Here, at Sonning in Berkshire, our hotel and restaurant sits by The Thames, at the point where the river is at its most beautiful. Walk into the cosy bar and you'll be greeted by a French Horn tradition, the sight of ducks roasting in front of an open fire. Everything is as it should be in this family-owned English institution, run by the Emmanuel family since 1972.Life is good here. Our Head Chef Josiane Diaga and team select the best seasonal ingredients and treat them with respect. Honest, classical dishes are complemented by a carefully curated wine cellar which, for example, features wines from every Burgundy village.
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Originally a coaching inn, The French Horn has been providing hospitality for over 200 years. Now a restaurant with rooms, it has been run by the Emmanuel family since 1972, when it was bought by restaurateurs Ronnie and Carole Emmanuel. The French Horn is now run by their son and daughter, Michael and Elaine.
The fact that we don't serve food all day (there is a lunch service and a dinner service) ensures a real sense of occasion amongst both staff and guests. You have our undivided attention. Many food writers have expressed enthusiasm for The French Horn. The late, great AA Gill praised the sole: "Bliss, a triumph, perfect, top hole".
Our Head Chef, Josiane Diaga has cooked in many of the best Michelin-starred restaurants in London (including The Waldorf) and in France (The Negresco in Nice); and prior to joining us was Head Chef at a restaurant in America. Josiane has the French passion for using the best seasonal produce. She always cooks with the diner in mind, never losing sight of their enjoyment. Walk through to our dining room with Michael or Elaine and you usually catch sight of Josiane and her team hard at work in the open kitchen.
A stay at The French Horn has long been the natural response to the quality of our wine cellar. Our 12 individual rooms include Standard Rooms, Standard Rooms with a View, and Junior Suites. Accommodation at The French Horn is either above reception and the restaurant or we can arrange a stay in the close by Furleigh Cottages B&B.
Reviews (16)
Francois Guerraz
May 23, 2022
Gary Brimson
May 10, 2022
Super attention on arrival in the restaurant, the maitre d' superb throughout, a couple of other male staff not that good, we could swear one was chewing gum and really not that fussed at being there. Food was out of this world although the non claw part of the tempura crab claw was tough, we did mention this and was told that's the way it is! Definitely will return.
Philip Bramson
Mar 14, 2022
James King
Mar 04, 2022
Guy Wager
Mar 02, 2022
Bernice Brady
Feb 24, 2022
Jessica Helen Groombridge
Feb 24, 2022
Mark Deacon Md
Dec 20, 2021
E. Fintan Hanbury
Dec 14, 2021
Julia Bishop
Dec 08, 2021
Alex Roberts
Sep 12, 2021
Outdated. The hospitality was very good and what I expect from a "Michelin" restaurant. The food was bland and boring. Save yourself 200 and get a table for two at your local Nandos. The decor was outdated. Sat next to a lovely lamp with cobwebs and a spider lurking. The mirror next to us had what looked like syrup trickling down it.
Adrian Donlan
Aug 17, 2021
Fabulous food and service. Great location on the river, staff were impeccable. Food was great, I'm diabetic and so often struggle with the added sugar in restaurant food but the food at the French Horn was just fantastic, well prepared and fresh with no additional sugar. I was hoping that my 10 year old daughter wouldn't eat her entire rack of lamb so I could finish it but it was so nice she polished it off.
Caroline Packham
Jul 31, 2021
Extremely disappointed, chosen to celebrate a very special occasion. My smoked salmon (selected as a main course) was extremely salty and although I was assured my accompanying salad would have seeds and nuts it was just lettuce, tomato and cucumber with a quail's egg - boring. My raspberry souffle was leathery and not light at all. Extremely expensive, I've had better meals at a traditional pub. Lovely gardens although noisy from The Coppa Club across the river.
Gary Sewell
Jun 14, 2021
Anastasis Pavlou
Aug 10, 2020
They have a mobile coffee shop van parked in the adjacent parking lot on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Serving from about 7.30 am. All I can say is that this is a godsend in the morning. Great coffee, fantastic hot chocolate and a substantial range of pastries and really fresh rolls. So far the olive bread roll with cream cheese and salmon is just sublime. There is a comfortable feel about this little venue even down to the doggy treats and water bowl. The only improvement would be to open the rest of the week!
Pink Toothbrush
Jun 08, 2018
