The Coach House Bridge of Weir dinner review

Our resident dinner doyen Suzanne Oswald headed to The Coach House in Bridge of Weir for a dinner that certainly merited the trip 

In the midst of a sweltering summer heatwave, it was a treat to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life to the Renfrewshire countryside for an albeit brief, but rejuvenating escape. My first visit to the idyllic village of Bridge of Weir was all in the name of good food – and I’m pleased to report The Coach House did not disappoint.

Set in a prime location on the village main street, The Coach House is part of a cluster of Scottish venues owned by the prominent Buzzworks Holdings. You may already be acquainted with the likes of Scotts in Troon, Elliots in Prestwick, Lido in Troon and The Mill House in Stewarton – destinations of choice on the west coast for everything from special occasions to casual get-togethers. However, in 2017, they branched out beyond Ayrshire to take up residence in this picturesque alcove of Renfrewshire – and The Coach House has since carved out its own stellar reputation among locals and visitors alike.

Based on our first visit, it’s easy to see why. What seems like an unassuming pub/restaurant from the outside opens up like a Tardis when you go through the front door. Two dining areas and a bar stretch through to the back of the restaurant, while there’s also room for a private dining area and an idyllic terrace outside – perfect for al fresco meals or pints during these warm summer nights.

The interior itself is particularly impressive – rendered in tasteful pastel colours and inspired by the surrounding miles of fields and forestry with plants and hanging trellises scattered throughout, the orbed chandeliers, brickwork and glass panels maintain a sense of airiness and openness. It creates a smart casual bistro-meets-gastropub vibe – stylish and contemporary, but friendly and relaxing.

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When it comes to food, The Coach House menu matches the fresh look. Promising simple dishes that are big on flavour, they offer breakfast, lunch and dinner – with an eye-catching cocktail menu thrown in for good measure, offering a mix of classic and uniquely crafted drinks.

After being warmly welcomed and ushered into one of their comfortable booths, we were given time to peruse the expansive dinner menu – with a plethora of traditional gastropub classics to choose from alongside eclectic flavours from the Mediterranean, South America, and more.

After much toing and froing, I opted for the crispy king prawn tempura (£9.75) to start which arrived with a moreish ginger and sweet chilli dipping sauce and a fresh dollop of wasabi mayo. A dish that can sometimes fall into an oily, grease-slicked trap, the king prawns were plump and succulent and coated in a light, crispy batter. Meanwhile, my partner Gianluca had the mushrooms on toasted sourdough (£8.25), lathered in a decadent garlic and soft herb cream butter. Suffice to say, it was polished off in no time whatsoever.

For the main course, I chose the piri piri chicken (£18.95) from the woodfired grill – for which I gained a nod of approval from our server. Beautifully presented, the generous portion of marinated chicken arrived with a piri piri glaze, fresh lime salsa, chilli pickled slaw and sea salt fries. Smoky from the grill, it was a delicious take on the Portuguese classic – packed with flavour and a nice bit of heat, even if I was defeated by the final chicken wing.

Gianluca, resoundingly impressed by the vegetarian options on display, reverted from the go-to veggie burger in favour of the eye-catching gochujang crispy cauliflower bao buns (£14.95) – coated in sriracha mayo, pickled radish and chilli fries. Another generous portion, the cauliflower bites were crispy and fluffy, enveloped in two large soft bao buns and elevated by the sweet but spicy sriracha. Another success.

At risk of our eyes being bigger for our stomachs, we couldn’t see past the mouth-watering dessert menu. With sundaes, cheesecakes and fudge cakes all vying for our attention, we opted to share a dark chocolate and almond profiterole (£8.45) – consisting of one large profiterole coated in Belgian chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream. It was a delicious, if verging on gluttonous, end to a very enjoyable meal.

So, whether it’s for a special occasion, an informal meal out or a few drinks in the sun, we’d highly recommend putting The Coach House on your list of places to go. With friendly staff, a welcoming atmosphere and delicious food to match, they’ve given us plenty of reasons to return.

The Coach House, 31 Main Street, Bridge of Weir, PA11 3NR, 01505 800999, website.