The Iron Duke - Reading

We came across the Iron Duke by accident, but now it's become a firm favourite. It's in the most beautiful location in the village of Strafield Saye and really easy to get to from the The owners have done a super job with the interior decor and the garden in summer is glorious. The menu is more gastro pub than pub-grub and is reasonably priced. Our favourites include the baked Camembert with garlic, the fish and chips and the sticky toffee pudding. Highly recommend a visit!

When I booked a table for Sunday lunch I was told the main restaurant was full and we would be seated in a small private room off the main room, which we liked the sound of very much. However when we arrived the table we were shown was bang in the middle of the main room. After discussion we changed table and sat at a table at the front next to the bay window, which was fine. We both ordered roast beef and asked that the gravy be served on the side. When our meals arrived the gravy had already need poured over the food, so it went back to the kitchen. When the second plates came back the beef as was covered up by a huge bunch of watercress and it was difficult to see if there was actually any beef on the plate. A very untidy presentation and as Michel Roux says, you should be able to see the main event. The beef was ok, if a bit fatty. The vegetables were dry and wrinkled and had clearly been cooked some time earlier. The worst part of the meal was the Yorkshire pudding which was old and stale and had the appearance, taste and texture of yellow cardboard.

First Christmas Dinner of 2020, and it was fab-u-lous. Nice location. Friendly staff. Most impressed.

Amazing! Enjoyed a fantastic Sunday lunch with the most delicious gravy!

One of my most fave pubs ever for lunch today for my birthday ???? and the steak ???? was just perfect ! Amazing service as usual also