Swan - Pangbourne

Brilliant chicken schnitzel. Perfectly crisp on the outside, tender inside, and full of flavour. Well balanced and very satisfying, with excellent service to match.

I have been going to the Swan for years and it's always amazing however today was phenomenal! Beautiful sunny day by the river with exceptional food and the service was incredible! Ellie really looked after us , nothing was too much trouble, thank you Ellie, you were brilliant!!

What a delightful place, we were actually dropped off here in error when trying to find another place to eat and what a grand error it turned out to be. The staff are amazing, service exemplary and food excellent. It isn’t the cheapest place to eat but food lived up to the menu hype. I have eaten in far worse places for a lot more. The wine however is ridiculously expensive but my wife assured me it was delicious. The decor is so nice and it’s situated right on the river edge. All in all it’s a solid 5 for me and we will be visiting again

Wow, what a place! So easy to find coming from the train station. When we arrived the staff were approachable and friendly. We were taken to out table on the terrace overlooking the water, it was a fantastic view. We were given fresh water, and chose our food and drinks with a friendly waitress. (Didn't catch her name) our starters came out, (soup all round) I can't tell you how amazing it tasted! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. Moving on to mains 4x fish and chips, 1 x burger. All meals were presented beautifully and tasted so fresh. The cocktail i had was so good! (Passionfruit martini) dessert all round, 3 x sticky toffee pudding and 2 chocolate bombe. When desserts arrived the lovely staff brought mine out, with a candle in the bombe and everyone sang happy Birthday to me. It was a lovely end to an absolutely fantastic meal. The deserts were delicious, and those who had coffee enjoyed those too. Thank you for making my birthday meal a great day. We highly recommend and will definitely return again. Cannot fault anything, the atmosphere, staff, location, food and drinks - 10/10.

+6

Had a lovely meal at the Swan today with excellent and attentive service from Ellie! The roast were absolutely delicious, with the food bursting with flavour and variety. I especially loved the cauliflower cheese, and the massive Yorkshire pudding that came with the roast. The desserts were heavenly, especially the rhubarb and custard cheesecake. Will definitely be going again!

This was our first visit back in years and since complete refurbishment. We were sat in the most beautiful area and quickly greeted by our server. Basil was incredibly attentive without being intrusive, made lovely recommendations and was a pleasure to be served by. Also accompanied by Abbie who was lovely. Overall 10/10 and will be back soon. Thankyou👏🏼

Merely looking for a bite and a catch up with a friend. I wasn’t expecting such astounding food and wonderful service! The restaurant and classy and cozy and the bar area was full of great energy (especially as the women’s final was on!) My meal was the best pub and roast I’ve ever experienced. Thanks!

First time our family of 4 visited for Sunday lunch and it was great. A lovely, cosy venue - we were sat by a log fire - with attentive service. We had a selection of starters, which were all delicious. Main courses were burgers for the kids and roasts for the adults which we all really enjoyed. Reasonably priced too. We’ll be back!

We came as a party of 10 adults and 4 children from all over the country,on a late Sunday afternoon to celebrate a 2 year olds birthday and chose the Swan as a meeting place. The whole experience was excellent, the food came out in a timely way, hot and delicious with good size portions, drinks were dispatched quickly, all servers were helpful, friendly and very efficient and serving our own Birthday cake as desert was allowed and facilitated. Elle out main server. Managed children and fussy adults, and helped with options for our little one who has eating challenges like a pro, nothing too much, and if when lived near us we would employ her in our business! Excellent food, excellent service , lovely place....and we are all coming back!

Lovely time with my family. The food was good, and lovely serving staff, specially Ellie! Made our experience very enjoyable, had a lovely view over the river as well!

Had a lovely lunch here. The lady manager was brilliant. Very engaging and chatty. I jad 3 starters and they were great.

Went for a birthday dinner here on Saturday evening, the food was delicious! We were spoilt for choice! Shout out to Hubert for laughing and joking with us during service, he made my visiting In-Law's experience very memorable, they're still talking about the Schnitzel! We will be returning, such a lovely atmosphere and stunning restaurant!

Sunday lunch with friends which was enjoyed by everyone. We all had the Sunday roasts which were very tasty. Hubert our waiter was friendly and helpful. We had a lovely table overlooking the river which was just what we wanted, We left happy and full which is always a good sign, Thank you,

First time visiting, great pub, lovely location, great food and incredible service. Shout out to the lovely lady Elia who we could not fault. Very knowledgeable, very attentive and all round great waitress.

The food was beautiful and the waitresses Sophie and Simone were lovely attentive and bubbly. The pub was very clean and inviting. Lovely setting Alongside the Thames.

V friendly and professional gastro pub in beautiful riverside setting. Good beer and drinks, food tasty. Will come again

Really picturesque deck overlooking the Thames with lovely staff and excellent food. The burrata salad with broccoli and smoked almonds was a real treat. Highly recommend on a nice day!

Gorgeous place! Lovely steak, delicious strawberry cheesecake and amazing views. Would visit again! Thank you to Hubert!

Very good Sunday roast, with attentive and friendly service from Hubert. Good quality produce and well cooked. Only constructive feedback is to provide more gravy for those of us from the North!

The Swan has become a favourite for my family and I since we relocated from Australia to Pangbourne two years ago. The main staff know us all by name as well as our regular drink orders and they consistently go above and beyond every time we visit, which is usually several times a week. The Swan is the perfect place in the warmer months with its lovely outdoor decking area and just as inviting in the colder months with its cosy nooks by the fire. The food menu is superb and I am especially fond of the crab linguine. The Swan sets a standard far above what a hospitality venue is expected to deliver. Keep up the great work team!

Really enjoyed our visit here. My partner and I shared a starter and then had some roasts and everything was spot on…no fuss and just genuinely good food. Credits to Ellie for being so friendly and was brilliant the whole way through. Definitely a place we’d come back to!

Firstly the star of the show was our server Stuart. He went above and beyond to explain the menu to my elderly dad. He spoke slow and got down to eye level which I love. Not only was his knowledge vast but a real charm to chit chat too. A real gem of a server The recommendations from Stuart were spot on for our tastes. We had duck pate, crab linguine and fish pie. All were excellent It was our first time here and we will revisit the next tike we are in the area

Today we had the best lunch that we have had in a long time. The food was superb. Presentation was good and the flavours amazing. My husband had the cod roe starter and said it was one of the best starters he had ever had, and we have eaten in some top restaurants. I had the King Prawn and Monkfish curry which was delicious. A huge shout out too for Hubert and Sophie who were looking after us, they gave excellent service. Highly recommend this pub for a great meal, we will definitely be returning.

Quick lunch with 2 work friends. Brilliant attentive service from start to finish, table by the window looking out on the river on a sunny day. Great food selection..... Went for lighter lunch Mediterranean veg on sour dough with creamatta..... Simply stunning..... I am not a vegetarian but with food like this could easily be. Also prime location looking over the Thames weirs. Great place for memorable lunches. Shame it's not closer to where I live.

We’ve been coming to the swan for years and they seem to have really found their groove with their freshly refurbished pub and all new, mouthwatering menu. This winter season we have found ourselves always coking back whether we like it or not! Keep up the good work!

All the staff were friendly and very helpful. We ordered light meals for four adults at a reasonable price. The smoked fish pie was especially good with a good amount of fish filling and a solid sauce. The heritage carrots were also wonderfully flavoured with coconut yogurt and harissa. Puddings were absolutely worthwhile. Allows dogs inside. Very small parking lot

Hubert looked after us. Very attentive but not overbearing. We were seated next to a party table which was fine and we were people watching but finding it hard to hear each other. Hubert came and asked us if we would like to move to a quieter table without us even mentioning anything. The food was perfect and the service was great.

I visited recently on a weekend afternoon, I thought it might be a bit of a madhouse but was welcomed to a friendly atmosphere. Stuart was very helpful, especially with assisting my partner with her gluten intolerance. The food was right on the bullseye, I would highly recommend as a place to checkout.

Not been to the Swan in at for over 31 years so thought we’d pop in as was passing though Pangbourne. Pleasantly surprised how much it’s changed. Good quality food but limited menu choices, compared to other pubs we’ve been to. All handmade food (nothing precooked), which justified the higher price. Excellent service from Madeira (think that was her name!) who was only in her first week.

"Outstanding food, drinks, and service at The Swan!” Had a wonderful lunch at The Swan — the burger was one of the best I’ve had in a long time, juicy, perfectly cooked, and full of flavour. The drink selection is impressive, with craft beers, cocktails, and wines that pair perfectly with the food. Simone was so attentive and friendly, making sure everything was just right. You can tell the management team really care about both their guests and their staff — it shows in every detail. We’ll definitely be back soon!

Simone was amazing. We had a table of 13 people for Sunday lunch as a yearly meet up with family. The service was great and we were looked after. As we do talk alot when we meet up after we had finished our lunch, Simone organised another area for us to go to to finish our chats. The pub was great atmosphere and would go again. The only thing was the car park is rather small but you could park in the station car park which was opposite. In the summer it would be a lovely place to visit as it was next to the river.

We had chosen the Swan as a middle point for my family and me. We had a great time as always! The setting is breathtaking as usual, the menu have options for all of the tastes and the service is perfect! I have not seen service like that in a while! Thank you Ellie and Sophie! Continue like that you girls are smashing!

We had a wonderful visit to The Swan a truly charming 17th-century gem that has kept all its historic character while adding beautiful modern touches. The setting by the River Thames couldn’t be more perfect; it’s the kind of place where you could happily sit for hours just soaking in the view. The décor is elegant yet cosy, striking the perfect balance between old-world charm and contemporary comfort. The team were absolutely lovely, friendly, attentive, and clearly proud of what they do. My partner enjoyed the roast beef while I had the half roast chicken, and both were cooked to perfection. We shared a cauliflower cheese that was so good it probably deserves its own menu section (and possibly its own fan club). Sadly, we couldn’t manage dessert, not for lack of temptation, but because our meals were so generous. We’ll just have to come back soon… purely for “research purposes,” of course, there’s still so much more on the menu we want to try!

Have been twice in the last month or so for a meal and the team have been super helpful. Service has been excellent and we've really enjoyed our meals - I would say the burger I've had is the best I've had in Reading!

Our first time at The Swan and it did not disappoint! We took the family out for lunch today to round-up the half term and it was super! Shout out to Hubert who looked after our table so attentively. Great food, lovely setting and overall vibe.

The waitress Madara was amazing! We were seated quickly and she was very welcoming and professional! She answered any queries very well and was incredibly polite!! The food came quickly and was amazing. I'd definitely recommend to anyone visiting Pangbourne to pop in to the Swan!

Delicious food, friendly faces, and great atmosphere!” The Swan never disappoints. I had the chicken club sandwich from the lunch menu, and it was spot on — fresh, hearty, and full of flavour. Their drinks list is second to none, with something for every mood. Simone was absolutely lovely, offering great recommendations and keeping everything running smoothly. The décor gives such a relaxed yet polished feel, and you can tell the management team take real pride in what they do. Always a pleasure visiting this place!

Sesame Free Hummus is amazing! I have a sesame allergy and never seen a restaurant do it before and it was absolutely amazing! The Swan Besy bitter very nice too. Unfortunately they weren't very good with my friends gluten and milk allergy. Miscommunication between staff and didn't realise certain things contained gluten hence only 4 stars.

+1

The recommended stop for lunch if you're doing the Reading to Goring trail. We were fortunate enough to have lovely weather, so we sat outside. For a Sunday afternoon it was not that busy. There is parking, but we were obviously on foot. Our entire group had roast, and overall enjoyed it, with some finding it too bland, but IMHO roasts often are! The vegetarian option was Wild mushroom and spinach strudel, which tasted good but I couldn't say that I tasted any mushroom at all! The seating inside is big too, but it's the outdoor seating next to the river that is just perfect if you're able to sit out.

We went as a group of 4 people. My friends seemed to enjoy their food as they ordered sea bass, fish and chips and a burger. I wasn't as lucky though. I ordered a steak mid rare. The first time it came completely raw in the middle and I had to send it back. The second time it was better but they had forgotten to put any salt in it! I also got a duck egg fried in duck fat, also severely lacking in salt, that was not bad, but not too impressive either. The service was exceptional and the staff was very polite and helpful. They were also quick to recommend dishes when some of us weren't sure what to get.

Recently reopened, had a nice meal and drink. A little quiet, but to be fair, we sat down at 20:30, inside, there was live music outside but the only table available was by a speaker. The staff were very friendly and attentive. The food was very good.

The floor staff were very friendly and welcoming in their welcome and service. As it is known, they were closed for a long time due to the overflow of the river, and on my first visit after they reopened, I can say that the atmosphere was better, especially the toilets were very clean and renovated. The floor staff was more devoted than before and they were all very polite. When it came to the menu and the food they were frankly no better than average. We will return again for the wines and atmosphere.

Had heard the food was good. Had roast lamb dinner. I thought it was very average. There wasn't much lamb, only 2 pieces of approx 3 inch diameter by 1/4 inch thick. 2 lamb chops would have been much better as taste was lacking. Roast potatoes were a bit dry inside. Veges, mint sauce and gravy were nice. A pint and a glass of wine and there goes £70. I didn't take it was particularly good value. The atmosphere is nice with a lovely fire. Lacking any wow factor. Maybe better in the summer so you can appreciate the river.

We have been visiting The Swan for many years, primarily to enjoy drinks during the summer months. Its stunning riverside location is one of the best in the area and remains the pub’s greatest asset. Over time, we have also tried the food on several occasions, around five times in total, always hoping for an improvement. Unfortunately, each visit has been consistently underwhelming, with the dishes lacking flavour and depth. Given the location, we genuinely want The Swan to deliver great food to match its setting. However, despite new ownership, a refurbishment & menu changes, the dining experience continues to disappoint. Prior to the refurb, the menu felt unfocused and inconsistent, offering a range of dishes from around the world without a clear theme. Sadly, that remains the case. Instead of concentrating on one cuisine and doing it well, the menu features a mix of options including pies, curries, schnitzel & linguine, creating confusion rather than cohesion. For a traditional pub, one would expect a menu that highlights hearty British classics rather than an eclectic assortment. On our latest visit, we decided to try the traditional Sunday roast, encouraged by the updated décor and refreshed menu. We were pleased to see that the scotch eggs, previously a standout starter, were still available and they were just as enjoyable as before. This gave us hope that the roast might show similar improvement. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The beef was overcooked, dry & lacking in flavour. The roast potatoes were hard rather than crisp and tasted reheated rather than freshly made. The stuffing was disappointing & the vegetables were bland, lacking seasoning or depth. Even the gravy failed to bring the elements together. It was a disheartening meal overall. I left much of it unfinished, as it simply did not taste of anything, which felt like a waste of both calories & anticipation. I even found myself eating again once home. While the food continues to fall short, it is worth noting that the service remains excellent and the atmosphere as charming as ever. The staff are consistently friendly and attentive, which makes the experience pleasant despite the culinary shortcomings. In summary, The Swan remains a beautiful spot for drinks by the river with a lovely ambiance & great service. However, the food still fails to live up to the setting, and until the kitchen focuses on delivering flavour & cohesion, it is unlikely to become a true dining destination.

Service outside was non-existent. I had to go and ask where two of our meals were, as the rest of our group had received their meals 20 minutes earlier. The waitress acted as though it was my fault, hardly an apology. The roast was good, when it finally arrived.