Garden House Cafe & Deli in Tonbridge and Malling

Booked on line Nov 23rd for a booking on 9th Dec. Had immediate confirmation. Received reminder 2 days before. We arrived at the restaurant we discovered it was all boarded up and looked like it had been closed for months. Website still up and taking bookings

Great little find for a spot for lunch, food was delicious, staff were welcoming, great value for money! We will be returning :)

Visited on a Saturday lunchtime. We had rabbit and a chicken dish. Starters were Bruschetta and mozzarella, very nice. It's a very quirky (nicely) setting. All excellent authentic regional cooking. The staff are all lovely, warm and welcoming. Nothing is too much trouble. Special thanks to Louis for helping with the wine choice. We look forward to returning as soon as possible but sadly don't live close. Highly recommended Thankyou to all of you x

A fantastic little restaurant with lovely staff, great food and reasonable prices! I took my two daughters for dinner after a couple of days at the Rochester Christmas Fair and we absolutely loved everything about this place. A definite must if you want a decent Italian meal

Just stopped here because we fancied soup for lunch and not many places were doing soup. Sat in the garden Just as the sun came out. Waitress was lovely and couldn't do enough for us. We saw they had sangria on the drinks menu so had a jug between us and ordered mushroom soup which was delicious as was the sangria. Dessert was cheesecake which was well presented and full of flavour. Made a lovely end to our visit to Rochester cathedral and castle. Would highly recommend this wonderful restaurant.

New owners with a new concept. Slightly tatty round the edges but totally first class Italian food and really excellent and friendly service. This seems like a small family business and they try really hard to make you happy and well fed. The specials are excellent. Decent wine. Definitely going again.

Absolutely amazing food including pizza and deserts. The pear and chocolate cake is to die for. The staff is very friendly and helpful, the service prompt and overall experience highly recommended.

We had an amazing pizza, brilliant service, they didn’t mind adapting the menu slightly for us , Drinks reasonably priced which is very rare in cafes/restaurants. What a little hidden Gem 💎.

I understand that the new owners only took this place over a little over a year ago and have made significant improvements since then. As such, I would take any reviews prior to that time, and particularly before the pandemic, with a very large pinch of salt and instead focus on the more recent ones. The two Italian guys that run this place really are great, very friendly, and the portion sizes are also very good. I can’t say I have yet had the pleasure of eating in here yet, however I have had the tour whilst waiting for my pizza. Their was a young lad working their the first time we went in but unfortunately I did not get his name. However, I remember that it was his first job and he was very polite and amiable. I am sure he will go far. On the two occasions I have visited here I have ordered food to go and it has been excellent both times. On the first occasion I ordered the calzone, which was great and absolutely massive. Just remember that it is not a pie (I hope the owners get the reference). On the second occasion I ordered a ham and mushroom pizza and it was genuinely one of the best pizzas I have had in a very long time (and I have been to Italy). Absolute top tip, pick up a can of Lemon Soda, you won’t regret it. A can of this stuff really brings back memories of being in Italy for me and it is very difficult to get hold of in the UK. In short this isn’t a fine dining restaurant, but the prices don’t reflect one either. It is just really good honest food and I hope to call back again soon.

Great food and service. Delicious. Ravioli Lobster and Helen had the Wild Boar. Just perfect. Have been several times before and will be coming back again.

Fresh cooked food, large portions and lovely staff. Small Family run restaurant. We felt very welcome

To anyone who has been excited to find a family run restaurant off the beaten track in Italy you have to try the Garden House. We have enjoyed lunchtime snacks here before so it was my decision for it to be the venue for a family birthday dinner. The food was excellent and hosts were friendly and helpful. The pasta is fresh and made in-house. I mentioned it was a shame they didn’t have mussels on the menu (have had these several times before with the cream sauce - ‘magnificent’ ) the chef came to explain they had no mussels in stock but offered to make something with clams as a substitute - wonderful. The place is small and has character so if you prefer large homogenised venues this may not be for you. On the other hand if you have an open mind you should be very pleased to discover it.

Now transformed into fab Italian deli with great coffee. Can't wait to get back there for lunch. Great addition to the foodie experiences in Rochester High Street.

Not much to look at as you walk past, not your usual flabouant restaurant. However this local restaurant makes up for all of this with the food and service Freshly ingredients and freshly made food, with excellent service Specials of the day are great. Succulent me tender rabbit with a cassoulet of beans and vegetables with buttered polenta Fresh Ravioli, excellent flavour. Hazelnut flavoured panacota and a lemon flavoured cheesecake , soft, which melted in the mouth. The new owners seem to be redecorating the restaurant. So we be intrigued to go back to see what they do to make the whole experience a pleasant one. However . More interested with the food and service, so can’t wait to go back

This is an amazing genuine Italian restaurant. We both had spaghetti, which is made on the premises, with simple, classic sauces and agreed it was outstanding. I had the special primavera (vegetables with olive oil and garlic) and my partner the pesto which he rated as the best he'd ever had. Home-made Tiramisu for dessert was a world away from the normal offering. The owner is friendly and clearly passionate about his food, and the staff were ever so charming and attentive. Note, these owners are recent so earlier reviews are no longer relevant.

Hidden behind this modest facade is Italian cooking of the highest order. Exhausted after a long drive to see my father, recovering from a heart attack at Medway Maritime, and dreading the ever clogged M25 and rush hour Blackwall Tunnel, we stopped in Rochester to regroup and refresh. The magnificent Rochester Castle looks down over a stunning High Street, with the most listed (and listing!) building in Kent. Nestled among curio shops and low end burger bars, sits this absolute Gem, the Garden Cafe. Unprepossessing, understated, it has a simple menu of Italian classics, an excellent range of lighter food (excellent pizzas and paninis) and amidst the chaos and clutter simply shines. My wifes Grden Salad was magnificent, generous, fresh, just the right amount of basamic and olive oil. My Gamberones, (Prawns to the unitiated) were simply fantastic. Plump, succelent, cooked to perfection (over cooked rubbery prawns are a bane of modern cooking - these were exactly right.) They sat in a light garlic sauce that was heavenly. Mains were a very good pasta and chicken dish, I had a splendid Chicken , Cream and mushroom plate with perfect broccoli and surprisingly good chips. Nothing outside suggested the food would be this good. The secret to the success lies in the passion of two men, friends, who have such a good knowledge of and love for Italian cooking they could edit the next edition of "Silver Spoon". Incredibly they met in Kigale, Rwanda, where one ran a hotel and the other was making and selling high end Italian desserts and biscotti (note: the tirammisu looked amazing!) They have only been at this location for three months, but in that time they have perfected an Italian bistro experience that we will visit again, (sadly my Father isn't coming home soon...) Paulo and Ivan*, we salute you. Grazie Mille *I promise you Ivan really is Italian. His father was a passionate Italian Communist, and named his son Ivan in honour of the Russian revolution.

We chose this because of its lovely name, but were very disappointed. There is a good cafe-style menu with lots of choice, but my toasted sandwich was made of cheap mass-produced bread, and the cheese hadn't melted. I wouldn't have bothered to write a review,...

Walked in at the weekend to be told that they were only serving tea and cake as it was getting late (3.45 on a Saturday afternoon). In the next breath an order for food was taken for a couple of people who arrived slightly before...

So the BLT I had in this very small cafe was ok. Nothing special but not bad. The wife had a goats cheese panini and again not bad. However the whole experience was very amusing. For anyone who has ever seen the TV programme ‘Impractical...

We are regular visitors here and the food is good, always busy but worth the wait. Would recommend for a healthy bite when in Rochester.

Three of us had lunch here which I must say was delicious and very plentiful. However, to reach the toilet you have to go through the kitchen area which quite honestly was a disgrace. The toilet was worse than awful. Wouldn’t go back purely for...

Would we eat there again - YES. Looking for a light lunch venue and came across this little place. Door shows a 4 out of 5 Food/Hygiene. A small venue with 4 tables inside at the front .. apparently there was a garden area too,...

The food was good enough. Unremarkable really. I can forgive the limp salad on the hottest day of the year. To be honest, the overall impression when I walked in was that I felt like it needed a really good clean. Was shocked to see...

A lovely little place, food was great. And staff happy to change anything we wanted on the menu, very accommodating , Just a lovely place to chill and have some good food, not that I had one but apparently the milk shakes are great Thank...

Arranged some sandwich platters for a birthday gathering - wonderful array from the usual ham,cheese and tomato to the unusual Stilton and cranberry jelly - plenty of it - everything fresh - very good value - delicious

Baked aubergine with warm goats cheese on top and Mediterranean grilled vegetables - yum yum yum - table next door had home made root vegetable soup - smelt delicious!

The tiny restaurant ambience is lovely and the owner did his best to accommodate us but this food was just average.

What a find! Staff friendly and helpful, food tasty, well cooked and beautifully presented. We chose the 2 course menu which was very good value. The goats cheese starter was generous and tasty, my husband's hummus was clearly home made and perfect. The main courses...

Am a regular to stop by for a light lunch but recently found Gareth did sandwich platters -decided to try this out for an event - baguette platters were huge and filled with every conceivable filling - fresh and very tasty - and extremely good...

From the outside this looks rather uninspiring, however the menu offers delights. On stepping over the threshold it is still possible to be put off as several small tables crammed into a tight space makes it feel a little claustrophobic. It is worth continuing however...

Visited here today for lunch. There are five tables inside and a few outside the front plus some outside the back. The menu is quite varied. The staff were very friendly and helpful. When my food arrived it was a good size portion and very...

I have visited this place twice recently. The first time, the food and coffee were okay (although the coffee was served in a mug with stains on it), but we were constantly distracted by the guy (South African?) who I think is the owner/manager trying to coax the resident cat off the (very low) roof. The cat was just lying there, but due to the staff member’s persistent cajoling it leapt onto our table and spilled some of our drinks. When we went to pay, the same guy had to ask us to remind him what we’d ordered as he clearly hadn’t written it down. He then told off one of the kitchen staff, saying he “should speak up” if he has a problem with something. Funnily enough, this relates to my next visit, as I have Asperger’s and social anxiety which leads me to be very unassertive. It also leads me to be very meticulous about figures, so I know for a fact that the total cost of my bill was £14 exactly. Again, I could see the manager working this out in his head and he had clearly mis-remembered what we had eaten as he hadn’t written it down. He charged me £17.10, a significant increase on a bill of this size (which means something to me as a minimum wage care assistant). Due to my anxiety and the fact that my partner had gone outside for a cigarette so I couldn’t get him to “back me up,” I bit my tongue and paid anyway was I find it extremely difficult to challenge these sorts of things. I’d also have to back up the previous posters who mentioned the state of the kitchen - I have no idea how they managed to get a good rating in their hygiene inspection. I would also note that I’ve lived in Rochester since this café opened, and while the food isn’t bad, they haven’t changed their menu since they started up, so it’s not the place for repeated visits.

Gareth runs a quaint little cafe with a hidden courtyard out the back - it may seem a little dated but the food is a fresh and generous array of salads and sandwiches and light meals - good portions - very good value - try the meat and cheese platter with a glass of wine

Quaint little place with a few garden seats and about a dozen inside seats. All very cosy and rickety, but in a great way. Polite staff and fair prices. We had 2 starters, 2 soft drinks and 1 salmon salad and 1 frittata main meals for around £30. Very pleasant experience. Only light foods and snacks, panini's and sandwiches etc. Serves some alcohol. Would definitely visit again.

My lunch partner and I had dietary needs; vegan and gluten free. This café catered for both and the food was very tasty. The proprietor was helpful when advising us regarding eating choices. There are only a few seats in the small outdoor courtyard, but it was quiet and secluded. A good find!

We went here for lunch & enjoyed it very much. The service was excellent and friendly. The food was sensational. A very varied menu & catered for all. We had the special of salmon with salad & new potatoes and the frittata with warm Mediterranean salad. Both dishes were outstanding and good value.....oh and I forgot the homemade hummus & olives, really tasty. Would certainty recommend.

I would recommend the 2 or 3 course menu as this is very good value. 2 courses are under £10. There was a generous piece of poached salmon in my salad and my lemon brûlée was enormous - and delicious. I sat in the small garden which was very peaceful. My aim was to find somewhere non-touristy with good food and this fitted the bill exactly.

The menu on offer is really good, as was the food that was served. However the food preparation area in the mid section was not good at all. Food stains all over and just a mess throughout. It was not reassuring at all. When paying the bill, the two young lads just carried on their conversation without pause, except for a "cheers mate" once completed. We wouldn't be comfortable returning, although the food has always been good.

Was invited to lunch by my parents who live nearby - chose a lovely lunch platter- choice of meats and cheeses with olives and salad etc - basket of bread and crackers to accompany - mum enjoyed her South African wine - attentive and pleasant service - very good value

We stopped here for an early lunch with 94 year old father in law. The staff were friendly, helpful and accommodating. The sandwiches were really delicious. I had Gruyere and mushroom toasted on granary brea, my father in law had Mediterranean vegetable with Gorgonzola and my partner had a ham and cheese panini. Really good and tasty toasted sandwiches. They also sold a good selection of jams and marmalades which we bought as presents.

First time visit but will definatley be making this our regular lunch stop when in Rochester. We ordered the daily special which was a brie and ham with walnuts and gooseberry chutney panini. It was the best panini I have ever had. The service was friendly and quick. I would recommend this deli to anyone.

As a vegetarian, I'm very used to my menu options being tokenistic and an afterthought. What a joy, then, to find this little gem in Rochester last weekend! All specials were not only veggie, but mouthwatering and plentiful, and at £11.95 for three courses, I couldn't complain! I will definitely be visiting this quirky little haven again.

We stumbled over this place by chance and initially thought it was too small to accommodate our party of four plus pushchair but we were mistaken. We were whisked through the premises into a sunny courtyard area protected by a canopy. The place was very popular and there was a nice homely feel. The service was prompt and the food was superb. Generous portions at an extremely good price. Three courses for

From the outside, mainly an Italian style deli / shop. The usual Italian goodies available inside. (Panettone, pasta, sauces etc)

Yes it’s tiny, yes it’s old and worn (this is historic Rochester!) and yes you can hear every word the staff say in the kitchen, but that’s all part of the experience, doubled with the fact the food is delicious and incredible value for money!

First impressions weren't too promising - the cafe is quite cramped (although there is apparently a gazebo with additional seating, which we didn't see) and it seemed a little uncared for. However we were greeted promptly and pleasantly. When the food arrived - feta cheese,...

Really tempting salads here. It would be easy to go regularly and try something different every time and still be happy!

This was once a regular lunch stop when I lived locally, and finding myself back in Rochester, I decided a...

Nice to have lunch here on the way to the station. Good selection of foods, fresh and good flavours. Would...

This place has taken a nose dive recently. We went in the other day, the kitchen looked dirty and disorganised...

We stopped here for lunch because the menu offered fresh and healthy dishes at a very reasonable price. The food...

This was my first visit, but I was was with a returning friend, who recommended the milkshake; and I was...

This is a fantastic find, right beside Subway. Firstly, the prices are fantastic for the size and quality of the...

Lunch in the garden excellent high quality fresh produce usedGreat attentive serviceExcellent choice on the menuWould highly recommend

Lovely lunch here today, sat in the garden which is mostly under cover (gazebo). Couldn't fault the choice, presentation and taste of the food which appeared to be made by 2 very efficient young people. Well done. Only criticism would be that the tables should be cleaned before being reused.Will definitely return !

I often pop into the garden house for a light lunch and a glass or two of wine excellent home made soups and sandwiches a lovely little place .

I wanted a light lunch but not a sandwich. The salads here are interesting, made to order, and tasty. It absolutely hit the spot. Wonderful friendly prompt service. Highly recommended.

Had a meal yesterday with the family, as I was without my mobile, no Trip Advisor assistance :)The food is very nice, the little one really enjoyed her Panini!The staff was friendly and it was definitely worth while! We will be back for more!

This is a lovely place for lunch, and its garden was just the place to be on a rather chilly spring day, as there is a gazebo and heating. The food was home cooked, fresh and good, and the wonderfully complicated old building, once a jeweller's shop, is good to try to disentangle. We spent a couple of hours here on a day off, but many of the other customers were local regulars - the café is also open for breakfast, which we will try on our next visit.

Had a late lunch here and was very impressed by the simple, but well prepared food.The staff were very welcoming and obliging.On the Saturday afternoon, a two course meal cost under £10.Well done!

Always friendly service, food good, simple and tasty. The café is looking very tired with odd tables and worn chairs and old décor, needs some tlc ! They are always accommodating and even said I could buy a sausage roll from the baker down the road and take it back to the café for my grandson, very sweet. The offer toasties, salads, paninis, sandwiches, cakes, good coffee. You can also have a 2 course set lunch. We always enjoy the food and service but they do need to spruce the place up a little !

In need of renovation, including the crockery. We were delivered chipped tea pots which could of been forgiven but also the table in the corner wasn't very stable- extendable piece felt unsafe for hot tea. Dirty cutlery, strange toilet with a bath and overpriced for the quality of food.

We wanted a light lunch, and nipped in here. It's small, seats about 10-12 people, we were told a table would be available soon, and invited to wait in the gazebo.We looked at the menu, and after about 5 minutes we were told our table was ready.They offer soup of the day, lots or salad choices. There's a 2 course menu on offer. We ordered, we were served after about 5 minutes, it was freshly made, with fresh ingredients, and delicious. Very good value.

We were on a work trip in Rochester and had some time to kill before our train back up north. We wanted to pop in somewhere for a sandwich or soup for lunch and were immediately drawn into this quaint little deli café. There were 5 of us and we all had suitcases from the overnight work trip so took up quite a bit of room. The owner came and greeted us moved some tables together to accommodate us. We were spoilt for choice on the lunch menu. Some of us had salads, some of us had paninis. The food came back super quickly after ordering and everybody's plates looked incredible. The dishes were fresh, tasty and filling and the service was excellent too.We had 20 minutes till our train left Rochester station but we chanced it and ordered dessert, which was definitely the right decision. Even though we accidentally found this place, we all thoroughly enjoyed the food as well as having a nosey at all the lovely condiments and other goodies that were on the shelves to buy.If we ever end up in Rochester again, we will definitely go back!

This is a small shop on Rochester High Street with a limited number of tables, but with an outside garden at the back for nice days. It offers an interesting selection of paninis, sandwiches and salads, well presented with garnishes. These are good well presented light meals and good coffee. There is also a takeaway service which was popular on the day we went. The shop also sells a variety of delicatessen goods - mainly Italian. Service was swift and friendly.

great garden, service was good and good quality, had 2 course menu which was £9.25, was full. did plan on having 3 courses but couldnt manage. my partner had the salmon was excellent and had the lemon brulee. I had a feta starter followed by a frittatta, yumm

Have eaten here a lot over the years and it has gradually declined, the kitchen area that you walk through to get outside is very dirty and has a smell of old dampness about it, you get to see things stacked up n bits of old carpet by the door and generally a bit mucky everywhere. Our waited dropped a piece of our cutlery on the floor and didn't replace it we were too busy chatting to notice which bit it was as we obviously expected it to be changed ! The once fresh food seemed like it had been sat all day, and for nearly £8 for a salad it was quite bad.Perhaps a bit of a clean up is needed??

I very rarely give a poor review but I was quite astonished and very disappointed with this place. My first small doubt was the general 'down at heel' feeling, but decided to give it a chance. We ordered Latte's and toasted bagels with a "choice of preserves". The coffee was undrinkable with a very strange flavour. The toasted bagel was fine, but the preserves came in the form of a grubby sticky jam jar with literally a spoonful left in the bottom. The waitress did not communicate at all and was very sullen. When I went to pay, I was astonished at the state of the so called deli and kitchen area. Muddled, dirty and generally unpleasant. And, stupidly, I paid without saying anything so surprised was I. We then went and enjoyed a lovely coffee somewhere else! Such a shame.

As a veggie of many years standing it was pure joy to be handed a menu which gave me CHOICE. Usually I have a couple of boring options but not here - so many I could hardly choose. But in the end I did and settled for a salad with warm med veg / walnuts and mozzarella amongst other things. It was beautifully presented and obviously freshly made. Pud was yummy too and the lunchtime special menu - lunch £9.95 for two courses if I remember - was excellent value. Lovely staff too. I didn't know this place existed - but I will be back.

Took 10 minutes for someone to greet us and take our drinks order, and 45 minutes before our food came. No apologies at that point. I had a salad with olives. Some of the olives were pitted and some weren't. Maybe it's just me but I felt like this was a high risk way to serve olives. After eating a pitted olive my expectation was that all would be pitted. I'm lucky my teeth are in tact. I took this experience up with the owner who didn't seem too interested in letting me finish anything I wanted to say. I had to ask him to let me finish (whilst he got on with serving other customers and talking to his staff). He offered a half hearted apology and lots of excuses and finished it off with "I've been doing this for 12 years and no one has ever complained about that before...that's £22 please." He didn't seem too bothered that I wouldn't be returning either. No embellishments or exaggerations in this review. Told exactly as it happened.

Sat in the small courtyard on a sunny lunchtime ... and we couldn't hear the busy street. Nothing was too much trouble. I recommend you call in for a lovely dining experience.

Popped in for a light lunch, plenty of choice. I had goats cheese salad which was a very generous portion and my mum had a ham and cheese panini which was ok, although cheese was only part melted. Went to pay in the kitchen and was horrified by the mess! Dirty plates piled high, tubs of olives left open on the side and all food being microwaved. Would have understood more if it had been busy...! Such a shame as it could be such a lovely place.

There isn't much seating inside but there is a pleasant courtyard. There is a good choice of lunchtime food which is very tasty. The staff were very welcoming.

Ok, so the building is a bit ramshackle and it is a bit odd having a bathroom (including bath) rather than just a café toilet. However the staff were really friendly and accommodating of adapting meals to suit children. The food was really good and the portions were generous. Would definitely use this café again.

We arrived and greeted by a slightly rude and flustered man who told us to sit down and he would come to us when he was ready. A younger make server was no better; when I asked for a new teacup because mine was dirty he took it and replaced it without saying a word. The replacement one had a crack throughout the handle and the milk jug didn't seem very clean either. It wasn't busy but still took 25 minutes for 2 paninis which, whilst they had a nice flavour they were over cooked and a bit hard. The family leaving as we arrived indicated they didn't have the greatest experience there, we probably should have taken notice and left with them.

I dined here for a post-shopping lunch and was left feeling unimpressed. After hearing of this place as a quaint and sweet cafe I had hopes for a pleasant, if basic, meal. While the inside looked cosy, we sat in the garden, which was incredibly lacklustre. The pavement was uneven, leading to a wobbly table, and the seating was surrounded by plants in broken pots.After receiving our menus, another waiter immediately asked for our orders, and pestered us every thirty seconds despite our request for more time. The menu included sandwiches and salads, along with a set menu with fish and cheese dishes. Very well priced and large portions, but my 'warm' meal was stone cold and the vegetables rubbery and unseasoned. I did not finish. Overall, I was disappointed with the quality of the food. The place itself - along with the menu - could definitely do with improvement.

Having lived on Rochester High Street briefly, I can definitely confirm everyone needs some peace and quiet at times. When I visit the Garden House Cafe, I always ask to be seated in their back courtyard, which is an absolute oasis. The food is generously portioned, fresh, and consistently tasty- from personal experience I can also recommend the banana milkshakes. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff either. Wonderful place!

The chef was going home early so we were pestered for our order. Every 30 seconds the waitress came out to ask if we had decided what we wanted - with the owner behind her shouting 'get their order, get their order!'. Food was ok but nothing extraordinary. They should have said that they were closed for business. Next time I will go somewhere else on the high st.

This is my daughter's and my favourite place to eat. If the weather permits, we sit in the garden. Sheer bliss!

Teeny little place which appears a bit ramshackle but the food was delicious and the portions generous. Really enjoyed it. Bathroom - yes there is actually a bath (!) - could do with a makeover though! Would definitely eat there again.

Always Know that the food will be full of flavour and fresh. Very Small so would advise arriving in good time. Gareth and his team always strive to offer the best service and the best deli based food.Smoked Salmon Bagel with a side salad And Brie and Walnut Panini with chutney and Side Salad are two particular favourites.

Been here a couple of times for panini. This time I opted for the poached salmon salad. Very good.  A generous and perfectly cooked portion of salmon, with interesting leaves, tomatoes, warm boiled potatoes and a good dressing.  Possibly better not to look too hard at the state of the kitchen, but they haven't poisoned us yet.  Sat in the garden; there's a tent for shelter and shade, and even heaters for those who feel the cold. Service is cheerful and everything turns up in due course.

Went here for lunch and it was great! Our every need was catered for, even the fussy 3 yr olds and the food was delicious too! I would definitely come bAck here again

I have been here many times. With my husband, with my kids and with other adults. It is probably my favourite place on the high street. We have been for drinks and a snack, lunch and irish coffees in the cold of the winter and i always love it. The outdoor area has a gazebo and tables and chairs with a few very decent patio heaters making it a good environment all year round. I love the meat and cheese platter, and my children love the waffles. Great place. Will be back many times again.

The first time we went we had excellent paninis with a range of fillings not usually seen on menus. They were good but the service was slow. The second time was a completely different experience. This time we wanted a main meal and the menu seemed far more limited than the time before, including the drinks. This was a real disappointment but we will return just to give it another chance as the first experience was very good. Great for vegetarians.

Lovely atmosphere, great selection of wine, delicious food and really friendly staff. By far my favourite restaurant in Kent.

Had a delicious lunch in this cosy, snug cafe today. A glass of crisp Pinot Grigio complemented our chicken and avocado salads and the salmon and Gruyere toasted sandwich was absolutely scrumptious. Service was excellent - really friendly and welcoming. Would heartily recommend this tiny eatery!

We went to Rochester to visit the Cathedral and some bookshops, and happened on this little gem at lunchtime. A delightful experience with excellent service, wonderful simple well prepared food, and great value for money. A lot of charm, packed into a small space!

Went in almost by accident due to power cut at other end of high street. What a find. The menu is so delicious it was hard to choose. Excellent veggie choice too. The potato and leek soup was possibly the best I have ever had. Veg lasagne and frittata utterly lovely. Friendly service. And lovely deli bits and bobs. So glad we found it. We will be back.

We have been here several times and I can't rate it highly enough. The food is beautiful - simple but fresh made with excellent quality ingredients. The soups are always incredible, there is an excellent choice of paninis, baguettes and sandwiches, as well as other hot dishes. The vegetable lasagne (so lovely and cheesy) and the stuffed aubergine are particular favourites. Excellent choice for meat lovers AND vegetarians. I've recommended this place to all my family and friends.

We stumbled open this delightful Italian themed restaurant / delicatessen while shopping in the high street and enjoyed a great lunch here. The imaginative menu offers freshly prepared dishes that are excellent value. There is not a lot of space inside but somehow that adds to the charm.And, they serve a glass of chilled water with their espresso's without asking - that's always a good sign!

I decided to try more places in Rochester than my regular haunts as I go quite often for a quick lunch. I am really glad to have found this delightful little place. I had a warm goats cheese and vegetable salad and it was as nice as I have ever had anywhere else and better than some. I will go again to try more of there menu and review my rating as needed.

I have been here many times and it is always a relaxing and lovely place to sit and eat. I am not in Rochester so often now but would thoroughly recommend.

A very nice place for lunch, and a variety of interesting choices at reasonable prices. There is a cosy indoor area or a pleasant walled garden in summertime.

First time visit after my partner and mother-in-law have raved for so long about it. Sat in the garden - marquee needs updating but sitting in the sun was lovely. Food was great too, although took a little longer than I expected (however, this was good for me, as it meant more wine!).Love the deli inside too!

On street seating. Indoors or Back Garden.Food and service was exceptional.Worth the trip on the A2 from London.

We are regulars at the garden house and although tiny the food is good and the specials change it up enough so you don't get bored. Having said that I very rarely change my order as the club sandwich is bloody fantastic.

So glad that my friend and I came here after visiting the Restoration House just around the corner. We were not disappointed. Sat in the little garden at the back. The front was like a little bit of Italy with all the shelves and delicious things on offer. The two course meal at £8.95 is extremely good value. We had the goats cheese salad followed by the warm Salmon. A small selection of wines is on offer and we enjoyed the Pinotage very much. Service was delightful but how they manage to be so efficient and produce such great food from the tiny kitchen is commendable. We'll be back. Very clean loo as well! Well done to all.

If you are visiting Rochester and want to find a nice place for a drink or a light lunch, then I can highly recommend this as a terrific little place to visit. On the High Street the frontage is small and attractive, and hides the somewhat ramshackle shop and small garden that lies behind. I do not use the word 'ramshackle' in a pejorative sense, but only as a descriptor of the way the shop and garden somewhat haphazardly spreads itself midst counters, tables, plants and sheds, providing pleasant seating and a very fine range of home made light snacks and drinks. On a hot day I selected an iced coffee and whilst this is not a demanding drink to prepare, this was the finest iced coffee I have ever tasted. The staff were charming and it was a terrific little place to while away time whilst we took a quality lunch and chatted.

Great place to have lunch. Nice out in their garden area. Excellent food, excellent service. Great coffee. Very friendly staff . Small but delightful.