Eating at a British brasserie usually comes with certain expectations: hearty portions, rich sauces, and food that is stodgy, underseasoned, and a little predictable.
Not so at Pennington’s, in the recently reopened Castle Hotel Windsor,. This was not a meal. It was an experience.
The food was masterfully cooked and a great example of fine dining with home comforts.
The half-shell scallops were beautiful, served with rich smoked coral butter and fresh dill. The aged bone-in sirloin was succulent, paired with a rich, velvety beef sauce and fragrant tarragon butter.
The wine was divine, the atmosphere inviting: plush burgundy booths, soft lighting, and elegant Georgian details.
And all at a relatively reasonable price: a typical three-course meal comes in at around £60.
The location is the cherry on top.
Ensconced in the Castle Hotel Windsor, Pennington’s is in the heart of the action, right opposite Windsor Castle and surrounded by the regal character that makes the town such a popular destination.
The restaurant takes its name from 17th-century innkeeper George Pennington, who introduced the locally used Pennington Penny currency in 1656.
The concept draws on the hotel’s history as Windsor’s original inn and serves a menu of familiar British favourites with playful twists.
Fresh from a £9.5 million makeover, the hotel itself is well worth spending a night in after eating at the restaurant or ticking off the tourist sights around town.
Our suite was grand but cosy, with a queen-sized bed and nice touches, like robes, slippers and a coffee machine.
Separated by sliding doors was a living space with plush armchairs and a wall-mounted TV.
But the bathroom was the star of the show. It had a huge tub, big enough for two, and a spacious walk-in shower.
Standard rooms start from £179 per night, and suites like ours from £314. For an extra £20, you get a hearty buffet breakfast.
Outside, everything Windsor has to offer is within walking distance: the Castle, the Guildhall and Museum, St George’s Chapel (a masterpiece of Gothic architecture) and the Crooked House of Windsor, a leaning, timber-framed building dating back to 1687.
The hotel is a great base for exploring the area without needing to rely on transport.
You can spend the day taking in Windsor’s history, return to creature comforts, and enjoy an exceptional dinner that feels like an event in its own right.
A little history, a lot of flavour, and a restaurant worth spending the night for.
Myles Goode was a guest of Castle Hotel Windsor, but don’t expect us to sugarcoat anything — our reviews are 100% independent.