Gardeners Retreat in Epping Forest

This place used to be great, but something has gone terribly wrong. The menus have disappeared and there is very little choice available. The staff seem to change every week and you have to wait ages for your food. Very poor.

Wonderful selection on the menu. I tried the eggs Benedict which were cooked perfectly and delicious. Really friendly staff and atmosphere, highly recommend, it’s a gem.

we come here every month and it is usually great, but this time not so much. The staff are still great, helpful and friendly But the food was a let down, I ordered the veggie breakfast, not cheap at £13.99 but its usually worth it. The chef had put paprika on my eggs, I hate paprika, if the chef is going to do this then clients should be forewarned so they can request not to have it, the eggs were also overcooked. The plant based bacon was also overcooked. All in all it was a let down

Went in while we were shopping at plants galore. All tables were dirty, ask for the lady to wipe down the table, she never came back. Ordered our food and drinks…… waited, a clean table became available so we moved Still waiting after 40 minutes, spoke to the young lady at the till who replied well if you hadn’t if moved tables you would have your food by now, I replied well if you would have clean the table like we asked we would not have moved. They then told us food would be 5 more minutes or we can get a refund , we opted for the refund and walked out. Our bill should have been £26.00 There loss I really won’t ever recommend or go again.

Pleasant enough environment however the pop music is so inappropriate and wrong. Remove this and it would be a lovely place to come, although a little expensive

This is somewhere we have not visited again and again. The food is outstanding. The presentation is amazing and so much thought goes into it. The staff are attentive, friendly and polite. THIS place is a must...

I met my Mum and Nan here for lunch and the whole experience was lovely. The atmosphere is nice with foliage hanging from the ceiling, and the veggie breakfast was so large I asked if they could do a smaller/kids version which they were happy to do (although it was still huge and defeated me). The breakfast came with an entire stalk of roasted tomatoes on the vine and a huge mushroom that was perfectly cooked. Stan the manager was friendly and accommodating, and Debbie, Lou and Mia gave my Nan some tuna to go with her jacket potato complimentarily as the chilli con carne she'd ordered was too spicy for her (although Lou gave us a top tip to add mayonnaise to take the edge off the spiciness which worked). I never write reviews, but I felt the food, service and friendliness here warranted it and we will definitely be back (Debbie told us there is a maze that will be open all summer holidays with tea and ice creams available, so I will bring my children too.

A real surprise find in a garden centre. Modern comfortable cafe with a good range of food, hot, cold, sandwiches cakes etc Good servi5