Okay, can't speak for the food but the attitude of the staff is awful. Walked in with the family, asked if they had a high chair and the bloke didn't even look at me, and snapped "no". Fair enough, run your cafe how you want, just don't be surprised when people come here to call you out on it.
David Pollard
This looks like a little gem, I am hoping to frequent again soon. Nice breakfast and you can add what ever you wish. CASH ONLY :-)
Roger E
Treated like cattle and the guy behind the tilt kept shouting at customers to get back behind the line. Drinks disorganised and the girl operating the machine showed total disinterest. Won’t bother again mainly because of the rudeness of the staff..
sandie b
Dont go here. The toilets are disgusting and after reporting it to the manager still nothing got done.
Watlington
This is a lovely building in a beautiful park and especially delightful on the terrace in the sunshine. Sadly this time our experience was pretty poor. There seemed to be plenty of young staff who were pleasant but our impression was they were not supported by decent management. Our arrival was confusing: there was a queue for buying take away drinks at the counter but for ‘eat in ‘ a large notice saying ‘Please wait to be seated’ Nobody doing this so found a table ourselves, a menu and ordered at the counter. Nothing wrong with that if it is clearly set up that way. We chose to sit on the terrace. We saw no one clearing tables which accumulated rubbish. Orders were brought out but the waiter returned inside empty handed. When pigeons started flapping on the tables and knocking things of it became unpleasant and I alerted the staff. The waiter brought out a box and started clearing the tables quite willingly but there seemed to be no clear plan for keeping things running smoothly. I don’t believe this could be a single bad day. Felt sad that such a potentially lovely restaurant could be run like this. We ordered curried cauliflower with aubergine purée which was actually delicious. But two very small plates cost £28!
SylviaH558
The service was complete chaos. Ordered 1 hot chocolate and one latte. Some people had ordered and paid by scanning. I don't have this facility on my phone so was able to pay by cash. Only one drinks machine with 2 people operating it and getting in each other's way. There was no guidance where to wait for your drinks. Just a muddle of customers. Eventually one drink arrived and I had to wait at least 10 more minutes to get second drink. We then went to sit down to drink it and the drinks were just luke warm and impossible to enjoy. There didn't seem to be a shortage of staff just a lack of supervision. If 2 drinks are ordered by a person they should be ready at the same time with not a long delay to wait for the second drink. Another machine should be purchased and each machine operated by one person, not 2 people getting in each other's way. Utter Shambles and will not be using again.
Stlo01
A lovely location with what seemed like a good offer on the menu but sitting outside on the deck the stench of urine was so off putting we could not stay. A good wash is needed
noelp743
I know we were in London, but paying more than an expensive bottle of wine for one glass seem a rather an over the top rip off, especially when the glass of wine was poured from a decanter with no label, so could have been any old plonk. Also had a very expensive beer that was obviously very poorly kept, as it was so bad I had to throw half of it away despite the cost, which is just as well as I started feeling ill from it later. Will never go back, although I doubt they care as plenty more tourists passing through to be ripped off.
Kedar Sawant
5 star ⭐ the owner is amazing and the coffee served by him was excellent. I do recommend this cafe :)
MorgLoud
A scenic place with a satisfying meal! We stopped here to take a break from strolling the park. The service was friendly and I really enjoyed the beverages and fish and chips. Will return!
I've been going to this cafe for years, and it's always been my favorite breakfast spot in Surbiton. The fried breakfasts are exactly what you want from a cafe. If you're looking for a proper fry-up, as opposed to what I call a "posh" fry-up with home-made beans, then this is the place for you. The food is never greasy, and the chips are always cooked to perfection.The staff are friendly and welcoming, and they always make my two children feel special. The place is always clean and tidy.The only downside is that they only take cash, which can be inconvenient if you don't have any on you. However, there is an ATM right across the street, so it's not a big deal.Having taken the time to understand why they only accept cash and appreciate the owners point of view. (Whilst I don’t agree with the logic) I respect his ideas and love that he has taken a stand for something he believes in, it’s actually a nice quirk and something which I think adds character. It’s an independent with its own mind, that’s what makes it even more special!Kid-friendliness: They are great with the kids, accommodating and welcomingParking: Parking outside
J Chan-el
Went into the Cafe with a friend which I recommended we go and have a breakfast there,, on Monday the 3rd of April. We both ordered the Saint James breakfast which included orange juice after we finished eating we were told they didn’t have any orange juice and didn’t give us a replacement. We should’ve been told when we paid that they didn’t have orange juice. Why take our money and not deliver what you’re advertising.This is very very bad never be coming there again.
Ian Roy
Nice cafe. Warm cosy and solid furniture but no toilet and cash only. Staff not polite and bit miserable but good food
Imal F
Visited today for lunch and ordered hot smoked sea trout, golden beetroot, coffee mocha, coffee latte. Spent £17 for hot smoked sea trout and very disappointed with the portion size. Staff was so unfriendly and showed their unhappy faces and almost yelled at us. Served coffee latte without saucers. Felt ripped off and not recommended.
digipicsuk
Great setting but very poor value and quality. We called in for an early lunch before it got busy. Caesar salad was one of worst ever, nearly all lettuce, a hint of bacon and cheese in the bottom of the bowl and not brilliant chicken that cost and extra £4. Took over 30 mins to arrive so not quick. Toilets a big let down and hand driers not working. Wouldn’t return.
Okay, can't speak for the food but the attitude of the staff is awful. Walked in with the family, asked if they had a high chair and the bloke didn't even look at me, and snapped "no". Fair enough, run your cafe how you want, just don't be surprised when people come here to call you out on it.
This looks like a little gem, I am hoping to frequent again soon. Nice breakfast and you can add what ever you wish. CASH ONLY :-)
Treated like cattle and the guy behind the tilt kept shouting at customers to get back behind the line. Drinks disorganised and the girl operating the machine showed total disinterest. Won’t bother again mainly because of the rudeness of the staff..
Dont go here. The toilets are disgusting and after reporting it to the manager still nothing got done.
This is a lovely building in a beautiful park and especially delightful on the terrace in the sunshine. Sadly this time our experience was pretty poor. There seemed to be plenty of young staff who were pleasant but our impression was they were not supported by decent management. Our arrival was confusing: there was a queue for buying take away drinks at the counter but for ‘eat in ‘ a large notice saying ‘Please wait to be seated’ Nobody doing this so found a table ourselves, a menu and ordered at the counter. Nothing wrong with that if it is clearly set up that way. We chose to sit on the terrace. We saw no one clearing tables which accumulated rubbish. Orders were brought out but the waiter returned inside empty handed. When pigeons started flapping on the tables and knocking things of it became unpleasant and I alerted the staff. The waiter brought out a box and started clearing the tables quite willingly but there seemed to be no clear plan for keeping things running smoothly. I don’t believe this could be a single bad day. Felt sad that such a potentially lovely restaurant could be run like this. We ordered curried cauliflower with aubergine purée which was actually delicious. But two very small plates cost £28!
The service was complete chaos. Ordered 1 hot chocolate and one latte. Some people had ordered and paid by scanning. I don't have this facility on my phone so was able to pay by cash. Only one drinks machine with 2 people operating it and getting in each other's way. There was no guidance where to wait for your drinks. Just a muddle of customers. Eventually one drink arrived and I had to wait at least 10 more minutes to get second drink. We then went to sit down to drink it and the drinks were just luke warm and impossible to enjoy. There didn't seem to be a shortage of staff just a lack of supervision. If 2 drinks are ordered by a person they should be ready at the same time with not a long delay to wait for the second drink. Another machine should be purchased and each machine operated by one person, not 2 people getting in each other's way. Utter Shambles and will not be using again.
A lovely location with what seemed like a good offer on the menu but sitting outside on the deck the stench of urine was so off putting we could not stay. A good wash is needed
I know we were in London, but paying more than an expensive bottle of wine for one glass seem a rather an over the top rip off, especially when the glass of wine was poured from a decanter with no label, so could have been any old plonk. Also had a very expensive beer that was obviously very poorly kept, as it was so bad I had to throw half of it away despite the cost, which is just as well as I started feeling ill from it later. Will never go back, although I doubt they care as plenty more tourists passing through to be ripped off.
5 star ⭐ the owner is amazing and the coffee served by him was excellent. I do recommend this cafe :)
A scenic place with a satisfying meal! We stopped here to take a break from strolling the park. The service was friendly and I really enjoyed the beverages and fish and chips. Will return!
Restaurantji Recommends
I've been going to this cafe for years, and it's always been my favorite breakfast spot in Surbiton. The fried breakfasts are exactly what you want from a cafe. If you're looking for a proper fry-up, as opposed to what I call a "posh" fry-up with home-made beans, then this is the place for you. The food is never greasy, and the chips are always cooked to perfection.The staff are friendly and welcoming, and they always make my two children feel special. The place is always clean and tidy.The only downside is that they only take cash, which can be inconvenient if you don't have any on you. However, there is an ATM right across the street, so it's not a big deal.Having taken the time to understand why they only accept cash and appreciate the owners point of view. (Whilst I don’t agree with the logic) I respect his ideas and love that he has taken a stand for something he believes in, it’s actually a nice quirk and something which I think adds character. It’s an independent with its own mind, that’s what makes it even more special!Kid-friendliness: They are great with the kids, accommodating and welcomingParking: Parking outside
Went into the Cafe with a friend which I recommended we go and have a breakfast there,, on Monday the 3rd of April. We both ordered the Saint James breakfast which included orange juice after we finished eating we were told they didn’t have any orange juice and didn’t give us a replacement. We should’ve been told when we paid that they didn’t have orange juice. Why take our money and not deliver what you’re advertising.This is very very bad never be coming there again.
Nice cafe. Warm cosy and solid furniture but no toilet and cash only. Staff not polite and bit miserable but good food
Visited today for lunch and ordered hot smoked sea trout, golden beetroot, coffee mocha, coffee latte. Spent £17 for hot smoked sea trout and very disappointed with the portion size. Staff was so unfriendly and showed their unhappy faces and almost yelled at us. Served coffee latte without saucers. Felt ripped off and not recommended.
Great setting but very poor value and quality. We called in for an early lunch before it got busy. Caesar salad was one of worst ever, nearly all lettuce, a hint of bacon and cheese in the bottom of the bowl and not brilliant chicken that cost and extra £4. Took over 30 mins to arrive so not quick. Toilets a big let down and hand driers not working. Wouldn’t return.