Bar 163 is a long-time bar and restaurant in Egham, offering a menu of varied, internationally-inspired dishes alongside a curated wine list and cocktail selection in an intimate space. Since 1984, Bar 163 has proudly stood in this Surrey town and nearly 30 years later is still much loved by locals. With a small, quirky layout the restaurant boasts a neighbourhood haunt-type feel, brimming with atmosphere. We particularly like the look of the classic chequered floor alongside tiled walls and glowing fairylights.
While Bar 163 started off as just that, a bar, over the years its menu has become so popular that the team now offer a full service, spanning breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch and dinner. Things kick off in the morning with options like Croque Monsieur and Madame, American pancakes with maple syrup, smoked streaky bacon and blueberries, as well as the kitchen's take on a full English.
For lunch, small plates are ideal for sharing and you can expect options such as mozzarella salad, heirloom tomatoes and pesto, or something heartier such as the New York club sandwich with fries or bavette steak. Of course, you can't go wrong with the likes of soup of the day or a classic salad, perhaps the goats’ cheese, mixed leaf and beetroot salad with herb dressing.
Dinner service offers up nibbles like wasabi nuts and homemade sourdough with butter, as well as starters such as fresh mussels with white wine, garlic, cream and warm ciabatta, or prawn tempura with sweet chilli sauce. For mains, there really is something for everyone with plant-based plates like Moroccan baked aubergine with Filo pastry and homemade harissa, pescatarian plates like pan fried sea bream fillet with Wasabi mash and grilled broccoli, as well as meat-focused dishes with hickory smoked BBQ pork ribs.
The wine list focuses mainly on red and white bottles, but there's also a classic cocktail menu boasting much-loved concoctions like Sex on the Beach, Bucks Fizz and Aperol Spritz.