The Crown & Thistle Restaurant in Vale of White Horse

Great hotel located in the centre of Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Hotel booking was a last minute thing and glad we did. We arrived at the hotel and the management gave us a room upgrade to a suite 🎉🥳 The room was comfortable with all the modern amenities and a large bed. Gutted I didn't take pictures. There's ample parking in the hotel carpark or outside the hotel. Located on the main high street and close to all the shops, pubs and restaurants. The breakfast was included in the price and was served in the restaurant next door. Service and food was 5 stars. We hung around after check out and the bar area is well stocked and great staff working there. A friend's car broke down and we needed jump leads and thankfully a member of staff at the hotel lent us his pair and we were able to get back on the road. There's a lovely courtyard area that is in the middle of the hotel.

Came here for training Very good room !

Staff great' Manager should retire out of hospitality as doesn't have a clue how to deal with serious complaints about state of room 7 as photos don't lie and don't believe for a second he isn't aware how inhabitant this room is as his staff definitely are but they are told what to do and have to do as he says !!. When manager and i had a conversation about state of room and damp as my husband has asthma and there where defusers on top of Wardrobe and in bathroom but for a manger to say its just a bit wear and tear tells me he hasn't got experience or maturity to be in his job .😪

Review is for the restaurant here, not the hotel. We ordered 2 pizzas with drinks and the service was incredible. Amazing wood fired pizzas, 100 times better than any of the Italian restaurants in town! Definitely know where to go now in Abingdon when I want a good pizza!

Just got married at Crown and Thistle Amazing weekend and big thanks to Gavin and Euan for making everything so special. Food was beautiful and venue for wedding is so pretty. Fully recommend for wedding of 50 guests and reception of around 100 Big Thank you Clive and Emily Kimpton

We have always enjoyed our lunches at the Crown and Thistle and found there were usually many options on the menu to suit us, particularly vegetarian options. The menu sometimes changed but that just made it more interesting. Today however we found the place quite changed and even seemed to have different staff from those we usually see at lunch. Gone were the brunch options (I used to love the vegan shakshuka), the tapas and sharing plates. A more traditional/formal menu was on offer and the prices seem to have increased. However the food was pretty good and it was good to be able to have vegan sausages and mash. The veg were cooked perfectly but the mash got absorbed into the gravy that swamped it. My partner's fish and chips were excellent. But please bring back the lighter options for lunch!

Lovely place for a pint and something to eat.

We visited as a multi generational family and all really enjoyed our food. We found that it was all freshly cooked (not microwaved like many other places) and really tasty, with decent portions. Our waitress was very friendly helpful. Would definitely eat here again and recommend to others.

Just celebrated my birthday with friends at The Crown and Thistle Abingdon. Food was excellent. Staff friendly and so helpful. Will definitely be returning.

The porchetta and scotch egg were to die for! Great place to eat

My wife and I visited here in October for dinner and it was a massive let down. I ordered a chicken burger and my wife ordered the mushroom risotto, the risotto was more like a starter size and she had to order a side portion of bread, I have made better risotto at home. My burger was average no salad with it. Overall the meal was not worth £70 a Rip off.

We had lunch at the Crown & Thistle today. The staff are very welcoming and attentive. The menu choices were excellent. We all enjoyed our meals. We'll definitely be back when we next visit. And a big thank you to the member of staff who ran down the road after me, after leaving my phone on the table!

We were here for a wedding. It was a great venue, well organised and efficient. The food was also good.

Came here for dinner so I can't comment on the hotel experience! I arrived to meet a work colleague and started with a pint at one of the bars. The bar we were in seemed a bit dark but the pint was good so I wasn't complaining. We then moved across the courtyard to the main restaurant area and my my what a difference! The first thing you see is the humungous wood fired pizza oven, an eye catcher for sure. You can tell they've put in a lot of work into making the dining area a cozy and welcoming place. The decor and interior design were great. We were sat at a table of our choice and was instantly provided with a bottle of tap water and our drinks orders were taken shortly after. Both of us got a glass of red wine. Our food order was then taken, for starters we got the cider chorizo and some olives both of which were delightful and was just right in terms of quantity. Seeing the pizza oven upon entry, we felt obligated to order pizza so I ordered the Pollo Diavola and my colleague the Parma. There was a slight wait but boy was the wait worth it! These pizzas were fresh out the oven and looked professional. Our server provided both garlic and chilli oils without us having to lift a finger. I was in heaving eating this pizza, not only did it have an excellent combination and quantity of toppings but the dough was the perfect balance of chew to soft/fluffiness, I couldn't get enough of it. Overall I would consider the pizzas to probably be the best in Abingdon and the best I've had in a while! Overall as a restaurant, the Crown and Thistle is a delightful experience that provides top tier service and food, especially the pizza. So if you're in the area and want somewhere that does good quality European food, then this is the place to go. Bear in mind they have an extensive menu and will definitely come back to give some of their other offerings a try,

Such a lovely place. The staff were very helpful and very nice to be together ❤️

This was my second time visiting the Crown & Thistle and, once again, it was a lovely experience. The menu is great, with very good vegan options available too, and the quality of food was fantastic. We are looking forward to coming back with guests as it's definitely somewhere to go as a real treat.

We only visited for food, which is always great here!

Had a really lovely stay here this week, staff were great and the restaurant was tasty. The breakfasts were great. Highly recommend

Dropped in for a beer. Had a nice fresh pint of London Pride. Walked past it didn't go in.

Delicious and interesting vegan options! Thank you crown and thistle!!!

Great food . Friendly helpful staff.

Great spot in centre of town. Easy access on regular bus service to Oxford. Quirky rooms ours had bathtub in room . None of the walls are straight as all the orginal building . Great breakfast with superb obliging staff. Abingdon may not be your first choice but easy access to Oxford.

Excellent room for parties! Baby shower, birthdays, anniversaries and any occasions. Very good food and masive portions😊 Overall very happy!

Visited on 4th July in the hope of getting a sandwich and chips whilst on a 2 hour break but ended up with spaghetti bolognaise and garlic bread. The lady behind the bar (think her name was Amber?) was fabulous, very cheerful and helpful! Food arrived in a decent amount of time and was lovely sitting in the courtyard. Will be returning.

Eight of us ate at the restaurant last night (we had booked) but we were disappointed by the fact that quite a few items on the menu were not available. Two main courses (roast chicken, moussaka) and two puddings were not available, and we asked for two vegetarian pies but there was only one available. In addition, the vegan gravy was congealed and not very pleasant. The rest of the food was nice and the service excellent. We didn't stay at the hotel so can't comment on the rooms. Location is ok.

Purely leaving this review because the vegan breakfast was so good! The chef cooked everything to perfection and the avocado was on another level! Our waitress was very helpful too!

I recently photographed a wedding at The Crown and Thistle, and wow, what a place! The vibe is just perfect—it's got this awesome mix of old-school charm and modern style. The staff were super friendly and made sure everything went smoothly. The gardens are gorgeous and perfect for those beautiful outdoor shots. Inside, it's cozy and just right for capturing all the special moments. If you're looking for a wedding venue that's got it all, The Crown and Thistle is the way to go. Totally recommend! Highly recommend to check the photos from that fantastic place on my wedding blog (link below) https://miracle-moments.co.uk/the-crown-and-thistle-wedding/

The fish was burnt and still served as obvious it was well over cooked...disappointing

We stayed for one night on our Thames walk. The booking and check-in was easy. The room was quite big, immaculately crisp white linen, a little aged carpet, beautiful claw foot tub etc. We didn't eat there, except for breakfast the next morning, which was included in room tarrif. They're very generous with it, pretty much the entire menu is available to custom order, which is a much better deal than the breakfast at comparable pubs. The location is very convenient, close to Thames, and to many restaurants. Overall a very good experience. Somewhat impersonal (but courteous). Would we stay here again? For sure.

We started a walk to Oxford with breakfast here so had no use for rooms

This restaurant has the best waitress I’ve had the pleasure to dine with. I ordered a special and it was exquisite. The food is fit for a 4*, the ambiance is relaxing and the staff are all super friendly.

I guessed the prices on the menu, I didn't get them right. It was fun though.

Great food, especially the pizzas are really great! They also let us in when we arrived late much appreciated!

The pizza here is amazing, the best I ever had. I highly recommend the Napoli forte or the pepperoni pizza. Thank you Tibor !!!( the best pizza chefie)

We had a wonderful meal here celebrating an anniversary. There was a good selection on the menu and the child's menu was excellent. The staff were absolutely lovely and really helpful. Its a great place for special occasions. Everywhere was spotless and there was a welcoming atmosphere. The staff realised it was my my and dad's anniversary and gave them a dessert to share which was so lovely and special. A really big thank you to everyone, we will be going there again.

We went to the restaurant last night to celebrate my girlfriend's good uni results and starting her first job this week. We had been looking forward to dining there for a while, but unfortunately, we were very disappointed. The service was terrible, and the food didn't meet our expectations, especially for the price we paid. We won't be returning and would prefer trying out other restaurants in the area.

Good place for a drink and grabbing some food. Pizzas are recommended but you can't really go wrong. It's maybe slightly more expensive than some other local places but the venue is stunning and you can usually find a table.

My first time at this establishment (restaurant) and honestly it was not a great one I am afraid. Food was not to my liking. Toast was too crispy, could not cut it with a knife. The avo was basically hard.. but my cappuccino was very nice. I just did not like the service. It's sad that they did not take the time to make it pleasant for myself and my friend 😕. We left there still hungry. My friend had ordered toast together with jam and it was too crispy 😔

Great location . Good sized rooms with old world charm but corridors looked a bit tired. Couldn't get water hot enough for bath or more than a two minute shower. Pleasant helpful staff

Attended a family meal here. Also had evening meal, stayed overnight and breakfast. Just great in all aspects

Brilliant location for Abingdon itself and trip to Oxford on bus. Breakfast outstanding and staff lovely.

Very good experience. Loved the pizza and the salad. The service was excellent and very efficient. No photos as everything disappeared to quickly from the plates :)

After visiting several local options, I picked Crown and Thistle for my mum's 90th birthday celebration Afternoon Tea. My previous visits over the years for Sunday lunch, dinner and even bottomless brunch had all been good. I booked in person a few weeks before, dropped in the day before to check all was ok and to drop off some decorations and told the manager Phill, we were excited for the event. Family had taken time off work, travelled for 6hr round trip, taken taxis etc, a lot had gone into making this special for my mum. The day was such a huge disappointment in so many ways...... Staff: No one ever came to ask if we wanted anything, we constantly had to go to the bar area to wait and ask for things such as drinks, enough cutlery/crockery as there wasn't enough for the number we had booked for, salt, butter and ice. I asked 3 times for water for the table, on the last request a jug of water sat on the bar area was pointed at and was told there's your water. It seems I was supposed to take it to the table myself. I asked for more water as 1 jug wouldn't be enough for 9 people, the response was a sigh and "more water?". I went to the bar and said coffee was great, but may I have some more milk for my latte as it was a bit strong, I was met with an eye roll and "does it have to be warmed up or is cold alright" I said cold was fine and thanked him. In 2 hour session we only had 1 drink, at no point were we asked if we wanted another drink. No one at any point wished my mum a happy birthday or even checked in to see if we were ok or needed anything. Food: 2 tray/plates were popped on the table and the member of staff walked off...... I had to check that it was supposed to be for all of us and it didn’t seem much quantity. There were items listed on the Afternoon Tea menu that didn’t exist and things differed from their description. This was the least of my concern as the quality was awful. The brown bread with chive cream cheese and smoked salmon was dry stale cheap with pre sliced bread, no butter and blob of plain cream cheese with curled up edges. Mature Farmhouse cheddar with sun dried tomato pesto was dry stale cheap white pre sliced bread with mild economy cheese and a small slice of reformed value wafer thin ham – no butter, no pesto. Scones were served with marmalade! We ha to ask for more as initially there were only 4 scones provided (no butter). My brother spoke with a young chap who said he was joint manager and he admitted that he wouldn’t pay almost £150 for what we had been served. The other manager Phil seemed unphased and simply said he’d send a bottle of prosecco to the table while I stood in the bar area sobbing because my mum’s special surprise Afternoon Tea was such a disappointment and is not able to be repeated. We declined the empty gesture, no one in our party was drinking alcohol. We left, everyone disappointed, no one came to our table to apologise or say goodbye. I was later accidentally cc into an email saying to organise me a voucher to return for a free dinner – unfortunately still no apology and sadly I wouldn’t wish to return even for a free dinner. No longer able to recommend the Crown & Thistle restaurant.

We like the menu at the OPO in Wallingford but the service is terrible, 100% better at the Crown & Thistle. Big family birthday dinner. Had to pre order but the online process made that super simple. Food was great, service tip top, thanks Isla. Would definitely recommend.

Lovely place . . . . . . but, crazily expensive! (£27.60 for 2 glasses of wine!). We went for the quiz night last night, bar was empty when we arrived and only 2 teams (including us) turned up. Upon receiving the bill at the end of the night it became apparent why. Come on Guys, promote your quiz night, drop your prices and you may fill your bar on quiz night and raise a lot of money for charity and have some happy customers. We won't be returning because there are many more better value establisments in Abingdon - sorry. Hope you find this feedback useful.

Wonderfully old building but common areas are scruffy. Very expensive drinks.

Can't do enough for you. Good quality and fair price

Location is excellent as it’s right in the centre of Abingdon on Thames within walking distance of various shops, cafes, restaurants but mainly coffee shops. The room we had was called the “honeymoon suite” which on first look was quite pretty. A nice free standing bath in a separate room and a separate shower and toilet. The only bad points of the room were that the mattress was a spring mattress which dug into your various body parts, the wall paper was peeling off the wall a tad, noisy floorboards from above which is understandable being an old building and the busy road outside the window with a bus stop directly under our room window. Food was pretty decent overall with different flavours and spices. I overheard another dining guest who had the large fish and chips saying that it was the worst fish and chips he’d ever had as there was mainly batter and no meat inside. Plenty of free parking at the back of the hotel.

Lovely lunch in a warm family friendly atmosphere. Staff were very friendly, attentive and accommodating. Food was lovely, good portion sizes - including those for children and the wait for food was not long. Toilets very clean! Would recommend and will be likely to return.

The room was lovely, breakfast was 10/10 and the staff went above and beyond. 100% recommend

Just gorgeous... Staff very nice, the pizzas are just wonderful... Really worth it. Go try them!

We booked on same day, for the evening and got instant confirmation. We were welcomed with promptly with smiled. Our order came in a good timely manner. The food was delicious. My wife took Noorish bowl, very tasty and feeling. My son took the kids menu. He liked it as usual. I took the Lebanese lamb. Heaven on earth. The felt apart with its strong taste. Its was incredible dinner. No dessert , we were fool. The place is cosy, and fancy restaurant/pub vibe. The front of house were great. Continue the good work.

We ordered drinks on arrival which came promptly but my rosé was at room temp. It was another 25 mins before anyone came to take our order. I asked if they could swap my wine for a cold one. The waitress brought another, slightly cooler, and asked me to taste it. It was still too warm and tasted sour, so I asked for red instead. The manager came over to assure me that the wine is always chilled to exactly 5 degrees (i.e. I must be mistaken!). The food wasn't amazing, the staff were surly and it's clear they were understaffed for a Friday night, as I noticed dishes were left waiting under the heat lamps, and our ice creams had mostly melted when they came. £80 for two meals and four drinks is extortionate for what we got. I've given the same feedback directly to the hotel, but a week on they haven't bothered contacting me about it. I'm afraid I won't be returning or recommending it to anyone.

Service was impeccable, including from the very patient Jane answering my emails before our visit. Staff were friendly and welcoming, efficient and also very reassuring towards a member of our party with a severe nut allergy. We were very impressed by the menu which catered to all tastes, including Sunday roasts, wood-fired pizzas, pastas, traditional fare and more. We were particularly pleased by the range of vegan options which went beyond the usual offering and even included a selection of desserts, not just sorbet. We all had the Sunday roasts - 2 chicken, one beef and 2 vegan mushroom wellingtons. Good sized portions and well-cooked veg. I would have liked my beef to be more on the pink side but I know that's personal choice. Equally, my daughter would have preferred the roast potatoes to be cooked longer and be crispier but they were fine. For dessert we had panna cotta, churros, sticky toffee pudding and the vegan chocolate tart. All delicious though I'm not quite sure about the Jordan's Granola that was served as a topping on the panna cotta - tasted fine but was odd. These are minor observations on what was overall an excellent meal. It wasn't a cheap meal, but we were prepared for this and had a higher budget than usual as we were celebrating a special birthday and to be honest, it was worth it.

An extensive menu with more unusual options from the usual pub fare. My beetroot felafel salad was pleasingly substantial. On a previous visit I loved the crab linguini. Service a little slow but very friendly. Would recommend sitting in the outside courtyard if weather ok.

We booked a table outside as soon as COVID restrictions were lifted. We ordered a pizza and drinks. The staff made us feel very welcome and the pub had made huge efforts as many pubs with outdoor space have done. We sat under an awning and enjoyed a lovely evening. We have been back several times. Thanks to the staff for making everyone feel so relaxed.

Originally came here for a corporate event and was impressed with the standards and service. Returned again this week (twice ) and the service was just a great. The place is very clean and all the expected Covid standards in place. The staff are very polite and professional. The drinks are good quality and the food was great on both occasions. If you’re in the area definitely give this place a try. Would highly recommend See you again very soon

We stayed at the Crown and Thistle for three nights and were delighted with our stay. The hotel has lots of character and is well located to walk either in to town or down to the river, both just a few minutes walk away.Each room is different to fit in to the style of the building and our bed was very comfortable. There is air conditioning if needed.The rooms are accessed by stairways so ask for help with cases if you need it. There is a car park attached to the hotel, accessed from the rear.The staff were customer focused and helpful and particular mention to Eleanor who was fast, efficient and friendly. She performed miracles taking orders and bringing out the breakfasts in the morning. And what delicious breakfasts they were. Extensive options and delivered hot and great presentation. We had dinner in the hotel on our first night and again, excellent quality, good presentation and a wide choice of dishes to choose from on the menu.Another staff member to mention was Stephan who again, works efficiently and is very helpful.This is our second stay at an Oakman Group hotel and they have a winning formula. They know what customers want and they have, so far, exceeded our expectations. They are handling the restrictions due to COVID-19 well and have not lost the friendliness that an hotel needs to have to welcome guests. They do have deals as well so it is worth a telephone call to them before you book on line. You might get a pleasant surprise.

A booked a table for two and arrived and greeted by a delightful lady who presented us with a choice of tables and menus one of which was a specials. We perused questioned certain items which are unfamiliar to us. We then made our selection.One crab linguine and one pork belly when it arrived the beans were raw and peas were like bullets, the pork cracking like concrete and a very small portion of mash. The peas were exchanged for mushy peas, and more potatoes and gravy promptly arrived.The crab linguine must have been shared amongst a number of diners as there was hardly any crab what little was there was microscopic. Nothing had any taste.Not a place to revisit unless portion size and taste is re evalued. Wish you well but on our backs.

Delicious food. Lovely place. Even better as it was eat out to help out ! Good safety precautions in place for COVID

Spent a lovely evening yesterday at the Crown and Thistle in Abingdon with excellent food. Steak cooked to perfection and delicious pudding. Waiters very attentive and were happy to change one of the sides for something else on the menu. The atmosphere outside in the courtyard with the lights was magical. I must admit that I had not been impressed with the restaurant the last time I visited a few years ago but this has now been reversed and I would thoroughly recommend.

Looking for drinks we found this lovely hidden gem. The courtyard was charming and the service was fast throughout and always had a smile on their face asking if they could do anymore for us. A great spot for some drinks.

Booked last minute as a post lockdown celebratory roast, whilst the staff were fantastic it's a shame I can't say the same about the Roast Beef Sunday dinner. The potatoes were tasteless and hard, so hard in fact if I had thrown it at anyone they would've suffered concussion! The veg was mediocre, the gravy for me makes a roast and this was a complete disappointment, with zero flavour. The beef was okay, just okay. Yorkshire pudding saved the meal from being a total disaster. Overall would not eat a roast from them again... Sad times!

We booked for Sunday lunch literally a week before lockdown the staff were very friendly helpful and professional and we received a warm welcome we enjoyed a lovely Sunday lunch roast beef and Yorkshire pudding cooked really well THANKYOU for a lovely meal we hope to see you again soon when you reopen

A lovely pub with a beautiful, clean interior, cosy atmosphere & modern decor. Friendly staff, quick service, a large menu (with a dedicated pizza oven & plenty of vegan-friendly options) & tasty food. I had the vegan 'No Pollo' pizza, but switched the grilled peppers for mushrooms - the base was lovely & thin, & the crust was nicely risen & crispy, & the toppings were fairly generous. My fellow diner had the lemon & thyme roast chicken, which came with a huge Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes & veg, & was also happy with the food. Would recommend.

We visited about 5 weeks ago and had a 5 star Sunday roast and service so returned today expecting the same, thoroughly let down though! We were the first customers in the restaurant at 12 o'clock. We ordered tap water and a gin based cocktail, the waiter returned with a bottle of Aqua Pura water. Last time we were given a bottle of tap water, we just assumed perhaps they were using a different water. On tasting the water we realised it was warm so asked a passing member of staff whether it could be changed for a chilled bottle but were told "we never offer any chilled water". Mr helpful did however return with a pint glass of ice, lovely thanks. A waitress then took our meal order which was 1x roast pork belly, 1x roast beef and 1x side order of cauliflower cheese & brocolli. We were still the only customers in the restaurant. The food promptly arrived at the table however the side order was missing. We thought perhaps like last time the waitress had gone to get it. By now we were half way through our mains and wondering where the missing side was. Unfortunately the staff were too busy stood together near the bar area having a conversation than coming back to ask us whether all was ok. Eventually a member of staff wondered past and I managed to gain her attention to ask for the missing side order. She promptly returned to tell us her colleague had forgotten to order it and asked whether we still wanted it, we declined as by now were three quarters of the way through our meal. We couldn't understand how last time they were packed out and got everything right yet this time only two customers (three or four members of staff) and things were going wrong. We did notice the waitress didn't write the order down, perhaps she should in future? By now there was also a table of two in the restaurant and a family of about 7 who also arrived. Eventually one of the waitresses returned and took away our plates and took a dessert order. This she did get right and we soon devoured churros and a white chocolate cheese cake. My wife felt the churros weren't very fresh but did say it was enjoyable. We then waited for what felt like forever for our plates to be taken and to pay the bill. Two of the staff were busy frantically cleaning menus and trays by the bar (with their backs to the restaurant) and the male member of staff was leaning on the bannister in the doorway having a good chinwag (photo attached as we felt it quite funny that he had time to chat with customers waiting).Eventually we were asked if we wished to pay the bill. I handed over a £10 voucher we were given by a relative who works for the company as she had it as a birthday present from the hotel. This made us nervous as we knew it was bound to go wrong somewhere down the line of paying. The member of staff walked off saying "leave it with me". The male staff member (Mr time to lean time to clean) returned and said "I thought the best way to do it was to add a staff discount". OK fine so we paid and left. When we got home we checked the receipt to find he gave us a staff discount + the £10 off. Very nice of him as we aren't staff. So not only had you lost out on the money for the side order the staff forgot you also over discounted our meal (not complaining).We did see the water on the bill though which was free last time (the other guests had their free bottles of tap water so not sure how we ended up with something else). Perhaps if the staff remained in the restaurant where the customers are rather than hiding in the bar area they may know what's going on and offer better service. Every table should also get a "check back" to ensure all is ok. Lots and lots of errors on this visit which were frankly annoying as the food was good.

This is local to us and we often go as a family. The food is good- particularly the burgers and the josper grilled food, and I’d recommend the halloumi fries and the puddings. The staff and welcoming and friendly.

We live in Abingdon and decided to try The Crown and Thistle Sunday Roast dinner. We had a warm welcome and the service was excellent professional and friendly. The surroundings are comfortable and welcoming and clean. The menu is varied and lots to choose from other customers were eating some really nice looking pizzas fish and chips and salad the chips looked really good too. We ordered Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding. The meat was really good and the Yorkshire pudding was excellent all the vegetables were really tasty only one criticism and we really don’t want to because lunch was so nice there were no roast potatoes they were small boiled ones you HAVE to have roast potatoes with a roast. The pudding was delicious chocolate raspberry torte and caramel ice cream. We enjoyed our meal and will try The Crown and Thistle again THANKYOU for a lovely lunch.

We visited today for a Sunday roast and it was absolutely beautiful! We ordered a roast pork belly, a roast beef and a side order of broccoli and cauliflower cheese. Both roast dinners were perfectly cooked, the pork belly fell apart! There was a few minutes wait between each roast coming out which was annoying, and no apology.For dessert we ordered a chocolate and raspberry torte and the Toblerone sundae off of the specials menu, both desserts were gorgeous!On the whole a fantastic meal, we will definitely return again!

After being let down by a brunch spot across the square we headed here in hope of a better experience, which we definitely got.Not only was it a splendidly made place, the service was also impeccable.The food was great, with a real pizza oven and the portions were good. Great coffee, lovely fresh juice and very accommodating of the infant we had in our large group.One gripe is that, for having so many vegan options throughout the menu, there were none in the brunch section, and upon removing the poached eggs from the avocado on toast, there was a lot of effort to ask if this was a reduced price for what was now essentially just one slice of toast with avocado.However upon forgetting the pizza this was comped from the menu.Altogether a really good experience and I would return.

What a strange experience.We went for lunch at the Crown & Thistle - a weekday in the build-up to Christmas - and couldn't find anyone there.There were distant noises, but no customers, and no staff. Certainly none that we could find. It had a Mary Celeste feel to it. Everything apparently functioning, but not a soul to be seen.'Hello,' we shouted. Nothing.So we left the attractive bar, walked back through the courtyard where you could imagine old horse-drawn coaches pulling in, back in the day, went out to the street and walked round to the King's Head and Bell. Which was inhabited.What an odd experience. Shame; the setting is lovely.

Myself and 2 family members had a fantastic meal. Great choices for gluten or dairy free/vegan. Lovely service. Thoroughly recommendded.

Stopped for a drink with family, was busy but we did get seated on some very comfy chairs... Didn't want to. Leave! The atmosphere was buzzing, lots of families, ages and people just having a great time. The bar staff were freindly and very welcoming.

As good as always, amazing food, drinks and service. Nice and cosy on a cold wet evening. Won't leave it so long til our next visit

Very busy watching the Rugby England & South Africa final. Very busy as you can imagine. Very old worthy, coffee was good

The first time I went to the Crown and Thistle was about 40 years ago when it was a Berni Inn, what a change! Great bar area and restaurant with modern decor. The service was exceptional from all staff and food was served really quickly considering we were a large party. Food was excellent, well presented and very tasty.

Our daughter had her 16th birthday party in the Minstrels Gallery at the Crown & Thistle, which was the perfect size for a group of 20. All the staff we met were very friendly and went out of their way to help us, coming up with lots of good suggestions for organizing the party. Jan in particular made some lovely mocktails for everyone, which was a nice finishing touch. We were able to have a nice meal in the bar next door while the teenagers were enjoying the party. We would definitely recommend this venue.

As a strict vegetarian, I had some questions with the menu. After the wait staff explained everything, I placed my order. Shortly thereafter, the “short order cook” comes racing out of the kitchen (I believe he said his name was Benn [--]) jumping up and down and claiming I had no right to be a vegetarian and tried to substitute the meal I ordered with something else! It was nutty to say the least! Perhaps he was having a bad day or was just short on time. Regardless, everything worked out and Benn’s conduct was slightly amusing.

Previous experiences have been much better. Staff were friendly enough but food left much to be desired. Chicken milanaise was overcooked and bordering on being burnt. Tomato and prawn starter with bread was strange. Prawns were warm and sauce cold. Missing items on wine list. I hope this was just a one off.

Visited last Friday with friends . Very busy and the lone barman seemed to be struggling . Strange policy on vaping as seemed to be an allowable activity based on the number of people openly doing it !

As per usual, lovely meal and world class service. Romana is always amazing, making sure we have everything we need, always a good laugh, she is basically the best waitress in the land !!

We visited for breakfast and overall were left disappointed with the food.

Not so much the selection for dinner. Interesting interior, lots of brick. Service was not that good at dinner time was much better for breakfast.

We met in the bar across the courtyard for a drink before dinner. Friendly service and reasonable beer choice, although the layout/ambience seemed slightly lacking.

Nice surroundings good food exceptional service what more do you need ,last time I visited it was a Bernie Inn still the same waitress as still as good as ever.

Absolutely lovely Italian-style pizza with delicious cheese and a glass of gorgeous Sangiovese enjoyed in the middle of a lovely Mediterranean-style internal yard with climbing ivy. A wonderful experience I would recommend to anyone when in Abingdon.

Fascinating building close to several car parks. Full of history. Drop by for a drink or a snack. Pizza worthwhile. Refuel here and enjoy the lovely, quaint town centre.

Good fresh food at a resonable price with very good service. Waitress suggedted a very nice wine which was not listed and we very much enjoyed it!

Lots of choice, excellent range including veggie, vegan and gluten free options. Well cooked and super service. I had one of the best pizzas I have ever eaten - was full but kept going as it was too tasty to leave!

As a member of a local cycling group we came here for a post ride pint as our usual spot is in refurb. As a nice gesture they gave us some pizzas too. The quality was excellent and when my wife and I had an impromptu chance for a summer meal out we came here. Sat outside in the courtyard, relaxed feel under the wisteria and to my mind this is the best pizza in Abingdon.

This used to be one of the best places to get a decent roast on a Sunday, a good plate of food with lots of fresh vedg, ample slices of succulent meat accompanied with a tasty gravy! Well that's what I was expecting based on previous visits. What I got was a nicely presented stack of barely warm, hardly roast potatoes that aunt bessie would put to shame a yorkshire that was probably made some time last week and 4 small slices of beef that had obviously not come off a joint that day. The waitresses were great and deserved my tip, the kitchen however needs to up it's standards and the quality of the presented food.

Went here for dinner for my daughters birthday. The food was lovely except for my husbands steak which was less than average. Waitress could have been a lot more pleasant than she was.

We went there for a late lunch on Sunday, the restaurant was fairly busy but there were some free tables. There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options available, I had a delicious vegan burger and my partner an equally delicious tagine.

Dropped in today for a brunch with family including two year old grandson. Food was very high quality and visit made more special by waitress Julie who went above and beyond to provide amazing service. Nothing was too much trouble. Will definitely return, hope she is our waitress again.

Went here for a family birthday. Well received and shown to our table, Staff were attentive throughout and more than happy to wait to take order even though the restaurant was quite busy. Extensive menu catering for all tastes. The food prices were on the higher side and wine was overpriced in my opinion, although other drinks appeared reasonable. As a group only mains were ordered and mine was a little disappointing, but the rest of the group were happy with theirs. Would recommend for a venue, good service and good food.

The first trip to this restaurant was good hence why decided to go again. My other half and I went in for dinner however we felt like the restaurant did not care about their customers. The restaurant was not busy at all. After finishing our meal, the table was not cleared nor someone came over to check if everything was ok with the food. We wanted to have dessert as well. Nearly 40 minutes later after finishing our food, we decided to ask for our bill as we just couldn't wait to get out due to lack of interaction. The service we received was very poor.

Had a large family meal here and we had a good time with decent food, service, drinks, etc, but not a memorable experience and we will not be rushing back for more. You'll be happy, but not swept away.

I have eaten here a couple of times while staying at the Hotel attached. I've only had the pizza, but both times the pizza was very good. The atmosphere is upscale and the service is very good as well. I look forward to trying more of the menu on future trips.

I have visited this restaurant many times over the years and it’s always great!

What a lovely surprise this restaurant is. It's been many years since I visited, but we came here for a very early evening dinner, with my family.