Circle Bar and Dining

We booked for Afternoon Tea for Mums 70th Birthday. All the staff were amazing, and so friendly. The food was great and views made the experience all the better.Will definitely return the next time we visit Stratford

Visited for lunch after a theatre tour. Stunningly designed space with great views wherever you sit. Had the sharing plates which were delicious and the service was great. Would definitely visit again.

Beautiful food, lovely views. We couldn't get a table for the Saturday evening pre-performance, but were offered a Sunday afternoon slot, which was probably more relaxed too. You can pre order afternoon tea, or enjoy the main menu, which is lovely

The service was exceptionally efficient, while the menu offered a variety of seasonal options. The food was delectable and beautifully presented.

All the staff were incredibly kind, patient, caring and generous during my visit at a difficult time, on a significant date following recent bereavement. The food was delicious, as always.

Only at the RSC for a meal, excellent food and very fast service. 1 x 2 course(£29) and 1 x 3 course(£31),plus bottle of merlot(£24). £94 including standard service charge. Well worth it.

+2

We had a fantastic visit with a superb meal. All staff were so polite and helpful. A great experience. We will definitely be back.

We had a lovely pre-theatre dinner at The Rooftop Restaurant at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and it was the perfect start to our evening before Cyrano de Bergerac! 🎭 The food was beautifully presented and full of flavour — from the delicious tomato soup and smoked salmon starter to the perfectly cooked main and heavenly desserts 🍰✨ Everything felt fresh and well-balanced. The service was attentive and friendly, and the view over Stratford-upon-Avon made the experience even more special 🌆💫 Even though I was fighting off the flu and stuck with tea instead of wine 🍵😅, it was still a wonderful birthday evening. Highly recommend for anyone visiting the theatre or looking for a relaxing, elegant meal in a great atmosphere! 💖

+6

We went on my birthday for a pre-theatre meal. The service was exceptional. I was made to feel very special. There was a full vegetarian menu. The food was delicious. After the meal I was given a special birthday cake plate. Thank you.

+1

Came here for pre-theatre dinner on a Friday evening. At £35 for a three course meal, this was excellent value for money. The menu had lots of options and the we both agreed that the food and service were excellent. The restaurant decor was cleverly done, with great views across the park and river. This place most definitely exceeded our expectations.

Staff are very friendly. The food is all top quality. Nice views too. When you arrive take the lift or stairs to level 3.

+6

Every staff member we spoke to made us feel very welcome and service was excellent throughout. The food was delicious and the children's menu was such good value for money. I will certainly be returning even if I'm not going to see a show!

Booked a pre-theatre meal, £35 for 3 courses. Great quality food, excellent service, nice wine selection and a lovely experience.

Excellent location and ambiance, food was fabulous, service fast and friendly, good value and will go again

Great menu choices, delicious food and fabulous, friendly service. Great value for a beautiful view and access to the theatre performance. I would definitely recommend!

Lovely food and the staff are very friendly. Dylan our waiter was brilliant. The views over the river are nice. Will definitely be going again.

Pre theatre meal, served effeciently

A great way to combine a show and meal without the worry of being late for the start of the show a great pre theatre menu all served in very good time

Had a delicious lunch.. food was beautiful. Great views. Lovely friendly staff. Would definitely recommend

Had a pre theatre meal at the rooftop restaurant and thoroughly enjoyed our evening. The only small niggle being it would be nice to have two slices of sourdough with the pate not just one! A relaxed evening was had by all.

I have dined here, pre-theatre visit, a few times now and they have never disappointed. The staff are attentive, the food delicious and they have timings to such a fine art, you can always be confident that you will be finished in good time for the performance. I had the beef sirloin yesterday evening and it was melt-in-the-mouth tender.

Despite the performance being cancelled, it was great to be able to eat in the restaurant. The staff were lovely, very friendly and helpful. The food was delicious, really tasty and served quickly and was hot. We will definitely be back.

Enjoyed pre theatre dinner at the Rooftop Restaurant. Fantastic views with most tables having unrestricted outlook over the River Avon, Recreation Grounds and Stratford-upon-Avon. Attentive and appropriate service, mindful of our performance start time. Three of us enjoyed spiced halloumi chips, with honey, chilli flakes and nigella seeds; crayfish & Severn and Wye smoked salmon, apples, capers, radicchio, toasted focaccia croute and lemon oil; buttermilk bang bang chicken, Asian pickled white radish and carrot salad, toasted sunflower seeds and sweet chilli syrup; slow cooked confit lamb shoulder, bubble and squeak mash, edamame beans, pea and mint salsa with red currant jus; Pork loin cutlet, cumin spiced cauliflower puree, savoy cabbage with smoked bacon lardons, new potatoes, Purity Pure cider jus; Strawberry, coconut and elderflower panna cotta, strawberry and mint compote; Raspberry shortcake, fresh raspberry coulis, clotted cream ice cream; and Jude’s ice cream and sorbets. Accompanied by a perfect Pinot Grigio that we could take with us into the theatre if any left (which there was not!) - a delightful way to start our evening at the RSC theatre. Highly recommended.

Excellent customer service. The vegan gluten free options were utterly delicious. Gorgeous venue, though I wish I'd been able to see out of the window. The couple next to me had a window seat and didn't look out of it at all, whereas I was trying not to be impolite while sneaking a look at the amazing view. I'd have loved to have dined on the balcony. I was a bit squished between diners as a solo diner, but it didn't feel stuffed with diners.

We arrived for 6.15pm and the servers could not have been more accommodating, bearing in mind that one of our party was running late.The food was delightful - really interesting flavour combinations and it all arrived swiftly with no fuss. The passionfruit and rhubarb pavlova dessert was especially delicious and light. Presentation was also exquisite throughout - I wish we could have stayed for longer. 3 courses for £35 is really good value and the food remained inventive and perfectly cooked.

Really enjoyed our meal with you. Found the whole experience exemplary. Brilliant food and service. Complimentary bottle of sparkling water was a really nice touch. Both waitresses friendly and helpful. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

A nice place to spend some time (and money) before the show. The service is friendly and rather swift, the food tastes good and looks so. I'd gave them 5* if they had a longer menu, and the servings were bigger, or prices - lower 🤗

Location and view is amazing. Book well in advance if you would like a window table. Well worth it. Service was great and the speed of the food service was quick. Not the cheapest place in town, however its a great one off night out before the theatre.

We went for a late lunch and found it very quite so atmosphere a bit lacking We popped back later for pre theatre cocktails and it was very busy then ! We found the service and mains good but desserts were a bit lacking I would not recommend the very creamy orange one as very sickly !

The front of house manger was rude from the outset and then despite the fact we had booked she sat us right up against the wall which probably has to be the worst table in the entire place. There were plenty of tables further on with river views or at least tables across from us that didn’t leave us nose to nose with the wall. When I asked if we could have a brighter table she was rude and said that bookings were allocated as they came in for pre/matinee . By the time we left, none of the preferable tables had been taken and so she could have made our short, pre-planned 45 meal so much more enjoyable. I really object to being made to feel that I am doing a service by being a customer . The food was excellent

We often eat at the Rooftop restaurant and have enjoyed excellent food and service, everything served in time for us to go downstairs and enjoy the theatre experience. However, on Monday evening, in spite of the restaurant not being very busy, we had to wait quite a while for our drinks and then we were served with such a delay that we had to rush our main course in order to ensure we were not late for the performance. Disappointing.It seems staff are much more efficient when they are busy as they seem to focus better: my g&t was presented with almost completely melted ice cubes , it seemed it had been prepared much earlier and then had sat on the bar counter for some time.

Went for afternoon tea. It was disappointing. The sandwiches were dry. The "sweet fancies" were terribly sweet and artificially tasting, to the point of causing stomach pain with only a bite of each item. The best parts were the view and the fact that they offer a gluten-free option.

Beautiful riverside in the sunshine. Brunvh menu , no greenn red or fungi to bother with. Beautifully cooked poached eggs wgich could have done with being reheated. Excellent hash brown. Gluten free a difficulty as limited meny and staff didnt know and the one we had resented having to find out. Cumberland sausage was advised as gf and tasred good. Fingers crossed it was. This is a beautiful setting but nowhere as good as the restaurant on the 3rd floir. Lets the brand down. The manager said she would adress issues, i hope she does.

Ordered a Bill’s Breakfast, and the eggs, beans and toasts were cold. I asked for the beans on the side (as in separately) they reassured me it’s on the side…. (perhaps a miscommunication?) Super annoyed that it’s all served with disposable plates and coffee cups? Even though the cutlery or glasses (for orange juice or g&t) are real utensils. Also not great practice to ask customers to pay for the bill and highlight about the service charge at a sit-down, table service cafe when we ordered. Whilst we were there, there were groups of 4+ people who wants a table, but the staff won’t accommodate them because it’s all set up in 2s. The view is amazing, but wouldn’t come back again.

A bit pricey for me,the food was nice,just not enough of it( I'm a proper roast chicken person rather than gordon ramsay drizzle) picture below was my main meal

Went there for pre-performance meal and had set menu. The starter of crayfish and smoked salmon was very poor. Tiny amount of smoked salmon and ditto crayfish. All hidden in a leaf to make it look bigger. No dressing- just a few capers. Main course of lamb OK. Dessert called peach streusel, but tinned peaches and no streusel. Very good friendly service

Not the best, went for a birthday. They didn't have 2 of the 4 tea options, but substituted one jasmine type but it tasted like perfume, so not to my personal palette. The waitress kinda disappeared after the drinks were served. No offer for any other drinks. The mustard used on the sandwich was overpowering in taste to the ham. (the other was a pickle and cheese, don't like them so I didn't eat). Scone was lovely, dessert tier was rather soggy and tried to eat but lacked flavor other then just sweet. You could get a hint but it was over powered by just the taste of sweet. At the end there was a forced gratuity which wasn't really warranted due to lack of service (it wasn't busy)

Went for afternoon tea today, it was a birthday present from some friends, and left feeling totally underwhelmed. Service was not fantastic, we felt like an inconvenience to be honest!! Pre-booked for 1.30pm,leaving a request for no egg,preference, not allergy. They had quite obviously not read this!! Had to point it out to the waitress. Very slow service, eventually we we asked what drink we would like, 2nd cup of coffee was cold!! Had to get someone's attention every time we wanted something,didn't check if everything was acceptable. Couldn't be bothered to ask her for a hot coffee!! Unfortunately I had got over the experience by then!! Food was mainly bought in, not homemade! Very expensive for what it was!! Wouldn't recommend!! Wasn't even that busy!! But still waited 40 minutes for the afternoon tea! What a shame, was so looking forward to it!!

Not the nice rooftop restaurant you would imagine. You have to pass a lousy bar / study area to arrive to a bunch of tables by the window. You cannot get that window table in this restaurant if you have not booked months in advance apparently and hurry up there is only 6 that fits. We left when shown the table just between the cafe and stairs. They had the audacity to note the view is not important as it is almost dark and having checked our exact booking date for us, we should have booked 2 months earlier than we did. Also the place has an unpleasant smells from the entrance. I would not bother booking this one, plenty of cosy restaurants in Sheep street.

Once again the restaurant management prove inflexible. Last time it was a huge effort with lots of huffing and puffing to set a table on the balcony, this time it’s a massive problem to serve one course when the restaurant is set to close in an hour despite plenty of spare tables. These attitudes let the place down because the food is excellent and good value.

The food and service were very poor, especially considering the prices charged. The food wasn’t fresh, we saw old vegetables in one of dishes. It’s hard to think of any restaurant offering worse value for money in the town.