With Windsor Castle quite literally across the road, The Queen Charlotte has the sort of location most pubs would envy. But it’s not just about the view. Inside, the space strikes a balance between historic character and a more polished, contemporary feel, making it an easy choice whether you’re planning a casual catch-up or something a little more celebratory.
It’s particularly well suited to groups. The menu is built with sharing in mind, so settling in with friends and ordering across the board feels like the right move. Starters such as salmon rillettes with toasted ciabatta or halloumi fries with sweet chilli mayo get things off to a strong start, while the tapas-style plates - think BBQ-glazed chicken bites or mushroom bruschetta with blue cheese - keep things relaxed and sociable.
For bigger appetites, the sharers do exactly what you’d hope. The meat platter is generous, loaded with chicken wings, meatballs, pulled pork and sausage, while the fish platter leans into garlic prawns, scampi and fishcakes with plenty of dips on the side.
If you’d rather keep things more traditional, mains cover all bases. Steak frites comes with all the expected extras from peppercorn sauce and mushrooms to fries, while scampi and chips delivers a classic done properly. The linguine marinara, with salmon and king prawns in a creamy sauce, offers something a little lighter but still satisfying. Even the Caesar salad feels like a considered option rather than an afterthought.
Desserts - as some might argue should do - are all about comfort. The sticky toffee pudding is slathered with butterscotch sauce, apple crumble with custard, while the poached pear offers something simpler - but still pretty trendy. And on Sundays, the pub really comes into its own, with a full line-up of roasts including beef, lamb, chicken or pork, all served with all the expected trimmings, plus a mixed option if decision-making feels like too much effort. Especially, if you've been out on Saturday night.
Beyond the food, there’s a healthy looking programme of events, from Friday night live music to quiz nights and happy hour, giving The Queen Charlotte a lively, social edge.