The Blackbird

Top quality fish and chips for two adults and two kids to take away (due to Covid 19 lockdown) for £30. Friendly service when ordering on the phone, and the food was ready a couple of minutes after the pickup time. The bar has been taken over with a great range of quality (and many local) foods and drinks available to buy, which would make perfect Christmas gifts.

Dinner out yesterday evening at The Blackbird with my parents, celebrating my Mum's birthday. Such a lovely evening. It was an absolutely amazing meal! A refreshing gin and tonic to start, freshly baked bread, an unexpected 'amuse bouche' of pumpkin soup, cheese soufflé with apple, beautiful Plaice in sauce Véronique, a palate cleansing lemon sorbet with Limonchello, an airy passion fruit bavarois for dessert, a great Rioja, coffees and a special plate of petit fours with a candle for my Mum. All was absolutely delicious and served in pretty little cups, glasses and dishes. The service low-key and attentive and the dining area candle-lit, warm and welcoming. Just a shame my phone (camera) ran out of battery but go and see for yourself... Definitely well worth a visit!

Just popped in for drinks. The place is a nice country pub. It offers good coffee and a range of nice beers. The menu is aimed at the more expensive side of the pub market. Service was polite and attention to detail was clear through from the bar service through to the toilets. Would recommend for those on a higher budget for pub food. Large garden out to the side with a play area.

The Blackbird definitely deserves the Michelin star for food and hospitality. We spent a lovely evening with superb food from the menu. The only downside is the parking. Even you book a table, parking space is never guaranteed. You can choose to leave car at The Watermill parking lot and take a short walk.

What a transformation! Having had a horrendous experience at this pub under its previous ownership I was delighted to hear it had changed hands. It is now run as a family business and you won’t get a warmer welcome in the area. Great atmosphere, friendly service and great food. This has quickly become one of our favourite pubs to visit in the Newbury area. (PS: it was a relief to delete my previous review of the BlackBird under its previous management).

Ignore the older reviews. New owners since about September 2017. They have spruced up the decor and the toilets. The food was delicious from start to finish. Locally sourced crayfish in the tortellini, wild boar with the most delicious dark sauce. And a lovely wobbly panacota. Dog friendly and excellent relaxed service. Plenty of good wine by the glass choices too. Great to have the blackbird back as the great village pub it always should have been, can't wait for next summer when the garden will come into its own.