We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

CUISINES
French, Bar, European, Pub
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours
View all details
meals, features
Reviews (612)
Filter reviews
602 results
Traveller rating
348
156
48
23
27
Traveller type
Time of year
LanguageEnglish
More languages
Traveller rating
348
156
48
23
27
Show reviews that mention
All reviews snails steak frites fries lamb set lunch set menu three courses nice pub gastro pub for sunday lunch wine list waiting staff friendly atmosphere lovely evening france french berkshire
Sort and selected filters
Sort FilterEnglish
Updating list...
Reviewed 3 weeks ago

Overpriced wine. 180 for a bottle of Condrieu??? Service otherwise was great. Just a shock when Guigal sells the same bottle for £40.More

Date of visit: February 2024
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carpenters Arms, General Manager at The Carpenters Arms, responded to this reviewResponded 3 weeks ago

I am sorry that you feel overcharged, however we are very careful to offer the best value possible, and wines and their prices vary. Our list is picked very carefully and we are careful not to overcharge and I believe at the time we purchased...More

Reviewed 25 January 2024 via mobile

We live local but hadn’t dined here for a long period of time and were a little worried that Sunday roast may not be as good as last time, we were pleased to say it was good as last time. For our roasts we had...the beef and chicken both cooked perfectly with sides being hot and tasty. Service was good and attentive, a nice feel to the afternoon with a good atmosphere in the Restrurant. Not the cheapest but a real treat as an occasion. Thoroughly recommendMore

Date of visit: January 2024
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carpenters Arms, General Manager at The Carpenters Arms, responded to this reviewResponded 27 January 2024

I am glad you enjoyed your visit, and hope you do not leave it so long until you visit us next time. The Carpenters Arms

Reviewed 18 December 2023

Well, I'm 18 again. Step back in time to taste what french food was made to taste like when I was making those dishes 40 years ago. Of course I will be prejudiced, as I am french. I leave in reading for 6 years, not...knowing about this place??? From the welcoming to the service and what about the food. I came to feel french with the escargots and The steak tartare.... Finishing touch with french cheeses. A french ricard aperitif to start. A White sauvignon blanc to begin then a delicious light red, i didn't even drink it as the steak tartare was to delicious to ruined it with it. So thank you, of course it is not a michelin restaurant but it was the best "pub" food I had in years. Well above. They have fondue savoyarde for those who know... Be prepare to find it difficult to park as it is residential small streets. Just be ready. THANK YOU TO ALL AT THE CARPENTERS ARMSMore

Date of visit: December 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carpenters Arms, General Manager at The Carpenters Arms, responded to this reviewResponded 19 December 2023

Merci beaucoup monsieur! Hope to see you soon. Nick

Reviewed 23 November 2023

We had a fantastic evening out at The carpenters arms. The chicken and chips is amazing and plentiful, everything about our dining experience was perfect !!

Date of visit: November 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carpenters Arms, General Manager at The Carpenters Arms, responded to this reviewResponded 26 November 2023

Thankyou for your comments, glad you enjoyed your meal, hope to see you soon. Nick

Reviewed 6 November 2023 via mobile

Another excellent meal today, service much improved from last time, efficient and friendly. Looking forward to our next visit next year

Date of visit: November 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carpenters Arms, General Manager at The Carpenters Arms, responded to this reviewResponded 21 November 2023

Thanks, Glad you enjoyed your visit, see you soon, Nick

Reviewed 14 October 2023

I went here as I’d heard great things about it and my expectations were exceeded. All of the waiters and waitresses were amazing at making me feel welcome and even though it was packed (the rugby was on) they never seemed stressed and always made...sure to check back on me and make sure everything was perfect. I ordered the rib-eye steak and it was without a doubt the best one I’ve ever had. It was cooked perfectly and the peppercorn sauce that came with it tasted amazing. The fries were made beautifully and the wine that was suggested by Ashleigh and Seb to pair without I cannot fault. Thank you to everyone there but especially Ashleigh, Seb, Micheal, Dave, Robyn, Mitch, Heidi and Keira as they made my experience one to remember. I will definitely be returning asap.More

Date of visit: October 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carpenters Arms, General Manager at The Carpenters Arms, responded to this reviewResponded 21 November 2023

Thanks for the feedback, I have made sure all the team have seen this, hope to see you soon. Best regards, Nick

Reviewed 24 September 2023 via mobile

Amazing Sunday lunch, Roast Beef was perfectly cooked and plenty of veg, potatoes and gravy. Yorkshire pudding was enormous and delicious. Lovely service and nice to have our special occasion recognised xx thank you.

Date of visit: September 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carpenters Arms, General Manager at The Carpenters Arms, responded to this reviewResponded 21 November 2023

Thanks, hope to see you soon, Nick

Reviewed 5 September 2023 via mobile

Found by accident and glad we did. They have a wonderful beer garden at the back which was perfect for a sunny Sunday afternoon. The staff are super friendly and really know the menu. We had the 2 course roast, one beef and other lamb....Cooked to perfection. The Sticky toffee pudding is to die for. Highly recommendMore

Date of visit: September 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carpenters Arms, General Manager at The Carpenters Arms, responded to this reviewResponded 21 November 2023

Glad you stumbled across us, hope you remember how to find us for next time, Regards, Nick

Reviewed 2 September 2023

Food was very poor compared with a year ago. Had the set menu and choose the chicken and fries which was a very small chicken leg covered in what tasted like a shop bought gravy and pub chips. Very disappointingMore

Date of visit: September 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carpenters Arms, General Manager at The Carpenters Arms, responded to this reviewResponded 21 November 2023

Hi Alistair, I am really sorry that you did not enjoy your meal. The chicken is our most popular dish so we must ensure we keep up our standards. Please pop in and try us again and ask for the duty manager and we will...More

Reviewed 19 August 2023

We randomly came to visit this bar in our local area for a drink in the sun. We were welcomed at the bar with friendly warmth. All the bar staff were amazing Georgia, Ashleigh, Constance, Becca and especially Mike and George were exceptional. The staff...were really helpful and knowledgeable to help us decide what to drink, this is truly worth a visit. The staff had a wide range of knowledge, of the variety of drinks available, recommended for us to try. The ambience was amazing along with the food. The outside garden area had tv screens if you wished to watch sport. Alternatively they had a quiet area in garden as well. Exquisite pub/restaurant and will definitely be back! Highly recommend! 😀More

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carpenters Arms, General Manager at The Carpenters Arms, responded to this reviewResponded 21 November 2023

Glad you enjoyed your visit, please pop in when you are next in the area. Cheers, Nick

Reviewed 13 August 2023

Went in on Sunday Evening and restaurant was quite quiet. Server right from the word go was horribly miserable. She is in the wrong job. Foot was very good but she spoiled a nice evening

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carpenters Arms, General Manager at The Carpenters Arms, responded to this reviewResponded 21 November 2023

I am really sorry to hear that we let ourselves down on Sunday. We will look at our service and team members and hopefully your next visit will be totally different. Nick

Reviewed 24 July 2023

Nowhere near the best meal we've had there! The French onion soup wouild not satisfy any French person - it was tasty but didn't really taste of onions. The duck rillettes were okay, but bland. The Eggs Calatane were underdone with raw whites which I...sent back and they were returned after another couple of minutes under the grill making the dish a bit overdone and dry, but the eggs were then cooked. The pepper sauce with my wife's steak was nice, but runny and not really tasting of pepper. Overall it was disappointng, especially as they had no Calvados or apple sorbet which was always our way of finishing the meal in the past. We checked and the head chef was not working that day (Monday) which would hopefully, but sadly, explain the poor food. We'll try again sometime on a Friday!More

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 20 July 2023 via mobile

Based on the pricing my expectations were higher than what the kitchen delivered. The floor staff on the other hand were spot on maintaining a relaxed atmosphere, however it’s not the job to carry the kitchen.

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 19 July 2023 via mobile

A nice gastro pub, well designed - certainly delivers the vibe of a French restaurant. I’ve ordered from the specials menu, a steak and foie gras for £45, I’ve asked for medium rare and it was medium at best - it wasn’t worth the money....The chips were also disappointing, very much just a pub chips. My friend had the chicken from the regular menu and was quite happy with her portion so maybe I was just unluckyMore

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 18 July 2023 via mobile

Lunch today with two long lost school friends. The food was excellent and the service quietly efficient. We are looking forward to our next visit

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
View more reviews
Best nearby
Best nearby hotelsSee all
Macdonald Berystede Hotel & Spa
3,219 reviews
.85 km away
Sunningdale Park
1,050 reviews
1.12 km away
Royal Berkshire Hotel
1,047 reviews
1.73 km away
Wheatsheaf Hotel
570 reviews
4.66 km away
Best nearby restaurantsSee all
Rajbhoog
391 reviews
.24 km away
La Sorrentina Italian Restaurant
639 reviews
.30 km away
Dog & Partridge
453 reviews
.10 km away
Best nearby attractionsSee all
Macdonald Berystede Hotel Spa
108 reviews
.85 km away
Ascot Racecourse
1,046 reviews
1.68 km away
Sunningdale Golf Club
49 reviews
2.36 km away
LaplandUK
571 reviews
3.66 km away
Questions & Answers
Ask a question
Archiehound
26 October 2017|
Answer
Response from Jackie F | Reviewed this property |
I believe they are open for Christmas Day but you have to book in advance around January!
0
Votes
Swerve-Ifans
13 October 2017|
AnswerShow all 2 answers
Response from | Reviewed this property |
"Not sure but it is French food" Haha...what a gloriously pointless comment! Yes there are gluten free options. But always best just to give the restaurant a quick call to discuss. By the way, it's an absolutely wonderful... More
0
Votes
Is This Your Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Free Listing

The Carpenters Arms, Sunninghill - 78 Upper Village Rd - Restaurant Reviews, Phone Number & Photos - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about The Carpenters Arms

The Carpenters Arms is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4