Review: The Three Tuns, Henley

The Three Tuns is tucked away on Market Place with a narrow, understated exterior that gives little away. Step through the door and you’ll find a buzzy bar, a welcoming dining area, and that rare blend of proper pub charm with a menu that far exceeds expectations. We dined in their pretty courtyard – a perfect sun trap on a warm evening, tastefully dotted with parasol umbrellas and vines trailing the fences. The dining area at the front of the pub feels a bit more refined than the main restaurant area, and I loved the romance of the breezy, French-style curtains billowing in the window.

Fun fact, the Three Tuns is part of the Brakspear family (who originated in Henley and now run 11 pubs across the town).

Service was a real highlight.

Friendly, knowledgeable, and full of helpful suggestions – a refreshing change when staff can talk confidently about the menu. We were initially seated outside among the drinkers, but were discreetly offered a quieter table in the main restaurant after we devoured our mains, which we appreciated. It’s these lovely, thoughtful touches that go a long way, and I was confident we weren’t getting any special treatment from how the other guests were being looked after.

The menu is a lovely mix of elevated pub dishes and restaurant-level mains, with a strong showing from the seafood section and a dedicated steak offering. To start, we shared the half pint of prawns with Bloody Mary mayo (£9.50) – fresh, generously portioned, and made memorable by a zingy, moreish mayo that we’d happily have bottled up to take home. The Gabriel Machin smoked salmon with fennel, pickles and dill (£14) was another standout. Beautifully presented, light, and fresh – exactly what you want on a summer evening.

For mains, we tried the Roast Hispi cabbage with mushroom XO (£18) – a clever, veg-forward dish that delivered a punch of umami and spice thanks to the Hong Kong-style XO sauce. While full of flavour, it’s one I’d probably pair as a side or starter rather than a solo main, especially when the Sirloin steak (£30) is on the table. Sourced from Gabriel Machin (the Henley butchers next door and part-owners of the pub), it was cooked perfectly, tender and flavour-packed, and served with pomme Anna and confit tomato. I’m often disappointed by steak when eating out, but this one hit all the right notes – tender, cooked to order (medium-rare), and full of flavour. The pomme Anna, layered with butter and lashings of cheese, was indulgent and delicious – crispy, rich, and very naughty.

On the side, we added the roasted broccoli and sweet potato (£6) with paprika and almonds – a great combination of textures and flavours that rounded out the meal beautifully.

Dessert was Tim’s cookies (£6) – four mini, warm-from-the-oven sweet treats that were the perfect finish.

The oat and raisin had more of a biscuit texture and reminded us of spiced carrot cake in all the best ways, while the chocolate and orange was gooey, chewy and properly cookie-like.

Drinks-wise, we sipped on a refreshing orange wine and a mocktail – both well paired to the relaxed, summery vibe.

The Three Tuns isn’t flashy, but it’s quietly doing something really special. It’s the sort of pub that’s full of character, with a lively but unpretentious atmosphere and a kitchen that clearly knows what it’s doing.

The pub is also very dog-friendly – Ralphie was thoroughly spoiled with treats and plenty of attention.

If you’re coming from further afield like we did, we’d recommend making a day of it. There are plenty of foodie delights to discover in Henley, and we loved taking a river cruise beforehand – just a short walk from the centre. We enjoyed it so much, we’re already planning our return!