went a few years ago and had a fantastic time even it was pricey the staff were more welcoming,the atmosphere was great.went on the 28th December 2023 arrived at 5:30 to a empty car park and completely empty pods,no one in the bar to greet us when finally seated the waiter and managers were rude and had no time for us.food as overpriced the pods were draughty and shoddy very tired looking we definitely won’t be returning.also the service charge which came to £32 was absolute joke for a very poor service to which i asked to be removed,all staff needs replacing or retraining that definitely includes the managers never ever will we visit after having a 2 hour drive!!!
Gazza N
No greeting when we entered, service was horrible and food was well overpriced. The pod cushions were filthy and seats were dirty. I felt rushed and plates were thrown on the table. I do not recommend going this restaurant it’s a bad experience altogether. That’s why it was so empty!
jessthomas99
We have been twice before a couple of years ago and it has always been great. We were shocked at how empty the usually packed carpark was when we arrived tonight and the lively, party atmosphere was gone and less than half the pods were full. No one was sitting in the bar and the place was like a ghost town. It was my birthday so we stayed and hoped for the best. Food was nice but the prices had gone up A LOT!! £20 for broccoli is ridiculous and £32 for lamb chops as a starter!!! This place has always been expensive but it’s gone to far now. Service was poor and we had to wait 5 mins after our mains came for dinner plates to be brought out. We won’t return and feel it’s a real shame that the vibrant evenings we used to enjoy have been replaced by overpriced, uninspired, dingy pods.
Natalie V
Food was great, service was good! Took my mum for her Christmas Pressie ?(Last years). Defo will recommend to friends as a great gift ?
Tanya R
This place is a joke how it’s still open is beyond me! I can only assume the good wedding reviews are due to decent outside caterers and event planners not down to Ponsbourne!! I booked Celebratory birthday package £275 totally not worth it. No one to greet you, no warm welcome whatsoever, pods are dirty, cobwebs, dead bugs, stained cushions, pod was supposed to be decorated a few paper lanterns, tea lights and fake flowers make for a fire hazard waiting to happen, food and drink awful, paid for 3-course meal but left after the main the worst Indian food I’ve ever tasted, definitely wouldn’t recommend. Either fix up or shut down
Renee_xox
Me and my sister decided to treat our mother here for her birthday after hearing great reviews about this place. Unfortunately, our experience was very average. The pods could have done with a clean before we were seated. There were crumbs on the seat. The food and cocktails were lovely, however they were extremely over priced. I don't understand why the king prawns (starter) is £32. This is way too expensive for only 4 prawns! In addition to this, we were served poppadoms and as we were eating them, we realised that someone had stuck a used chewing gum on the basket that it was served in. I cannot even begin to fathom how some people can be so disgusting to do this. As much as the above events happened, the staff were very welcoming, accommodating and did apologise.
quandale d
this spot is absolutely horrible the staff were incredibly rude they handed out food without cutlery they didnt show us how to work the pod disrespectful.Never coming back here.Dont go…
Pioneer62570234851
My recent visit to the Hertfordshire Ponsbourne Pods was nothing short of a nightmare. I was utterly disappointed with the exorbitant prices they charged for the food and drinks. The quality certainly didn't match the cost, making it a total rip-off. The portion sizes were meager, and the taste was far from satisfying. It felt like they were trying to squeeze every penny out of their customers without providing any value in return. What was even more appalling was the abysmal service. The staff was indifferent and unhelpful, showing no regard for customer satisfaction. They made us wait endlessly, and when they finally did attend to us, it was with a sense of disdain. It's safe to say that I won't be subjecting myself to such a dreadful experience at Hertfordshire Ponsbourne Pods ever again
RestaurantUser69
Location is good but service and food just mediocre for the price you pay does not reflect in what you get. On arrival we were led to our pod which was booked for 4 but table only set for 2 .Waiter service was really poor as not friendly at all.Food arrived with incorrect order .Had to return dishes not ordered. Atmosphere was great but was reduced to almost zero with poor service.No one came to check if everything was ok or if we needed anything had to wave over after a period of waiting . Good location but could have been great with right service
Jemma A
An empty welcome from staff sitting down in the bar area. Gas lantern was listed in the package but not put on until asked. We were also told the time it was on was limited. Hanging lanterns were torn & in poor condition. Paid £99 for an exhausted plastic flower display, torn lanterns & a light up Happy Birthday was unjustified. Without a call buzzer, service wasn't there, yet charged for. Pod was dusty & unclean. The food was amazing! Service was polite but a let it down as infrequent. Very disappointed for a night costing over £300!
The picture online makes this place look impressive when in fact the pods are pretty tatty and in need of tlc. We travelled over an 1.5 to come here but were a little underwhelmed. The cost of food is very expensive but it did taste good. Staff are a bit off, they just serve you and don't really say much. We wouldn't come back not for the price we paid . OK as a one off only.
Agnieszka B
Terrible service. Lack of cleanliness!!! Very small portions of overpriced food. Lovely setting, unfortunately place doesn’t deliver wha to supposed to ?
monkeyhanger2003
A very plush website with a picture of a very intriguing cocktail. When we arrived, we were put into a pod with a table that had a loose top that tilted every time someone leaned on it. An accident waiting to happen. Also, when the table top lifted, an awful smell came from the table. We asked to move and was moved to another pod. As the table in the new pod wasn't set, one of the staff dropped off some cutlery and some napkins at one end of the table and went away, leaving us to set the table. Impressive! We were asked if we wanted drinks, so a couple of us asked for the cocktail we saw on the website. They told us they don't do that one and they only do it in their "Dubai branch"!!!! Noi mention of Dubai anywhere on the website. We then asked if they could do an onion bhaji. The girl who was taking our order simply said 'No!, only what's on the menu". When the starters arrived, the staff were cold and never said anything bu the names of the dishes. The starters were fine, but very expensive for what they were. They'd be half the price at any other Indian restaurant. The mains were average at best. I've had tastier food almost everywhere else, including takeaways. When the bill came, we were blown away. £500 for 5 of us (including the 12.5% tip) Overall, cold, impersonal staff, very average, overpriced food. The staff didn't seem to care whether we were there or not. We will never go back - Avoid!
Gavin B
Best meal i have had in a while. Friendly service, calm relaxing atmosphere and the food… lamb chops to start, prawn curry… we will return!!!
tina b
the most beautiful place for date night; beautiful surroundings and the food was absolutely delicious
went a few years ago and had a fantastic time even it was pricey the staff were more welcoming,the atmosphere was great.went on the 28th December 2023 arrived at 5:30 to a empty car park and completely empty pods,no one in the bar to greet us when finally seated the waiter and managers were rude and had no time for us.food as overpriced the pods were draughty and shoddy very tired looking we definitely won’t be returning.also the service charge which came to £32 was absolute joke for a very poor service to which i asked to be removed,all staff needs replacing or retraining that definitely includes the managers never ever will we visit after having a 2 hour drive!!!
No greeting when we entered, service was horrible and food was well overpriced. The pod cushions were filthy and seats were dirty. I felt rushed and plates were thrown on the table. I do not recommend going this restaurant it’s a bad experience altogether. That’s why it was so empty!
We have been twice before a couple of years ago and it has always been great. We were shocked at how empty the usually packed carpark was when we arrived tonight and the lively, party atmosphere was gone and less than half the pods were full. No one was sitting in the bar and the place was like a ghost town. It was my birthday so we stayed and hoped for the best. Food was nice but the prices had gone up A LOT!! £20 for broccoli is ridiculous and £32 for lamb chops as a starter!!! This place has always been expensive but it’s gone to far now. Service was poor and we had to wait 5 mins after our mains came for dinner plates to be brought out. We won’t return and feel it’s a real shame that the vibrant evenings we used to enjoy have been replaced by overpriced, uninspired, dingy pods.
Food was great, service was good! Took my mum for her Christmas Pressie ?(Last years). Defo will recommend to friends as a great gift ?
This place is a joke how it’s still open is beyond me! I can only assume the good wedding reviews are due to decent outside caterers and event planners not down to Ponsbourne!! I booked Celebratory birthday package £275 totally not worth it. No one to greet you, no warm welcome whatsoever, pods are dirty, cobwebs, dead bugs, stained cushions, pod was supposed to be decorated a few paper lanterns, tea lights and fake flowers make for a fire hazard waiting to happen, food and drink awful, paid for 3-course meal but left after the main the worst Indian food I’ve ever tasted, definitely wouldn’t recommend. Either fix up or shut down
Me and my sister decided to treat our mother here for her birthday after hearing great reviews about this place. Unfortunately, our experience was very average. The pods could have done with a clean before we were seated. There were crumbs on the seat. The food and cocktails were lovely, however they were extremely over priced. I don't understand why the king prawns (starter) is £32. This is way too expensive for only 4 prawns! In addition to this, we were served poppadoms and as we were eating them, we realised that someone had stuck a used chewing gum on the basket that it was served in. I cannot even begin to fathom how some people can be so disgusting to do this. As much as the above events happened, the staff were very welcoming, accommodating and did apologise.
this spot is absolutely horrible the staff were incredibly rude they handed out food without cutlery they didnt show us how to work the pod disrespectful.Never coming back here.Dont go…
My recent visit to the Hertfordshire Ponsbourne Pods was nothing short of a nightmare. I was utterly disappointed with the exorbitant prices they charged for the food and drinks. The quality certainly didn't match the cost, making it a total rip-off. The portion sizes were meager, and the taste was far from satisfying. It felt like they were trying to squeeze every penny out of their customers without providing any value in return. What was even more appalling was the abysmal service. The staff was indifferent and unhelpful, showing no regard for customer satisfaction. They made us wait endlessly, and when they finally did attend to us, it was with a sense of disdain. It's safe to say that I won't be subjecting myself to such a dreadful experience at Hertfordshire Ponsbourne Pods ever again
Location is good but service and food just mediocre for the price you pay does not reflect in what you get. On arrival we were led to our pod which was booked for 4 but table only set for 2 .Waiter service was really poor as not friendly at all.Food arrived with incorrect order .Had to return dishes not ordered. Atmosphere was great but was reduced to almost zero with poor service.No one came to check if everything was ok or if we needed anything had to wave over after a period of waiting . Good location but could have been great with right service
An empty welcome from staff sitting down in the bar area. Gas lantern was listed in the package but not put on until asked. We were also told the time it was on was limited. Hanging lanterns were torn & in poor condition. Paid £99 for an exhausted plastic flower display, torn lanterns & a light up Happy Birthday was unjustified. Without a call buzzer, service wasn't there, yet charged for. Pod was dusty & unclean. The food was amazing! Service was polite but a let it down as infrequent. Very disappointed for a night costing over £300!
Restaurantji Recommends
The picture online makes this place look impressive when in fact the pods are pretty tatty and in need of tlc. We travelled over an 1.5 to come here but were a little underwhelmed. The cost of food is very expensive but it did taste good. Staff are a bit off, they just serve you and don't really say much. We wouldn't come back not for the price we paid . OK as a one off only.
Terrible service. Lack of cleanliness!!! Very small portions of overpriced food. Lovely setting, unfortunately place doesn’t deliver wha to supposed to ?
A very plush website with a picture of a very intriguing cocktail. When we arrived, we were put into a pod with a table that had a loose top that tilted every time someone leaned on it. An accident waiting to happen. Also, when the table top lifted, an awful smell came from the table. We asked to move and was moved to another pod. As the table in the new pod wasn't set, one of the staff dropped off some cutlery and some napkins at one end of the table and went away, leaving us to set the table. Impressive! We were asked if we wanted drinks, so a couple of us asked for the cocktail we saw on the website. They told us they don't do that one and they only do it in their "Dubai branch"!!!! Noi mention of Dubai anywhere on the website. We then asked if they could do an onion bhaji. The girl who was taking our order simply said 'No!, only what's on the menu". When the starters arrived, the staff were cold and never said anything bu the names of the dishes. The starters were fine, but very expensive for what they were. They'd be half the price at any other Indian restaurant. The mains were average at best. I've had tastier food almost everywhere else, including takeaways. When the bill came, we were blown away. £500 for 5 of us (including the 12.5% tip) Overall, cold, impersonal staff, very average, overpriced food. The staff didn't seem to care whether we were there or not. We will never go back - Avoid!
Best meal i have had in a while. Friendly service, calm relaxing atmosphere and the food… lamb chops to start, prawn curry… we will return!!!
the most beautiful place for date night; beautiful surroundings and the food was absolutely delicious