Bookings
1. HOW DO I BUY A TICKET AND MAKE A RESERVATION AT THE FAT DUCK?
Reservations and tickets for The Fat Duck are obtained through our website. The details for this are available on our Reservations page.
All reservations and tickets are subject to our Terms and Conditions.
2. WHEN WILL TICKETS BE RELEASED?
We release tickets, three months in advance, on the last Friday of the month at 12pm UK time. Ie. Tickets for July are released on the last Friday of April and the tickets for December are released on the last Friday in September. Follow us on social media to stay up to date on last minute availability or cancellations.
3. YOU MENTION TABLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR 2 TO 6 GUESTS. CAN I MAKE SEATING ARRANGEMENTS OUTSIDE OF THIS?
The Fat Duck is not a big restaurant, so the seating configuration is set; we are only able to offer tables for 2 – 6 guests. To discuss any specific requirements, such as reservations for multiple tables please contact our reservations team.
The Fat Duck is available for private hire events of up to 40 guests. Please get in touch with our reservations team under [email protected] to find out more.
4. HOW MUCH DOES THE TICKET COST?
The experience is between £275 per person - £395 per person including VAT, for food only (the price difference depends on the day of your booking, the menus remain exactly the same). Drinks, extras and service charge are in addition to this. We offer a selection of wine pairings and a full drinks menu.
5. HOW CAN I PAY FOR MY TICKET?
Payment for your ticket is made online by credit or debit card at the time of reservation, via our payment agent, Stripe. Methods of payment are regulated by Stripe.
6. WHAT DOES MY TICKET ENTITLE ME TO?
Your ticket entitles you to a confirmed reservation at The Fat Duck on the specified date, for a time and duration, and for a set number of diners, as detailed in your ticket, to enjoy The Sensorium Menu and the experience we will prepare for you. The ticket price includes full payment for the number of guests. However, extras, such as drinks and service charge, are in addition and paid for at the end of your meal.
7. CAN I MAKE A RESERVATION WITHOUT BUYING A TICKET?
No, we’re afraid not. Reservations and tickets are linked, so you can’t make a reservation without buying and paying in full for a ticket.
8. IS THERE A WAITING LIST IF I AM UNABLE TO MAKE A RESERVATION?
Yes. The waiting list will be open for dates within in our current 3 month booking period. Please visit the availability page in our booking site and if there are no tickets available, you will find an option to add your details to the waiting list, for your specific date and party size.
9. HOW DO I RECEIVE MY TICKET AND RESERVATION?
No physical ticket will be issued for your reservation; after payment, you will receive a confirmation by email that your order and payment has been received. This will confirm the date, time, duration and numbers for your reservation. Keep this document safe, as it has a unique reference code, relevant to your reservation, which you’ll need for all communications with us in the run-up to your visit.
If you do not receive your confirmation email, please get in contact with our Reservations Team, on [email protected].
10. HOW CAN I CONTACT THE FAT DUCK AND WILL I RECEIVE ANY OTHER COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING MY RESERVATION?
Prior to your arrival, you will receive a short questionnaire from us that you can fill in, to let us know of any special occasions and dietary requirements for you and your guests. Our team will also be in touch shortly before your reservation to confirm any finer details with you; at this point we will provide you with a contact telephone number and an email address for our team. For all other contact details, email [email protected].
11. CAN I BUY A GIFT VOUCHER FOR THE FAT DUCK?
No, we are afraid we do not offer gift vouchers as all tables are booked via our online booking system and paid for at the time of booking. However, tickets can be purchased as a gift by reserving the table under your own name and the tickets can then be transferred to the recipients at a later date. You will be able to make the transfer via your TOCK account or by contacting our Reservations Team.
Cancellations/Returns
12. WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED TO MAKE CHANGES TO MY RESERVATION OR TICKET?
We’re sorry but this isn’t possible. Due to the restaurant configuration and limited availability, we regret that changes cannot be made to your reservation or ticket, once your order has been received. However, please check our Cancellation Policy or our Returns Procedure; alternatively, please contact our Reservations Team for more information.
13. CAN I SELL MY TICKET OR RESERVATION?
Re-sale is prohibited by our Terms and Conditions.14. WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY?
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions. You may cancel at any time up to 14 days from receipt of your ticket by sending us an email on [email protected] and the amount you have paid to us will be refunded. Any cancellation after that period, up to 28 days before the date of your reservation, will be subject to our Returns procedure and we will only be able to issue you a payment, if we are able to take another reservation for your table. If we do not take another reservation for your table under the Returns procedure, or if you wish to cancel less than 28 days before the date of your reservation, we will not be able to issue any payment.
15. HOW DOES THE RETURNS PROCEDURE WORK?
If you wish to cancel outside of the 14 days cancellation period but more than 28 days before the date of your reservation, you will have to send us an email on [email protected], quoting your details and unique reference number, to cancel your reservation. If we are able to resell your table, your payment will be repaid 3 days after the date of your reservation. The amount refunded will depend on whether we have sold a ticket for the same number of diners. If we are not able to take another reservation for your table, we will not be able to make a payment to you. The Returns procedure is not available less than 28 days from the date of your reservation.
16. CAN I GET A REFUND OR CREDIT AGAINST MY FINAL BILL, IF I OR ANY OF MY GUESTS CANNOT ATTEND ON THE DAY?
No, we’re afraid not. Once your ticket has been issued for a number of diners, this cannot be changed.
THE EXPERIENCE
17. WHAT ARE THE OPENING AND CLOSING TIMES OF THE RESTAURANT?
We are open for lunch from 12pm and for dinner from 7pm from Tuesday to Saturday; the restaurant is closed all day on Sunday and Monday. For the festive period The Fat Duck will be closed for our annual Christmas holiday from 23rd December until we reopen on the 16th January.
18. CAN I ENJOY A DRINK AT THE FAT DUCK BEFORE MY MEAL?
As we are a small restaurant with limited space, we do not have a bar area. We factor a small window to enjoy a drink into your reservation time; however, should you wish to join us earlier than your stated reservation time, we kindly suggest a visit to either our sister restaurant, The Hinds Head next door, or The Crown in Bray.
19. WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE?
We do not have a dress code policy; however, we suggest smart casual attire.
20. CAN YOU CATER FOR DIETARY REQUIREMENTS?
We can usually cater for most health or allergy related dietary requests with prior notice. We will do our best to adapt the menu according to each individual guest’s dietary requirements. We would ask that you advise our team of any dietary requests when they contact you, so advance notice can be given to the kitchen.
21. DO I HAVE TO SELECT A DRINKS PAIRING? WHAT OTHER BEVERAGE CHOICES DO I HAVE?
You do not need to choose your drinks pairing at the time of reservation, you may decide this on the day and inform the team. We also have a drinks menu should you not want to have wine pairing which has a broad selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available in the restaurant on the day.
22. DO YOU HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE MENU?
We do not have an alternative menu, and it is the same experience for lunch and dinner each day the restaurant is open.
23. DO YOU HAVE A SERVICE CHARGE?
Yes, a discretionary service charge of 12.5% will be added to your final bill on the total value of your ticket, plus any extras you have, including drinks.
24. HOW CAN I PAY MY FINAL BILL?
You can pay your final bill at The Fat Duck by Visa, Visa Debit, MasterCard, American Express and in cash.
25. HOW LONG SHOULD WE ALLOW TO ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE?
The menu is a carefully staged series of dishes, so we advise you to allow about 3-4 hours to enjoy it comfortably.
26. ARE CHILDREN ALLOWED IN THE RESTAURANT?
Children are welcome in the restaurant; however, we do not recommend the menu for children under 10 years of age, we do not serve a children’s menu. As we have a very small restaurant, any children would need to be included in the overall size of the party and be subject to the full ticket price. Please contact the Reservations Team to enquire about bringing children to the restaurant.
27. DO YOU HAVE ACCESS FOR WHEELCHAIRS & BATHROOM FACILITIES FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS?
Yes, we have step-free access for wheelchairs in the restaurant, and bathroom facilities for wheelchair users. Please could you advise our team of your needs in advance so we can assign the most suitable table.
TRAVEL, PARKING & ACCOMMODATION
28. ARE THERE CAR-PARKING FACILITIES AT THE FAT DUCK?
Yes, we have a car park available opposite the restaurant for your use. There is no parking directly outside The Fat Duck although anyone needing close access can be dropped off by prior arrangement.
29. CAN I BE PICKED UP BY TAXI OR BY MY DRIVER?
There is limited space outside The Fat Duck but arrangements can be made for pick-up. However, we ask you to ensure that your taxi or driver does not wait outside but parks in the car park until you depart. The restaurant is in a residential area and we need to ensure that noise is kept to a minimum for our neighbours and that traffic is not interrupted.
30. HOW DO I FIND THE RESTAURANT
The Fat Duck is located within the picturesque Berkshire village of Bray; easily accessible from junction 8/9 of the M4 if driving and is within a short taxi ride from Maidenhead train station (Elizabeth Line & GWR mainline). Our team would be more than happy to assist with travel recommendations.
31. WHERE DO YOU RECOMMEND, I STAY OVERNIGHT?
The Fat Duck does not, sadly, have any overnight accommodation, however we highly recommend a stay with our friends at Bray Cottages - please contact us for further information.