Hayward's Restaurant in Epping Forest

A wonderful evening of Game foods. Great wines with each dish, Amanda has a great knowledge of wines. Each dish is so well presented and the tastes are fabulous. The staff's attention to detail and friendliness is perfect. This is a restaurant you should try.

Truly truly amazing meal from start to finish. Lovely welcome and great service from all members of staff. As for the food, it was out of this world. I cannot praise this place enough.

Been here more than a dozen times since it opened. Great Sunday lunch, had chicken this time. Fantastic service as ever.

We couldn't have chosen a more perfect venue for our wedding reception than Haywards in Epping. I have fond memories of dining here pre-pandemic, and although we now live in Leicestershire, this is where I wanted to spend my wedding day. From our initial enquiry to our final farewells, the Haywards team handled everything perfectly. When we met the lovely Amanda to plan our menu, she thoughtfully considered all the dietary requirements and ensured they were catered for. She made excellent recommendations and listened carefully to us. Nothing was too much trouble. On the day our guests were excellently catered for - many telling us that this was the best wedding food, or even the best meal, they'd ever had - and we'd have to agree. The food not only looked divine but tasted sublime. The food was as good, if not better, than I remembered. Service was first rate too. The young team were professional and efficient; they are clearly well trained and all take pride in their work. We were very impressed. Without any doubt, our wedding was perfectly executed by a family-run business, who really are operating at the very highest level of excellence.

Champagne Evening on October 14th was fabulous. A Champagne with each course. Delicious food including 2 amuse bouche, home made bread, 3 courses with pre dessert treat and petit fours. £100 per head plus service was worth every penny. Chef Hayward is a genius 👌.

An amazing meal from start to finish. It was hard to say which was our favourite dish. All 4 of us were very impressed and will be back.

I can only reiterate every positive comment for Haywards. This was our third visit where the food and service only gets better if that is at all possible! The attention to detail and personal service given really is quite something together with the exceptional food taste and quality experience, makes it without doubt for us the best Restaurant in Essex. My only regret is that I didn’t thank each and everyone of the team personally for making our evening and birthday celebration such a memorable occasion. We will be returning very soon to enjoy it all again. Thank you Haywards.

A wonderful atmosphere with a relaxed yet professional feel. We opted for the tasting menu and it was superb!! The service and staff were amazing and the whole experience was lovely from start to finish. Thank you Haywards for making my dads birthday dinner so special xx

Simply superb. From the impeccable staff to the fantastic food, all at Haywards gave us a fine dining experience that would be very hard to beat. I had no hesitation in giving an extra gratuity as the simply deserved it. Thanks again

Incredible restaurant, one we come back to again and again! We most recently visited for our first wedding anniversary and had the tasting menu. The staff are attentive, kind, constantly on the move and striving to make your dining experience incredible. Daily special cocktails are served and can also be made alcohol free which is such a refreshing change! The dishes, as always are delicious, expertly plated and full of flavour and different textures. We first visited Haywards 8 years ago and have since visited at least another 4/5 times! Honestly my favourite restaurant for a special occasion!

Food is excellent and beautifully presented and the service professional and friendly. What really impressed me is their attention to detail. I’m on a rather restrictive elimination diet and emailed the details to the restaurant. They took a lot of trouble to see that everything, including the additional items such as amuse bouche, met with my diet restrictions. This was our first visit to this superb restaurant and we will certainly return.

This is a wow experience in terms of food , drink and service . You need a good 3hrs to eat with wine pairing to truly relax anc enjoy as there is so much . The staff were so attentive to my son given it could of been so boring for him The food was fabulous in terms of variety, quality & how excotic it was Highly recommend

It was our first visit to Haywards, but it won’t be our last. The food was fantastic and the service impeccable. Friendly but not intrusive. Informative about the different components of each dish and each dish, incl the many ‘greetings from the kitchen’, were a feat for the eyes and tastebuds.

It was for a special birthday booked by my son. The food was amazing the staff exceptional. Fully deserves its 5 star rating!

Tasting menu excellent try out for main coutses on offer. Food delicious and a genuine new experience Staff very charming and helpful and very aware of clients likes etc

Superb from start to finish - genuinely faultless. Had the 6 course taster menu with the wine pairing and can honestly say, almost forgot to drink the wine with each course because was distracted by the food quality. Great team and impeccable service. Will definitely be revisiting

We went there for lunch today and had the most incredible meal. One of our party was quite fussy in what she eats, but nothing was too much trouble for them. They changed the tasting menu to suit her with no problem I cannot rate the service and the food highly enough Will definitely be going back

Family Easter lunch. The food was beyond excellent and the amuse Bouche were out of this world. My parents are elderly and a little poorly and the owner and staff were so kind and attentive. The staff knew of my allergies and that one of the diners was vegetarian and we were all catered for no stress. The atmosphere is laid back and friendly, I’m fussy but 100 percent recommended

First time visiting and what an amazing experience. Great private room, we were really well looked after by all the staff. Meals were superb!

Wonderful lunch with little extras added in, all very nice indeed. What spoiled the occasion was the constant attempt to up sell at every visit to our table, the language used was subtle to the point I honestly felt we were at a time share...

Beautiful meal! We had the 6 course tasting menu and would definitely recommend it. Each dish was beautifully presented and really enjoyable. The amuse-bouche and pre desserts were also really lovely. The staff were friendly and service was excellent. I loved that they have local...

We’ve been coming to Haywards for almost ten years now and despite many changes to staff in the kitchen and front of house the standards have never dropped. Under the guidance of owners Amanda and Jahdre they have still manage to produce amazing food with...

My friend and I had lunch at Haywards today. It is not our first time, but it's a while since we've been and it never disappoints. Right from the communication when I booked, to the welcome on arrival, the efficient friendly service throughout and of...

We had the Taste of Haywards menu, plus wine pairing, last Saturday night, with an overnight stay. The food was exceptionally good and the service was friendly - a great experience all round. Comfortable accommodation - and the breakfast which was left for us in...

One of the best restaurants my girlfriend and I have been to. Lovely food and great service, would highly recommend to anyone especially the quail starter. Made our anniversary very special, the extra touches they put on make the dining experience.

We had lunch to celebrate our son’s engagement. Despite travel chaos due to industrial inaction resulting in us being delayed, nothing was too much trouble for this outstanding restaurant. The service was discreet and impeccable throughout and the food outstanding in its quality, portion size,...

It's been a while since we ate at Haywards but last Friday we went as a group of seven for my sons 30th. As a group of seven we "had" to go in the private dining area which initially we were a bit concerned about,...

Our first visit to this wonderful restaurant and it definitely won’t be our last! From the greeting walking through the door to the wave goodbye everything was perfect. The food was a gastronomic journey of flavours tempting your taste buds. We had the 6 course...

I visited for the 7 course Saturday night taster menu a few months ago and decided to come again to try the Saturday 4 course taster menu for lunch. Glad to report the first excellent experience certainly wasn’t a one off! I brought my friend...

A big thank you to Heywards for making our family party such a success. The carefully designed amuse-bouches made to suit vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters in our party alike were delicious. The started and mains were all exceptional. My halibut was delicious. Everybody thoroughly...

Fabulous! We have eaten at many Michelin star restaurants and those of celebrity chefs but Haywards was serious competition for them and in fact better than most! The food and service was excellent, the sommelier was knowledgable without being pretentious and the whole experience was...

Haywards is not just about the food, it's the whole experience which is wonderful from start to finish. We chose the six course taster menu, each course was beautifully presented and a member of staff explained each dish and each wine choice. The staff were...

Very overrated and overpriced restaurant. Had the taster menu with matching wines which didn't really match at all. The bill came to over £300 and quite frankly we both felt cheated. The owners wife gets extremely defensive when someone writes a negative review, well I...

This was our first, but definitely not last, visit to Haywards, and we could not fault it. We ordered in advance a tasting menu that was vegan and gluten free.... this is not a happy combination when eating out so we were very pleased that...

To all at Haywards Thank you all so much for all the hard work you put into making our evening so special. From our initial email and response to create a special tasting menu based on my dietary requirements to our reception at the restaurant...

This excellent restaurant deserves at least one Michelin star. Our party of 5 had the lunchtime tasting menu with wine pairing and it was faultless. 2 amuse bouch, delicious warm bread and then 4 courses of terrific food. The dessert of fig and caramel souffle...

We dined at Haywards today to celebrate our son's birthday and after reading the reviews there is little I can say other than it deserves every single 5 Star rating. We have dined at most of the restaurants in the are and many in town...

Very pleasant smallish restaurant serving nouvelle cuisine. We had the pheasant which was moist and much tastier than usual Off the beaten track with good parking Good and friendly service. Delightful

This restaurant has a phenomenal reputation from when it opened . Our visit for Sunday lunch was a special experience in every detail From the appetisers before the starters the presentation was sublime Every course was perfect and a culinary delight This is not a...

10/10 tasting menu. Opted for the 4 course tasting menu and it was perfection. The presentation and service is immaculate.

So, on trying to book a table for 2 on 23rd December for the seasonal Tasting evening, we were told initially that we were too late but.... then the cancellation happened! Of course we didn't hesitate and the resulting experience we had was perfect! A...

Fantastic night very welcoming staff. Wine that was recommended was amazing. Food delicious. Perfect night from start to finish. So lucky to have this restaurant local like being in the west end.

A most enjoyable way to celebrate my husband's birthday, accompanied by a friend. We chose the six course tasting menu with paired wines. The food was exceptional and the wines well selected. Opting for the paired wines allowed a better match of wine to each...

Always have such a lovely time at Hayward’s. They worked around my allergies and preferences and are so accommodating. The food was impeccable. Everything just works so well and I cannot wait for our next visit. The owners have the right idea on how to...

Tasting menu eating has always been a passion of mine. Normally you have to go many miles to find a restaurant that does them. Even further, one that is at the standard of Haywards. The food, wine and service are ALL 5star. Thankyou for making...

We're fortunate to live close by, and we're delighted to return once more to this splendid restaurant. As always, the service was superb and the food excellent. Having now been established for a few years, there is a reassuring effortlessness about providing top quality attention...

A fantastic evening in Hayward’s. I wanted somewhere special for our group and we were not disappointed. The atmosphere, the service and the food are all amazing. They know how to look after their guests and go the extra mile to do so. We had...

Another fabulous evening at Hayward’s. Celebrating my brother’s birthday & retirement all the staff made us feel special . Once again the quality of the food, drink & service was top notch. My brother & sister in law were absolutely blown away by the whole...

Just had a great evening the staff was very friendly and service was very professional we had the taster menu highly recommend will be back again with friends

Visited Hayward’s last weekend for lunch for my husband’s birthday. We live locally and so annoyed at myself for not visiting before! The whole experience was faultless. Beautiful decor, really comfortable, service was amazing and food outstanding. The owners have clearly thought of every little...

Amanda front or house, husband Head Chef - fantastic combination. We ate Saturday lunchtime, stayed overnight in the flat there and had the Sunday lunch. Well done to the whole team involved - already looking to book and do the same again !

That was a very very nice restaurant. I m so happy for the eating something in here. Thanks for the atention...

This was our second visit the first being before covid. The food wine were outstanding and made an even greater experience by the outstanding service. From the moment we entered , constantly attended to with interfering. I cannot praise the staff more. The food is...

Another lovely lunch at Haywards. Great food, attentive staff and at a price point that that keeps us coming back. Thank you. Thank you.

I don’t normally write many reviews but after seeing the previous review I felt I had to give this restaurant the credit it deserves. Having visited the restaurant about twenty times over the years for dinner I can honestly say I have never left Haywards...

This review is based on a number of previous visits and arrangements for a forthcoming visit. Haywards is a small and rather pretentious establishment which makes much of the chef's previous fine dining experience. He was eliminated in the first round of professional Master Chef....

Another amazing experience here, we took my mother to celebrate her 88th birthday and we were a bit worried that it may be a bit much for her but she had a wonderful time, with the attention from the staff and extra touches. We knew...

Visited for a special birthday treat and my goodness it was. Went for the taster menu, except I dont eat fish. They were very accommodating. Every single element of every single course was divine. Even the bread, butter and crackers. The service was attentive but...

Not sure why we never made it to Haywards before! What a wonderful experience, everything was fabulous. Helpful, approachable and knowledgeable staff. Loved the somelier who clearly loves her job. It made such a great change to be in a restaurant that values it's clients...

Where do I start? If you haven’t been to this restaurant, you really must, it’s a hidden wonder! The food is absolutely amazing and of such high quality and presentation. Every course was tremendous. The staff are very attentive and so friendly. We had the...

Second visit to what must be the best restaurant in Essex. Everything here is spot on, the staff are welcoming, friendly and very attentive whilst allowing you to take in the ambience of the place. The food is fantastic and is a credit to Head...

Another fabulous evening at Haywards. The staff are dedicated in providing a complete experience with excellent attention to detail on food and service.

We were a private group of about 12 people and the whole experience was very inspiring, unique and so delicious - food here is something else! Totally recommend it.

Our friends recommended this restaurant and we are so glad we went a little further out than we usually do. The whole tasting menu was delicious. Well done to the chef and staff. Excellent evening.

My partner and I enjoyed a truly wonderful birthday launch. We went for the set lunch menu and the food was absolutely delicious. I was particularly surprised by my beetroot and goats cheese starter (not something I'd normally go for) it blew me away. Every...

I feel bad that I can only give this restaurant a 5 rating because it HANDS DOWN beats every restaurant I've ever given a 5 rating to. It's in a different class, different league. I'm struggling to think of a meal that I can honestly...

Had the most lovely belated birthday meal post lockdown. Every dish was a showstopper. By far, my favourite restaurant in Essex. Amanda and her team create the most wonderful atmosphere, friendly, professional and knowledgeable. I highly recommend the ever changing tasting menu with matching wines....

Gorgeous food, great service and parking out side, just on the outskirts of Epping. What’s not to like. We were surprised just how good it all was. Thank you for a wonderful evening

I have wanted to eat at Haywards for a long time and finally got the opportunity and we were not disappointed in the slightest. We were welcomed by a very professional and friendly head waiter and shown immediately to our seat even though we were...

Our anniversary meal last night was beautifully presented and most courses were delicious. However for a taster menu it really shouldn’t have taken four and half hours. Would we return? Unfortunately I would have to say no.

It’s been a long time waiting for hospitality to reopen but once it did there was really only one place where could choose to begin. This was with my great friends at Haywards in Epping. We’ve been here over one hundred and thirty times now...

Takeaway Valentines was an absolute delight. My photos don’t do it justice. Every mouthful was a sensation. The tiniest criticism is that we could have done with a bit more sauce with the main. Excellent food, beautifully presented and local produce. Jahdre and Amanda Hayward...

We have been here many times and wanted to come for a birthday treat but couldn't because of the latest lockdown. Ordered a three course meal with wine for £70 including petite fore. The box included sauces and instruction on how to heat and serve...

This nice Michelin star has been one of the top places I wanted to visit for long time. Finally I have visited in August 2020 and enjoyed the service and food very much.

My hubby treated us to the 6 course tasting menu last night for our anniversary and we absolutely loved it! The service was incredible, every member of staff was on point and committed to making it a really enjoyable evening. The menu was well thought...

Good but had better for the money. On this occasion we opted for the tasting menu, which although nice, it certainly didn't astound. Some great concepts that looks led inviting but did little for the palette. The deal-breaker for me were the meat dishes. Just...

My husband and I recently celebrated our Silver Wedding Anniversary with lunch at Haywards and what a wonderful experience it was. First, of course, the food is delicious, absolutely first-class and it is all beautifully presented. Staff are superb, very attentive, friendly and helpful, nothing...

Well as you must surely know I'm a frequent visitor to Haywards in Epping where over the last seven years I've enjoyed some excellent food and service. During this time I'm delighted to say that I've also become very good friends with owners Jahdre &...

Been meaning to try here for a while and took the plunge with lunch. We ate A La Carte and it was superb, faultless, service food, ambience everything. Can’t wait to return.

We had a lovely lunch here on a sunny sunday. When you first approach it feels like a slightly odd location right next to a large pub and when seated it might to some feel a bit bare but we felt the atmosphere was relaxed...

My wife and I had lunch again today. Our view of the restaurant is that they offer excellent value for money:1) First and foremost the food is very well cooked and presented.2) Portion size was perfect for us - neither of us managed to eat it all.3) The staff are very attentive and friendly, but without being overpowering.4) Timings were spot on, the two hours we were there flew by - helped no doubt by the amuse bouche5) It's not the least expensive, but you're not just buying food, it's the overall experience, including the attention to detail.We will no doubt return in the not too distant future.

The food was exceptional. We really enjoyed every course of the tasting menu. Paired drinks complimented perfectly. Overall we are very happy to have found such a hidden gem nearby. Outstanding service, staff are very attentive and make the experience even more enjoyable. Can't wait to return!

Very impressed with the food and service at Haywards - especially with Richard who was very accommodating and understanding as we were running late for our reservation due to traffic! All staff members were friendly and welcoming. We were looking for fine dining with a chilled atmosphere and that is what we got! Will definitely be returning.

We have visited Haywards a number of times but this was the first in the evening. It has always been very good but this visit was probably the best thus far.I guess for Covid related reasons the menu is currently reduced but none the worse for it. Quail starters, and duck and cod mains were all excellent - the duck in particular was pink, succulent and a triumph. A kind of deconstructed tiramisu dessert was wonderful.The service was attentive and covid biosecurity clearly taken seriously.All in all, a lovely evening.Thank you.

Very impressed with the food. It was some of the best I have ever eaten - and I am lucky enough to have eaten at many Michelin star restaurants. Apart from the obvious things like excellent presentation and overall enjoyment - the balance of flavours was incredible. The service was excellent. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. I have taken off a star for two reasons. The first a temporary one (hopefully!). Although the tables were spread very well apart, the waiting staff came much closer to us than I think was completely necessary in these times, which made me feel a bit uncomfortable. The main reason for four instead of five stars however is the lack of white table cloths. It felt a bit like eating a five star meal in a bistro setting. It would make an enormous difference to the whole atmosphere of the restaurant if the tables had (long) cloths and were laid with elegant cutlery and glassware. It was absolutely worth every penny but slightly lacked that lovely feeling of a ‘special’ lunch.

We visited for lunch on a Saturday with our nieces. A cosy restaurant with tables well spaced in these COVID times and the waitresses in PPE but neither detracted from a lovely meal.The food was fab, some great fish dishes (loved the mackerel starter as well as the , plaice and cod main courses) and so well presented, some dishes resembled art (especially the beetroot & goats cheese starter) and tasted great as well as looking lovely. The service was fab, really good from the two waitresses and a small but interesting wine list (a lovely Solaris made locally in Epping). All told a lovely afternoon and very much looking forward to returning.

As always, we loved our evening meal here. It felt covid-secure, hand sanitiser discretely at the table, but nothing detracted from the Haywards experience. We’ll be back again soon.

This was the first time back to Haywards after it reopened and its only gone and got better! We went for the tasting menu with paired wine, and were rendered speechless by every course. Highlights for me were the oyster and the stone bass. The service was excellent, the staff are as always fantastic.Michelin, you need to take a long hard look at yourselves, how do Haywards not have a star?If you live in Essex and haven’t eaten here you don’t deserve to know happiness.

This is the third time I have eaten at Hayward’s; I have enjoyed it immensely each time. This particular visit was a special occasion so we decided to go for the full taster menu with premium paired wines. I was not disappointed; each dish astounded in a different way both delighting and challenging my tastebuds. Amanda’s choice of wines was perfect and her expert knowledge was evident... these were some of the finest wines known to humanity! Every dish and amuse bouche was delicious but the standouts for me were the oysters with cucumber, dill and horseradish, the Stone Bass with onion and bacon and the short rib of beef. I enjoyed every mouthful and the service from Amanda and Amelia was impeccable. Chef Jahdre even managed to make time to come to our table to present and serve the beef course.If you want to enjoy fine dining in a relaxed unpretentious atmosphere with clients, friends or family come to Hayward’s.

It gave me great pleasure that i was able to continue my support for the hospitality industry and even more so on saturday when I returned to visit my very good friends at Haywards in Epping. It was not only very nice to see everyone again but also to enjoy once more the amazing food created by Chef Patron Jahdre and his team. We arrived on saturday and as we entered received a fabulous welcome back before being escorted to our regular table. The restaurant have made all the changes to make it feel as normal as possible during this current situation. There was a hand sanitizer on the front desk and in fact they had put one on each table. The staff themselves were all wearing face shields although necessary just made it a little difficult to understand at times but then at the moment safety is the main priority. They also managed to space the tables in the restaurant out quite nicely which allowed for plenty of room between each one. So yes I'm delighted to report it's all good here. So now on to the food itself. We were shown the menu which like other places we've been to is a bit smaller than usual but actually this didn't matter to us as we were told that chef had created for us a special Tasting Menu to which we very happily accepted. After enjoying some fabulous snacks we moved to our first course which really did refresh the palate. It was an Oyster topped with cucumber , dill & apple that was just sublime. This eased us into the next course which was a highlight of the day. The Kohlrabi , egg yolk , green bean , almond salad with a lemon emulsion was a taste sensation. We then moved on to the Duck Rillette with brioche , roasted pineapple , pineapple gel and a homemade piccalilli.Next to arrive was the fish course which was Plaice , chicken wing , leeks , new potatoes & pickled celery and a delight it was to. Now we moved to the main course of Lamb Three Ways. First a rack of lamb then a shoulder terrine and finally a confit belly accompanied with courgette , peppers & black olive. After a little rest it was dessert time which we started of with a delightful pre dessert of Elderflower Ice Cream & raspberry. This led us nicely onto a new dessert creation from pastry chef Luke an Apple Mille Feuille with spiced creme diplomat , caramelised apple & puree with apple sorbet. It was just devine and the pastry was absolutely perfect. So that was it or that's what we thought when another fork & spoon appeared on the table and when we looked at the waitress she just laughed and said oh by the way just a little something extra. Well it was another stunning dessert that appeared. A Mango Mousse with a mango & lime sorbet and lemon curd simply delicious. Now that really was it a fantastic tasting menu was finished. It was then nice of Jahdre to come out and have a coffee & petit fours with us so that we could have a bit of a catch up. It was amazing to be back at Haywards especially as you know how much we love this restaurant. The food never disappoints and you also receive nice friendly and efficient service from the team of young staff. So your not surprised when I say once more that I would highly recommend a visit here as to me it is the best restaurant in Essex. Already looking forward to seeing them all again very soon

First time at Hayward’s but it won’t be the last. We wanted to go somewhere a bit special for our daughters 21st birthday and we wasn’t disappointed. A lovely top class restaurant with attentive service from all staff and amazing food, a truly great experience that you must try if you’re in the area, thank you to all the staff

Haywards is our local fine dining restaurant and we are privileged to have it on our doorstep. We eat out in London regularly and the food is as good as anything in the City and much better than many. Great staff and professionally run.

Really nice place, good food excellent staff and very attentive, top chef worth every penny. We went there for a lovely meal for dinner, and it didn't Dissapoint all the little extras as well. Made it a very special evening.

Went here for my birthday and was blown away by how beautifully quaint it was , very warm welcome , decorated very elegantly and it had a really nice atmosphere , it wasn’t pretentious like some other places of similar cuisine, it was warm and friendly and all the staff was very down to earth and knowledgeable on all the dishes being served! The food was delicious, some of the nicest I’ve tried, I love how they don’t rush you in this restaurant, you really do get time to digest your food and enjoy a drink before the next course arrives ... they also gave me a little desert with “ happy birthday “ on at the end which was a lovely touch - have already recommended Hayward’s to my family so no doubt we will be back again soon Also the toilets are stunning .. so clean and stylish and smelt of the most amazing almost designer perfume smell .. The wine list is extensive and had some lovely bottles on there , love how they keep you topped up too , they also offer water and bread for the table. Lovely tables set out with space between guests so you get your privacy and the chairs were really comfortable Honestly you must visit here !

I always have difficulties in finding enough superlatives to describe a visit to Haywards.Our latest visit was to celebrate my brother’s birthday, our party consisting of my brother, my sister-in-law, my husband and me. This time we opted for the tasting menu, and it was an excellent choice (although, let’s face it, whatever we choose is always going to be an excellent choice!). My husband and I are definitely of the Robert Carrier school of thought - “First you eat it with your eyes” - and Head Chef and owner Jahdre certainly didn’t disappoint. Colours, textures and flavours were all given equal importance and everything put before us was a delight. During the course of the evening, he came to our table himself several times, which gave us the opportunity to express our delight at the presentation, quality and creativity of the food to him in person. It is impossible for me to single out one dish (though my husband would opt for the venison!), but worth mentioning that we also added the optional cheese course, with two servings between the four of us. We loved the idea of the “Cheese Bible” and, as with everything at Haywards, it was beautifully presented and innovative, giving detailed descriptions of all of the many cheeses on offer. In the event, we left it to the staff to put the two selections together for us. As the four of us are all cheese lovers, this worked very well, and all of us sampled all of the excellent varieties on the plates.Prior to our visit, the lovely Louise telephoned to ensure that the proposed tasting menu would be acceptable with a substitution for the fish course for my sister-in-law who doesn't eat fish or seafood. As for the front of house staff, we found them all knowledgeable, attentive and efficient. It takes a certain level of experience and expertise to be able to find the sweet spot between whisking the dishes away while the last mouthful is still being consumed and leaving guests with “débris” on the table well after the course is done. It may seem a small detail, but it makes a big difference. And attention to detail was evident in all other respects, like ensuring our water glasses were always promptly topped up. From the initial amuse bouche right the way through to the petits fours, everything was impressive and I’m looking forward to our next visit. By then, perhaps I’ll be able to conjure up some additional superlatives!

I have been with my wife and family twice in last month and both times the food and service has been excellent. I had the foie grass and scallops for starters and also the venison and cod for mains and all were presented and cooked to the highest standard.The food is delicious and it's great value for money. It's my go to place.

Beautiful old building but once inside I thought the decor was a bit plain. Some lovely prints on the walls but apart from the reception area the restaurant lacked something. Could have been in any school assembly hall. Felt a bit chilly at times and nearly asked for my coat to take off the chill. The presentation of the food was great and I just loved the flavours of the varied purées which complimented the dishes. The amuse brioches were a twist in the meal but despite informing the restaurant of a tomato intolerance prior to arrival, the first one offered was of a sun-dried tomato variety but was replaced when we received the second brioche. Service was hit & miss. Good explanations of the different courses but we waited nearly an hour for our main course. My partner who had been to Hayward’s on a few occasions was disappointed as it wasn’t as good as before.

So pleased to have found such a gem of a restaurant only twenty minutes away from home. The food was beautifully presented and very, very tasty. The waiting staff were knowledgeable and attentive. We were a bit surprised when the bill came. Two of us had three courses and one had two courses. We mixed and matched from the set and al la carte menus. This with a bottle of wine and an extra two glasses with the set meal and a couple of sides plus the 10% service. The bill came to £141. This is fine dining at pub lunch prices!!Would definitely recommend this restaurant and will certainly be eating here again very soon.

Went here as a family and had emailed before to let them know I was a vegan, and was excited to learn I'd also be able to have all the amuse bouches and stuff too (fine-dining restaurants aren't usually so accommodating!).The starters and mains were lovely and it was nice to have a choice of a couple of different things when ordering. It all came and hit the spot and, as I mentioned before, I also got all the amuse bouches that came in between meals.The only 'let down' for me was the dessert. Both vegan dessert options were sorbets. Don't get me wrong - it was a lovely sorbet! But . . . it's still a sorbet. Which felt a bit of a shame with everyone else have cakes and puddings etc. I feel like a sorbet is a bit of a cop-out in restaurants and a way to provide a vegan dessert with not much effort. So it was very nice, but just not quite satisfying and didn't hit the spot you want for a dessert (especially after quite a little meal of veg - a nice cake at the end would've been lovely).Other than that, the staff were amazing - very friendly and very attentive. We felt really looked after the whole night.It's an expensive place, but a nice and cosy experience, and I'd recommend to anyone!

Our normal group of six visited last night 21.12.19., after an absence of some months, I keep forgetting how good this restaurant is. For me it’s a damn good substitute for Le Gavroche and Mere, if we cannot make it up to town. I note in previous reviews how the critiques are pointing out some pretty fine detail points now which I actually think is a compliment to the chef; My take on it, is that Haywards seem to have a base of very discerning diners now, who really know there food and wine and with their comments, will elevate the restaurant to even higher standards, not that anything has to improve for me. My food last night, foie gras and venison was excellent. I haven’t deviated from old world wines for some 25 years now but I asked the maitre d’/sommelier to recommend a new world glass for each. She knew the wines brilliantly, had real passion for her subject and was very professional. It was a nice little venture for me but I am still a Sauternes/Bordelais man at heart! Jahdre for me is pretty amazing and just as important to me is the beautifully polite and accurate service from all the team. A true credit. Our group likes the ambience; we can have conversation where everyone on the table can hear, service was completely unhurried and it was a pleasure to be at the table for some 4 hours or so. My sort of place, Haywards!