Quick Guide to Egham Town Centre: Food and Drink
Over my last three years studying English and Drama at Royal Holloway, I often found myself looking down the hill at the little town I call home and wondering what it has to offer. With London so close, I spent far too long (and far too much money) commuting into central London for overpriced food, only to be faced with expensive fares home, long journeys, and a bank account less than thrilled with my actions. If only I had known that a short walk away exists a town which offers a delightful range of small businesses, offering food and drinks ranging from a quick and cheap bite to eat to an elevated fine dining experience. Food from Iran, Italy, China, and plenty of traditional English ‘pub grub’ is to be found along the bustling high street. I began to spend more time exploring Egham, and uncovering the hidden gems that had somehow evaded me for so long. Where I began to adventure into Egham for the food, I quickly discovered a vibrant and welcoming community of locals and students alike. So when looking for your next outing, look no further than the lively town on our doorstep, and find below a handy guide to a selection of the best places to eat and drink in Egham town centre.
The Kings Arms
£££
The Kings Arms is one of Egham’s more upscale establishments, located at the very beginning of the high street and is accessible by car with a large car park. Serving a variety of award winning elevated British cuisine, this restaurant offers a moody, rustic atmosphere and high standard of service by the welcoming wait staff. I often frequent this restaurant when my parents come to visit, as it combines the upscale capability to impress, but still has a small town charm to it that allows anyone visiting Egham to feel right at home.
Student Discount: 20%
Opening Hours:
Mon – Thurs: 7:00am-10:00pm
Friday: 7:00am-11:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am-11:00pm
Sunday: 8:00am-8:00pm
Bar 163
£££
A cosy, candlelit bistro restaurant tucked into Egham High Street, Bar 163 is the perfect location for a date night or a family visit. This is often one of my go-to date spots, as the intimate atmosphere and upscale food makes a night out at Bar 163 feel like a true special occasion. The variety of dishes served, from burgers to seafood, means there will be something for everyone who visits, as the constantly updating menu keeps the food modern, simple, and delicious. The welcoming atmosphere, created by the incredible staff, and the excellent food makes this restaurant feel like a little slice of central London on Egham high street.
Student Discount: N/A
Opening Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tues – Fri: 11:30am-11:00pm
Saturday: 9am-11:00pm
Sunday: 9am-4:00pm
The Crown
££
An ideal place for a mid-afternoon pint, The Crown is a local’s favourite but welcoming to respectful students. This pub boasts an expansive beer garden with heat lamps for the winter, TV’s playing a variety of sports fixtures, and live music every weekend . The Crown is located at the start of Egham High Street, and serves a range of traditional pub grub and snacks, and is always my go-to spot to run into to refresh after some browsing through Egham.
Student Discount: 10% Mon-Thurs after 5pm
Opening Hours:
Sun – Wed: 10:00am-11:00pm
Thursday: 10:00am-12:00 midnight
Fri – Sat: 10:00am-1:00am
Magic Chef
££
Magic Chef serves up a mixture of authentic and westernised Chinese cuisine, perfect to try something new or stick to the beloved classics. The atmospheric dining room is ideal for medium to large parties, making this restaurant perfect for any birthdays, holiday celebrations, or any other group occasion. I celebrated my partner’s birthday here along with our extended friend group, and the absolute array of food meant we were spoilt for choice, with everyone getting to try a touch of everything on the table. The red braised pork belly is a particular stand out here, as well as the mapou tofu, but the real showstopper is the range of sizzling dishes, which pop and crackle right onto the table.
Student Discount: N/A
Opening Hours:
Mon-Sun: 12-30pm-10:00pm
Liberto Lounge
££
Liberto Lounge is truly one of the hearts of the Egham community. Belonging to the ‘Lounges’ chain across the UK, this quirky restaurant serves a number of social purposes. Keep an eye on their Instagram for an ever-changing roster of quizzes, board game nights and community socialisers. Additionally, this venue offers 2-4-1 cocktails Sunday to Thursday, 5pm-8pm. Liberto lounge is also available to rent to host events such as Christmas parties and university society socials. This is such a versatile spot, as I often use it for casual meetings, catching up with friends, or even impromptu date nights.
Student Discount: N/A
Opening Hours:
Mon-Sun: 9:00am-11:00pm
Polow
££
Polow is a family-run Persian restaurant at the end of Egham High Street, with beautiful indoor and outdoor seating at the front and rear of the restaurant, featuring Victorian tile and plenty of plants. Located in an updated butchers building, this venue is as unique as its food. They offer a variety of sizeably portioned Persian cuisine, including kebabs and curries, as well as artisan bread made in house, and cater to vegan and halal dietary requirements.
Student Discount: N/A
Opening Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tues-Sat: 12:00pm-10:00pm
Sunday: 12:30pm-9:30pm
The Red Lion
££
Another of Egham’s homey pubs, The Red Lion has been the serving the Egham community since the 1500s. Here you can grab anything from a quick snack, to a plate of their iconic Sunday roast, with a choice of beef, lamb, chicken or pork. This pub offers the classic selection of wines, beers and ciders, but also champion a guest ale each month, highlighting local British breweries and offering a chance to try something new. They have up to date showings of live sports fixtures, and have a bookable function room perfect for birthdays or society events.
Student Discount: 10% on food
Opening Hours:
Mon-Thurs: 11:30am-11:00pm
Fri-Sat: 11:30am-12:00 midnight
Sun: 12pm-10:30pm
Esquires
£
A trendy coffee shop conveniently located at the top of Egham High Street, Esquires offers high quality coffee and delicious bites to eat. A range of seasonal sandwiches and paninis, baked goods, and breakfast classics, such as avocado on toast, or a soup of the day, make this the perfect place to grab a spot of brunch. The relaxing atmosphere and overstuffed couches also make Enquiries ideal for cozying up for a long study session, or catching up with friends amongst the luscious greenery.
Student Discount: 10%
Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 7:30am-5:30pm
Sunday: 8:30am-4:30pm
Golden Café
£
Golden Café is a true locals spot in Egham, and well deserving of its beloved status. This café offers an expansive menu of breakfast foods, but nothing beats their classic full English. They also offer vegan and vegetarian options for the full English. The portions are extremely generous, and the staff incredibly friendly. The Golden Café has an authentic small town aesthetic to it, and the atmosphere is equally as charming.
Student Discount: N/A
Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 6:30am-5:00pm
Sunday: 8am-4:00pm
STS Italian Deli
£
Family-run ST’s Italian Deli serves up an incredible variety of delicious pasta dishes, salads, desserts, and serves as a one-stop shop for meats, cheeses, uncooked pastas and any ingredients you may need to cook authentic Italian cuisine. With a changing menu each day, you can be sure you are receiving the freshest of ingredients with each meal. I will always find an excuse to run in to STS’ on the way down to Egham, whether it’s for a coffee or to indulge in a plate of pasta, and I can often be found in the summer in their small row of outdoor seating enjoying company and the stunning views of Strodes college. The small, but welcoming, seating area makes this an inexpensive and homey stop-in for lunch, or a great option to take on the go.
Student Discount: 15%, and a variety of changing student deals
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8am-7:00pm
Sat-Sun: 8am-5:00pm