Established in 1679 as a coaching inn, The King's Head in Chipping Ongar is the oldest brick-fronted building on Chipping Ongar High Street. Named after King James II, who is believed to have stayed here during his reign, this Grade II listed building is home to a traditional lounge area with open fire, comfortable bar, function room, and a 100-seat restaurant, complete with full-length open kitchen.
From our Josper-grilled meat, fish and vegetables, to our homemade desserts, we place great emphasis on the provenance and quality of our food. We use British meat and poultry, free-range eggs, and sustainable fish to create home comforts like our slow-cooked brisket cottage pie, as well as our traditional Neapolitan pizza, freshly prepared by one of our trained pizzaiolos, and cooked in our wood-fired oven.
From our Josper-grilled meat, fish and vegetables, to our homemade desserts, we place great emphasis on the provenance and quality of our food. We use British meat and poultry, free-range eggs, and sustainable fish to create home comforts like our slow-cooked brisket cottage pie, as well as our traditional Neapolitan pizza, freshly prepared by one of our trained pizzaiolos, and cooked in our wood-fired oven.
Services
Our expert pizzaiolos craft genuine wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas. The 00 flour, tomato sauce and Fior di Latte mozzarella are all sourced from Naples. The dough is proved for longer resulting in a lighter crust. Cooked in the wood-fired oven, every pizza has a unique smokey flavour and is authentically charred, something that is impossible to replicate with a gas or traditional home oven.
Please note that all of our tables are available to book through our online booking system. When making a booking enquiry, if there isn't a table available at your chosen time and the system doesn't offer you an alternative time then unfortunately we are fully booked. We recommend either trying a different day to see if we can accommodate your booking or alternatively why not explore one of our sister venues.
The King's Head is a unique venue, perfect for more intimate celebrations with plenty of character to make your wedding celebration truly special. Located in the centre of Chipping Ongar, The King's Head function space can accommodate 20 guests for a formal seated wedding breakfast, and up to 30 for a buffet and evening celebration.
The King's Head is a characterful alternative for your next business event, whether you're organising a working lunch or looking to book that crucial board meeting. With super-fast WiFi throughout and fully equipped with screen and projector, the room is a flexible space which can be adapted to suit your business requirements.
Enjoy some of your favourite dishes from The King's Head in the comfort of your own home. With the new Oakman at Home makeaway meal box range enjoy premium quality produce and chilled dishes prepped lovingly by us. Delivered direct to your door anywhere in the UK* and ready for you to finish in your own kitchen.
Reviews (10)
Georgina Giordano
Dec 15, 2021
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Genuinely such a great experience today. Attended for a roast with our one year old. We didn’t have a reservation but thought we would try our luck. Even though They were fully booked, they found us a nice table straight away. We were helped down the Stairs by a kind staff member called Jay as we had a pram, and we waited on by Dani and Nikki. Not only was the food really great, even the kids meal, the staff were amazing! So patient with our daughter, perfectly polite and welcoming. The decor is really beautiful too. Such a nice visit. Will definitely be coming again with toddler in tow
Malcolm Rothstein
Dec 13, 2021
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Peter Phelps
Oct 11, 2021
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We came here after being recommended. We weren't disappointed. This is a very clean, spacious, restaurant. The menu has plenty of choice, with Vegetarian options. Our food was hot, nicely cooked and well presented. All the staff were very helpful, friendly and polite. The prices are very reasonable. The toilets were very clean, there is also plenty of free parking. I would have given 5 stars but the restaurant was very busy, so service was a little slow. Recommended
Emma Aston
Sep 19, 2021
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Dotty George
Sep 13, 2021
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Samantha Cobbold
Sep 12, 2021
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Ston
Sep 07, 2021
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Went here had some lovely food.
The inside is quite modern and trendy with a pizza oven. The tables are spaced well. Staff service is quite good and attentive and friendly - they also know the menu.
I had the roast pork and a nice desert followed by coffee. Came to about £30.
Would definitely go back again - although next time I am not sure if I need a fake tan - I think I may get away without (just).
Thanks i Wil be back (without the tan).
The inside is quite modern and trendy with a pizza oven. The tables are spaced well. Staff service is quite good and attentive and friendly - they also know the menu.
I had the roast pork and a nice desert followed by coffee. Came to about £30.
Would definitely go back again - although next time I am not sure if I need a fake tan - I think I may get away without (just).
Thanks i Wil be back (without the tan).
Samantha Anne Rockliffe
Sep 05, 2021
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Iggy Raymond
Aug 29, 2021
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It was really lovely. From the street it looks like nothing out of the ordinary, but once you go inside you see the remarkable splendour of the interior and rear of the building. It was a very comfortable place to be.
So, the food... I had the pasta with chicken and mushrooms which was cooked almost perfectly and tasted really good. My friend had a ceasar salad which was very well presented also and tasted perfect.
To sum up, we both had a great meal, with great service, in a really lovely place. At 4pm it was expectedly quiet, but the service was very good, not over bearing or in my face every
So, the food... I had the pasta with chicken and mushrooms which was cooked almost perfectly and tasted really good. My friend had a ceasar salad which was very well presented also and tasted perfect.
To sum up, we both had a great meal, with great service, in a really lovely place. At 4pm it was expectedly quiet, but the service was very good, not over bearing or in my face every
Angela Jones
Aug 16, 2021
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Nice particularly if nice weather lots of space outside. Helpful with adapting meals for dietary requirements. Have kids menu and cater for kids and lite bites too. Reasonable in cost, pizza is particularly good value and could share with kid with a side. Only minus, hit or miss with speed, sometimes they are quick or as you would expect but on occasion can be very slow for drinks/bill/paying
