Franklins in Southwark

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.

I just texted the restaurant this message and I have been very kind as could have rated it worse. " We came for dinner last night, I like to report that food was really bad quality, I had the veal, it was dry, overcooked and cold, and didn't look freshly cooked, I don't feel well today with stomach issues. So was the cheese platter. I mentioned it to the waitress but didn't want to make a fuss and spoil the evening, but this was totally poor quality and a complete ripoff. And we were only one of the two tables in the whole restaurant, so no atmosphere!! I will not be back for sure. Have a great day

I remember this place for way back when I still had a car - amazing breakfast & knock out coffee (big mistake in London) so when my friend said he was in town (East Dulwich) and where to meet I booked here for 6 of us for Sunday lunch, you have options on booking of al fresco, bar & at the back the restaurant with the white clothed tables (cuts down on noise - Shoreditch restaurants take note) The staff were great tucked away our Brompton's bikes, and were attentive without being over bearing. We had the Sunday roasts 7 the crackling cracked and our stomachs were filled, everyone was v happy so I must make an effort and be back for breakfast with that coffee (highly recommended)

Franklins is my favourite place to eat in Dulwich. Traditional brasserie dining with an English twist, real ales on tap (whats not to like), and a cosy atmosphere to boot. Highly recommended

Food an absolute disgrace,,,,,,I'd be imbarrest to serve food the way we got it ,,,,a disgrace and a rob ,, wouldn't advertise anyone else to eat in there

We ate here on a Friday night, after my cousin had told us about her great experience previously. We liked the quaint decor and felt like we were on holiday as we were seated in the restaurant area next to the open kitchen. All the dishes looked amazing as they were prepared and although the menu is small, it seems it is done very well. We ordered a pre-starter of oysters, which were delicious with great condiments. Our main courses arrived and we were not disappointed - good portions (although sides need to be ordered separately, they are also generous portions) and cooked to perfection. We felt the prices were reasonable given the quality of food and service. We had one small issue but it was solved immediately. We can't wait to visit again to try some of their other dishes!

Like all the greatest hostelries, Franklins is imbued with a unique personality that stems not from some cynical pub-centric interior designer, but from the idiosyncrasies of its noble landlords Rod and Tim. From the fantastic bar and waiting staff through to the kitchen and it's often exquisite menu, this is a wonderful pub & restaurant. Highly recommended.

Tasty home cooked food, varied menu and nice wine list, a pleasure

Have been to franklins on many occasions. Really enjoy the seasonal menu and atmosphere. Sunday lunches are a favourite

Good East Dulwich gastropub on Lordship Lane. Two cask beers on handpump when I last visited. Lots of outdoor seating some of it covered. Interesting menu but I have not eaten here for a long time and therefore cannot judge the food.

Franklin's is a long time East Dulwich stalwart that serves beautifully cooked tradional British food in a vibrant and unpretentious environment. The brunch and daily set menu represent excellent value and the menu changes daily with fresh , organica and locally sourced produce. Never fails to deliver and have been going back again and again over the last twenty years. Highly recommended.

Not much on the menu in terms of choice but nice atmosphere and friendly staff

Stumbled in here at 9.45pm on a Thursday evening. They accommodated us for a stunning late dinner. Our bartender/waiter (who had the energy of a pub owner?) was awesome. The duck was possibly some of the best duck I've ever tasted. My partner's veal was slightly drier than we liked it but it was no biggy, still cleaned the plates. Dessert was also tasty and the environment was just vibesy and cute. Very Easy Dulwich.

Had a last minute meal. Service was charming and impeccable, thanks Luka for looking after us. ; )

Most authentic and tasty Sunday roast in South London. Beef and roasties cooked to perfection. Gravy smooth as silk. Sharp as knife horseradish and unreal chevy and eggy Yorkshire. Go with kids and share a roast! Stay out if sunny! Good and honest people serving and taking care of your family! Rarely to experience British hospitality and awesome tasting traditional food!

I love coming here. The staff, the food, the drinks, the atmosphere, the beautiful light through the windows. I always hope it will be as good as I remember, and it always is. Somewhere that does what it does very well, and has the confidence to keep doing it. Go, and go again.

Two and a half hours over dinner may fly by with an exciting date or amusing companions. But when there are two kids and two eighty-somethings in the party you really need service to be a bit quicker and more responsive. As for the food. My calf's liver main was perfectly OK however:asparagus starter was served stone cold, rare steak was near enough well done, new potatoes were mushy and overcooked. I could go on. Generally a lack of attention to detail. Unfortunately when kept waiting an inordinate time for food one can be reluctant to send food back in order to avoid further delay and generally dampening the mood. What a shame!

My husband and I visited Franklins for a evening meal mid week. We were excited as had heard very good reviews and seen good reviews online. Initial impressions were that the environment was nice and the atmosphere enjoyable but the paper tablecloth and napkins were disappointing, also our wine glasses were removed without asking if we wanted wine. We ordered prawns and pigeon to start. Both were bland, unsalted and flavourless – not to mention expensive! We noticed that a couple on a table next to us we served bread before their starters but we were not given this option. For main, we had the ox cheek and Barnsley chop – again unsalted and bland. It was pub food for fine dining prices. The accompaniments did not go with the dishes and the chunky chips we were served were equally underwhelming. Each main cost between £25-£30. The service was okay but not impressive - or particularly helpful. When we were first seated we were not served with drinks menus and had to ask to be served them, for example. The waiters and waitresses were not that attentive whilst we were at the table either. Overall, we have had meals that cost a similar total price (£150) with far, far better food quality and much improved service and environment. Despite being local, we will not be returning again.

Brilliant food, I had the cod, which was cooked perfectly. Atmosphere spoiled a bit by excessive noise from upstairs, a combination of a wedding party, loud music, and constant reruns of someone's coronation. Still, the company was great, and the staff were brilliant 👏 👌 👍 😀

I would give 3.5 stars (but can’t figure out how to do it), it is nice, food was good and service good but just something is missing / could be done better - and it is a tad overpriced. We booked and were sat at a table in front of a wall - we had to asked to be moved to a window table, the waitress mumbled that they were reserved but then moved us. They weren’t reserved - really find it frustrating when customers who book tables are given the poorest ones.

What a great experience! We booked for 8:00pm and then phoned to ask if we could make it 7:15 and if we could bring our dog - nothing was too much trouble Lovely drinks: Margaritas, wines by the glass and Prosecco We all opted for steak with chips and a side salad which were great Very professional service Franklin’s expensive but worth it for the quality

Delicious food in a lovely, lively area. Staff was very friendly, helpful and they made our visit a lot more enjoyable than just a Sunday roast.❤️

Great place to eat , excellent food

Great service, awesome atmosphere!!!!

Great place had a bacon sandwich and the bread was so burnt 😩 will definitely be back though.

The service ranged from over attentive, 3 separate people asking to take our drinks order every few minutes despite us saying we wanted time to review the menu, to the bill being thrown down in front of us and the menus snatched from the table. The food was bland, the portions small and it was very overpriced. The starter was a nonevent, chewy prawns that I couldn't get the shells off and garlic mayonnaise. The main course (at £27) was literally just a small piece of steak, still with a wooden stick inside it, and barely enough sauce for half the small thin steak. All accompaniments had to be ordered separately so it was another £8 for some very average chips and some cabbage. My husband liked his food even less! Definitely wouldn't recommend this place, it was a waste of money. The bill came to £150 including 2 glasses of wine (one large, one medium and two cocktails) so not a cheap experience!

Quick friendly service for a Sunday lunch with a couple of roast options and a good choice of interesting alternative dishes. Nice wine list, and switched on for gluten free awareness. Don’t know about weekdays but plenty of free off street parking on Sundays

Staff were kind and provided a good service and very accommodating of kids/babies (although nothing they can eat). However the food here is pretty average and about 30% overpriced especially within the context of the restaurant itself which is tired, requires investment (both inside and outside) and provides an unmemorable experience. Overall wouldn’t recommend it, there’s many better places on the same street offering better value for money or a far better experience at the same price point.

Currently one of the best places on "The (Lordship) Lane to drink. Great staff, very welcoming and decent prices.

Brilliant restaurant, excellent food and drink, service was perfect. Bar staff was reall nice and accommodating and it has a lovely décor.

A phenomenal restaurant, great staff and fantastic food.

We have eaten here in the past and have had a few reasonable meals, however the last time we were there the quality had slipped and the food/service unfortunately was disappointing. A friend persuaded us to try it again and regrettably things hadn’t improved sufficiently for me to ever go again.

Their food never disappoints, and it was all delicious! Staffs were warm and welcoming. Its prices were reasonable. Will be back for more!

Please please please bring back the brunch menu!

Really good neighbourhood restaurant with something different and some crowd pleasers. Great Spiced Negronis, good food and exceptional service.

Recently moved to the area and tried lunch on NYE for the first time. Have been for drinks before and really like the vibe and ambiance. Lunch didn’t disappoint and was delicious. The veggie crumble pie was really good and exceeded my expectations. I would recommend a booking as it’s a bit small place. The menu changes frequently and we were impressed by the kindness and efficiency of the team. Highly recommend for a nice meal in a true gastro pub.

Lovely place with European cuisine

Great food and customer service. Nice friendly bar staff

Fabulous food and friendly staff.

We had a delicious Sunday lunch at Franklins. Four of us sat at an outside table in the sun Superb roast beef and roast pork Great service

Had a great Sunday Roast, staff was wonderful!

Our anniversary meal at Franklin's was perfect from start to finish. A warm welcome, amazing service and delicious food and wine made our visit so enjoyable. We will definitely be back.

Service could of been better Barman was too busy watching tv The bar lady was more attentive You dont come to work to watch tv Do your job

Great independent restaurant and also a real pub.

Great place, sit outside and drink Pimm's. Bar staff are lovely and hospitable and it's really all quite good.

Best food in the area. Never disappoints. Cocktails and wine choice great too. Staff are delightful. Would recommend.

We met a few friends looking for a good evening meal and friendly atmosphere. Massive disappointment. The food was bland, salty and beige. The staff were arrogant and unprofessional. The owner Tim was nasty. There are better restaurants in the area. Go somewhere else.

Came here for a Sunday Roast and it was lovely. When arriving you feel it's quite small then it opens up at the back once you pass the bar on the right. There were plenty of drinks, food and deserts (fav) to choose from, the staff were helpful and friendly too. The only downside was the beef, I like it rare, but that was too much. The good part is you can tell everything is cooked from fresh, like proper home cooking style. The closest station is East Dulwich (10 min walk) and can park fairly easily within the back roads near to here. Will be back again soon. Solid A**** LDT x

The first clue that this is going to be a really exceptional meal is that Franklins has a daily menu. As a rule of thumb you rarely veer too far wrong if the establishment and Chef has taken the time to prepare and update specials, a la carte and print it out and display early in the day. For the best part of a a year, my wife and I threatened a lunch meal at Franklins as soon as our son Finley started his special school at Cherry Garden. Last Friday was the exciting day - I had the Steak and Ale pie with chips and Debs had some lovely fish. The service, people and quality of the food is all really impressive and it is a place you would wish to spend hours rather than a brief lunch. I was fortunate to return this afternoon for lunch and I enjoyed the Ham Hock Hash with egg on top. We are privileged to have a restaurant as good as Franklins on our Dulwich on our doorstep and we look forward to being regular customers over the next number of years.

Seriously good food and lovely staff 👍

A wonderful evening of food and wine tasting! Highly recommend signing up next time they have another special event like this!

Simply couldn't fault this place, from the friendly reception staff, waiting staff and kitchen staff. It was like being in a well oiled machine. I had the best roast pork dinner ever but starters desert and cocktails were all very tasty 1st class and definitely worth five stars, shame it doesn't go up to six. I would definitely go back again and try more from their lovely menu. Unfortunately I live around 300 miles away but I will return. Thank you all for a wonderful experience.

Nice to be here after a long gap. Super lady in charge. From the daffodils to very nice sweet. Three scoops of Icecream!! Lovely meal today.

Very poor service when visited in Dec. Kept waiting at least 30 mins to take orders, a not too subtle ploy to get us to order booze (staff were available to do that). Food nothing special and overpriced. It's a shame as Franklin's used to be much better, will be reluctant to go again although I live locally.

Had Dinner for 4 people Monday 17th Jan. Ordered 4 mains approx 5pm. Waited 40 mins till arrived. No one else eating at time. Sirloin Steak served Cold. Told waitress after got her attention. Took it back only to be reheated. The came back tuff as old boots.. over priced food. Would not recommend or return. £23 for 1 Steak. £8 for 2 sides of cabbage & new pots which would of cost no more than £1. Othe dish served partridge. Which our friend was ill all night after eating.

Excellent food and excellent service

This is a great neighbourhood restaurant with a fantastic wine list and some great food. The atmosphere inside is really warm, buzzy and local. The waiting team were also excellent. The selection of wines and their pricing was excellent, some very good value to be had. The menu was seasonal and had a good selection of items. The food was very good, but if anything, a little cold when served. Otherwise, a great evening with friends, and I look forward to returning.

Great food. Great ambience. Friendly service.

Cool place for a tasty little brunch.

Lovely place, staff very friendly. Will definitely visit again.

Really nice traditional foods. Lovely staff. Nice and clean highly recommended 👌

Great food, staff excellent, lovely cocktails and great atmosphere

This is a very busy restaurant. It took 30 mins to be even serviced drinks. The food is good but not very inspired. Had rabbit liver pate, which was nice but nothing special, the partridge was good and the venison tasty but presentation was basic and portions small. The walnut ice cream was nice but £7 for two small scoops was a little steep. We enjoyed our meal and the place has a bustling atmosphere but not the best value for money especially considering the slow service.

Great spot for a glass of red on a rainy night

I love Franklin's. The restaurant inside makes you feel warm and cozy. The food is tasty and seasonal with perfect portion sizes. The staff are what make it though with smiles from the kitchen and waiters alike. Such a great welcome.

Not bad. One meal was good. The other - fish didn't seem fresh. Good service. Will visit again and update this review.

Its always been a pleasure to have a meal out here, we go every year/half year for a brunch or special lunch, Ive always enjoyed their take on British food and the service is very good. It's not cheap but I think its better value...

I stopped by for a birthday lunch but didn’t make it past my starter because the wait staff never came back to take my order. So, after half an hour I gave up, paid, and left. Totally ruined my 40th bday.

Very disappointing. The beef was rare and the meal very cool. The staff heated the meat but it spoilt the experience. My son and daughter in law took me for a treat but they can both do a better roast beef dinner than that

Loved this restaurant! The Ox Tongue was fantastic and the service from our waiter was brilliant too.

I hadn’t been to Franklin’s for more than three years and I was delighted to find it unchanged and still serving food at a high standard The menu was comprehensive and two of the group opted for the Sirloin and I went with the Lemon...

Excellent, Irish rock oysters, rare breed pork chop with green beans and bacon. Tasty scotch woodcock and good wines and cider.

Usually I love this place but the roast beef was under cooked and the veg was over cooked

Tasty cider. Lovely atmosphere!

Stunning Food, Service and the place was cute and clean inside!! Can't wait to return 😊

Lovely soup, lovely squash, lovely wine and lovely service!!! 😊😊😊

Disgraceful service, if you happen to be melinated think carefully before giving this establishment your money. Definitely a different vibe for the darker toned brothers and sisters. Food is also very below standard for the price.

On the 3rd of July 2021, my 8 year old and I going for a bike ride decided to stop off at Franklin's on the lordship lane. From the moment we arrived we were met with animosity by two staff members. One of them called...

I feel bad giving this place two stars but the order was wrong and the food was overcooked. The worst thing was the service from the woman who I assumes owns it - incredibly rude and dismissive! There are lots of excellent places for brunch in East Dulwich. This is not one of them.

Lovely food, they make so much of the food from scratch in house, down to the mayonnaise and the crackers. friendly place. Highly recommend