Best Gastropubs in Bedfordshire

In total, there are 2 award winning gastropubs in Bedfordshire, based on the combined awards from the leading UK restaurant guides.

Were you expecting to see more food pubs listed in Bedfordshire? Remember at Leading Restaurants we only list gastropubs in the UK and Ireland holding an award from a major UK restaurant guide; less than 3% of the total restaurants in the UK and Ireland currently hold such an award, and the proportion of award winning gastropubs is likely even lower than this.

The best gastropub in Bedfordshire is The Oakley Arms in Harrold (based on our unique combination of the leading UK restaurant guides) where the kitchen team serves up award winning Modern British Cuisine. The Oakley Arms currently holds 2 AA Rosettes.

There are currently no gastropubs holding a Michelin Star in Bedfordshire, however there is 1 gastropub holding a standard Michelin Guide listing.

There is currently a single listed AA Rosette gastropub in Bedfordshire which holds 2 AA Rosettes.

Bedfordshire, nestled between the rolling Chilterns and the broader East of England farmlands, has long enjoyed a quiet but confident food pub culture. As someone who spends far too much time seeking out proper gastropubs, I find Bedfordshire especially charming for the way its rural history meets contemporary cooking. Villages such as Ampthill, Woburn, and Oakley have made names for themselves by nurturing pubs that respect local produce and traditional methods. The county has a long farming heritage, and it shows in the menus: expect venison from nearby estates, fresh market vegetables, and breads that still follow old recipes. It is the kind of place where the history of an inn stretches back centuries, yet the kitchen is not afraid to put a modern twist on a plate. Several spots across Bedfordshire are well worth the journey for anyone who loves food-led pubs. The Knife and Cleaver in Houghton Conquest, for example, has built a reputation on hearty British dishes done with finesse, while The Wheatsheaf in Bow Brickhill blends contemporary seasonal cooking with the warmth of a classic village pub. Closer to Woburn, The Black Horse in Woburn Sands offers an elevated take on British pub dining without losing the easy conviviality that makes pubs so essential to the region. In Bedford itself, The Embankment remains a favourite for its riverside setting and reliable modern British plates. Together, these pubs capture what makes Bedfordshire special: a county where the comfort of tradition and the excitement of good cooking meet in perfect harmony.