
Toby Carvery The Friary
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Quick info
About Toby Carvery The Friary
On Elstree Way in Swindon, Toby Carvery The Friary serves British roast meats sliced by a chef at the counter, alongside a selection of vegetables and potatoes. Mornings bring an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, with items such as bacon, eggs, and sausages kept at a separate serving area and queuing at busier times. A make-your-own sundae option rounds out the dessert choices. Families with young children are catered for with high chairs, and a step-free entrance suits visitors with mobility needs. Outdoor seating is available for those who want to eat outside, and the kitchen also offers takeaway and delivery for eating off site. The restaurant opens daily, and reservations are recommended, though seating often works on a sit-anywhere basis rather than staff directing guests to a table. A large car park sits on site for arriving guests.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Free parking lot · On-site parking
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible car park · Has wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · Has changing table(s) · Has kids' menu
- DietaryServes vegetarian dishes
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Menu & Prices
20 dishes- Get collection or delivery
- Yorkshire Pudding
- Roast Chicken
- Pancakes
- Cheesecake
- Sundaes
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention carvery meat, all-you-can-eat breakfast, long queues for food and yorkshire puddings.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention carvery meat, all-you-can-eat breakfast, long queues for food and yorkshire puddings.
Customer Review Summary
The all you can eat breakfast buffet draws the most repeat mentions, with reviewers praising fresh bacon, sausages, eggs and black pudding, and several calling it their favourite for value even while admitting it isn't the widest or most hygienic spread around. The carvery meat itself gets singled out too, with one visitor describing it as moist and melting, alongside praise for the vegetable and dessert choices, including make your own sundaes. Staff warmth toward families and children comes up repeatedly, from servers entertaining a toddler to one going out of her way to bring extra Yorkshire puddings for a diner with dietary needs. Set against this is a recurring complaint about being understaffed and disorganised: long queues for food and drinks, reserved tables left empty with no direction given, cold or lukewarm breakfast items, and one visitor waited so long for pork and beef that the chef eventually served old scraps instead of proper slices. Cleanliness also slips in a few accounts, with food scraps on the floor and greasy tables noted on one visit. One diner reports a child's meal never arrived at all despite paying for it.
Customer Review Summary
The all you can eat breakfast buffet draws the most repeat mentions, with reviewers praising fresh bacon, sausages, eggs and black pudding, and several calling it their favourite for value even while admitting it isn't the widest or most hygienic spread around. The carvery meat itself gets singled out too, with one visitor describing it as moist and melting, alongside praise for the vegetable and dessert choices, including make your own sundaes. Staff warmth toward families and children comes up repeatedly, from servers entertaining a toddler to one going out of her way to bring extra Yorkshire puddings for a diner with dietary needs. Set against this is a recurring complaint about being understaffed and disorganised: long queues for food and drinks, reserved tables left empty with no direction given, cold or lukewarm breakfast items, and one visitor waited so long for pork and beef that the chef eventually served old scraps instead of proper slices. Cleanliness also slips in a few accounts, with food scraps on the floor and greasy tables noted on one visit. One diner reports a child's meal never arrived at all despite paying for it.
Featured reviews
- Pawel Jakubczyk
“Toby Carvery offers great food at affordable prices, and I’ve always appreciated the value. However, on my recent visit the cleanliness standards had noticeably slipped. There were food scraps on the floor, the tables and seats felt greasy, and several plates were wet and not properly cleaned. Even the serving spoons in the vegetable section needed more frequent changing. I hope management addresses this, because the food itself remains good and the place has potential to be much better.”
- Chelcie Franklin
“We visited Toby Carvery today with our one-year-old, and we had such a lovely experience. Dining out with a toddler can sometimes feel a little overwhelming, and as parents you can occasionally worry about feeling judged if they’re being a bit noisy or restless. One member of staff (I’m so sorry I can’t remember her name!) was absolutely incredible. She was amazing with our one-year-old, constantly making her laugh and keeping her entertained throughout our visit. She was so warm, friendly, and welcoming, and really helped make the whole experience enjoyable for all of us. The food was great, but it was the outstanding customer service that really made our visit memorable. Thank you for making what could have been a stressful meal into such a positive family experience. We’ll definitely be back!”
- Savannah Leigh
“Your typical English Tony carvery , where the staff are always helpful , happy and welcoming. Food is always spot on. Go to for an easy delicious dinner Ina family orientated atmosphere.”
- Emma Stock
“We came for my daughters birthday with her grandparents and we thoroughly enjoyed. The carvery was lovely and well presented. Staff very polite and friendly 😊”
- Kelly White
“Fatty beef and rude chef on the carvery. asked for fresh spoons as the one in use were too hot to hold. Chef replied it is what it is. Was not welcoming and will go to the other carvery place in swindon in future, very disappointed as normally love Toby carvery's.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Timeless family chain restaurant serving roast meats carvery-style, kids' menus and classic puds.”
- Has great beer selection
- Serves great coffee
- Serves great dessert
- Has great wine list
- Popular for popular for breakfast
- Popular for popular for lunch
Amenities
- Has wheelchair-accessible car park
- Free of charge street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Has outdoor seating
- Offers delivery
- Offers takeaway
Show more amenities
- Serves dine-in
- Good for kids
- Serves vegetarian dishes
- Has bar on site
- Casual
- On-site services available
- Offerings· 8
- Serves alcohol
- Always offers all that you can eat
- Serves beer
- Serves cocktails
- Serves coffee
- Quick bite
- Serves spirits
- Serves wine
- Crowd· 2
- Good for groups
- Popular with tourists
- Accessibility· 3
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Dining options· 8
- Serves breakfast
- Serves brunch
- Serves lunch
- Serves dinner
- Has counter service
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Has table service
- Parking· 3
- Free parking lot
- On-site parking
- Plenty of parking
- Family-friendly· 2
- Has changing table(s)
- Has kids' menu
- Highlights· 4
- Has great beer selection
- Serves great coffee
- Serves great dessert
- Has great wine list
- Popular for· 4
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Good for solo dining
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Atmosphere· 1
- Cosy
- Planning· 3
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
Location
Restaurants near Toby Carvery The Friary
- 0.8 mi£1–10Vegetarian optionsWheelchair accessibleGood for kids
rude service, fish too small, greasy food
- Delicious Kebab4.62321 mi£1–10
chicken kebabs, hot chilli sauce, fresh salads and sauces
- Moredon Fish Bar3.51711.1 mi£10–20Wheelchair accessible
chip shop chips, generous portion sizes, battered fish
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toby Carvery The FriaryGood for kids · Reservations | 4.14,183 | — | £10–20 | carvery meat, all-you-can-eat breakfast, long queues for food |
| Fish & Chips on Thames AvenueVegetarian options · Wheelchair accessible · Good for kids | 4.0334 | 0.8 mi | £1–10 | rude service, fish too small, greasy food |
| Delicious Kebab | 4.6232 | 1 mi | £1–10 | chicken kebabs, hot chilli sauce, fresh salads and sauces |
| Moredon Fish BarWheelchair accessible | 3.5171 | 1.1 mi | £10–20 | chip shop chips, generous portion sizes, battered fish |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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