The Charlwood — Restaurant in Mole Valley

Restaurant Review for Family Diwali Party

I recently celebrated Diwali with my family at The Charlwood, and the experience was fantastic from start to finish! The restaurant was beautifully decorated for the festival, with glowing diyas, marigold garlands, and a warm ambiance that made us feel like we were celebrating right at home.

The food was the highlight of our evening. Our meal began with a delicious selection of starters that set the perfect tone for the evening. We were served crispy poppadoms, perfectly seasoned crispy potatoes, and a mouth-watering chili paneer that was just the right mix of spicy and savory. The pani puri station was a family favorite—everyone had fun customizing their own puris with tangy water and fillings, and it added a festive, interactive element to our meal.

For the main course, the vegetarian spread was outstanding. The paneer and mutter dish was creamy and flavorful, with tender paneer and perfectly cooked peas in a rich, spiced gravy. The vegetarian jalfrezi was another crowd-pleaser, with its mix of vibrant, crunchy vegetables in a tangy sauce. The chickpea curry was hearty and comforting, with a blend of spices that reminded us of traditional homemade cooking. Paired with soft naan and fragrant basmati rice, every dish was deliciously satisfying.

Service was excellent—attentive, friendly, and quick to accommodate our requests. They ensured our family felt well taken care of, and even brought out extra servings of our favorite dishes without hesitation.

Overall, The Charlwood made our Diwali celebration truly special. The beautiful setting, delicious and thoughtfully prepared food, and warm service made it an evening to remember. Highly recommend for a family Diwali celebration, especially for those who love vegetarian...

Having moved several hours away from the area nearly 15 years ago, I remember when this was an undesirable, run down Hungry Horse pub. We have recently returned twice when visiting family who are still local to the area and both times we have been delighted not only with the huge improvements made to the pub/restaurant, but also with the excellent, attentive and welcoming service and quite simply the best Indian food we have ever had. Absolutely mindblowingly delicious. It is clearly prepared with passion and care, and it is served with pride. There is a very varied, mouthwatering menu of all sorts of Indian food from the usual favourites through to more unusual Indian food. There is also a smaller selection of typical pub food on the menu. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options available. Very highly recommended if you love Indian cuisine. We will certainly return when next in the area and would even make a special trip just to come here. Also - the restaurant and bathrooms are immaculately clean. Lots of parking available at the back of the building or on the roads outside. Dog friendly. Easy to find on the main road through the village. Possibly a little quiet at off peak times, but for us that...

We recently decided to take a drive out to visit a country pub that we had been to years ago. Hoping for a pleasant evening, we made a reservation for dinner. However, upon arrival at 7:30 on a Saturday night, we were surprised to find the place almost empty, with only a group of five men, another couple, and us in the entire establishment.

Unfortunately, our experience was disappointing from the start. We were not greeted warmly by the staff; instead, we were simply told to sit at any table without so much as a "hello" or a welcome. When we received the menu, we noticed that the majority of dishes were Indian cuisine. While we generally enjoy Indian food, the selection on the menu was quite limited, especially for a traditional country pub.

While we were still deciding on what to order, the group of men present—who were visibly intoxicated—began verbally abusing the staff members behind the bar. Their aggressive and loud behavior made us feel very uncomfortable, and it was clear that the situation was not being addressed by the staff.

Given the unpleasant atmosphere, we quickly finished our drinks, settled the bill, and left. Unfortunately, this experience left us with no...