When I had COVID a couple of years ago, I temporarily lost my sense of smell. With this gone I also lost most of my taste. I can only think that Heston Blumenthal, or whoever came up with this dissapointing menu, had an equally debilitating condition.We went for a lunch-time tasting menu. There were 10 courses and frankly none of them stood out. The waiters and drinks staff were attentive and friendly. There were some entertaining gimmicks along the way, like the glass of wine in the wine cellar, whilst music blared out and red lights shone down.The food was technically excellent, but tasted awful. The flavour combinations clashed badly, like an orchestra all playing in different keys. The Mad Hatters tea party, that the waiter excitedly explained took two weeks to make, was a particular low point of blandness and mediocrity.The £100 non-alcoholic flight of drinks was also especially poor. Mercifully the mixed alcoholic/non-alcoholic flight was a little bit less disappointing.The experience took four hours in total. It's a small space and the restaurant is bare. By the end we couldn't wait to leave. There were long periods where we were just sat around waiting for something to happen.We got the Elizabeth line here from London, which worked well. My favourite part was the walk from the station to the restaurant, if you come (not that I would recommend you do) - definitely try this. I've been to similar Michelin starred tasting menus and I have been wowed by their food. To say I was underwhelmed by the food here is an understatement.I can only think that Heston Blumenthal has lost his way. Maybe he never knew the way? But he does have three Michelin stars, so I can only think that he must have lost his way. To use a football analogy - he's the chef equivalent of the grumpy Jose Mourinho who led a drab team to failure at Roma, not the exciting and joyous Mourinho who once took on the world and succeeded at Porto.At the end the waiter asked us how the experience was and we were honest. They offered to take the service charge away, which wouldn't have been fair as the staff were wonderful. Perhaps Heston tellls them to do this, because of course his mediocre food couldn't be the problem!If you are planning something special I strongly advise you to give this place a swerve. There are much better restaurants available than this place and there are certainly better value places!
Dana L
Just incredible - had high expectations and they were exceeded.
Alex Jones
Not only is this hands down the best restaurant that I have ever visited, but it's right up there with one of the best evenings I've ever had. I can not recommend the Fat Duck more. From arriving; to being offered help with booking a taxi when leaving, the service is superb. We have never had such comfortable and personal service without a hint of pretence. Everyone in the Fat Duck clearly love their job and are all there to make sure that all guests have an amazing evening. Josh in particular was great and spent a lot of time with us. The food is great and very thought-provoking. Exactly what you would expect from Heston and his scientific approach to gastronomy. This is the first michelin restaurant that I have left, thinking about when I can return next. Everyone who loves food should experience this place.
delhuse
Undoubtedly an incredible food experience. Is it the finest meal I have ever eaten, I am not sure, but some amazing dishes, flavours and a unique experience. Difficult to justify as value for money, so you have to park your sense of value at the door and understand it’s an experience.
Sarah Hannigan
The team at The Fat Duck were just amazing! We went for our wedding anniversary, and had a complete disaster. We married on a leap year, and as such, our first official anniversary was going to be very special. My husband booked, and we were so excited. We'd had our first date at The Crown, so this was really special for us.Unfortunately we both got flu and were too ill to go. Devastated we contacted them, aware we would lose our booking.Martina was simply lovely, and spoke to the Manager who kindly agreed to move our booking to the following week.We just went for lunch and were floored by not only the exceptional food, but the little touches and kindness they showed us. Aisha (hope I've spelt that correctly) was lovely. Our story tellers warm, funny and genuine. We were touched by the whole experience.Every person we met was a credit to the brand. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
David Austin
Unbelievable. Finest dining experience of my life (and by a long way). Would give more stars if available. Amazing staff that were friendly, fun and knowledgeable without being stuck up or stuffy. The whole experience from start to finish challenged my senses in a unique and completely new way. Trying to sum up and review this is like trying to explain the colour blue to someone who has been blind from birth. If you haven't visited the Fat Duck, its definitely somewhere you should place on your 'bucket list '. Sensational cuisine Fat Duck. Thank you for the last a lifetime memories.
Tristan Scott
Wow!Worth the wait, this experience will not disappoint. Every single second of your visit has been thought off, from the moment you turn up to the moment you leave. Food, excellent, service amazing, experience mesmerising.How they have managed to do what they do is inspiring. The team tell the story and are just as great as the food.You need to visit! I'm definitely going to return.........Dietary restrictions: My wife is dairy free, and they changed everything to give her the same experience
Krishna Mistry
Excellent dining experience, which is unique and definitely worth going to for something different. Goes on for a few hours but the time flies by as you're so engaged from the
Carmen Budimir
Great experience! Everyone was very nice accommodating (considering we were there with a loud, curious 16 mo).Food and drinks were amazing and very tasteful... We had a wonderful time!
Justin Rivett
Multi sensory culinary experience.Yes, it's hugely expensive, and yes you could probably get 728 Sunday Roasts at your local Carvery for that, but it's massively different to anything you will have eaten before. Yes, some people have been 'inspired' by elements of it, and yes you can probably get a better meal at one of a handful of Restaurants in the World that can cook at this level, but it's the experience that makes it.
So much fun! I had previously been here twice, but over 10 years ago. Went here again recently and absolutely loved it.We went for their Christmas menu, the food was tasty, fun and overall just a great experience.Pros:*Service was exceptional throughout the dining experience, someone on our table sneezed and they brought them a new napkin.*Advent calendar menu was fun and very fitting*Majority of the dishes were great, the standout for me was the prawn cocktail that came in the form of a cocktail as well as a dish*The theatrics such as the dried ice, Christmas tree on the table and doing the finishing touches of various dishes at the tableCons:*There aren’t any really… obviously given it’s a 3 star restaurant, it’s going to be expensive. But I’d say it’s well worth it and I’d love to go again.
Sam Schofield
The food and service were incredible.
Lydia Martin
The food here is well worth the trip out from London. Beautifully presented, ingredients so fresh and flavorsome, creative dishes, expert chefs. Superb food!The atmosphere lacks a bit as it is fine dining, but it hardly matters.
Welby1000
Not three star without a reason . Went here for my Wife's birthday celebration, the whole vibe was very chilled although obviously there were some seriously wealthy people here. I won't go too much into the food as I wish I hadn't researched so much before we went and this slightly messed the surprise . Suffice to say, every dish in the tasting menu was a complete surprise and delight. As usual in these top Michelin starred places you are able to have some good banter with the front of house (contrary to a lot of peoples expectations) . Very expensive but you need to come here at least once in your lifetime
Simon T massimini
We had been looking forward to our visit here for some time… and it was well worth the wait. From upon entering, being greeted so warmly and friendly set the scene. Very dedicated staff which make the experience all the more enjoyable. Your senses are alive! And of course, the food is not only cooked amazingly well.. but it’s also dece deceptive and fun. Heston and his team don’t disappoint. Highly recommended a visit.We will be back!
When I had COVID a couple of years ago, I temporarily lost my sense of smell. With this gone I also lost most of my taste. I can only think that Heston Blumenthal, or whoever came up with this dissapointing menu, had an equally debilitating condition.We went for a lunch-time tasting menu. There were 10 courses and frankly none of them stood out. The waiters and drinks staff were attentive and friendly. There were some entertaining gimmicks along the way, like the glass of wine in the wine cellar, whilst music blared out and red lights shone down.The food was technically excellent, but tasted awful. The flavour combinations clashed badly, like an orchestra all playing in different keys. The Mad Hatters tea party, that the waiter excitedly explained took two weeks to make, was a particular low point of blandness and mediocrity.The £100 non-alcoholic flight of drinks was also especially poor. Mercifully the mixed alcoholic/non-alcoholic flight was a little bit less disappointing.The experience took four hours in total. It's a small space and the restaurant is bare. By the end we couldn't wait to leave. There were long periods where we were just sat around waiting for something to happen.We got the Elizabeth line here from London, which worked well. My favourite part was the walk from the station to the restaurant, if you come (not that I would recommend you do) - definitely try this. I've been to similar Michelin starred tasting menus and I have been wowed by their food. To say I was underwhelmed by the food here is an understatement.I can only think that Heston Blumenthal has lost his way. Maybe he never knew the way? But he does have three Michelin stars, so I can only think that he must have lost his way. To use a football analogy - he's the chef equivalent of the grumpy Jose Mourinho who led a drab team to failure at Roma, not the exciting and joyous Mourinho who once took on the world and succeeded at Porto.At the end the waiter asked us how the experience was and we were honest. They offered to take the service charge away, which wouldn't have been fair as the staff were wonderful. Perhaps Heston tellls them to do this, because of course his mediocre food couldn't be the problem!If you are planning something special I strongly advise you to give this place a swerve. There are much better restaurants available than this place and there are certainly better value places!
Just incredible - had high expectations and they were exceeded.
Not only is this hands down the best restaurant that I have ever visited, but it's right up there with one of the best evenings I've ever had. I can not recommend the Fat Duck more. From arriving; to being offered help with booking a taxi when leaving, the service is superb. We have never had such comfortable and personal service without a hint of pretence. Everyone in the Fat Duck clearly love their job and are all there to make sure that all guests have an amazing evening. Josh in particular was great and spent a lot of time with us. The food is great and very thought-provoking. Exactly what you would expect from Heston and his scientific approach to gastronomy. This is the first michelin restaurant that I have left, thinking about when I can return next. Everyone who loves food should experience this place.
Undoubtedly an incredible food experience. Is it the finest meal I have ever eaten, I am not sure, but some amazing dishes, flavours and a unique experience. Difficult to justify as value for money, so you have to park your sense of value at the door and understand it’s an experience.
The team at The Fat Duck were just amazing! We went for our wedding anniversary, and had a complete disaster. We married on a leap year, and as such, our first official anniversary was going to be very special. My husband booked, and we were so excited. We'd had our first date at The Crown, so this was really special for us.Unfortunately we both got flu and were too ill to go. Devastated we contacted them, aware we would lose our booking.Martina was simply lovely, and spoke to the Manager who kindly agreed to move our booking to the following week.We just went for lunch and were floored by not only the exceptional food, but the little touches and kindness they showed us. Aisha (hope I've spelt that correctly) was lovely. Our story tellers warm, funny and genuine. We were touched by the whole experience.Every person we met was a credit to the brand. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Unbelievable. Finest dining experience of my life (and by a long way). Would give more stars if available. Amazing staff that were friendly, fun and knowledgeable without being stuck up or stuffy. The whole experience from start to finish challenged my senses in a unique and completely new way. Trying to sum up and review this is like trying to explain the colour blue to someone who has been blind from birth. If you haven't visited the Fat Duck, its definitely somewhere you should place on your 'bucket list '. Sensational cuisine Fat Duck. Thank you for the last a lifetime memories.
Wow!Worth the wait, this experience will not disappoint. Every single second of your visit has been thought off, from the moment you turn up to the moment you leave. Food, excellent, service amazing, experience mesmerising.How they have managed to do what they do is inspiring. The team tell the story and are just as great as the food.You need to visit! I'm definitely going to return.........Dietary restrictions: My wife is dairy free, and they changed everything to give her the same experience
Excellent dining experience, which is unique and definitely worth going to for something different. Goes on for a few hours but the time flies by as you're so engaged from the
Great experience! Everyone was very nice accommodating (considering we were there with a loud, curious 16 mo).Food and drinks were amazing and very tasteful... We had a wonderful time!
Multi sensory culinary experience.Yes, it's hugely expensive, and yes you could probably get 728 Sunday Roasts at your local Carvery for that, but it's massively different to anything you will have eaten before. Yes, some people have been 'inspired' by elements of it, and yes you can probably get a better meal at one of a handful of Restaurants in the World that can cook at this level, but it's the experience that makes it.
Restaurantji Recommends
So much fun! I had previously been here twice, but over 10 years ago. Went here again recently and absolutely loved it.We went for their Christmas menu, the food was tasty, fun and overall just a great experience.Pros:*Service was exceptional throughout the dining experience, someone on our table sneezed and they brought them a new napkin.*Advent calendar menu was fun and very fitting*Majority of the dishes were great, the standout for me was the prawn cocktail that came in the form of a cocktail as well as a dish*The theatrics such as the dried ice, Christmas tree on the table and doing the finishing touches of various dishes at the tableCons:*There aren’t any really… obviously given it’s a 3 star restaurant, it’s going to be expensive. But I’d say it’s well worth it and I’d love to go again.
The food and service were incredible.
The food here is well worth the trip out from London. Beautifully presented, ingredients so fresh and flavorsome, creative dishes, expert chefs. Superb food!The atmosphere lacks a bit as it is fine dining, but it hardly matters.
Not three star without a reason . Went here for my Wife's birthday celebration, the whole vibe was very chilled although obviously there were some seriously wealthy people here. I won't go too much into the food as I wish I hadn't researched so much before we went and this slightly messed the surprise . Suffice to say, every dish in the tasting menu was a complete surprise and delight. As usual in these top Michelin starred places you are able to have some good banter with the front of house (contrary to a lot of peoples expectations) . Very expensive but you need to come here at least once in your lifetime
We had been looking forward to our visit here for some time… and it was well worth the wait. From upon entering, being greeted so warmly and friendly set the scene. Very dedicated staff which make the experience all the more enjoyable. Your senses are alive! And of course, the food is not only cooked amazingly well.. but it’s also dece deceptive and fun. Heston and his team don’t disappoint. Highly recommended a visit.We will be back!