The Restaurant

Book a table

The Garden

Bar and Wine List

Open for…

Lunch Tuesday to Saturday / Dinner Friday and Saturday

Restaurant in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire

William’s Restaurant 

Following a full-scale refurbishment in January 2020, which nearly doubled seating capacity, the new restaurant at William’s features a barista coffee machine, wood-panelled bar, comfortable banquette-style seating, oak tables and chairs upholstered in vibrant leathers and velvets, as well as new coastal wall art and softer up-lighting. Large chalkboards advertise the daily seafood catch and any specials available.

Restaurant opening hours have been extended to include both Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as lunch five days per week from Tuesday to Saturday.

Our daily-changing menu usually includes favourites such as Freshly Shucked Oysters, Giant Split Prawns with Garlic Butter, the famous William’s Fish Soup, Moules Frites and Whole Roasted Dover Sole, in addition to non-fish dishes such as Rib-Eye Steak with Béarnaise and Walnut Stuffed Aubergine with Pomegranate.

The restaurant sits in pride of place in the centre of Nailsworth, framed by a famous willow tree which provides dappled shade for diners in our garden in the summer months.

What’s on offer…

Lunchtime Menu

Served from 12pm until 2.30pm from Tuesday to Saturday. 

Evening Menu

Served every Friday and Saturday evening from 6-11pm.

Tues & Weds Special

Our prix fixe menu will be back on Tues & Weds lunchtimes from 9 January 2024 – £25 for Two Courses 

Sustainability

We are proud to support the Cornish fishing industry with nearly all our MSC Certified fish caught on small day boats and delivered to us each morning.

 About us

The Garden

Large French doors open out onto a newly-refurbished garden terrace, where the dappled shade of our famous weeping willow awaits and the sound of Nailsworth’s babbling stream. Tables are spread over three floors of hardwood decking with additional seating perched on the bridge over the river. What better way to enjoy fresh seafood ‘al fresco’ with a glass of chilled rosé? Our outside tables can be booked online during the summer months and  additional tables will be available on the day, so do call us if you’re struggling to secure a reservation. 

Bar

We are very proud of our new wood-panelled bar, now featuring all your favourite tipples including a selection of gins, vodkas, Campari and rum, as well as Digestifs such as Cockburn’s Port, Cognac, Limoncello and malt whiskey. Our range of beers is from local brewery, Stroud Ales, and we also feature local and Normandy ciders.

Soft drinks include Luscombe Drinks, San Pellegrino flavours, freshly squeezed fruit juices, as well as coke, diet coke, lemonade and a large range of mixers.

Owner Ed Playne is passionate about the William’s wine list. It currently features a wealth of white wines including Picpoul, Sauvignon and a number of white Burgundies such as Puligny Montrachet, Chablis and Macon, all of which pair beautifully with shellfish. Our Provencal rosés are very popular, often enjoyed ‘al fresco’ in the summer months, as is our Grande Reserve Telmont Champagne and large choice of red wines including Rioja, Brouilly, Merlot and Nuit Saint Georges.

Opening Times

Tue to Thu:
10-4pm (last booking 2.30pm)

Fri & Sat
9-4pm (last booking 2.30pm)
6-11pm (restaurant only, last booking 8.30pm)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have vegetarian, non-fish or vegan dishes on the menu?
Although we are primarily a fish restaurant, we do always have at least one meat dish (starter and main course) on the menu, as well as a vegetarian option. Often the vegetarian option is also suitable for vegans but we would always recommend you let our chefs know in advance so we can ensure the availability of vegan dishes. There is always a large selection of freshly made salads & antipasti in the delicatessen which are also often popular with our vegan diners.
I have specific dietary requirements; can you accommodate this?
We take allergies extremely seriously at William’s and would ask that you let our waiting staff know if you have any allergies or intolerances when ordering and they can advise accordingly. As all the food is freshly cooked to order, our chefs can nearly always accommodate specific requirements. The vast majority of the dishes on our menu are also gluten free, though we do always recommend you let our waiting staff know if you require a gluten free meal.
Do you have wheelchair access?
Yes. We have many tables on the lower section of the restaurant so there are no steps required to access your table. The double front doors can be opened wide to allow easy wheelchair access. Although we are on a busy road, it is possible to stop a car outside William’s, with the hazard lights on, to drop off any customers who may have mobility issues. Do let us know if we can be of any assistance in this regard. Unfortunately, we do not yet have any downstairs toilets but there are many accessible facilities nearby.
Do you allow babies and children in the restaurant?

Children and babies are always welcome at William’s. We have a number of high chairs and a double door entrance to allow easy access for pushchairs. We open at 5.30pm on Friday and Saturday evenings to suit families with young children.

Do you allow dogs in the restaurant?

Due to the increased hygiene restrictions with Covid-19, we do not currently allow dogs inside the restaurant. We do, however, allow dogs at outside tables and guide dogs are of course always welcome.

Where can I park?
We are very lucky in Nailsworth to have ample free parking for two hours all around the town, including a number of bays directly behind the restaurant. There is nearly always a space available nearby. We do also have a private car park for customers at the back of the building but space is limited.
Can I choose a specific table or choose to eat outside?
Yes, please let us know at the time of booking which table you would like and we will do our best to accommodate. We cannot always guarantee your preferred table, if there is, for example a large group booking that cannot be seated elsewhere, but this is a rare occurrence. On sunny days or evenings, do let us know if you would prefer an outside or inside table and we will arrange this for you.