The Cygnet at the Swan Inn

The Cygnet at the Swan Inn reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. P

   Professor

   Washington DC2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Simply the best. New chef Peter Wilton who understudied with Paul Welburn has produced the same quality with his own special twist to the menu. A must go to place.
   

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2. I

   Ian VIP

   Birmingham7 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 29 March 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great food, quite casual and friendly while still very professional service. Not much parking at the moment though due to work being done in the car park.
   

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3. r

   ruth

   Buckinghamshire4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 27 March 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   Lovely staff and fabulous food! Sadly, we were the only table for lunch. So, there was no atmosphere and not even any background music on. Still a lovely lunch and will definitely recommend!
   

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4. C

   Colin

   Hong Kong1 review

   5.0

   Dined on 13 March 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I went on a Thursday evening and had a few of the small plates in the lounge area. Everything was delicious. The chicken thighs were crisp on the outside, juicy inside, and full of flavour. The bavette steak was tender and cooked just right. The cheesecake was fluffy and light. The staff were very friendly and attentive. All in all, it was a great evening.
   

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5. r

   rosemary

   Oxford3 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on 9 March 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 1

   Cold food in a cold & miserably decorated room The only side of vegetables was broccoli- no side salads or vegetable based starters Really disappointing
   

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6. S

   Stephen

   Cornwall1 review

   5.0

   Dined on 7 March 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   The welcome, the knowledge and the service all helped to make it a memorable lunch.
   

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7. A

   Al

   Oxford1 review

   2.0

   Dined on 1 March 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   Having read great reviews, we were excited to come to the Swan for my son's 18th birthday. Sadly we were very disappointed. The service was largely excellent, and our waiter was charming. However, that's where the positives mostly end. As a special occasion, we started with cocktails and mocktails - the latter seemed to go down well, but the cocktails were not up to much (my martini, in particular, was poor). For food, we were advised it was tapas style sharing and recommended to go for two small plates and one large plate - the former being in the 15 quid region and the latter 25 and above. The small plates were minuscule and the large ones were hardly much bigger, so this was not enough food, and we had to order more bread (nothing comes free) to try and fill up. The large plates, in particular, were very disappointing, with very little substance. A dish of cod on romesco sauce, for example, whilst actually by far the tastiest thing we had, was a tiny piece of fish on a swirl of sauce with three broccoli stems - almost impossible to share as it was so small - for 25 pounds this felt like a rip-off but at least it tasted good. Most other dishes were similarly tiny but didn't taste that good. As we feasted on toast when we got home starving, we all agreed that the dishes lacked flavor (possibly salt?) The desserts were sadly not much better. My cheesecake with apple granita was a bizarre and unenjoyable experience. All in all - 450 quid for a meal for 5, which we left hungry and unsatisfied, felt like a mugging. For context, we have eaten in several other fine dining restaurants, so we are not ignorant of the difference between a carvey and a restaurant; this is just poor. Maybe we just had an off night. Sadly, i suspect this place will not survive unless it changes its game massively
   

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8. E

   Emma

   Gloucestershire1 review

   5.0

   Dined on 28 February 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Exceptional and stylish service. A very pleasant lunch experience.
   

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9. R

   Robert

   Oxford1 review

   5.0

   Dined on 15 February 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   A memorable Valentine's dinner, with imaginative dishes, meticulous presentation and exemplary service. A joyous occasion indeed.
   

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10. L

    Lee

    London6 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 15 February 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4

    Great little find, staff friendly and informative. Overall great experience and we will be back!!!
    

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