The Woodsman

Review summary

1. M

   Margaret

   Warwickshire

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined today

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

   They were a bit slow for our main meal (30 mins) but we were in no rush and the meal was amazing. The food is outstanding, we had the starter sharing platter for 2 between 4 which was more than enough as they also had beautiful homemade bread with salted butter to start. The Sunday mains were excellent, carrots turnips, roasties and cabbage, with gravy. The mash and cauliflower cheese are extra, shared one of each between 4 but if we could have eaten more, the mash was the one to get more of. The deserts were lovely, the after eight martini was a great way to finish. Always recommend the Woodsman, it’s more expensive but the food is worth it.
   

   Is this helpful?

2. P

   Paul

   San Francisco

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

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

   Wonderful dining experience! The food was terrific, the service professional AND personable. All my choices were great - from starter to dessert. And whatever you choose make sure you order the Dirty Mash as a side - wickedly good! I could have made a meal just of that. All in all, a great meal.
   

   Is this helpful?

3. E

   Emma

   Hampshire

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

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

   Delightful evening working our way through the a fabulous tasting menu and accompanying wine flight. All the staff were beautiful. Would definitely recommend
   

   Is this helpful?

4. K

   Kerri

   Warwickshire

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

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

   We had the tasting menu and it was a wonderful experience, the food was delicious, the service exemplary and wonderful drinks pairings. We would definitely recommend a visit.
   

   Is this helpful?

5. E

   Ellie

   Warwickshire

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   This place is wow! Not cheap but what inventive dishes and flavours, plus generous portion sizes. Faultless customer service too.
   

   Is this helpful?

6. R

   Richard

   London

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on 1 March 2025

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

   Stratford is short of good restaurants - Salt apart - and we were giving The Woodsman another try after a bizarre Sunday lunch a few years ago. On this occasion, the food itself was satisfactory - we liked the seaweed snack and the guinea fowl - but at this price we expected more. Underwhelming (and minuscule) puddings, slightly overcooked sweetbread and a skate wing which was over-powered by the accompanying vegetables all disappointed. Our main criticism relates to the service which was, frankly, abysmal. Our servers were willing but nobody was in control. This meant our wine arriving after we had finished our starters, despite several reassurances that it was on its way. An accompaniment of chips arrived when half the main course had been eaten. Long waits between courses were made more irritating by observing ingratiating service at a nearby table eating the Tasting Menu. With little change from £200 for two glasses of English fizz, one snack, one starter, 2 mains, 2 desserts and a half-bottle of the cheapest white wine this was an expensive experience which we will not be repeating.
   

   Is this helpful?

7. N

   Natasha

   New York City

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 23 February 2025

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

   We had the Sunday Roast and the beef was truly out of this world.
   

   Is this helpful?

8. J

   Jenny

   Worcestershire

   19 reviews

   5.0

   19 reviews

   Dined on 23 February 2025

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

   Super good roast dinner - the best in fact. We have been many times before and on this occasion the service was excellent.
   

   Is this helpful?

9. H

   Helena

   VIP

   London

   3 reviews

   4.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on 22 February 2025

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

   (Would give a 4.5 star rating if I could as we did really enjoy!!!) My boyfriend and I went to The Woodsman for brunch, which is a new offering for the restaurant. We had the dirty eggs and the crab benedict, both of which were delicious. We didn't choose to add the continental selection, as we felt this was a bit too expensive for what it was. Would definitely go back for dinner or lunch if we were back in the area, and I'm sure the restaurant is even more beautiful in summer!
   

   Is this helpful?

10. E

    Emily

    London

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 21 February 2025

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

    We visited for my husbands birthday - having read good reviews. I was disappointed. The service was ok but not without issues. We waited for around 20 mins to get a waitress’ attention to ask for our bill. I wouldn’t expect this at a Michelin starred restaurant. The most disappointing thing was we ordered a sharing steak, off the special board. It was cooked too early, and our mains plates laid out on the table before we had even had our starters bought out to the table. The waitress took them away without explaining why. I assume then that the meat sat for the entire time we ate our starters, as it was visibly dry by the time it was served. Just disappointing, and overpriced for what we actually received in terms of quality of food and service. It also would have been nice if the staff made more of a fuss of the birthday celebration. That isn’t expected, but it would have been a nice touch. I enjoy paying more for an extra-special meal. But this just didn’t feel very special.
    

    Is this helpful?