Restaurant at the Gilbert White's House in East Hampshire

Have been visiting this restaurant for the last year and always had nice food now they are trying to run this restaurant with no chef so quality is poor

We were going to the museum so decided to have a coffee before we went in. It’s a very pleasant building and pretty popular, even the local vicar was there! The coffee was at the top end for outside of London, but still nice. We decided to go back for lunch as honestly the options to eat in the village are a bit limited. We had jacket potatoes which were really nice and home brewed beer and a pot of tea. Would be great to be offered extra hot water with the tea as it did end up going cold. We will definitely come back in the summer.

We visited for my mum's birthday. She's been wanting to go back after visiting a year earlier, also on her birthdaý. It was a gorgeous day, we enjoyed the scenic walk from the car park but sadly, that's where the pleasant experience ended. The counter staff barely acknowledged us when we went in to find a menu, I was mumbled at and a menu hastily pushed across the counter. Sadly, the menu bore no resemblance to what was on the website (which doesnt state it as being a sample menu) which was a shame and misleading. There was nothing that took our fancy so we decided to just have coffee instead. We decided to sit outside as it was a lovely day. All the unoccupied tables had either crumbs, tea cup marks or both, one had a big puddle on it and given it hadn't rained for days, goodness knows what that was. It wasnt busy when we arrived (2 occupied tables outside and no one inside) so that cant be blamed. Not wiping tables between customers at any time isn't good, but during these covid times, poor hygiene is totally unacceptable. I work in a cafe so i know how tough it is in hospitality at the moment, i know how they work and what the standards should be, busy or not. White's fell short of anything I would expect. We'd driven quite a distance to eat here so were really disappointed with everything. At least it was a pretty drive and the cafe in lovely surroundings.

Had a coffee and hot chocolate at beginning of visit then local ham and cheese ciabattia toasty delicious. Reasonable prices plus some nice local food in shop.

We stopped for tea/coffee and cake, just as the card was about to close. There was a varied selection of home made cakes - we chose Victoria sponge, carrot cake and bread pudding. All the cakes were lovely. The seating area (outside) next to the house is clean, tidy and pleasant with lots of flowers around - a nice courtyard feel. Nice, friendly staff.

Emailed the cafe the night before to book and asked about the vegetarian breakfast I saw on trip advisor as no longer on the menu. Owner was amazing and said they could easily make up something for us as all ingredients are still there. When we arrived we had a lovely table in an alcove, just us and our 2 dogs. On the menu it even encourages people to ask if there's something they'd like and it's not there. I had a vegetarian breakfast, my daughter had halloumi and veg sausage sandwich and my son had the vegetarian breakfast but with proper sausages. Really lovely place, 100% worth a visit.

Visiting the Gilbert White museum, we only had teas and coffees but the service was good and the cafe very clean. The cakes looked lovely so we will make a return visit! There was a mini farm shop too which looked very good quality - not to mention their own gin! Staff were very friendly.and helpful.

Very good quality and aided by a garden cafe off shoot. Great to sit and relax. Whole set up very good with friendly and efficient staff.

Lovely cafe Dogs 🐶 allowed in some areas🐕 Real thought to decor and some lovely touches Super children’s menu Menu clear to read and good selection and variation of food Service coffee and food all good✅ They didn’t even mind our very must boots from walking 😊 Will return Also a lovely community feel and they sell newspaper and essentials for the village. 👍🏼

Siamo stati qui a pranzare dopo aver visitato il museo. Ho preso la quiche del giorno con brie e bacon, servita con coleslaw e insalata mista e mi e' piaciuta! Molto buono il sapore del brie. Abbiamo anche assaggiato un pezzo di millionaire shortcake, molto buono e si sentiva che era fresco.

Popped in for a light lunch and saw a Sunday roast menu. Had a roast beef with all the trappings and the veggie option. Absolutely gorgeous. Quick service and nicely presented.

My sister was just there this lunchtime and enjoyed a delicious scone and tea. I am here in Canda hanging on her every word ! Revelling in the photos she sends. We lived in Newton Valence before emigrating in 1957. We spent countless hours on Selborne Common and running down the zig zag to the village and back up again. We were always interested in the tortoise in the garden and happily found him . Selborne was very different then and has undergone changes through out the years.We still come back every time we come to visit our "home". I loved the coffee cake served for many years. Best of Luck with your venture in this magical place I still call "home" Heather Dennison Brandt

We've visited before and found the cakes very disappointing, dry and rather tasteless. Shouldn't the frangipane on a Bakewell actually tasted of almonds? However being fair minded we wanted to give the place another go. We decided to have their sandwiches for lunch. The sandwiches were very well filled and came with crisps and salad. I must say that it was lovely to be asked if I wanted dressing on my salad. Why do so many places assume everyone wants a dressed salad? My mum had the Coronation chicken, which she said was lovely. I had the tuna sandwich which was okay, but a bit tasteless. The main issue was with the length of time the food took to arrive and the mistakes made with orders. The mistake made with our order was pretty minor, my tuna sandwich should have included cucumber or onion. I requested cucumber, but didn't get either! However, other mistakes being made could have had more serious consequences e.g one customer had informed the staff that she had coeliac disease, yet when her salmon salad arrived it was covered with croutons. Another woman had been waiting for quite a while before the waitress informed her that they weren't actually serving quiche today! We also witnessed several other people asking where their Welsh Rarebits were, because they had taken so long. This restaurant/tea room really needs to be run more tightly, with more, and better trained staff.

Light lunches, sandwiches cakes etc. are available. The Afternoon tea at £13 per head is excellent (must be ordered in advance) - for two, we had three rounds of sandwiches, tuna, egg and ham) a scone with jam and clotted cream and a choice of cake from the counter. Outside seating is available. You do not have to go into Gilbert White's house to access the café.

My mother and I had tea for two there and in terms of quality, taste, and service, it was just incredible. We have had high tea in lots of lovely places, and 5* hotels, but this one tops it. The produce is freshly prepared, fillings in the "real" bread were divine, big thick cut ham. Just phenomenal. The serving team are lovely too, all smiling and really look like they enjoy working there, great to see. Would DEFINITELY go again and take more people to savour the delights of the food. Oh and don't get me started on the cake selection. I had courgette and elderflower cake, delicious and fresh and moist and light.. just divine! Just park up in the FREE car park out the back of the Selbourne Arms and wander left till you find it. You don't even have to visit the museum to use the café facilities. Thank you again Whites' team :-)

Visited today with my daughter and was greeted by lovely friendly staff who showed us to our reserved table. We chose our cakes from the ample display and which tea we wanted. The tea arrived first and then the trays of sandwiches, scones, and our chosen cakes. There were three types of fillings in the sandwiches: tuna, ham, and egg that were made with fresh bread, both white and brown. All were delicious with plenty of fillings and I cannot recommend this café highly enough. We took advantage of a 2 for 1 offer and couldn't be more happy. We'll definitely be back again with more friends and family.

We had a really nice lunch here before heading off for a dog walk. The food was really nice, with very generous portions. Would visit again without hesitation. This place deserves to be busier.

I had a lovely lunch here last week. The soup was lovely and tasty. My friends wanted to ‘mix and match’ the baked potato toppings, which the staff happily organised. The new cafe is bright and modern without losing the old beams etc.

Called in at Whites for a coffee and a bite to eat with our small dog.The welcome was fantastic and we were seated in a lovely bright room which was spotlessly clean. We both had the watercress and cheese scones with a cappuccino and it was delicious. I shall definitely return. I gather it is all new and has only been open a matter of weeks. Try it.

After having a pleasant visit one week for a coffee when a mature lady was in charge we returned last week when a teenage (?) girl and boy were serving. Asking to pay for 2 soups to eat for lunch and to return to the counter later for cake I was met with a belligerant young woman who refused to take payment for the cake as I was not eating it with my soup. I asked again to be met with the same response. I therefore just paid for the soups. Sightly confused at her attitude we settled down and waited for our mushroom soups - which were cold. Asking very politely if they could be warmed up, they were duly taken away and returned singed - I can only assume they were zapped to within an inch of their life in the microwave which of course ruined the flavour. Never mind. Looking forward to my chocolate cake I went up to pay for it and was told as I handed my cared over that I couldn't pay for it as it was under a certain amount. This was from the same young lady who refused my payment earlier. If she was new to her job and confused I would not have had a problem at all but her attitude was disgusting. She proceeded to have a conversation with her young colleague about me in my presence referring to me as 'him' as I stood in front of her.

I’d visited before so was looking forward to my return visit but was disappointed.

Great setting, just went for drinks this time (we had a picnic) but the menu looked good. You could be back in the 1800's in this small, but well-presented dining room. Efficient, friendly service. Afternoon tea looked excellent. Museum is well-worth the visit if you have the time & haven't been before, then try a walk up the zig-zag path if your heart can take it!

Fui hoy con mi madre y dos niños. La camarera tenía unos reservado pero estaba trabajando sola, por tanto, esperar 45 minutos para nuestro té de la tarde, a pesar de que el tiempo de reserva (nuestra cafetera tenía! )

The tearoom/restaurant in Gilbert White's house is a delightful refuge after a long walk round the house and gardens. Heavenly sponge cakes, home-made ice cream and the best home-made mushroom soup ever. Charming service, intimate ambience, and good value for money.

Mi amigo y yo pedimos la sopa de brécol que probablemente hubiera probado bien si no hubiera sido superficial al máximo evitando todo sabor, excepto el hecho de que estaba increíblemente caliente y la placa.

Estuvimos aquí para el almuerzo el otro día y estaba muy contento con el servicio y la comida que recibimos. Yo tenía una y estaba delicioso plowmans, realmente contundente. Un precioso lugar para comer y los jardines eran geniales para pasear después de comer. La selección de tartas caseras tarta de aspecto delicioso. Mi pareja no tienen gluten y tienen una gran variedad de bocadillos, pan, pasteles y bollos que él puede tener. Gran servicio, excelente comida, volveré de nuevo.

We enjoyed a home-made spinach and feta quiche with salad. All freshly made and washed down with tasty local cider. Highly recommended.

A reasonable ploughman's lunch, served with excellent attention to detail in this delightful restaurant. There was a good choice of foods, mostly snacks. I chose the ploughman's because I felt like something more filling than a snack.

He visitado este té - habitación muchas veces y siempre me encantó. No había sido durante unos años y fui ayer pero no me había deseado. Ya no hay pasteles en pantalla, lo cual hizo que el lugar se ve soso y vacío, menú mucho menos con ninguna señal de pasteles. Pedimos un queso y berros bollo y era realmente horrible. Era de color marrón oscuro donde había sido quemado y también había sido superficial, que arrebata cualquier apariencia de un bollo y también no gusto de queso - era completamente incomible! Muy decepcionado y no volveremos.

Todo lo que pedí era chocolate caliente, de lujo, con 2 tés (frutas bollos). No estaban ocupados, así que no era una excusa de distracción. Chocolate caliente, así que pedimos llegaron básico para la crema arriba. La crema tés llegó, ambos bollos llanura que obviamente lo más superficial" a "en menos de un segundo, de ser reducido a pulpa. Eran demasiado caliente para manejar, mucho menos poner crema. Fueron cambiados por no cálido, bollos sólida. Creo que el personal de jóvenes han enredado tanto a tostar con recalentamiento bollos. Lástima. He oído los pedidos posteriores se describe como "duro". Por ese precio tenía que pedir un cambio. Cual fue hecho sin ningún problema, por lo tanto no es terrible. Realmente decepcionante.

We had a light lunch there- soup was quite good with a hot roll, platter ok - ham, cheese small salad, quiche was tasty with a small salad and crisps. But it could have been better. The sandwiches looked fine and the cakes appeared to be homemade. Soft drinks were pricey.

I've been coming to Gilbert White's for years and indeed used to work there. The volunteers all do a great job and it's such a wonderful place to visit. The gardens are lovely and wow the tea room, have anything and it will be amazing guaranteed. Today I had carrot cake with lemon curd filling it was a slice of heaven

We had tea here after visiting the Gilbert White Museum and garden. The scones and cakes were fresh and tasty and the staff were friendly.

Quite small, perhaps 7 or 8 tables for 4 people.It's a type of place where you wait to be seated. The food and drink is fairly standard fare but well presented. Defiantly light lunches only, sandwiches, salads, soup and quiche and that sort of thing . I fell instantly in love with the French waitress, so my comments may have a rose tinted hue. She did warn us that service might be slow due one member of staff not turning up, but in the end the wait for our tea,meal and deserts was no longer than one would normally expect.

Visited the tea rooms for a second time and I was not disappointed. They offer a traditional service and setting with a good variety of cakes. We opted for the ploughman's style plater which was excellent - warm bread and beautifully displayed.The service was very good and the staff were working hard. I will definitely be going back. I think at the weekends this would get busy so if for a special visit I would book a table in the summer months.

If anyone wants to know what eating out in the UK in 1970s was like give this place a visit. All really quite quaint. White table cloths under glass, waitresses in black, an atmosphere that makes you want to talk in whispers and a generous pot of tea accompanied with a jug of boiling water. My sandwich was good though the salad garnish continued the retro theme with shredded carrot.

We visited the museum and were looking forward to afternoon tea afterwards. We were ignored when we arrived at the tea shop door, so we waited and then eventually (as there was no queue and empty tables) we sat down. Waiting staff ignored us - we made out that we were relaxed and read the menu a few times - after 10 minutes I caught the waitresses eye, smiled and went to ask if we could order - she walked back in the kitchen! We left, as we'd seen a tea shop a few doors down - Selborne Tea Shop - they welcomed us as soon as we walked in, we sat down and had a chat with the owner who took our order and gave us the specials of the day. What a difference! The other people in there had also walked out of the Gilbert White's tea shop and said the staff were rude and offish. Seems it's a trend. Give it a miss - go instead to the café a few yards down, it's a different experience altogether!

excellent egg mayo sandwich,but salad which accompanied it was tired and unattractive. service good and fast.

Lovely tea and scones ,service fine but why serve an item they don't know how to prepare! The thick sliced bread loads of spread and thickly sliced dry cucumber does not make an English tea cucumber sandwich ..really upset me as I was so looking forward to an English afternoon sandwich with the tart taste of a classic cucumber

I would love to know when a tea room becomes a restaurant! Perhaps serving alcohol is the criteria.We visited on a Friday afternoon in October 2014 having enjoyed a visit around the House and a quick peep at the Gardens - we failed to arrive in sufficient time to do justice to the whole site.The menu is adequate in choice - similar to that offered at some NT sites - but more choice and labelling of Gluten free food items would be useful. The tea room was comfortably busy but not frantic when we visited and we noted that the brand of tea shown in Gilbert White's domestic accounts all those years ago is still served.My wife enjoyed a GF lemon drizzle muffin and I consumed a decent slice of their Farmhouse Fruit cake plus Twining 's Breakfast Tea for both of us. Those expecting McDonald's level prices will be disappointed but the service, ambience and quality made up for the higher prices!The young waitress was most charming.Signage to the toilets and whether debit/credit cards are accepted could be more obvious.Looking forward to our next visit.

Went here before walking around the village. Great place to eat - makes you feel really important as the restaurant has an air of sophistication. Good cream tea and home made soup. Service could have been better as it seems to be fine if you order what they offer and slight change brings with it some difficulty. For example, changing the sandwiches in the set tea. Otherwise worn a visit and the shop is wonderful.

I recently visited selborne and came upon this lovely museum. ! Gilbert White ! With an exceptional little restaurant , great value ! Worth a visit

The afternoon tea - cucumber sandwiches, scones with clotted cream - was delicious and the perfect size. Lovely traditional setting in the ground floor of the museum, though you can just go to the cafe.

My wife and I have been here before when we visited the museum. The coffee is good quality and today we had very nice cheese and watercress scones with butter. The service is quite formal. The only downside is that when they are busy service can be slow - if you can get a table. My tip is that if they are busy or you are in a hurry try the new cafe about 150 metres away near the Post Office - The Coffee Room - which has a smaller menu but is of a similar high quality.

The tearoom was really cute, and the menu was simple but tempting... didnt have time to try out a cream tea, but will go for that next time.

Reasonably priced and good selection of cakes, scones and teas. Service friendly and efficient in a charming period tea parlour.

The food is OK, but VERY expensive for what it is. I wouldn't eat there again.The service was good and the location is great. If you want to splurge and treat yourself it's OK.

Very food stop off if out walking. Their afternoon teas are lovely and light lunches are really good - quiet and comfortable place to relax

Tea and cake as it should be done. All homemade, so you may have to take your second choice as it's a very popular place. Staff very friendly and helpful

A five star tea room in a pretty setting. The lunches are all freshly made and of a high standard. The cakes are excellent. The service is very good too. The staff are welcoming and friendly and very helpful. I had visited the museum a few weeks earlier with friends and came back to the tea room with my husband today. He liked it as much as I did! Next time I go I am asking for the apple cake recipe, it really is the best apple cake I have ever tasted.

Really a tea room and it does it well, toasted tea cakes, cream teas in an excellent tea room setting. Polished service and okay prices.

It was a delight,good homemade soup,delicious sandwiches and cakes.Their tea selections were good.A small but adequate wine selection

Lovely range of teas and home cooked cakes etc,Museam is very interest with gorgeous grounds