Franklins in Southwark

Andrew Spencer thchilds Amazing place food amazing lovely aysomphere and friendly

Franklins consistently provides an excellent meal. We went with a friend mid week and then as a family of six for Sunday Lunch and both were a joy Lovely friendly yet professional service on both occasions

lovely spot, this. Nice crowd, good food. Sometimes the music is a bit off, but come on, perfection is overrated.

Great food - lovely mix of classic with great twists - thank you! Staff were great too - the mix of real friendliness and efficiency. One of the best experiences we have had of late. We will be back!

I’ve been a few times to Franklin’s and generally always been happy . Today however the main course was disappointing. We had the corn fed chicken and roast potatoes . Both were over cooked and dry . We asked for more gravy which was not a problem at all.

I had my wedding lunch at Franklins, and I must admit it was truly special. Siobhan was excellent at understanding our needs, but in general, everyone working there was extremely kind. I highly recommend it for an intimate and refined wedding.

We eat frequently at Franklins and it is generally good. The Sunday roast however was really disappointing. In hindsight we should have sent it back. The roast pork was fine but the roast potatoes were both not crisp and burnt, with a slightly acrid flavour. The crackling was uneatable and the Yorkshire pudding was doughy and underdone. 6 of 8 of us had the pork and nobody ate more than half the plate. I suspect the kitchen got the message from what was coming back from the table.

Very meaty menu - would love more veggie or vegan options. Staff fab, quiet, comfy.

A return visit that was met with a bit of disappointment. We weren’t as a group of three allowed to pick from both the main menu and the set menu as we were told we all had to pick from the same menu. The set menu was very limited and didn’t have a fish or poultry choice. However we all picked from the set menu as two out of three wanted choices from it, and then the starter was very disappointing and underwhelming.

The manageress was rude when we politely asked for the bread to be toasted as it wasn't fresh. She took it away without apology and said very loudly to the lovely waitress " it is fresh " . She did apologise for the bread when she brought it back toasted, and took it off the bill. The restaurant was cold and when I asked to move to another table by the radiator she said it was taken by a table of 4 but that wasn't true. She obviously took a dislike to us even though we were polite throughout. The main and dessert were lovely.

Lovely food and service, enjoyed it and would recommend. Excellent 25 year anniversary menu

Delicious Sunday roast, great puddings, and friendly, quick and attentive service. Will definitely be back!

Great service fantastic food and I loved it all - lovely

Éramos dos parejas, nuestras comidas eran diferentes; una ternera, una perdiz, una carne de cerdo y una vegetariana. Todos estuvimos de acuerdo en que nuestras comidas eran terribles; la carne de res (asada) era dura y terminó en una bolsa para perros, las papas empapadas, el cerdo era insípido, la perdiz seca, mal presentada, y la única verdura con ella era un poco de col rizada masticable húmeda, la comida vegetariana era aburrida e insípida. Sin postre, ya que no podíamos esperar para salir. El personal era agradable, pero el servicio era terriblemente lento. Añadido a esto manteles de papel, servilletas de papel y sin calefacción cuando llegamos, no volveremos.

Come here every now and again because I think the Guinness is good not much of a pub atmosphere but apparently the food is decent. Anyway stopped for a Guinness, guys poured it in a straight glass, I’ve said you should let me know before hand that you don’t have any Guinness glasses as I wouldn’t have had it, he has a little chuckle and says why because you can’t split the G. No because I’m a paying customer who likes a Guinness done in the proper way end of, call me fickle but would I have a glass of red In pint glass, no

The first table we were given was by the door - if we hadn’t have been able to move I think we would have left because it was freezing

Franklin's is reliably comfortable and welcoming and the food is understated and excellent.

The tables for two are tiny and we were put next to a door to the outside with a draught. When I mentioned it to the waiter they didn’t offer us another table even though every table but one was empty when we arrived. The food was sensational. It’s why we love coming there. The portions were smaller than I remember and the bill for two was £200 but the quality of food and drink is the best in the area.

Had such a nice time there! Service was stunning and the food was amazing! You can tell they put pride into their food and you know its locally sourced, great to see business putting back into locally grown suppliers. Wait staff were amazing too, making sure our needs were tended too. Will definitely be recommending this place to our friends!. Our waiter Tom was so good too! He explained the menu perfectly to us!

It’s a good space. And the staff are friendly. Food not particularly great. Bill quite steep. Not as special as it once was

Really worth trying, excellent restaurant in typical English style, truly excellent cuisine prepared with care, excellent wine and selection of whisky. Highly recommended

They were understaffed which wasn’t their fault but it took a little while to get the menus. Think we would need to go back again to experience it better

Overall very disappointed for the price and promise - £30 bottle of pinot noir was terrible. The bread was dry and stale and generally food lacked lustre.

Mi esposa y yo fuimos a almorzar a Franklins ayer. El almuerzo parecía apetitoso, así que optamos por un plato de cordero y lubina, que eran excelentes Los budines eran agradables pero no excepcionales Bonita copa de Malbec y una encantadora Cremant completaron la comida

Exciting wine tasting evenings to discover precious gems from Europe and beyond

Consistently the best Sunday roast in East Dulwich. We all had the beef served with a massive Yorkshire Pudding with their homemade horseradish. Always a treat I’d highly recommend.

This is quality eating of quality product. A well balanced, short and seasonal menu, full flavoured and interesting. Complemented by an engaging, good value wine list, it also offers savouries as well as puddings. Wow. On a Friday the restaurant was gratifyingly full. Still great.

A really good English restaurant with an imaginative 'old-fashioned' menu. We find it a real treat to dine here.

This was a birthday meal for 4. We all chose different dishes and all were delicious. We had an excellent bottle of Syrah. The service was impeccable.

Very good atmosphere, not rushed, attentive staff.

A wonderful local treasure! Excellent cooking and some rarely-seen dishes based on offal and game in season. Fish preparation a particular strength. Good wine list, excellent draught Guinness (including 0 per cent) and lethal cocktails.

We celebrated our wedding breakfast at Franklin's in September, and it was an unforgettable day-to-evening experience. The food at Franklin's is always exceptional and distinctive, perfectly capturing their ethos of nose-to-tail cooking and authentic dining. We’ve always loved the restaurant’s unique blend of a relaxed pub atmosphere with refined touches, like white tablecloths, which made it feel both warm and elegant for our special occasion. The staff were outstanding, with Siobhan in particular going above and beyond to make everything perfect. She was relaxed, attentive, and called us a few times beforehand to confirm all the details, ensuring everything was well-organised. I was especially touched when she asked about the colours of my bridal bouquet so she could match the table flowers — a small but thoughtful detail that made the day feel even more personal. The room was beautifully decorated, and the service throughout was impeccable — professional, attentive, and seamless. They took great care of our guests, catering to kids' food preferences and accommodating requests with ease. A few days before the wedding, we dropped in for an impromptu wine tasting, and the staff were incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable. Thanks to the fantastic team at Franklin's — from management to waitstaff and chefs — our wedding breakfast is a memory we will always cherish. We can’t wait to return soon! Ellis & Nick

We have lived locally for 30+ years and have not been to Franklin’s in a long time. The restaurant was over full today. There were too many diners wedged in so closely that waiting staff could barely serve the food. The volume of so many people talking all at once made our lunch less than enjoyable, as it was so difficult to hear one another properly. Our waitress was lovely and the venison was delicious. The rest of the meal was pretty unremarkable. We shan’t be rushing back.

Very good overall experience. Given its a family friendly venue, a short children's menu would be a good addition. Offering a half roast is a good step but not always popular with under 10's.

Love this place. Food is great and the staff are the best. Their wine nights are fantastic value.

My partner and I held our wedding reception at Franklins, and we couldn't recommend it enough, both as a venue and a friendly place to just drop in. The food, wine, atmosphere, and staff are all impeccable.

Excellent menu for Sunday lunch time. Friendly staff and good speed of service. Children welcome but still feels like an adult environment. Will keep returning to Franklins.

This was our third visit to Franklin’s. It was the second time they had forgotten our order and we waited about 70 mins for our mains and in the end just cancelled it and went without. They gave us a couple free oysters as an apology. The quality of the food that we did get was also pretty average. The bread with the chicken pate was not fresh and I was given the end slice of the loaf. The cream with our dessert was from a can. It’s a nice enough casual restaurant but due to our negative experience (twice now) I won’t be going back again.

We ordered the mozzarella and tomatoes on fried break. We received a few croutons so we had to order some bread. The oysters we ordered were not delivered at all which we were very excited by. The steak came with no sides and was asked it to be cooked rare and was delivered on the medium side. There was no redness on the plate. The partridge was dry and had very little to no meat on it. Not worth the order at all. The chips we good. They gave us a complimentary glass of procesco as it was our anniversary. Overall a very unsatisfactory dinner unfortunately.

Franklin’s is always homely and comforting. Good quality ingredients and lovely ambience and good service. Great local

Great food drinks service on a Monday night .

Buen ambiente y un servicio amable - pero, comida horrible. Una afirmación fuerte que conozco, pero honestamente, el cerdo asado era principalmente no comestible, solo grasa y gragea, las ‘patatas asadas’ ni siquiera estaban ligeramente asadas y los restos realmente pequeños de zanahoria asada y nabo eran duros y masticables. Definitivamente no vale la pena pagar por ello, pero no quería causar una escena. Vergüenza ya que el lugar promete mucho más. No lo arriesgaré de nuevo.

Brilliant lunch! Oysters, lamb, butterscotch tart all delicious along with wine and cocktails. Friendly and quick service too. We look forward to a return visit as the bar menu looked pretty good too.

Excellent food and service in a lovely atmosphere.

Excellent evening. Really good attention to nut allergy. Great atmosphere and wonderful food !

Deliciosa comida. Menú sencillo, cambiado diariamente. Ambiente relajado. servicio fabuloso. Este lugar es imprescindible para cualquier ocasión. Hemos tenido una cena de cumpleaños allí y esta noche un placer de fin de semana. Un año de diferencia y el estándar es consistentemente perfecto.

Always a reliable place to go for a lovely lunch or supper out with friends or family. A neighbourhood gem!

So fortunate to have this excellent restaurant serving the best of seasonal British cuisine so close to home, but I’d travel far to experience it. Comfortable space, friendly efficient staff and knock out food. The only thing I could perhaps do without is the music. Lovely place.

Really lovely food in a pleasant room and relaxed atmosphere. Friendly service.

We've been to Franklins a couple times, not in a planned way but having found ourselves in East Dulwich and needing to grab a bite to eat. Must make our visits more intentional as eating there has yet to be anything less than an absolute delight. My mother has mobility issues and walks with a walker these days that can make getting in and out of restaurants a challenge, they bent over backwards to ease her path to our table at the same time making it feel like it wasn't the remotest effort to facilitate. So they're a fantastic and welcoming team, but their hospitality is absolutely matched by their creative and perfectly cooked menu, like I say we've yet to be anything less than delighted by the food. We were at Glyndebourne yesterday and good as the catering at Glyndebourne was, our meal at Franklins was an order of magnitude better. Now if Franklins could just stage an impromptu performance of Carmen........ can't recommend Franklins highly enough, you won't be disappointed.

It was so delicious delicious delicious Friend waiter Brilliant time

Went for a Sunday roast at Frankins. The food was absolutely amazing and the settings in the restaurant are lovely. Highly recommend

Service good, venue comfortable, food hit and miss. Really good steak and pork belly. Sea bream good. Really poor calves liver…small, all sinew and not even seared. No bacon as advertised. Deserts really poor. Summer pudding with no taste and slab consistency. One stewed plum on the ice cream with plums..basically just the skin. Drab, tiny messy blancmange. They can cook but the kitchen needs a firm hand and they need to pay attention to detail.

We went to Franklin’s to celebrate our grand daughters success at A level and we were delighted that she and her friend enjoyed their steak My wife’s Prawns and Alioli were nice but my Calves Liver, bacon and onions were awful. The liver was “pap”, the onions and potatoes undercooked and bacon bits was not as I expected So disappointing

Excellent local high end restaurant with beautiful ambiance and lovely relaxed yet sophisticated setting

Food lovely. Liver perfect, jus slightly too salty, but everything else fab. Yoghurt plum icecream tasty and light. Nice service. Inside very full and noisy, outside ok but a bit cold. Will be back!

It's lovely sitting here on a warm summers evening. The tables outside at the front get the sun most evening. It wasn't too busy but the services wasn't great. Turned up after making a booking and they had no record of me requesting a table outside, luckily there were plenty. I think they should of had more staff. I had to go in to order and also had to go back in to ask for finger bowls when we'd ordered prawns. I will go back because it's a lovely spot, with nice wine options and decent food reasonably priced. You just have to make an effort to get served. The staff are really nice just spread too thinly.

A little gem in East Dulwich. With a changing menu which always has something interesting and good service this is definitely a place to visit!

Excellent food, brilliant service and great quality wine

Great food and charming relaxed atmosphere.

We've been a few times, always great food, wine and service. Looking forward to visiting again soon!

Fabulous set menu. Every course was perfect and great value

Very friendly and accommodating, we changed our booking on the day from evening to lunchtime and it was totally smooth and easy to do so. The layout in the restaurant, bar and outside was attractively done yet simple and fresh. The flower on the table, a peach rose, was really appreciated. We dined outside and enjoyed the ambiance of Lordship Lane and the bustle of life there. Service was outstanding, very personable waitress who was perfectly attentive and organised and discreet, but there for a chat when we engaged. Her knowledge on the menu choices was excellent which is essential. I wouldn’t hesitate to go again and multiple times if only we lived in East Dulwich but we were visitors from North Yorks! Roll on the next we are in that neck of the woods and we can revisit Franklins for a second faultless experience. Well done Franklins.

Very nice Dulwich brewed lager in their today and spoke to all people lovely Cindy and another couple about their French bulldog And pint nice refreshing Didn't have any food but it looked very nice and smelt nice so I give 5 smell presentation and everyone liked so I will try soon

This was recommended by our son who lives in South London. Franklins is a small venue within the middle of Dulwich. It is difficult to find somewhere to park nearby but it worth the trip. The vibe is cool Gastro pub. They make some really interesting cocktails, all at very reasonable prices. The menu is brief & frequently changed on a seasonal basis. All ingredients are excellent & rely on quality & freshness to carry them through. We particularly enjoyed the pigeon & crab dishes. An excellent choice & will definitely come again if in the area. Franklins is understandably very popular so does need booking ahead.

Great lunchtime meal with decent wine & beer list & helpful service

The whole evening was brilliant. At a push I’d say a little more mozzarella on the caprese salad though it was still delicious. The steaks were incredible as was the Barnsley chop. The food looked great and well presented. The atmosphere is perfect for any occasion. The service was second to none. Well done and thank you.

Excellent meal all round, especially the Barolo !

The staff were wonderful. And what a lovely setting. The bread was really hard, starters stunning and the vegetarian option was delicious but as a party of 6 that stated there were many vegetarians it would have been good to see a second vegetarian option available. The fish and meat dish that our guests had said the meat and fish quality weren’t the best but a well balanced intricate plate.

The perfect neighbourhood restaurant. The Sunday roasts are legendary but I am always drawn by the fish dishes which are outstanding. This Sunday lunch started with some fabulous cured salmon and this was followed by a perfectly-cooked fresh mackerel with cubes of braised celeriac and green olives. The home-made ice-cream is always a winner and this week's with salted caramel nuts was just that. Thanks to all the lovely staff who make every return visit such a pleasure.

Lovely pub. Will definitely go back for food.

Very pleasant environment, service and food with a very competitive price.

Very disappointed with the menu, especially the starters and very limited choice for vegetarian guest. Her main course of colrabi peas & potatoes came in a grey waters “jus” and probably the most unappealing dish I’ve ever seen served in a London restaurant. Mackerel on next table was unpleasantly strong and off putting. Out two meat main courses were good with excellent roast veg & potatoes. Although few tables were taken we were seated next to the kitchen door and noise level in restaurant was very loud despite few diners - space is an echo box Given the number of choices on Lordship Lane I’ll go elsewhere next time.

A Lordship Lane institution. Great pub, lovely restaurant and fantastic staff. I love this place!

A real local gem with many faithful fans. The food is always super-fresh and seasonal and cooking precise and skilful. The Sunday roasts are legendary. Home-made rollmops and smoked haddock or mackerel brandade are not to be missed starters. Good wine list and star cocktails.

Fantastic food, great wine, service and atmosphere always good.

Fantastic delicious seasonal food at a friendly local pub. We sat outside in the sun and enjoyed perfect food and service.

So we are here drinking and eating chips in here from 17.40 and at 19:15 then someone slaps a sign on our table indicating that we have to move by 8pm as it reserved. Not a word was spoken to us when it was literally slapped down on table. Even though we have spent ££££ in here on drinks all of a sudden you feel like your not welcome as someone has requested to sit on the table in the bar area to have food when the restaurant part of the establishment is empty. I don’t know about you but I think you should not be able to be just turfed off a table when you’re spending good money. Total spoiled the evening and will never drink here again

A Lordship Lane institution, very good food, phenomenal staff. Ciao Dorota!

Really good food and service. Good selection of wines.

Wine was great! Food was just OK. I’m a vegetarian and the only vegetarian main felt like a leftover type brunch - not what you’re after for a Sunday meal.

I went to Franklins to treat my Mum to a Valentine’s Day dinner. Staff, particularly the waitress serving us, were initially friendly and we were seated quickly. Our orders were taken quickly but it was downhill from there. We had to wait over 20 mins to receive our drinks and I noticed the couple next to us that were seated a good 15 mins after us were already drinking from a bottle of wine. We waited over 45 minutes for our starters and were only served after we asked (the couple next to use were served their starters before us). Similar to our starters, we had to wait over 30 mins for our main and we had to ask for updates twice. We were told the kitchen were having issues and I was offered a glass of wine. We were finally served our main (again, the couple next to us were served their main before us) to which mine was bland. After over 20 minutes waiting for our desert (during which the couple next to us left after finishing their desert and paying), I asked for an update and I was told the kitchen was busy today. After discussing with my mum we decided to cancel the desert so we could leave as it had already been 2 hours since we had been seated. The waitress explained the deserts were ready but I insisted we leave as it had been over 2 hours since we had been seated. The waitress then brought the bill. It had no discount on the set menu (I expected they would’ve applied this automatically based on the constant delays) and it included service charge. After I requested the service charge be removed, the waitress walked off visibly agitated in a huff. After returning with the new receipt she then asked me “have you ever worked in hospitality?” This is unacceptable. My mother and I were clearly subjected to very poor service and to be asked that question after I, rightly, requested the service charge be removed is quite frankly rude. Being busy is not an excuse for poor service. Accept the number of diners you can handle whilst still providing good service. This ruined dinner with my mother. I would not recommend this restaurant. Update: The owner has since contacted me, apologised, offered me a full refund and an opportunity to return with some drinks on them 👍🏾

Excellent lunch choice, Good variety in menu and busy enough midweek/midday for an upbeat atmosphere.

The wonderful atmosphere and stupendous food is worth the journey to get here. The waiters are always so warm and informative and the set menu is great value. The kitchen has an open hatch so you can watch the theatre of the magic all happening in front of your eyes. Must make an effort and get out more.

What can I complain about!!! On this occasion nothing. Table, greeting, wine, menu choice, oysters, starters, main course (roast partridge) sublime .. dessert, followed by whelsh rarebit. Spending money is easy when everything is excellent. Yes every dish was 10/10.. we had drove from Norfolk just for lunch.. and it was worth it. The waitress was exceptional and loved her job. thank you for making an excellent meal perfect.

Will, Lukasz, Archie, Alex and Steven were great. Thanks for a delicious birthday dinner and exceptional service. Happy Christmas!

Thoroughly enjoyed the an evening of delicious food. The chicken terrine, venison and the pudding from the Christmas menu were all superb, and very reasonably priced. Staff were friendly and attentive and a busy but pleasant atmosphere.

The table was up against a radiator, so we were rather over-heated. The chairs are very uncomfortable. Unhappy, brusque waiter. The food and wine are very pricey. The food is over-priced. I had the mackerel to start. There was too little of it buried in a tangle of oily under-seasoned salad leaves. The main, white beans and aubergine was fantastic: tasty, beautifully cooked, looked delicious and tasted delicious. It could have done with some bread on the side. The pudding was very small. The panna cotta was a bit too solid, the walnut and cranberry tart tasted of neither, sadly. The cream and ice cream were gorgeous. The wine was really good if over-priced. An expensive evening.

Amazing atmosphere, super friendly staff and gorgeous food !

Love this place. Delicious food, great wine , great beer and great staff. Set course lunches are amazing value and there is always something a bit different for all tastes. Can't wait for my next visit.

Ate lunch here today for the second time in a couple of weeks. Franklins has been a frequent venue for special occassions for us over the years and maintains it's excellent level of quality and service. The set lunch option is incredible value for money and the evening meals make for a lovely setting with friendly service. The food is lovingly and freshly prepared on premises, with an interesting menu, differing from many offerings. They have an excellent, well-priced wine list and have the knowledge to provide recommendations. Every time I go, I am bowled over by how friendly and professional everybody is. Highly recommend.

Best dry vodka martini I’ve ever had. The twist was very elegant. Made by a charming young man called Archie

Amazing roast and great vibe, lovely staff

We sat outside on a lovely September day. Franklins is dog friendly so we had a choice of in or out. Lunch comprised of Leek and potato soup, Cod fish cakes with tartare sauce and chips and Yoghurt panna cotta & spiced apple At £16.95 for two courses Franklins is excellent value

This is a family favourite! Very accommodating with kids and there is always something on the menu that my toddler would like plus excellent chips and sides. We like the ever changing seasonal menu and the food is top notch and fresh.

A home run for Saturday lunch post Dulwich Picture Gallery with the in-laws. A lovely gem in south London on a picturesque street. Brilliant brisket following a starter of rock oysters. Delightful veggie option in the roast aubergine and butter bean hash. Just a perfect pretty spot with great service on a lovely street with veg, cheese, and fish markets nearby.

One of my favourite local restaurants 🤩 These guys do amazing cocktails, beer and wine if you just fancy a drink. For diners there‘a a seasonal menu in the restaurant serving up livingly prepared modern British grub and a fantastic selection of moreish bar snacks. Everything these guys do is meticulously executed and made with love. The team are friendly, fun and can’t do enough to help!

We had a lovely evening... Great service and atmosphere. I enjoyed the wine list and also the limited but very interesting menu with options for everyone. I prefer to have set of 5 to 8 starters and same for the mains. I expected my schnitzel different, or next time call it schnitzel with sauce over it and fried egg.. but it was good but very filling (not so light 😉). Cremant d'alsace (Champagne from the Alsace) was very good.

Food as always has been delicious and the vibe from Max & Lawrence made our experience here. You just feel treated and welcomed. Roast is a must and paired it with some of their brilliant wines. Thank you all

Overpriced. Underwhelming. Slowwwwww. Do not the guineafowl. Waited forever for food, service and the guineafowl was tough and the sauce watery. Just no.