The Crown Hotel

One of the most disappointing experiences I’ve ever had. It’s a real shame, too; I love Adnams and what they stand for, but The Crown really lets them down.
We’d booked for a special treat on the Saturday night of our visit. Our numbers dropped one, so my mum and I went in at lunchtime to let them know, so we weren’t taking up too much room — they said that was fine and thanks for letting them know.
When we arrived later on, my boyfriend and I before my parents, I gave our name and they didn’t have any record of our booking. I’m sorry, what? We just came in at lunch — and my dad booked it over a month ago. Was it under any other name, they asked — well, no, unless you’re the ones who have taken it down incorrectly! We were assured (no apology given) that we would be able to have a table within half an hour. So, we went and sat down in the back bar area for some drinks. Cue a 40 minute wait, after which my dad had to get up and ask if our table was anywhere near ready. Yes, they are just paying up — an excuse we’d heard before on a past shaky experience.
We were seated 10 minutes later in the dining room and handed our menus. The offerings at The Crown are something a bit different compared to the rest of Southwold; paired with The Swan down the road, this is one of Southwold’s finer eateries. Noone offered any help with the menu or explaining starters/​specials until I asked. I opted for the gnocchi starter and duck main. Both were quite tasty, though the gnocchi was fairly flavourless — the addition of courgette didn’t help! My mum’s lamb main came grey, not pink, and with no potato or vegetable addition — quite odd. Noone knew who was eating what, suprising for somewhere supposedly priding itself on silver service.
I requested a wine menu part way through the meal and it came quickly, though noone offered to take my order, despite the main meals coming and me obviously sitting with it in my hands. We weren’t asked once during our meal how we were or if we were enjoying our food. Maybe they knew the answer.
At the end of the meal — coming to around £150 for this experience — our receipt was just plonked on the table, folded up numerous times. You get a silver tray with mints in your local Indian!
This was the straw that ‘broke the camel’s back’ and my mum decided to speak to the manager. He didn’t pull himself away from putting the money away in the till and blamed the missing booking on the fact the bookings come through The Swan — even though my dad spoke directly to them. And we saw another table having the same experience. He focused completely on the missing booking rather than the poor service and we all left feeling angry and disappointed.
Hopefully, The Crown will pull its socks up. Until then, we wont be back.

We found ourselves in Southwold one sunny Sunday and whilst we were enjoying our seaside stroll we decided a spot of lunch was in order.
There are many places to eat in Southwold But the Crown caught our eye.
We had the Sunday menu which was a set menu and set price. The interior of the Crown is definelty shabby chique although I am not sure this is was they are intending. To be blunt it’s a little grubby inside but it is an old building.
The food we ordered was tasty but my beef roast was a little too pink for me. There was not much meat though as I was given a single slice. The rest of the veg etc was cooked brilliantly and the Yorkshire pudding was tasty and crisp. I must admit that I wasn’t pleased that the horseradish cream wasn’t an option and was plonked on the top of my meal. Not being a fan of horseradish this didn’t please me as I couldn’t avoid it. I know I could have sent it back but I feel once a meal is delivered it’s too late.
The staff were fairly attentive and the ambience of the place was nice but I think it’s a little pricey for what it is and the meal could have been better given the price.
We visited about 3 weeks ago and I am afraid to say I only remember the main course which indicates the starter/​sweet failed to leave an impression.
Not the best place to dine in Southwold but I guess not the worst either.

Well past its sell-​by date, as most things are. Spoilt in that it has a captive audience, given two horse race in many a City it would finish second now, I have been going there for 20 years, and spmetimes had very large amounts of people as guests, its overpriced a nd over-​rated …dirty and I had the experience of the small bar looking like a bomb hit it, three staff chatting away in teh main area, and all this rubbish piled up… not on, theres a lot better… and the beer (even though it brewed 100yds away) is 50p a pint more than my local… and the same…

I have been coming to Southwold for 33 years and the Crown has always been top of my wish list, either to stay or eat there, although I have not stayed recently because I have a dog. I was somewhat perturbed this year to find standards are slipping — the toilets were always beautifully clean (not this year, disgusting). The food was good and the wine, however, we sat at a table overlooking the small courtyard, what a let down, the furniture was shabby and what a difference a few plants would make, it doesn’t take much imagination. Come on the Crown you have been my favourite all these years, you can do better. Attention to detail. Carol Girling
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P. S. I run a Guest house in Derby

If I’m eating in Southwold, then this is the place to head for. Part of the Adnams mini-​empire, it is far, far better then it’s older sister, The Swan Hotel. Indeed the saying around here is stay at the Swan, eat at the Crown.
Scrubbed pine tables lend an informal feel to the place, but the food comes served by young, friendly staff. Usually top quality dishes although a little expensive for my tastes. Starters from £3.75 to £5.00, Mains from around £12.00 to £19.50 which is far too expensive for a rib-​eye steak. Although the quality of the food is very good, it’s not good enough for those kind of prices.
Still it’s always a pleasure to eat at the Crown.

Poshbut.relaxed. Now there is a thing! Food is brilliant, well cooked and flavoursome. Bar side of this place is great, rickety old table and old oak furniture. In winter there is a roaring fire. Adnams wine store just behind the hotel is worth a look in too.

This is a nice hotel on Southwold’s High Street. It’s old and attractive, and interesting because it’s divided up into a few areas. The clean white street façade leads you to a large wine bar with cushioned seats and a large fireplace. The back room is my favourite bit, though: smaller, pubbier, with more wood on the walls and benches, a better spot for a pint. A further room to one side, accessible from either front or back bar, is the restaurant area that serves some quite fine dining.
You’ll get several Adnams ales here, of course, since their brewery is in Southwold, just around the corner in fact. The hotel is owned by Adnams.