A star on the Marlow gastro-scene, The Oarsman wears many hats and pulls them off brilliantly. On first look, you may mistake the part-timbered building for your standard pub grub spot, but once inside it oozes French bistro vibes – think classy small tables balanced out by spacious leather snugs and a sleek bar top.

Upstairs, you’ll find (you guessed it) The Room Upstairs, which follows the stylish suit of the main dining area, but on a more intimate level with a central dining table for up to 14 people. If you’re planning a family dinner or catching up with the gang, book your table, this is a fabulous place to dine.

Down in the kitchen, bistro staples dominate, all freshly whipped up using seasonal (often local) produce. As luck would have it, it’s also an open kitchen, so you can peek through and watch the chefs grill 32 Day Aged Sirloin or mussels & cream, which frankly has our name written all over it.

The role of ‘Wine Bar’ is another hat The Oarsman wears with ease. Its list boasts a whopping 300+ wines of over 200 grape varieties, sustainably grown in Italy, France, New Zealand and beyond. It’s no wonder the pub has a stacked shelf of awards, including a spot on the AA Notable Wine List 2024.

Excellent dishes and contemporary atmos aside – yep, there’s more – the summer terrace at the back is a real gem. A wrap-around wooden shelter partially covers the garden, with fairy lights twinkling merrily between the tables as you pull up a rattan chair and settle onto the comfy throw cushions. You’re not confined to an outdoor menu either, you can dig into your steak frites al-fresco.

And if you want VIP treatment, there are plenty of exclusive events on the menu at The Oarsman. Top chefs from all over the country stop by and host special evenings. Looking ahead to autumn, The Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown will take over the kitchen on Mon 28 Oct. Our appetite is already keen, let’s get booked in.