
Quick info
About The Black Horse
In Brentwood, The Black Horse is a pub at 420 Ongar Rd that dates to the 16th century, when it was an inn for pilgrims travelling to St Thomas's chapel. The kitchen cooks seasonal pub dishes, with roast dinners that include a vegetarian option and fish and chips on the menu. A skewer served with feta salad appears on the newer menu. The dining room has a fireplace or wood burner. Large groups can book tables, and walk-in tables are also offered. Dogs are welcome, so owners can bring them along.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking · On-site parking
- Good for kidsGood for kids
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sunday roast, fish and chips, signature skewer with feta salad and vegetarian option.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sunday roast, fish and chips, signature skewer with feta salad and vegetarian option.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often return to the Sunday roast, with one calling it one of the best pub roasts they have had and another describing the food as exceptional and cooked well. Close behind are the fish and chips, praised for crisp batter, and a signature skewer with feta salad that one longtime regular called outstanding after a new menu. Several describe friendly, helpful servers who handled awkward dislikes and allergies, and a few call the atmosphere busy yet welcoming. The main complaint is slowness: service lagged between courses and drinks on busy tables, and one Sunday evening diner found the roast portion poor and the food seemingly sitting for a while. Another felt some portions were a tad small. One visitor who asked four times for the wood burner to be lit on a cold evening was refused, despite other guests asking too. Reviewers also mention that a bill mistake at a family birthday was corrected with a refund of the difference.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often return to the Sunday roast, with one calling it one of the best pub roasts they have had and another describing the food as exceptional and cooked well. Close behind are the fish and chips, praised for crisp batter, and a signature skewer with feta salad that one longtime regular called outstanding after a new menu. Several describe friendly, helpful servers who handled awkward dislikes and allergies, and a few call the atmosphere busy yet welcoming. The main complaint is slowness: service lagged between courses and drinks on busy tables, and one Sunday evening diner found the roast portion poor and the food seemingly sitting for a while. Another felt some portions were a tad small. One visitor who asked four times for the wood burner to be lit on a cold evening was refused, despite other guests asking too. Reviewers also mention that a bill mistake at a family birthday was corrected with a refund of the difference.
Featured reviews
- Dawn Maltwood
“Popped into The Black Horse without booking first and a very cheerful Abi accommodated us by giving us a table for two. We both had a Sunday roast - the food was exceptional - really tasty and cooked well. Abi served us throughout and couldn’t have been kinder. We really enjoyed our lunch there today x”
- Hannah Blewett
“Really good food and our server Liv was really really nice! She really helped with the menu and dealt with my awkward dislikes as well as my friend’s allergies. Absolutely spot on service thank you!!!!”
- Anne Rodman
“This has been our local for over 30 years and we eat there fairly regularly. Tonight however was one of the best meals we have had. The service was amazing.”
- Siân Clayton
“Had an amazing time at this pub! Carl and his team were absolutely fantastic from start to finish — friendly, welcoming, and always making sure everyone was looked after. You can really tell they care about creating a great atmosphere. The service was spot on, the food and drinks were excellent, and the whole place had such a warm, lively vibe. Massive credit to Carl and the team for running such a brilliant pub. Highly recommend and will definitely be back!”
- Alex Pinchbeck
“Family birthday for 10 people, We all had the weekend special menu. Service was with a smile, but between courses and drinks a little slow. However maybe they didn't want to make us feel rushed. Food was very tasty and well presented some dishes portion sizes were a tad small. There was a mistake made with the bill, but the staff were happy to correct/refund the difference. Overall a good experience and would come back”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“The Black Horse in Brentwood was originally an inn serving pilgrims travelling to St Thomas's chapel and dates back to the 16th century. Enjoy seasonal pub classics, Sunday roasts and cask ales. Explore the menu.”
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Free parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Delivery
- Takeout
Show more amenities
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
- Food at bar
- Cozy
- Beer
- Food
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
- Parking· 5
- Free street parking
- On-site parking
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
- Parking
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Romantic
- Dining options· 3
- Outside food allowed
- Seating
- Table service
- Highlights· 2
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
Location
Bars near The Black Horse
- The Rose & Crown4.54000.1 mi£20–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
fish and chips, group birthday celebrations, steaks and burgers
- The Bull Brentwood4.31,1721.8 mi£20–30
gluten-free menu options, gluten free sticky toffee pudding, sunday roast
- 1.9 miWheelchair accessible
live sports screens, outdoor seating area, sunday lunch menu
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Black HorseReservations · Outdoor seating · Good for kids | 4.41,762 | — | £20–30 | sunday roast, fish and chips, signature skewer with feta salad |
| The Rose & CrownReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.5400 | 0.1 mi | £20–30 | fish and chips, group birthday celebrations, steaks and burgers |
| The Bull Brentwood | 4.31,172 | 1.8 mi | £20–30 | gluten-free menu options, gluten free sticky toffee pudding, sunday roast |
| The Green Dragon ShenfieldWheelchair accessible | 4.2293 | 1.9 mi | — | live sports screens, outdoor seating area, sunday lunch menu |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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