahead if you don't want to be disappointed!

Thursday night out with a few mates. No burger on the menu anymore and no pizza either. only beef on offer was a £46 steak which I ordered medium rare and it turned up medium well, was fairly tough and sinew-y. Service was very good as we moaned like middle aged men about the menu choices. Disappointed, Brown Dog.

i had the pleasure of visiting this lovely pub tucked away in a secluded part of Barnes for Sunday lunch. The pork was cooked to perfection, the staff were attentive and there was a lovely selection of beers on tap, I would 100% recommend to anyone looking for some where delicious to eat in South West London

First time here, just moved to the area. Lauren was absolutely fab with service and recommendations with the new menu! The drinks were on point, george (bartender) made a delicious negroni, our new favourite pub!

Best roast we have had in a long time. It wasn’t one of those roasts that made you think they’re just churning them out. Beef was tender and really nicely cooked. Accommodated to our kids really well and the service was really good. Will be back!

I had lived near the BD for several months, in 2023, and used to come there a lot. I recently came back and was disappointed to see it completely empty on a Thursday night, and the burger, was disappointing. Sad really, as I love the Brown Dog beer!!

Great to see this place back. A wonderful Sunday lunch. Thanks.

Been here many, many times but never eaten so don't ask me about the food. As a pub type pub it's the best in the area. Nice outdoor space with vintage signs and outdoor cooking in the summer. Inside is tidy and inviting with really friendly staff and lots of locals. Not just posh Barnes types thankfully, a good mix of folk without pretension. The Brown Dog Ale is a decent bitter and the Stiegel brau is a good Austrian lager if you are into that sort of thing. It's pleasing that the brown dog is still a pub and not a restaurant cosplaying being a pub as is so common these days, with ample, inviting small tables that remain unreserved.

Good food & service. Highly recommended.

The pub looks so beautiful on the outside with a welcome message on the pub wall. I was greeted with smiles and a very warm welcome. The customer service was beyond exceptional. I loved the vibe and atmosphere I love that the pub is dog friendly. I ordered a meal which tasted delicious and exquisite, really tasteful and flavourful, there was a lot of thought, effort and care put into making it. I love the little details in the pub the herbs on the bar, the candles in the windows. I was asked if everything was alright with my food which is nice not many places do that. They have a fantastic heated and seated outside area with an area where they make pizza's. I would definitely recommend visiting it and seeing for yourself

The pub looks beautiful from the outside with a welcome message on the pub wall. I was greeted with smiles and a very warm welcome. The customer service is beyond exeptional I loved the vibe and atmosphere and it's lovely to see a dog friendly pub. I ordered a meal which tasted delicious and exquisite, really tasteful and flavourful. I love the little details in the pub, the herbs on the bar and candles in the windows. I was asked if everything was alright with my meal which is rare these days. They have a fantastic heated and seated outside area. I would definitely recommend visiting it and seeing for yourself

Been coming to the brown dog the last several months, and never ever feel welcomed. They always give us a very cold welcome. We always try to sit outside as we do have young kids and never ever seem to be able to get someone to serve us, always have to go the bar. Today we came for the kids table, as my two boys really do love it, but were told when we entered that there wasn’t any space ( the kids table was completely empty and the pub was quite empty as well.) they said they had reservations, but I let my kids color for a bit and had a drink… tables never got full. While I was there was never really waited on, had to wait for 3 separate bartenders to wait on me. For someone who lives in very close proximity we gave them quite some good business despite the cold treatment. We probably won’t be back for a while, even living 70y away.

Elegant destination dining spot with memorably good food, discerningly curated wine and exactly the right service level - attentive, amiable and relaxed. Like Noble Rot but embedded in the fortunate local community and with the benefits of a garden, a dash of rustic comfort and multiple friendly dogs. We will swing by again and wish the owners and new manager every success.

Great local gastropub. Things have gone slightly up and down since Covid, but I can report all is ok, in fact vey good. Had croquettes to start, followed by stuffed guinea foul which was in the Siracusa.

Delicious pizza. Good cider. Nice pub.

Very peaceful outdoor space, a beautiful quiet setting. Did get here after the Sunday lunchtime rush but service prompt and attentive, without being intrusive. The meat was cooked perfectly and I would recommend the leek fondue. Tasty roast with healthy portions and good wine. Quaint little spot in this gentile location.

My favourite! 10/10. Lovely atmosphere, amazing and friendly staff. If it’s sunny, the garden is the best place to be! Very good selection of drinks and food looks delicious!

Valerie is such a friendly host, always chatting and making us feel welcome! Peter behind the bar sorted us out with some off menu cocktails. The chef really knows what he’s doing back there. GM seems nice enough too

Lovely meal had here this week. Each time I go I think the food is better. There’s a lack of non meat dishes on the menu but on the evening I was there the very sweet waitress asked the chef to make a non meat dish for me which was most accommodating and very tasty too! Staff are lovely along with the ambience. Go!

Excellent pub nestled away down a quiet Barnes road. We went on a sunny Saturday and sat out the back of the pub that gets direct sunlight in the afternoon with a peach tree over-hanging the space providing some quintessential shade. We had the Ndjuja Pizza, Anchovies caper pizza, and a garden side salad. All three were delicious whilst having a refreshing pint in the sun. Will be back!

Had high hopes but I was disappointed. Had red wine flicked across me by waiter who struggled to pour a bottle of red. £30 steak was very chewy. Staff seemed very stressed and even admitted it was faster to get served at the table than at the bar, which is odd for a pub. No well-priced red wine for a steak on the menu. I expected a lot more based on reviews.

Excellent place, really interesting food and a lovely vibe

Very disappointing Sunday lunch, the service was slow, the food was not what you would expect, the carrots and parsnips burnt, and soggy. This was our favourite place, but since the change of management it has gone down hill. We shall not be returning.

Such a shame, this used to be our go to pub for Sunday lunch but it is just not the same. We thought we would give it another go, but there was no atmosphere, the service was poor, overcooked beef and veg with roast potatoes that needed a saw to cut through. The dessert menu was limited and uninviting.

Not just the best roast I’ve had in Barnes but the best I’ve had in London in an extremely long time (maybe ever?). Roast beef extremely tender, flavoursome roast veg and incredible homemade Yorkshire, also extra cheesy and delicious cauliflower cheese side. Love to see an independent pub in Barnes and while the roasts weren’t cheap, at a time where eating out is expensive everywhere I’d much rather put my money here! Service was great too, thank you 😁

Food excellent, acoustics hopeless. It cant cost much to install sound absorbing panels on the ceiling?"

Really cozy pub, that’s gorgeous inside and out. Really friendly owner. The Shepards pie is one of the best I’ve ever had if not THE best. 11/10 would come again

I wish I could say that I have sampled the food here. Unfortunately both times I have entered the staff have been incredibly rude. The first time we were told they were fully booked in a way that was basically a FO. A little strange as no tables were visibly occupied when we entered, but fair enough. Most recently we decided to risk the frostiness, take a second chance and book a table. This time we actually got to the point of sitting down. However, one member of staff was so rude that we were not sat for long. I rarely write reviews, but then I rarely encounter service this unfriendly/rude in London or when I come to think of it anywhere in the world. Do yourself a favour and don’t ruin your day here.

Can not rate this highly enough food was out of this world staff are so friendly and helpful can't wait to go back.

Great food but dear oh dear, what’s happened to the warm, friendly hostelry I used to know and love? It was a regular haunt pre-makeover, such a fave we booked a 40th-cum-Easter lunch for the whole family last year. Recently we’ve been turned away several times - either fully booked or a tasting or a private do. Tonight at last we managed to get a table for 2 but only in the bar section and told we had to be out by 9. No warm welcome, no smiles of recognition by staff we knew from before, or from any of them. Shown to a dark, dead corner of the bar and promptly forgotten. Had to go and remind them we were there. Service slow even when the bar section emptied (why a 9 o’clock deadline?). No “did you enjoy your meal?” (which we did very much, thanks for asking), just brought the bill and zoomed off back to the restaurant section which was obviously getting all the attention. Such a shame. Smarter decor and probably better food but the old magic’s gone. We were told the manager was away on holiday - no excuse for such a charmless, cheerless experience.

Service was slow and then they turfed us out before pudding! THJ

Food was excellent as always along with the service and ambience. Great pub/restaurant hidden away in Little Chelsea.

Service was a tad slow, and they got our order wrong. Also, our table wasn't ready when we arrived. However, the staff were friendly, and the food was absolutely incredible. I highly recommend trying their roast on a Sunday. The pub has a lively atmosphere, and the food is outstanding, especially considering the area. I'd definitely return to sample other items on the menu.

Great food one of the best roasts I've had in a long while. Service brilliant as well with all the staff smiling and made you feel so welcome. Atmosphere in the pub great as well! Well worth a visit!

Came for lunch yesterday after doing the Kew half marathon. Was blown away by the food and the service. It’s so nice to be served by people who make you feel welcome with a smile on their faces. Food was brilliant and the 5 of us had roast beef which one of the party said it was the best roast she’s ever had. Will definitely be back when next in London!!

I really want to like this local place, and wish the best of luck to the new management. If you book a later seating you risk half the menu not being available. If you are late you risk not being served. We had a nice experience the first time we tried a few months ago, albeit we ate what was left on the menu. Fresh menu, I guess, but a week or so later that same thing happened to a colleague of mine. On Easter Sunday I arrived 20 minutes late to my 5pm seating with my 1 year old and 4 year old. (Late of course because they fell asleep on the way there.. small children). I was told “sorry, the kitchen is closed”. I know based on a recent review I’ll receive some response based on CCTV.. but if you are in the hospitality business and you find yourself citing CCTV as defense against your customers complaints, my advise is to take a moment and reflect.

Admittedly it was an early evening meal, but arriving into a pub with screaming babies and infants in one area of the pub was not a good start. We moved to a table away from the kindergarten and ordered. Food isn’t bad but not value for money. We ordered only a main, no bottles of wine, but a few glasses of wine and pints. Asked if we were ordering desserts we declined and were immediately told our table was needed for another reservation. This all came to £40 per head. Won’t be coming back. There are significantly better places in the area.

Amazing. Their bespoke real-ale: Brown Dog, is one of the best pints of proper beer you'll find in London, without question. They serve sweet-breads, an obscure 19th Century delicacy which I had hitherto only read about in Charles Dickens novels and another starter has fresh Scottish morel mushrooms with lovely fresh plump woody juicy asparagus. This pub is everything I had hoped to find in the heart of bougie Barnes and I was not disappointed. Sheer excellence.

A great dog friendly pub/restaurant that's tucked away in the backstreets of Barnes. Small so best to book ahead but really no difference between sitting in the bar or restaurant.

Picked this place as reviews for food and service were good and myself and partners parents were meeting for the first time and we wanted a stress free evening. Overall it was that, the meal and wine were very very good although we felt the service was lacking. We had arrived a bit early and asked if we could be seated as we were hungry which we were told we could be …but then we were made to felt like we had caused a problem and the main waiter had a bit of an attitude towards us which my mum picked up on. Sort of the thing we were trying to avoid. Didn’t spoil the evening though and like I say overall was very good. Wouldn’t bring my parents back though.

We felt rushed as soon as we entered. We arrived 10 minutes late to our table but were then reminded regularly that our table needed to be back by a very specific time. We then proceeded to have my beer forgotten about and then our mains take 30 minutes to arrive. Multiple things were forgotten about and we were ushered into the garden after our main course which was cold and lacking any atmosphere. Zero care, zero charm, zero attention (had to go and order drinks again in person), good food but really felt like we were needing to get out the premises as soon as we’d sat down. Considering the price I will not be visiting this pub again unless for a quick pint.

A wonderful pub. Food abit pricey but that's to be expected in this area & it's worth the ££. Really yummy stuff, good service & a beautiful building.

Excellent roast dinner in Barnes and exemplary service. Fairly new to the area and happy to have such a nice community pub so close.

I’ve visited the brown dog a few times over the years and the level is always high. I dined with two friends last night and whilst the duck was brilliant, my friend’s chips were lukewarm. They offered new chips, however, the meal had already started. There was no reduction on the bill which was disappointing - this kind of behaviour added to the ‘snobby’ atmosphere of the place - probably a working class haunt in days gone by… oh how times change ^^

Loved the food and it’s a great change since before the takeover. Service was impeccable. Perhaps slightly over seasoned but this is us being very picky. We don’t love that many places in London and this was love at first bite. Atmosphere a bit too loud but it was Friday night (albeit a lot of kids, I guess it was more of an unusual occurrence than normal)

My favourite pub in Barnes. Everyone's very friendly, and the Sunday roast is great.

Great pub tucked away in a hidden corner of Barnes. Friendly dog loving staff and superior food. Under new enthusiastic ownership and flourishing.

Absolutely fantastic food (and I mean seriously good), brilliant festive atmosphere and great service from the staff. There is also a great sense of community and interaction between guests which feels quite unique. This is unquestionably my new favourite pub in London.

We had Sunday lunch for a large group and the roast was epic. New owners and chef have done an awesome job. Great vibe and a solid Bloody Mary. Woof 🐶

Wow this place has really stepped it up! Best Sunday roast I’ve had in ages, and a banging Bloody Mary Lovely staff, lovely place

I have to say, of all the pubs I’ve been to on a Sunday, this one was exceptional. Brogan and David went above and beyond for my partner and I. Not only was the service unbeatable but the entire atmosphere they brought made us feel like one of the locals. We had a spectacular time and I cannot recommend the pub enough. Also special thanks to Valerie who was charming and helpful. A great experience!

Dissapointing experience. Chaotic and music was too loud. Waited over an hour between starters and mains. Kids portion of pasta was ludicrously small. Although they did bring more pasta when asked. It’s a shame as the food was good, but won’t be back anytime soon.

Çok güzel bir lokal pub. İçerisi ve menüsü yenilenmiş. Her yediğimiz çok lezzetliydi. Yakınlardaysanız kesinlikle tavsiye ederim.

Superb lunch at the brown dog, not often do owners check on their guests to ensure all went well. Great staff, especially Lauren! Family friendly vibe!

This is our local pub and we are so lucky to have it!!!! Great food and excellent service provided by a manager David and his team. Thank you.

Such a great pub, top night out.

Wonderful neighbourhood dining room pub restaurant.

We were excited to try after the recent takeover. We had only been a couple of times prior but really enjoyed our food, however it seems things have gone downhill. Bland is the only word to describe it, even the mayo we had with the chips tasted of nothing, such a shame.

LOVLEY PLACE - I haven't been to the brown dog in a long time but I went just recently and it was superb. Im a pub person and this is an amazing pub. The food is also very good. I will be back for all the matches !

I held my 40th Birthday Party at The Brown Dog last weekend and it was absolutely amazing! David and the team went out of their way for the evening to be SUPER special. The pub is beautiful and was such a perfect setting - everyone had the best time. It has been so great to work with David around the occasion. I would recommend a private party at the venue to anyone!

Very tasteful refit and a nice team

Lugar gostoso para comer um ótimo hamburguer e tomar 1 pint de IPA, super recomendamos. Gostoso, confortável e ótimo atendimento

I think recently changed hands but enjoyed the food. Not many people there so atmosphere a bit lacking.

Generally very reliable , excellent food and the real ale is always tip top

Poor service, no atmosphere, very quiet, but still poor service

Lovely little boozer. Great Sunday lunch in the garden.

A very great and often unknown pub within Barnes. Very cosy with some great beers. Definitely worth a visit.....if you can find it 😉

Excellent atmosphere, and also dog friendly. Great service. food was good, except the steak (hence the star off). I've been disappointed twice with that, tastes like it's been broiled. But. We do keep going back, we like it lots.

Small menu but really good food. The roast was delicious and was a generous portion. The starters were lovely too. The rhubarb crumble was amazing. It has a lovely little patio at the back.

Superb, great beer, great staff, great manager, great atmosphere, great garden

Good burgers . Lovely lemonade . Quick serving . Polite staff. Dog friendly.

Lovely roast, gets very busy but well worth it

Nice food. Staff don't want to be there- don't enjoy their job!

Great local pub with excellent food and cosy atmosphere.

Was the slowest service I have had 50 mins between courses ,two girls to serve 110 tables and run the bar ,needs more staff.

Went to a supper club dinner at the pub and it was delicious. Excellently cooked food and a lovely wine paring. The communal dining was a lot of fun. Recommend!

Just had lunch at this pub and was so impressed with the service, the quality of the food, and the ambiance. Really very impressed!!! Couldn't recommend more highly.

Lovely food and a friendly welcome. Thanks guys.

Warm and cosy pub in the heart of Barnes. The food is delicious and the service is great. The staff are super friendly!

Great all year round spot with a truly good kitchen and a friendly team.

Wonderful place to chill - especially if you have pets. Nice little garden. Chill and read a book - perfect for that!