Hawkes House

There’s something refreshingly honest about the offering at Hawkes House. From arriving at the beautiful stone facade to taking our seats at a cosy table by the window indoors, we were captivated by the effortless simplicity with which everything hangs together. The decor is classic with rustic charm, the staff are friendly and the locals have made the venue their well-loved meeting place.

The menu boasts something for everyone without being over-complicated or pretentious. From Mediterranean-inspired small plates to American-style chilli dogs and perfectly grilled steaks, we were impressed by the variety on offer. We decided to start with a beautifully presented tapas dish each. My beer-battered cod strips with homemade tartare sauce, lettuce and crispy capers was exquisite, while my dining partner relished the trio of tiger prawns cooked with chilli and garlic butter. We then chose to build our own burgers and were delighted to choose from a selection of patties and sauces as well as picking three tasty toppings each. I settled on a classic beefburger loaded with streaky bacon, fried egg and smashed avocado complemented by sweet potato fries, while my companion tucked into the vegan falafel option.

The team at Hawkes House ably caters for dietary requirements, as was exemplified by the rich and moreish vegan salted chocolate ganache with honeycomb and coconut sorbet. From the specials board, the Eton Mess was the perfect summer treat.