
Quick info
About The Downsman
The Downsman is a gastropub on Wakehurst Dr in Crawley, open daily and built around a tandoor-cooked Indian menu. The kitchen serves curries and a tandoori platter, with kerala fish curry and channa batura among the dishes on offer. Seating is split between indoor and outdoor areas, so the space has room for larger tables. At the bar, a variety of ales and beers is on tap to go with the food. A pool table and gaming machines add to the pub side of the business, and screens show games on match days.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking · Paid parking lot
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegetarian options
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention indian curries, tandoori platter, garlic king prawns and pool table.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention indian curries, tandoori platter, garlic king prawns and pool table.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers return to The Downsman mainly for its Indian food, with the curries singled out most often. Specific praise goes to the garlic king prawns, tandoori platter, mushroom bhaji, tarka dahl, kerala fish curry, channa batura and samoosas, and portions are described as generous. Close behind are the friendly, helpful staff and the beer on tap, with a pool table, gaming machines and screens for matches also mentioned. Service is called quick and prompt by a few, though one diner found the starter and main arrived almost together, which felt rushed on a quiet Tuesday. A delivery customer reports ordering a vegetarian curry and receiving meat, then being told to phone Deliveroo instead, and says they will stop ordering. Elsewhere, a chef prepared a gluten free meal for one party, and staff made a birthday cake from brownies when a group forgot to order one.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers return to The Downsman mainly for its Indian food, with the curries singled out most often. Specific praise goes to the garlic king prawns, tandoori platter, mushroom bhaji, tarka dahl, kerala fish curry, channa batura and samoosas, and portions are described as generous. Close behind are the friendly, helpful staff and the beer on tap, with a pool table, gaming machines and screens for matches also mentioned. Service is called quick and prompt by a few, though one diner found the starter and main arrived almost together, which felt rushed on a quiet Tuesday. A delivery customer reports ordering a vegetarian curry and receiving meat, then being told to phone Deliveroo instead, and says they will stop ordering. Elsewhere, a chef prepared a gluten free meal for one party, and staff made a birthday cake from brownies when a group forgot to order one.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“A very friendly pub serving excellent Indian dishes. Staff are welcoming and helpful. Chef discussed and then prepared gluten free for one of our party.”
- Google user
“Cracking curries! What a gem of a pub. Staff were so friendly and accommodating - even popped out to buy a lime for my wife's corona! Food was fresh and tasty, prices very reasonable. Will definitely be back!”
- Google user
“The food was delicious and plentiful. My only issue was the speed in which it came out. It would have been nice to enjoy the starter before the main came out rather than have both arrive at pretty much the same time, very glad we didn't order dessert! It just all felt very rushed, if more time had been given we would have ordered more drinks, possibly something sweet and stayed longer. As we were the only table in the restaurant side on a quiet Tuesday, it could have been a much more chilled experience. However, I would return and recommend to others. Just be aware that you may be eating all of your courses at the same time!”
- Google user
“Myself and my friends had gone to celebrate one of our another friend's birthday. We forgot to order cake. They were very kind to create a cake using brownies at a very reasonable cost. Also the lady serving was polite and helpful. Thank you for the food served excellent service. We did go once again with family. The food served and service was great. Keep it up”
- Google user
“Restaurant quality food with exceptional garlic king prawns, tandoori platter, mushroom bhaji and tarka dahl. Generous portions so go with an appetite or a doggy bag!”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Modern pub/restaurant with outdoor terrace seating and an Indian menu with tandoor-cooked dishes.”
- Bar games
- Great beer selection
- Live music
- Live performances
- Sports
- Popular for lunch
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
Show more amenities
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
- Vegetarian options
- Bar onsite
- Casual
- Beer
- Offerings· 11
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Food
- Food at bar
- Free water refills
- Hard liquor
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Wine
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Planning· 1
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Dining options· 6
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Family-friendly· 2
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Service options· 1
- Delivery
- Highlights· 5
- Bar games
- Great beer selection
- Live music
- Live performances
- Sports
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
- Parking· 5
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
- Usually plenty of parking
Location
Bars near The Downsman
- Barista & Barrel4.41151.1 miWheelchair accessible
full English breakfast, indoor kids play area, Turkish coffee
- Dem Shish Crawley4.44751.7 mi£20–50ReservationsWheelchair accessibleGood for kids
birthday celebrations with cake and singing, belly dancer performances, dem shish special platter
- Coaching Halt4.22,1861.9 miWheelchair accessible
festive menu starters, outdoor garden area, burgers
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The DownsmanReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.2466 | — | £20–30 | indian curries, tandoori platter, garlic king prawns |
| Barista & BarrelWheelchair accessible | 4.4115 | 1.1 mi | — | full English breakfast, indoor kids play area, Turkish coffee |
| Dem Shish CrawleyReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Good for kids | 4.4475 | 1.7 mi | £20–50 | birthday celebrations with cake and singing, belly dancer performances, dem shish special platter |
| Coaching HaltWheelchair accessible | 4.22,186 | 1.9 mi | — | festive menu starters, outdoor garden area, burgers |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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