The Garden Cafe in Lambeth

Manchester Manchester £120000000000

Food was great, but staff (especially the hostess) could do with some training. For the price i paid, id expect more. Otherwise love the space, a modernist annexe next to the museum.

I used to love this place. However, the surly girl serving today had a terrible attitude and made me feel that taking my order was a serious inconvenience. The food, as good as it may be, is not enough to compensate for such an unpleasant experience. Disappointing.

Incredible meal in a stunning setting. Hidden gem in heart of London - wish I’d known this place was here sooner! Booking recommended Don’t miss the museum and tower too.

Very tasty food ,reasonably priced in an enjoyable setting

Beautiful atmosphere for dinner in the garden and really high quality food cooked well. They also catered for our wedding. The food was perfect, and Maria who organised it all was incredibly helpful as were all the staff. Couldn’t recommend them enough if you are getting married there.

Informal, modern ambience. Nicely presented, good quality food. Handy fir Tate Britain.

Very nice lunch and serving staff friendly but 1) they were very slow to bring the mains and 2) they overcharged me by £22 (or maybe even more) on the starter which I didn't realise until after leaving. I still enjoyed it but next time I will carefully check the bill and will make sure there's plenty time for slow service. Food was absolutely delicious though and setting was lovely. But £113 for 2 people, starters, mains and tap water was a little steep (but this includes being over charged).

In the afternoon we asked for tea and were given an English breakfast from Twinings. We're not quite there. The pastry-sized Victoria cake costs £8 and the one I make is better

We were three of us having lunch and found the food very good. However, we found the male staff incredibly rude…. As an example this was one of the waiter’s reply when I asked for a little more red cabbage: this is not a school canteen where you can just ask for more but a restaurant where you order more if you want more! I’ve never had such arrogant and rude service anywhere in the world…

We tried to get a table for lunch, but were told quite snippily that they weren’t taking walk-ins and they had no tables unless we wanted coffee and cake (which we didn’t). Fair enough, but a more friendly and welcoming approach would have been better. This may be an award-winning café, but they’re not getting any stars from me for their attitude.

Went to the Garden Museum and thought we would stop at the cafe for lunch. Could not find a menu and when we asked a member of staff we were told to wait for the greeter who materialised after about 5 mins looking like he had been dragged through a bush backwards. We asked for the menu and he pointed to a crumpled bit of brown paper attached to the door and guided us towards an inside table. We requested a seat outside and he refused as getting them ready for lunch?! WE LEFT

Lovely place. Quiet with a lovely atmosphere surrounded by greenery. Food was good with fantastic service.

So yes, lovely food, attentive service catering (in advance) thoughtfully for my vegetarianism and dietary intolerances, beautiful setting with greenery all around, but dear oh dear, partly spoilt by truly awful inappropriate Jimi Hendrix and other electric blues music wailing away all evening. If the Garden Cafe has to have any music at all (which I don't think it does), at least have something that complements the setting: e.g. classical/post-classical music such as Olafur Arnalds or Goldmund, folk/pastoral music like Nick Drake, or ambient such as Brian Eno. Something that helps to sooth the mind rather than give you a headache!

An evening dinner in the garden was a wonderful experience. The special menu was interesting, but it was a shame there was no mention of the special promotion using produce from the Community Garden (the main reason we booked). The food was tasty, lovely salami, raw mullet and a magnificent slice of loin of pork. What let the evening down was the service which was brusque, haughty and unfriendly. Having now read through the various reviews here, the service would seem to be largely an issue. I note that comments on Trip Advisor are never responded to by the Management, let alone addressed in practise, which is always an indication of poor management.

Second visit, first aborted due to not being able to get staff attention. Nice environment but again the member of staff serving was unfriendly - ‘I’m busy, have patience’ approach despite it being fairly empty. Didn’t stay for lunch. Won’t try again, sadly!

Looks lovely, very unfriendly. I walked out, we booked a visit to the museum which was lovely, wanted a drink before which was ok, directed to sit down, sat at a table then told to move/leave, then told fully booked. I understand you have to book to eat, but very vague and unwelcoming. We wanted tea and cake (like others were doing). I was so embarassed with the weird service I left. My mum tried to talk to the host but they were also very vague. Left and went to kiosk on the embankment. Vague instructions on website. So embarassed and felt very unwelcome. Not sure how this cafe works or how to get served here.

We had a great tea time after visiting Buckingham Palace. The cake was very good, as were the sandwiches! The ambience in the garden is of course great, but the café itself is more of a “cafeteria”. The lady who cleared away in the corner and kept the tables clean wasn't really friendly, unfortunately. Apparently everything was going too slowly for her. We were just getting dressed and standing around the table, but she had already started wiping. It wasn't right that we touched the table again with our jackets and bags. Unfortunately it was so tight at the back that we had no other option and we could have waited another two minutes. The team behind the sales counter and the “row ushers” were very nice!

The price is good. It's great for a leisurely break during your trip. The garden is beautiful. Outdoor tables are recommended. Brown cake too.

Stood there for 5 minutes and being completely ignored by every staff. So I just left.

Service is slow, but otherwise alright

I waited to have a seat, but no staff came or had eye contact with me and I felt like being an invisible person. It was around 3.30 p.m. on a weekday and they were not busy. There are some reviews of this restaurant being discriminative here, and I couldn't agree more. I just left quietly looking around, confirming there was no asian customer.

Most beautiful garden to sit in for a Sunday lunch. So busy so don't be in a rush. Handmade bread scrumptious, caponata perfect for summer, roast chicken had a good life and lived its flavour. Forgot to take food pictures as entranced by the environment.

Unfortunately the service was very poor and rather rude. After waiting for some time to get the attention of a waiter to ask for a seat, we were told that we cannot get “just” a coffee and had to serve food - a very profit maximising, “customers” don’t matter approach. It is a shame that such out of time places still exist, especially when claiming to be a cafe…

Literally the best coffee in London. Fabulous. A little pricey but the food, cakes and coffee are fab. The lunch menu changes daily and is packed with flavour. The cafe has a lovely atmosphere with nice music. One of my faves in London. Cannot recommend it enough. I tried to update this 3 years later. Literally everything I have written remains accurate

The interior is very wonderful with their minimal style! The quality of the food is also very good and the staff was great! Although it can be quite busy on a Sunday lunch time

Amazingly good food and I mean truly amazing by any international standard.. Correctly served in the lovliest of indoor and garden surroundings. It is very reasonably priced given the quality.

What a delightful lunch, after our May visit to the wonderful Garden Museum and its Gardening Bohemia show 'Bloomsbury Women Outdoors'. Everything was perfect, especially the asparagus-chevre tart.

Beautiful location, lovely staff cake was fine.

Delicious food in peaceful, green and well lit space. Would strongly recommend the port and tonic and the grilled peas.

Tea served in an espresso cup for take away... Very mediocre coffee.

Did not eat there but looked like it was very popular for people queuing out the door at lunchtime. Menu looked interesting

I had pistachio cake and cappuccino here. There was a little bit of food on the plate the cake was served on, but I tried to be positive and think that it was just the cake syrup splattered out. However, the peaches on the cake were also crushed. I thought something was strange, but I thought that was how it came out, so I just ate it. The taste wasn't that good either. The cappuccino was okay though. And as I was paying the bill, I saw the pistachio cake that the customer at the table next to me was eating and I was so surprised. The peach on top of the cake was so perfectly shaped, as if it had just been picked from the tree. It was very unpleasant, but I couldn't take pictures of other people's food and I wasn't familiar with English, so I just left, but I will never forget the unpleasantness. Is it because I'm Asian? I never want to go again.

A wonderful place, I definitely recommend a visit. The garden cafe is a bucolic oasis of deliciousness. The food was all very flavourful, only downside being it was a bit salty. The bread was so yummy, moist and moreish. The staff members were all very friendly and helpful. The courtyard beside the cafe was beautiful and provided a wonderful background against which to savour the food .

Beautiful setting in a calm enclosed courtyard garden - excellent and attentive service - delicious seasonal food

Delicious foccacia and other dishes. One of the best i had in London

We visited London from the U.S., and this was our favorite café. It is aesthetic, the staff are accommodating, the place was clean, and the coffee and food were amazing. We especially loved the soup, lattes, and cappuccino. Thank you for giving us a great experience!

A really wonderful place. Love going there for lunch.

The manager/ owner(?) needs to change her attitude, she's far too snooty. There is a separate (high tables and chairs) section if you're buying just a tea and cakes - which an elderly couple got turned away at the door, because it was lunch time, and the lower tables were "reserved" for the lunch rush only. But the kicker for me is, the manager got very confrontational and defensive when I wanted to buy a bottle of water to take away with me. They don't stock or sell them, I assume for environmental reasons(?) So when I made the suggestion, the manager said I could take free tap water. Which didn't make sense to me, because I was leaving, and I could only have it in a glass. She suggested I use a refillable bottle, and yes, normally I would, only this time I was visiting London and didn't have one (would they have been happy if I had brought my own bottle just to take tap water from them) ?? She made me feel like I'd asked her to kill her first born child - all I asked for was a bottle of water. She comes across as she doesn't care what her customers think of her. I felt like she didn't like me and couldn't care less what my opinion was, it didn't feel good. I won't be coming back. The cakes were nice and the wait staff were friendly.

You see it more and more in London. If you don't know yet whether you want to eat something after or with coffee, you will be placed in an uncomfortable corner so that they can keep comfortably situated tables free for potential customers who already agree to eat something upon arrival. Too bad.

Lovely cafe adjoining the Garden museum, which can be accessed separately. Friendly staff and nice cup of tea and cake!

A calm oasis in a busy and touristy area. Delightful spaces indoors and outdoors surrounded by green plants in this gem of a restaurant near the Thames and St Thomas' Hospital. The hake was done just right, tender with crispy skin, sitting on a bed of succulent fennel and thinly sliced fried potatoes. The bread was absolutely fresh, with just enough stretch and a good crust. The Easter tart was a fruit cake peppered with tiny cubes of orange peel and wrapped in a layer of marzipan topped by a marzipan ball. The hot water for the tea came hot enough to make two perfect cups of tea. All in all, an excellent dining experience.

The food, service and setting are lovely but truly dreadful value for money. Avoid the cheese course at all costs. For £9 you will get the most minuscule sliver of cheese - genuinely microscopic - concealed under a large flake of wafer to save the waiter’s blushes. It seems many have complained about the ludicrously small morsel of cheese served but Cafe refuses to listen. For £44.44 I had a very tasty but very tiny lunch. The cheese was the final insult. It’s just dreadful value for money. Despite being a regular, I’m determined to find a better value alternative and avoid feeling like I’ve been ripped off by a greedy institution. A shame.

The food, service and location are all excellent but very poor value for money - avoid the cheese option at all costs. For £9.00 you’ll get the smallest sliver of cheese disguised when served by wafer. Truly mean. Many customers have complained but the kitchen won’t change the serving. Despite being a longstanding customer of the cafe, the poor value for money will cause me to lunch elsewhere from here on. I’m left feeling sadly just ripped off but a greedy institution.

Excellent quality ingredients and technique. Flavours simple and full! Photos just don’t do it justice. Service exceptional too. Chris, Rosa and Jose were attentive and made excellent recommendations. Highly recommend!

What a pretty oasis amongst the grey concrete! Lovely smiley staff (even on a Monday morning!) and good coffee await. But that's not all! Vino and cakes available and if you have an affection for plantlife, this is a great place to arrange to meet friends. Spacious and light with music at just the right volume. Their decaf mocha was delicious (and trust me, it's hard to find a good decaf!). I did not eat here so I actually cannot comment on the food but I felt mean giving one star so gave five instead 🤣 Wheelchair friendly entrance.

What a gem, came across the Garden Cafe by chance, food was absolutely delicious, staff were lovely, just can’t wait to come back in the Summer to enjoy the garden,

Quite impressed with quality of food. Very friendly staff. Casual and light filled space. Bit of a random location but wouldn’t be out of place in East London.

The food is superb. The service is excellent. Will definitely go again.

It is a beautiful place, you could feel a sense of comfort and cozy; stopped by for a mocha, really nice, and the cookie and biscuit were just divine; yet, great location, museum just behind, great sunset view, very friendly staff and attentive!

Off hand and abrupt waitress and the coffee was too small and poor value for money No general low sugar soft drinks

The guy greeting people let me sit at an obviously dirty table without doing anything about it, and I needed to ask the waitress twice to wipe it for me. She did so only after my food and drink had arrived, then told me I could have sat somewhere cleaner (there was one other table available when I walked in, right in the middle of a crowded room, and I’d picked the window seat). It would have taken anyone 10 seconds to sort. Made me feel bad while I was trying to enjoy my cookie.

Friendly cafe, only had coffee and cookies but really good, friendly staff.

amazing food! wow! lovely staff too

It is hard to find truly quiet places to eat in London. This was perfect, and in a beautiful setting. The floor to ceiling glass and being surrounded by plants feels like dinning outdoors, with the warmth and quiet of being indoors. The food was delicious and beautifully presented, though a little pricy. Service excellent.

The menu is short but it is hard to choose because all the dishes look so good. The quality, execution and presentation of my duck was exquisite. This was my second visit, I will be back!

A great find when in Vauxhall, not many other cafes in the area. This one is top notch! Quite pricey but a lovely environment.

A cozy place, direbbero qui a Londra. E, sì, non lo si può descrivere meglio.

Nice staff, beautiful surroundings

Nice place to have a coffee. Very friendly staff.

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Beautiful food/ Charles - a very attentive waiter/ lovely garden outlook.

Near Lambeth Bridge and busy road might just put some off eating here, however the food is delicious, imaginative and varied.Staff informed and attentive, a lovely courtyard garden to eat in should you want a little more peace.

We stopped in for lunch on a Saturday. We were told that, without a reservation, we could have lunch, but that there were reserved customers coming, and that we could have the table for only about 45 minutes. Fine. We had things to do, and could skip the starter. But it took a long time to come back and take our order. The main course came in a reasonable time, and was DELICIOUS (soufflé and venison &mash). But we were still hungry, and wanted dessert. But we sat a long time trying to to get a menu back—we asked the busser who finally. Ame to take our empty plates, but without result. Eventually, someone came to tell us that we could go to another table if we wanted dessert or coffee. By then, we were fed up, and just asked for the bill. And got dessert elsewhere. This should be a 5-star review, given the food. But I wouldn’t go back.

Amazing place, lovely food, friendly service. This is an oasis in the heart of London that leaves you relaxed and satisfied.

Phenominal. Ambiance, staff, food quality simply superb. If you love flavour explosions in your mouth, great quality ingredients cooked with expertise to deliver a plate of 'yumminess' then look no where else. The quality, texture, flavour and artistry in the food is exquisite without the normal fussiness and 'la dee da' of other chefs climbing the greasy ladder to fame and fortune. Don't get me wrong, these chefs are talented but they don't need to shout from the roof tops as their food does this for them. As for the menu!? The only issue you will have is what to select as all of it is a dilemma: But a nice one to have. Here, the staff were great in leading their suggestions and they were bang on the money.

Everything was perfect. The food was delicious, good-looking staff and friendly

Some room for improvements Coffee was good, bitter tho possibly due to being such a small cup, smallest flat white I’ve ever had. Unable to buy any dairy free cakes, first time we have come across this in London

Stars are for the setting which is gorgeous, my server, who was v sweet, and the music. My food, however, wasn’t great. Or even good. Fish was mushy-a complete waste of a bit of hake-it died in vain sadly. Focaccia had a ton of salt over it until it was inedible- the beans were left with skin on and the sauce on the dish needed salt-but not so much as was on/in the bread. For goodness sake put condiments on the table-you’re not Michelin starred! No sides come with mains which leaves them bereft. Put some spuds or pasta on as sides-please! My cheese and crackers was the best but but v small portion for the price -£11.. I really didn’t enjoy the food at all. Wine wasn’t bad-or good. Would go for a wander around the palace again but I wouldn’t eat at the cafe.

What a wonderful find! We stumbled across this café today in search of a bite to eat, and what a tasty ordering there was to have. The choices are not vast, but what is offered is done beautifully and incredibly tasty. This matched with experienced staff makes this an excellent choice. We enjoyed mackerel and squid today. The menu changes daily, to match what's seasonably available.

If we lived closer we would go back, but I cannot in all honesty say that I would travel from Chelmsford just to have lunch here as it is a bit too far. Having said that we enjoyed our lunch there very much. We were lucky with the weather and enjoyed eating in the garden. The only minus point was the choice of mains on the day. one veg, 2 fish and one meat, i would have liked one more meat to choose form. Having said that everyone in our party thoroughly enjoyed the meal which was excellently cooked and prepared. The service was good and not intrusive

Tea and chocolate brownie. The brownie was nice but a bit too rich. We went on spec but would revisit for lunch or dinner as the food looked great.

Tucked away amidst the bustling streets of vauxhall, The Garden Cafe offers a tranquil escape and a delightful dining experience. The cafe's name is a perfect fit, as it boasts a charming outdoor garden area that exudes a sense of calm and relaxation. The lush greenery, adorned with vibrant flowers, creates a welcoming atmosphere where guests can unwind and enjoy their meals in the company of nature. For those seeking respite from the city's hustle, The Garden Cafe provides an ideal oasis. The menu is equally impressive, offering an array of dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Pate is very good. During my visit, the service at The Garden Cafe was warm and attentive, reflecting the staff's genuine passion for hospitality. They were happy to accommodate special requests and provided helpful recommendations to enhance the dining experience. In conclusion, The Garden Cafe in Lambeth is a hidden culinary haven that invites guests to indulge in delicious food while surrounded by nature's beauty. Whether you're looking for a peaceful spot to enjoy a leisurely brunch or glass of wine with snacks, this restaurant delivers on all fronts. With its serene ambiance, mouthwatering dishes, and eco-conscious values, The Garden Cafe is a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike.

A group of us arrived about 1pm on 22nd June. There were lots of empty tables outside. We wanted coffee and cakes. The staff at the bar were not busy. We waited in line. And waited. And waited. No one was at the check in desk. Staff were wandering about. I tried to ask if we could order at the bar and sit outside but was told curtly we had to wait to be checked in. After 15 minutes we gave up. What a disappointing experience. Beautiful setting. Super Museum. It was so badly organised. I emailed on behalf of our group. I got no response. I don’t like leaving negative reviews but I would say this cafe/restaurant needs to get organised and not treat its customers so shabbily. It could easily be in two sections. Cafe and restaurant.

Excellent cafe with good atmosphere and very pleasant staff. Delicious choc chip cookies and coconut macaroons!

Food, service, everything was very good. Would go again.

If your looking for coffee and a slice of cake your fine. But avoid if your actually hungry, small portions and high prices are to be expected. Mentioned I was hungry and received the Child sized bowl of soup and similar sized portion of pasta for £28 added bread to stop the stomach from caving in for another £4. Staff are polite and the food tastes nice enough but overall, an Unsatisfactory experience.

Seasonal menu with creative flair, good choice also for vegetarians and really lovely venue especially in the summer when you can sit outside in the secluded courtyard

What a real treat. Delicious food, served in wonderful surroundings (it was a hot day and we sat outside in the dappled shade) by a lovely, friendly team. We shared an Artichoke heart to start with, my companion had the Cornish Octopus and I chose the butterfly Mackerel. All delicious. We finished off with the sweetest Kent strawberries and the cheese plate. I couldn't recommend it more highly.

Nice surroundings, pretentious overpriced food with small portions and slow service.

What an incredible alfresco lunch today at The Garden Museum cafe. The food was delicious, I highly recommend the grilled john dory with new potatoes, watercress, cucumber and elderflower. 🐟 I also enjoyed the spiced lemon spritzer. The food was so fresh and beautifully seasoned. My husband had the courgettes, white beans and olives, washed down with a glass of orange wine! The staff were attentive and friendly. I could not recommend more a visit to this London gem. 💎

Food was good, well made and nice presentation but the portions were ridiculous for the price which is charged.

A very lovely place very cool and fresh Biscuits were delicious and coffee excellent. A very fair price too.

So disappointing! Lovely building and setting and was a great restaurant. Now not so. Everything poor - staff, menu, quality of food. So ordinary and dull. 2 slices of bread for £4. Supermarket type salmon fillets with peas and a few lardons as a main course - embarrassing!

In an area with few restaurants this place stands out providing quality food well cooked and ideal for a light lunch. The menu is small though there is a choice of meat, fish and vegetarian/vegan. Everything we ate was enjoyable especially our starters of soup and mains of chicken and black sea bream. Our carafe of Italian wine was so so - nothing special though my friends steam pudding hit the spot whilst my choice of rhubarb fool did not though that was due to my choice. Not a fan of cream - should have asked. Service was fine on our visit and there was no pressure to turn the table. At £120 for 2 including 50cl carafe of wine + service not cheap. If you want a light lunch in a lovely setting do go and visit the Garden Museum at the same time. Booking a must.

We visited for lunch and found everything g absolutely delicious! They have a very limited menu which varies day to day. It seems that all of their ingredients are top notch resulting in fantastic dishes. The crusty bread with amazing butter from Normandy was wonderful. We could have just eaten that! We asked the brand of the butter and it is Etrez....yummy!! I had Robollita Soup and my husband had mussels with Saffron. The seasonings were perfect. For dessert we shared pistachio cake with Chantilly cream and honey (I'm not a big fan of honey but this was very tasty). So, while at first a bit disappointed by the menu options we were quite happy by the end of lunch. Service was great and an amazing setting on the grounds of Lambeth Palace. There is a garden atrium and gravesites scattered about. Charming and historic.

Positives: - one of the best restaurant space in London, especially if you like plants - inventive cooking - short and effective wine list. Negatives: - staff slightly aloof (got better as the meal continued) - poor customer care. One of our mains was over-salted. We informed the waiter, who said they would let chef know. And there it stayed. No replacement dish (lose a tripadvisor point) and nothing off the bill (lose another point) So: could have been an easy 5. Poor service brough it down to 3.

I don't understand the negative reviews because we loved our lunch at the Garden Cafe. One word: YUM! Honestly, we wish we had time to go back during our trip for a second lunch. We shared a bunch of different plates and each one was delicious. The soup, the smoked salmon, the burrata - everything was perfect. Also, the homemade bread is to die for.

This is a lovely setting. I visited on Friday 29th April for lunch. I paid over £30 with the service charge . For this I had one green side salad, one portion of minestrone soup (not served with bread), one small pot of mint tea made with a small number of mint leaves and a cappuccino. Since the minestrone was a main course , £16 I think, I expected it to be be particularly hearty. It was a thin vegetable soup, with some pearl barley and a few vegetables in it. It was pleasant and delicate, but someone is having a laugh here in calling it a main course. The customers were a quiet and civilised bunch, nice people on a special day out and I did not have the heart to complain and spoil their day, as everyone would have heard my comments, due to the acoustics. I think that whoever is running this is showing a contempt for their customers by charging such outrageous prices. This cafe does serve coffee and cake and I think that must be the best way to experience it, although it would be wise to check the price before ordering. I believe one is legally entitled to offer the restaurant a fair price for a meal, and personally I think that half what I paid would have been more than sufficient at usual prices.

Had the sad experience of lunching with my partner and my newly-wedded son and daughter-in-law at the Garden Museum Café last week We’d eaten there twice previously, before lockdown, and thoroughly enjoyed the experiences How things can deteriorate! Whilst the quality of the ingredients remains fine, portion sizes have plummeted in direct proportion to the price rises; A small plate of quiche, with leaves, was £17; bread and butter, at £1.50 per person, was a half slice of a home-baked loaf. So for the 4 of us, £6 Wine, £26 for a half-litre of Sangiovese, £30 for Viognier (both blends) Filthy toilets and chipped crockery only served to reinforce our view that this is an establishment in dire need of reinvention My partner wrote to the café manager to make these observations and complaints A detailed reply confirmed that “the crockery is bespoke, and we think very attractive, even with a few chips in it”. The bread “is made from heritage grains, and served with some incredible butter from Normandy”, and “we were welcome to have more bread or butter if you had asked for some” Plenty of other platitudes in the 600 word apology, but no hint of remorse or remedy. Avoid at all costs!

My wife brought me to the church as we saw a couple of people up on the tower, overlooking Thames, we had to pass through the café which my wife has been to look at for an event space for her company and mentioned if I wanted a bite to eat ? To which I replied yes as I was a bit peckish this Sunday afternoon before gallery across rd… Service was great the decor and layout was very well done all glass windows like a conservatory… I ordered pigs head terrine with pickled rhubarb and a side of Focaccia bread… the bread was lovely but the terrine with salad and pickled rhubarb very tasty & gorgeous… wash down with a lovely white Beaujolais ( never heard of a white one ). Well I’ve heard some of my bread and a latte… Service was excellent, food amazing.. just what we wanted before our gallery visit

Delicious lunch at the Garden Cafe from the brilliant George Ryle. Lovely setting and friendly service. Highlights for us were mussel croquettes, focaccia (fantastica!) and courgettes - best I've ever had and my husband who doesn't normally liked them agreed!

Had read recent review in the Independent and had high expectations which weren’t matched with reality unfortunately. The cafe setting is just lovely, bright and airy so everything started well. We decided a main and pudding would be enough for lunch but had not anticipated rather small portions☹️ Our pasta with aubergine, mini tomatoes and pine nuts was nice enough but rather salty and not much aubergine. Honey and pistachio cake with plums and cream - lovely but still a small portion - just the one plum! Service was sullen and not easy to get their attention. I’m not sure I’ll be back as it didn’t feel good value for money.

I was a little gutted to read the last reviews about it going downhill as I’d booked after lusting after the menu for an age! It was for my partners 30th birthday lunch too so felt the pressure for it to be nice. Luckily it was a beautiful day of and despite arriving really late (I let them know in advance) they were super accommodating and had even reserved us a table outside in the courtyard! Such a warm welcome and lovely casual but attentive service throughout. The setting & atmosphere is absolutely stunning. The menu changes regularly so you’re guaranteed fresh and delicious plates. I could have eaten everything on there if I had the time and room in my stomach! It was also not insanely priced so the review I read about it being like The River Cafe but in a nicer setting and it not bankrupting you is absolutely spot on! Utter perfection. My partner and I love this so much, we actually preferred it to the dinner we had later that evening at a Michelin starred restaurant. Thank you to the whole Garden Cafe Museum team. Can’t wait to visit again soon.

I had an excellent experience here in May but my revisit in August was a disappointment. I had booked and asked for a courtyard table but was told I had to be seated inside. It was very noisy, the music volume was high, people were talking very loudly to be heard and the acoustics didn’t help when metal chairs were moved on the concrete floor. I chose the monkfish with beans and potatoes. The monkfish was acceptable although I would have cooked it for a half a minute longer. The dressing on the beans was tasty but it was the potatoes that were very strange. They were stone cold and too hard to cut. The pleasant waitress took them away and replacements were brought back by a rather dour waiter who told me they were served at room temperature. He walked away as I attempted to tell him they were not room temperature but cold. I did manage to eat a couple of these potatoes but once again they were not all cooked sufficiently. I had written a glowing review after my previous visit and had been surprised at some of the negative reviews but after my last visit I can see eating here can be a mixed experience. What a shame. Perhaps I’ll give it another attempt in the future; the rosemary focaccia is delicious!

I took a friend for a special meal to a place where I have previously had really good meals!Has the chef changed or what? The meal was OK but the food was nothing special, Service was attentive but sometimes odd: we got our coffee slightly before our dessert but weren’t asked if this was what we wanted. The carpaccio was well flavoured but sliced over 1/8” thick which made it difficult to cut and it was tough, I asked for a doggy bag so I could tackle it at home which was graciously brought and we were not charged for that starter which was a nice touch, although no one came to discuss the issue. Fish was well flavoured but a tad undercooked so the skin was difficult to remove, a pork chop came with the onions as described on the menu but no other vegetables which previously have often been a highlight of the meal and which made for a slightly daunting looking plateful.Desserts were adequate but lacking that special flavour boost which I have so often enjoyed here.This used to be ‘my GoTo restaurant’ but although I will give it another try to make sure I didn’t just hit an off day, it is no longer top of my list.

We were very unimpressed by this cafe. We were told lunch had finished and were sat outside for coffees and cake, only to see a steady stream of other diners being welcomed with place settings and menus. Our waiter came over and asked ‘What do you want?’ and when asked what our options were, he said soft drinks and cake or a biscuit. He didn’t even tell us what type of cake it was! We were largely ignored after said mystery cake arrived. I’m not sure what they had against us- perhaps we weren’t posh enough or well dressed enough- but they were downright rude.

Wonderful calm oasis in historic setting. Excellent food, great service. They went out of their way to accommodate a solo client at a busy lunchtime on a public holiday. I was very impressed. The food was excellent and fairly priced for the quality. On my list for revisits and recommendations. Thank you for your thoughtful courtesy.

Obviously popular as only 1 table available at the time we called (near lunchtime to be fair). Also my friends are rather thrifty!! Very helpful patient staff with all our fussing about whether to have tea/coffee/food. The food did look great I must admit. Perhaps another time ..

Lovely space within the Garden Museum with attentive cuisine and good service. Tables are arranged around the modern courtyard so if it is a sunny day is really enjoyable to sit there and have your lunch. Just a bit pricey though for a cafe.