The Best Restaurants in Dorking, Surrey, United Kingdom (2025)

Found this unique gem off the main drag in Dorking on a mini pub crawl... only came in for beers not knowing anything about the fabulous fusion of Sri Lankan food, and its still a proper pub! Had great tap beers and small bites - mutton rolls & fried whitefish / whitebait, served by super friendly staff who also love dogs! Came back the next week on a quiet wet night with my son, this time focus was the food, we weren't disappointed. 3 starters for £12.95 (popcorn chicken, whitebait, prawn tempura) followed by fish cutlets and spicy fries - definitely my favorite 'fish & chips' We only tried fried dishes this visit, but all were really well cooked, nothing greasy (or mullered either!). Can't wait to come back and try the curry's, hear the Sunday buffet is excellent. Chefs Samantha & Yohan with a great bar team headed by lovely Jane, but credit to the enthusiast Ellen who won us over the first visit to have more than just a few beers to resume our 'crawl' We'll be back!

Super yummy Sri Lanka food a real depth of flavour and incredible service, extremely attentive staff. It appears it might be fun later into the evening too, cocktails and darts became popular and the music ramped up as the evening went on…

Great bar - the drinks were a reasonable price. Best part was the food. I ordered the chicken pasta and you could taste how fresh the ingredients were. My friend's pizza also looked good with a crispy thin base. We ordered the calamari which was also good. All in all a great night out.

Four of us visited for dinner on Friday evening. Delicious food, beautifully presented and all with the loveliest smiles. Sadly, there was hardly anyone else there, so we are really hoping they are able to survive. Having never had Sri Lankan food before, it's definitely now our new favourite cuisine.

Best restaurant in Dorking! Another great evening and amazing food at Rooster Kitchen. Always friendly and good service. Food portions very large and tasty. Thank you for the great service and food. Shame we will be away from Dorking soon but will definitely be back again when we are in the area.

An outstanding evening meal for a family birthday. This is the second time I have eaten here and it really is superb. Beautifully decorated, with luxury touches. The menu is detailed so needs to be studied. The food is cooked and presented to perfection. Even the salad leaf, tossed in oil tastes amazing! We were a party of 5 and ate starters, mains, just 1 dessert and coffees. Everything we had was exceptional. The owner greets you like family and really makes the experience a special one. We visited on a Tuesday evening and the restaurant was busy.. this isn’t surprising considering the quality of food, service and ambience. One of the nicest local restaurants I have been to. Highly recommended.

Absolutely amazing restaurant. Food is beautifully served with large portion sizes at a reasonable price. I would recommend either having lots mezze or having a main as having both can easily lead to ordering too much food. The service very efficient and friendly and they were kind enough to put our excess food in boxes to take away, rather than have us do it ourselves.

Thank you for that wonderful meal and service! Absolutely recommended! Brilliant, tasty food, funny and polite waiter! 5 stars place!😍

Lovely pub with some great features! Food great and huge portions. Because of where we were seated (tucked away just outside Narnia) I think the service could have been better. But not really a problem. Would recommend.

A few weeks late in writing, but as promised here’s our review.. After a long walk around the Dorking countryside we ended up here .. amazing food, we all had the roast chicken and all throughly enjoyed it, large portions and crispy potatoes. I would recommend a visit maybe book before .. we were lucky and they had a free table but it was very busy.. the pub had a good vibe and really friendly staff.

Great little cosy pub with great selection of beers and friendly staff

Pub 2 of our mini Dorking pub crawl. An absolutely fantastic pub. The barman even let us into the 'Narnia' room (Last Pic) which is closed currently but will be open once they refurbish it. Another dog friendly pub.

Great roast. Tender beef, rich gravy, perfect pudding. We also got crumble for dessert and it was one of the best I’ve had. I ate it before I could take a picture, but it had a perfect balance of fruit and custard. It wasn’t too sweet, which is perfect for me.

The Queen’s Head did an excellent job of accommodating our choir’s party of 25 people (under a time deadline as we were due to be performing in the nearby St Paul’s Church). The service was friendly and the food good - most of us had the fish and chips which was super-tasty. Most impressive of all was the way they successfully dealt with the bill, with each person paying separately!

Little trip to Dorking from London. No idea what to expect frankly having little experience outside London. Cozy pub with a great progressive menu, starring vegan, dairy free options, and wines by the glass via coravin. Would recommend the beetroot hummus for sure. Though they need to include double the amount of pita with it. We had to order another serving of pita. The short rib was huge and may be shareable if not starving.

This was our first time visiting the Queens Head, me and my mum are moving to the area soon so we thought we'd check out the local pubs. We were so glad to come across this one, not only was it accommodating for our dog, the tipi where we were situated was perfect! Cozy, warm, festive and friendly. A special mention has to go to our waiter Zeke, who was brilliant! Super attentive, ever so helpful, and friendly, when you come across someone like this it makes all the difference! And definitely makes us want to visit again which we will be doing once we move. Thanks Zeke for being so great at your job, we hope there's a Xmas bonus coming your way! And what a great pub, I forgot to mention the food was amazing! I will be recommending this place to everyone.

Very pleasant, bright restaurant! I loved the art on the walls and the friendly local atmosphere. It was Sunday afternoon and quite a few people ordered the roast but apparently it was so popular they'd run out before I got there! Personally, I ordered the mushroom burger. Very flavorful and everything nicely cooked. I found the side salad refreshing, that's a great addition. Would definitely return if in Dorking again!

Stunning roast chicken dinner the chicken melted in your mouth the veg was fresh gravy was delicious potato perfect honestly this is the best roast dinner I've ever had from any cafe also £9.95 a bargain They also do nice omelettes :)

I wasn’t expecting much from this cafe/restaurant, but they definitely delivered. Good value for money, quick service, proper portions! I am impressed, this is very hard to come by these days, Dorking has a star here, will definitely comeback :) thank you! I had the Hawaiian Burger! Comes with Side salad and portion of chips and some onion rings, very good portions :)

A Family-Friendly Spot with Flavorful Fare Tikka Nation offers a great option for a quick, family-friendly meal. The diverse menu, including unique street food options, caters to a wide range of tastes. The staff was friendly and helpful in explaining the menu. We enjoyed a delicious meal, with highlights being the butter chicken curry, chicken tikka loaded fries, and chaat platter. The chaat platter was particularly impressive, featuring a combination of flavorful dishes like samosas, chickpeas, and puri-based treats. Our daughter's chicken tikka nan wrap also looked appetizing. While the parathas decent, the naan breads were a bit disappointing, being flatter than expected, the overall meal was tasty and reasonably priced. I would rate this restaurant 4 stars.

If you’re looking for authentic Indian food, I highly recommend Tikka Nation Restaurant in Dorking. The food is delicious, with a wide variety of options available. The staff is friendly, and the prices are reasonable. It’s a great place to visit with family or friends to experience the flavors of India.

Me and my friend had an occasion to try some food here. Must say people working there were really nice and helpful. We order quiet a lot of food, dished were served quiet quickly, All the starters were delicious, mains piping hot, the only down hill was a lamb curry which I would of expect to taste bit difrent. But other than that I would recommend this place to everyone.

Beautiful pub by Box Hill! Lovely outdoor garden terrace overlooking the hill. It was a very busy Saturday but the service was still friendly and efficient. The food was amazing - the Dressed Devonshire Crab was very refreshing and the truffle mayo was amazing! The baked Camembert went really well with the apricot jam!

Lovely pub, great food. We popped in for Sunday lunch before a trip to a nearby winery. They are running a really slick operation, service was on point, and food was delivered very quickly. We had one of the Sunday roasts which was very nice although my personal preference is for the veg to be a little more cooked (a minor complaint). After lunch we went out to the lower terrace to enjoy a drink in the sun. Can't fault the place, good food in an excellent location with fast attentive service. Everything was great!

The Watermill has always been my go-to pub in the summer, but this was my first time visiting during winter, and I’m so glad I did! I booked a Christmas brunch with friends, and the entire experience was fantastic. From the start, Daniel made us feel incredibly welcome. He had thoughtfully booked us a lovely table, keeping in mind that we had three toddlers with us. His friendly demeanor instantly put us at ease. Peter, who served us, was equally amazing—so kind, patient, and attentive, even amidst the inevitable chaos of having little ones at the table. He went above and beyond to make sure we were all comfortable and enjoying ourselves. Offered to click our pictures as well. The food quality was great as always, and the staff’s warmth and attentiveness really stood out. To top it off, they had a charming Christmas market in the outdoor area, with lots of cute things to browse and buy. Overall, it was a delightful experience, and I can’t wait to come back again—whether in summer or winter! Highly recommend The Watermill for its great food, friendly staff, and cozy ambiance.

What a wonderful dinner at The Watermill, It's well worth a visit, I would fully recommend it. The food was delicious. I had Venison Pie with mash and gravy, which was sublime. I was also particularly pleased because it was a full pie rather than just with a pastry top. The pie itself was delicious, and the mash, cabbage and gravy were also excellent. The portion was a good size too, and reasonably priced. I had an Elderflower Spritz mocktail to drink which was also excellent. For dessert, I found it incredibly difficult to choose as they all sounded great, but in the end had the Toffee Apple Arctic Roll, which was very nice and not too heavy. The service was excellent also, the staff are very friendly and attentive. I will definitely be back, if only to work my way through the dessert menu, as there were so many delicious sounding dishes to choose from. I would definitely recommend The Watermill.

It is always a pleasure to visit this pub. The staff are fabulous, the food excellent, good variety of beers, open fire in winter, huge garden for sunny days and dog friendly.

A great find, and a must-do if you’re staying at Wotton House or exploring the Surrey Hills. The manager was great in particular, conversational and funny. The staff were polite and attentive, food came out quickly and overall food was great too. The vibe is good. Cosy, but not sleepy. Modern and quality feel all round. Highly recommended!

Very good Sunday lunch. Vegetables with the various roasts were cooked well. Nothing felt tired. Fresh and plentiful. Between the four of us we had lamb, beef, pork and a vegetarian option that satisfied us all respectively. Lots of space between tables so it didn't feel over crowded. An open fireplace near the bar.

What a fantastic country pub! I have been here a couple of times now and the food, service and atmosphere is really great. The Sunday roasts are good, we made sure we booked a table though as it gets busy. Inside there are many restaurant tables and a cosy bar area with a fireplace. The toilets were clean. There is also outdoor seating for the summer months, plus free parking available at the back. The staff are very friendly and polite, and the service is good. If you're looking for traditional pub food I would highly recommend The Wotton Hatch. If I lived more local I would be eating here every weekend!

Cosiest pub I’ve been to and the ambience there gives a comforting feeling. Sat by the fireplace and that lifted the feeling even more. Not a big menu, but the food was tasty. The loo’s were clean, maybe a bit small. I found it nice that the women’s loo had a basket with practical things such as hairspray. Staff were friendly and the pub was located right on the street so it was easy to find.

A great place to relax, a beautiful building inside and out, built around 1400s. A place full of charm and character. And the mould wine is really tasty. Would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to relax and enjoy a nice evening with friends and family 🫶🫶🫶

Fantastic meal - so tasty Had half jerk chicken with coleslaw and chips as well as burger and chips Was great value Good choice of beer and wine too Staff attentive and friendly

A fantastic pub and hotel. Staff are lovely, drinks very nice, the room was stunning and loved the decor. Breakfast was also extremely tasty. Would definitely visit again.

This establishment offers a refreshing twist on the traditional British pub experience, and that’s precisely what sets it apart. The food is of good quality, with every dish thoughtfully prepared and presented. Service is excellent with attentive and friendly staff ensuring a seamless dining experience. While the pricing leans toward the higher end, the quality of the food and service more than justifies the cost, making it a worthwhile for a memorable outing. The ambiance is clean, quiet, and inviting; perfect for those who prefer a more refined atmosphere. Additionally, the attention to detail extends to the facilities, with clean restrooms stocked with good quality toiletries, which further enhances the overall experience. This is a standout venue that I highly recommend to those seeking an elevated pub experience.

What a fabulous hotel, bar and restaurant! The rooms are beautifully decorated, a great size and extremely comfortable. The bar is atmospheric, warm and cosy with fabulous drinks and charming service. The breakfast was plentiful and honestly quite perfect!! Already planning my next visit! Thank you- it was just what we needed!

I recently had the pleasure of staying at The White Horse in Dorking, and I can’t recommend it enough! From the moment we arrived, the staff were incredibly welcoming and attentive. We were lucky enough to receive an upgrade to a beautiful room, which was both stylish and comfortable—perfect for a relaxing stay. The highlight of our visit was joining in the Christmas quiz, which was a fun and festive way to spend the evening. It added such a lively, community feel to the atmosphere. We also enjoyed a couple of delicious cocktails from the bar before sitting down to a fantastic dinner. The food was exceptional—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Overall, our experience at The White Horse was wonderful, and I’ll definitely be returning. Whether you're there for a cozy stay, great food, or a bit of holiday fun, it's the perfect spot in Dorking!

We have had a number of meals here since it opened and the quality of food and service has improved each time. It is dog friendly too. They have good offers to entice us to come back and whether a Sunday Roast, mid week lunch or evening meal it has always been an enjoyable visit. Staff are friendly and efficient. We live locally so have not stayed here.