The Bear Inn Pub - Stroud

I stayed here for the weekend with my mum and we had a such brilliant time. The staff were so attentive, food was amazing and the room was super. We are definitely coming again! Even the dog was relaxed, well fed and happy. I cannot recommend this the bear inn enough. The staff were so welcoming and kind. We have already planned a return visit. Thank-you so much!

Had Sunday roast for three of us (beef, lamb and nut roast). Great service and the everyone's roast was perfect. The lamb was tender and the veg were really well cooked (the red cabbage was especially tasty).. The extra treat of couliflower cheese was a bonus and unexpected. Service was great warm and welcoming and very reasonably priced. This was our first visit under new management and ouldn't be more happier. Oh being such a lovely old pub in one of the prettiest villages in the area is another added bonus. Can I give 6 stars?

We live about a 150m from the Bear and had become accustomed to taking supper there every week or so. The food and service under the previous tenants were superb. Therefore, as the previous reviewer suggested, the new tenants had a very high bar (no pun intended) to meet. We dined there just before Christmas and we were delighted. The food was beautifully presented and delicious. Alice and Amy were front of house and managed everything splendidly. I can though only agree with the previous reviewer on music and the fire. The music detracts from the atmosphere rather than adds to it, and the fire is a sad loss. Apparently the chimney has been “condemned” because of the build up of tar and an open fire is no longer possible. That is a great shame as it was a magnificent focal point of the pub. Hopefully a wood burning stove will take its place. These are though relatively minor points. The Bear is back and on great form. We shall certainly be resuming our regular meals there.

A lovely pub in a pretty village outside Stroud, The Bear Inn has recently been taken over by new owners. I understand from regulars to whom we spoke that there was some trepidation about their arrival, because the previous landlord and landlady had set a fairly high bar for food and drink. They need not have worried. The food at The Bear is absolutely excellent; genuinely good for a pub even in this area of decent pubs. The beer (I had Timothy Taylor's Landlord and the wine are of equal quality. I like to be honest in my reviews so I will mention a couple of things I didn't like. The telephone ringer and the service chimes from the kitchen are loud and intrusive; this is easily fixed, of course, and I'm sure it's something they will get around to. The Christmas decorations are blue and white, which lends a harsh lighting to the room; red would have been nicer and softer. Again, this is only temporary. I have visited the Bear a number of times over the years and at this time of year the large open fire in the main bar is always a beautiful and cosy feature; it's not currently being used and I think that is a huge shame. (The pub is warm, though, and there is a log burner in the second bar. I hope they'll start the fire again. My main complaint is the music playing in the background; I can go to any Beefeater or town pub and listen to Mariah Carey, or ACDC (though I wouldn't , but this is a charming village pub with clear aspirations to be something special (as the food demonstrates . It's not (on two visits a million miles away from a Michelin star; which Michelin Star resaurant would have this kind of music on? I would prefer none at all, and just the gentle hubbub of conversation and laughter, but if there has to be some couldn't it be something more in keeping with the age and general ambience of The Bear? A little Louis Armstrong, maybe? Or classical music? Again, I'm sure this can be addressed once they find their feet. Please don't let these quibbles put you off. We had a great dinner in a lovely pub with nice staff and chatty locals. Highly recommended.

We have just had the most delicious lunch. Steak and chips with a peppercorn sauce, crispy squid, cheese soufflé and a lovely pear and chocolate tart with walnut ice cream. Great service and charming owners.