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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
There are more questions than answers
You might have already gathered, The Marlstone Tavern is a blissfully quirky place that does things its own unique way! So to help you get a feel for our wonderful ways before you visit, we’ve put together a comprehensive FAQ page.
If you cannot find the information you require, please go to the contact page and leave us a message. You never know, we might even add your question to the ever growing frequently asked questions section.
Please note:
Before you dive in, we thought we’d bring to your attention one of the most frequently asked questions, that being do you take bookings? To answer that as succinctly as we can, WE DO NOT TAKE BOOKINGS FOR THE EVENING SERVICE. You can book at lunch times, however we do not take bookings via email, just call us on: 01295 40 40 45 for midday ventures to the tavern.
How do I book a table?
Bookings are available for lunchtimes only (12pm – 2.30pm). To make a booking, either call us on: 01295 404045, or pop by the pub during our opening hours. We unfortunately can’t accept bookings by email, social media, or via this web site. Phones are manned during pub hours (rather than office hours).
Why do you not take evening bookings?
There’s nothing worse than walking into a restaurant and being told there’s no room at the inn – especially when you can see tables sitting empty. So we decided a long time ago not to put the ‘reserved’ signs up for anybody.
Of course, there will be times when you’ll have to wait for a table. But you can enjoy a drink at the bar while you peruse the menu, and we’ll get you seated as soon as we can. We can safely say our pies are worth the wait!
Can I bring a birthday cake in?
You can bring in a token birthday/celebration cake, no charges are made by us for a small token cake to be cut as part of a ceremony/toast to that special somebody if desserts have been served to the table. We will light the candles and bring to the table when requested, subject to conditions.
Larger, non-token and pudding cakes will incur a cakeage charge of £4 per person. This will include the supply of plates, forks and napkins, related service and of course lighting the candles and bringing to the table when requested, subject to conditions.
These charges are added to the bill of the person that brings the cake .
We are unable to have anywhere in our kitchen; home made cakes, cakes containing NUTS or any previously pre-packed cake without an ingredients list.
No cakeage charges will be made if most of your table order puddings off our menu, subject to management discretion
Can I book for a party or large group?
Our no evening bookings policy really does mean no evening bookings, and we can’t go back on our word even for a party that would fill the place – our regulars would kill us!
Is the pub child friendly?
The Marlstone Tavern becomes an adult only venue after 7:30pm.
We love kids, and we’ll do everything we can to make their visit enjoyable. You can call us old fashioned but we do believe that little ones should be at home by this time of the evening. We have listened to feedback and found that even parents of young children have voiced their relief at knowing there will be no young children running around on their date night. Many have said they purposely come along after 7:30pm to ensure this.
Therefore, we have a 7:30pm curfew for children under 5 years of age, as we feel that is late enough for a young family to enjoy an early evening out. Don’t panic, we won’t take your meals away from you if you’re not finished in time! But we would expect you to finish up as soon as possible and not put our staff in an awkward position.
Children 5 years and older are expected to stay at the table unless being accompanied to the bathroom by an adult.
We have a lovely garden at the front of the pub, if you wish to stay later during the summer months, you must accompany your child into the tavern to use the facilities. This is for their own safety.
Protection of children from harm on licensed premises is a national licensing objective and a law we take very seriously. It is our duty as licensees to put provisions in place within our establishment to create a safe environment for children where there is alcohol. This is to protect them from moral, psychological or physical harm.
We understand this is an inconvenience to some, but it is with the best interest of the little ones at heart.
Do you have a kid’s menu?
No we don’t – However, we can do a small portion of scampi, or on Sundays, a small roast beef. Generally, our younger patrons tend to share a pie with the adults.
Do you allow children in the garden?
Accompanied children are welcome in the garden, yes, but unfortunately it is unsuitable as a play area.
The garden is situated across a road between the pub and the carpark, for their own safety, children MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult whilst in the garden and cannot cross the road or enter the pub unaccompanied.
We know how easy it can be to be distracted on a nice sunny day with a pint or a glass of chilled wine in your hand to not notice what the kids are up to. We totally respect that. But parents who allow their children to behave in a manner that can endanger themselves or others will be asked to leave.
Sorry if that seems harsh, we do not want any casualties due to a total lack of supervision or responsibility.
Do you serve anything other than pies?
Our menu is very pie-centric – but yes, we do offer a small selection of alternatives. Check out the “But not pies” section of our food menu. The slow-roasted lamb shoulder and our honey-roast ham hocks are extremely popular, and if we do say so ourselves, rather yummy.
Do you serve starters?
Nope, we dive straight into the mains. We’re going for a homely dining experience, and let’s be honest, who makes a starter for themselves at home? Besides, you’ll need all the room you can get for our fabulously filling pies.
What makes your pies ‘proper pies’?
Well for a start, they are ‘pot pies’ with both a lid and a base – and that’s rarely the case these days! They’re freshly prepared, made by hand, and cooked in a special traditional pie oven. You can find out all about our pies – but probably the best way to see what we mean, is to come taste one for yourself.
Can we share a pies?
Our pies are certainly substantial – but still represent a single portion, so we’d recommend a pie each. That said, we’d positively encourage you to try each other’s pies, and that’s why we serve each pie in its original dish for you to serve out onto an empty plate. Extra cutlery is freely available around the restaurant, as is kitchen roll and napkins – but please be aware that during busy periods we may charge for extra plates and portions.
Do you offer a choice of pastry?
Pies are prepared on the morning of service, some with puff pastry, others with shortcrust. But once they’re made, they’re made – so unfortunately we can’t offer you a choice beyond what’s on the menu. Trust the chef, he knows what pastry goes best with each filling!
Do you have vegetarian pies?
Yep, there’s normally a couple of vegetarian pies on offer. We don’t pack the menu with them as they’re not the biggest sellers – but on the plus side, that means we very rarely run out!
Do you serve puddings?
Oh yes, and what lovely puddings they are. Some are pastry based like our Treacle Tarts or Apple Pies and others like our Bread Pudding are not. It’s safe to say you will feel content after your meal. Our puddings have the same love put in to them as our pies, they are generous in size and freshly homemade.
Do you serve gluten free dishes?
We are unable to provide Gluten Free or even Low Gluten meals. The law stipulates that there must be less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten present in the food. You can imagine, in a pie pub with flour being used in abundance throughout the kitchen, there is no way we can meet this standard to keep you safe.
Do you cater for allergy sufferers?
Our pies are prepared in advance of your visit, and baked fresh on ordering, so individual requirements without notice are very difficult for us to cater for. On a positive note, because we make everything ourselves, we know exactly what ingredients have been used and can inform you of any allergens.
Can I reserve a pie?
We’re afraid not. Can’t book a table, and for the same principle, can’t book a pie either! We want to be fair to all our customers, so pies, like tables, are first come first served.
Do you offer a takeaway service?
Not at this moment in time, but we’re working on it!
Do you serve light snacks?
Dare we say, if you don’t have the appetite for a pie then this might not be the perfect place for you! We have nuts and crisps at the bar, and we can do a bowl of chips for you, but otherwise its pies all the way! There are some wonderful places nearby that do light snacks much better than us, so if it’s sandwiches and salads you’re after, we’ll be happy to recommend one of our neighbours.
Do you allow dogs in the pub?
Well behaved little four legged friends are welcome in the bar area if kept on a short leash. We have been successfully trialing three bar restaurant tables so you can bring them along with you for your meal out. As with all the other tables you can book these only for lunchtime.
If you are planning on bringing your favourite pooch along with you in the evening, please be aware we can get very busy and you may have to wait for a table to become available. Bringing your dog would be limiting yourselves from the choice of tables and you could have a much longer wait. Diners that arrive later than you without a dog may get seated before you.
Dogs are allowed in the garden but must be kept on a lead and cleaned up after if they get caught short…our garden is not a doggie loo. Children play on the grass and toddlers crawl on it too, so please make sure you keep an eye on your furry friend just in case.
What are your opening hours?
Please see our opening hours page for details.
Why is nobody answering my calls?
Our phones are manned only during pub opening hours, not office hours. Our opening hours are here. If you’re unable to call while we’re around, you should hopefully find any answers to your queries in our FAQ section.
Do you have a car park?
Yes we do, it has plenty of room as does the quiet lane we are situated on.
View the gallery to see everything we have to offer at The Marlstone Tavern
Find us
Go to the Find us page for directions and a large scale map:
Other ways to contact us
Marlstone Tavern
Milton Village
Banbury
Oxfordshire
OX15 4HH
Phone: 01295 40 40 45
Email: email
Opening hours
To eat
Mon – Sat: 12:00 – 14:30 then 18:00 – 21:00
Sun: 12:00 – 20:00
To drink
Mon – Thurs: 12:00 – 15:00 then 17:30 – 22:30
Fri – Sat: 12:00 – 22:30
Sun: 12:00 – 21:30
Work for us
Do you have a passion for pie?
If you love to help others, have a passion for pie and can spare as little as a few hours a week, then why not come and work for us. We’re always looking for conscientious people to join our team. Find out more on our work for us page.
Further information
Get in touch
You can get in touch with The Marlstone Tavern with any query you wish answered. But before you do, please remember our one and only rule, WE DO NOT TAKE BOOKINGS FOR THE EVENING SERVICE. You can also check out our comprehensive frequently asked questions section, chances are you’re not the first one to ask.
Food menu
If you crave good pie you are in for a real treat when you visit, The Marlstone Tavern. Our pie perfectionists conjure up heavenly creations, freshly made every day, full of flavour and packed full of love. So much love, you could consider our pies a love letter to yourself, they’ll certainly delight your lips and you might feel them on the hips!
About our pies
We’re also known as The Pie Pub and for very good reason, we are absolutely fanatical about pie. But not your standard Fry Bentos type pie, no that simply would not do. We hand make delicious tasting pies with flavour combinations designed to delight. You will leave the tavern with your taste buds tantalised and your stomach very content.
News at the tavern
- SUNDAY HOURS EXTENDEDNovember 19, 2024 - 6:40 pm
Aunt Sally SeasonApril 10, 2024 - 8:47 pm- Minted Lamb and potatoMarch 9, 2023 - 7:04 pm
