It took a review in the Stahdard to get us in here, but we are glad it did! Even then, having read of its virtues myself and extolled them to my wife and son, they felt almost physically repelled by what the decor suggested would be their experience, as we walked in the door.Simply put, it is a friendly, all are welcome, Cafe, with a very traditional menu, at good prices and large portions, cooked to crisp perfection.Parking: Blenheim Centre free car park.
Gary Jarvis
Great food, friendly atmosphere, and excellent service make The Garden Café the best place to eat in Penge hands downWheelchair accessibility: Good access for a wheelchair
Omar Smith
Good fry-up breakfast, good coffee, served presentable and with quick service. Prices also reasonable for a London cafe.
Colin Latham
Been in here 3 times now and I will be going back when in the area
Charly Franc
Lovely people, food is nice and toilets are
P4625RKwaynec
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.
Trevor Roberts
The guy serving is always friendly normally go for burger & chips nice coffee ☕ last time I have jack potato with tuna mayo sweet corn was very niceParking: Free street parking up side roads can be hit & miss on getting a space or can park on penge High Street if you pay
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.
Tim G
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
PG4343
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.
John B
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!
OkayTC
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.
yum yum. garden out back!
Nice local
Adequate,
It took a review in the Stahdard to get us in here, but we are glad it did! Even then, having read of its virtues myself and extolled them to my wife and son, they felt almost physically repelled by what the decor suggested would be their experience, as we walked in the door.Simply put, it is a friendly, all are welcome, Cafe, with a very traditional menu, at good prices and large portions, cooked to crisp perfection.Parking: Blenheim Centre free car park.
Great food, friendly atmosphere, and excellent service make The Garden Café the best place to eat in Penge hands downWheelchair accessibility: Good access for a wheelchair
Good fry-up breakfast, good coffee, served presentable and with quick service. Prices also reasonable for a London cafe.
Been in here 3 times now and I will be going back when in the area
Lovely people, food is nice and toilets are
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.
The guy serving is always friendly normally go for burger & chips nice coffee ☕ last time I have jack potato with tuna mayo sweet corn was very niceParking: Free street parking up side roads can be hit & miss on getting a space or can park on penge High Street if you pay
Restaurantji Recommends
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.
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
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.
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.