About This Pub
Ah, The Black Horse – what a lovely spot it seems to be for a bite and a drink in Abingdon. From the reviews I've seen, most folks are raving about the food; it's not your everyday pub grub, more like something you'd find in a fancy restaurant, with dishes like fresh scallops and risottos topped with caviar that sound utterly delicious. The service gets a big thumbs up too, with people mentioning how attentive and friendly the staff are, which really adds to the whole experience. It's clearly a place that's stepped up its game under the new owners, making it ideal for a Sunday roast or a special night out. But, to keep it real, there was that one review where things didn't go so smoothly – a family lunch that felt chaotic with unavailable menu items and an empty vibe, plus some overcooked food that left a sour note. Still, with an overall rating pushing 4.7, I'd say it's worth popping in if you're in the area, just maybe give it a ring first to check what's on offer. All in all, it's a solid choice for good times and great eats, as long as you go in with realistic expectations.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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The food is absolutely brilliant – it's like fine dining in a cosy pub setting, with fresh ingredients that make every dish a treat.
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Service is top-notch and really welcoming, making you feel right at home from the moment you walk in.
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They've got some standout options, like amazing risottos and steaks, perfect for a special meal or treating yourself.
Cons
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It can feel a bit chaotic or lacking in atmosphere if it's quiet, which might put you off on a slow day.
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Some menu items might be unavailable, leading to disappointment when you're set on something specific.
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There could be inconsistencies, like overcooked dishes, based on a few experiences shared by visitors.
Contact Information
The Black Horse, Gozzard's Ford, Abingdon OX13 6JH
+441865390736
Pub
Closed today
Opening Hours
Monday (Today) | Closed |
Tuesday | 11:00 - 23:00 |
Wednesday | 11:00 - 23:00 |
Thursday | 11:00 - 23:00 |
Friday | 11:00 - 23:00 |
Saturday | 11:00 - 23:00 |
Sunday | 11:00 - 22:00 |
Recent Reviews
New owner with a fine dinning and pub area. Service was fantastic and food really outstanding! This is not just regular pub food but food that uses really high quality. Had the Risotto and it had caviar on top of it and the prawns that came with it just melted in my mouth. Not sure what they did to it but it was superbe. Would really recommend it! Will be back and price wise it was not more expensive than regular pub food.
I visited with four other family members for lunch and found the experience rather chaotic. The place was empty, lacking any atmosphere. We were advised that 2 of the 4 main courses on the bar menu were unavailable so looked at the restaurant menu. Four of us had a starter of scallops, which were so small had no flavour. I had fried seafood with chips for my main, which consisted of four prawns, so hard they were dreadful, and four rings of scampi, which was tasteless. My dining companions were equally disappointed with their choices. Considering we were the only party ordering food (a further party of four arrived later) the waiting time was very lengthy. The best part of the meal was the bottle of wine. Even to get coffees seemed to be difficult. With the bill working out at £40 per person, it was seriously overpriced for what was served. Sorry to say we will not be returning.
The food at The Black Horse was fantastic! The smoked salmon carpaccio was fresh and flavourful, and the grilled striploin steak was perfectly cooked with delicious sides. The service was attentive and friendly, making the whole experience even better. Highly recommend!
There isn’t a place within 20 miles that serve this quality of food. Not pub grub, this is venturing towards fine dining. All made on the premises and clearly freshly cooked. The risotto was excellent, beef tartare and the cherry millefoglie ether side were equally as good. Highly recommend a visit.
Came to Oxford to see some friends and we decided to treat ourselves for a Sunday roast in a village nearby. Luckily enough some locals tipped us with a recommendation for this pub that has recently undergone a management change.
We did the right thing by listening to them because the place was nice, cozy and clean and the food was so delicious that we went for dessert too (something we usually don't do that easily). All was accompanied by a friendly service and a good drinks selection.
We'll be back for sure.
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