Harden's survey result
Summary
“As weird and wacky as ever: a top-class restaurant tucked away where no one would ever look for one… in the back of a fishmonger’s” – chef David Wykes, who cooks every service, has established his “delightful and unique” venue as one of the country’s leading fish and seafood specialists in the last 15 years (“I’ve been to lots of restaurants in Cornwall this year but a return visit to Verveine has reinforced its place as my favourite for fish, combining wonderful freshness with imaginative accompaniments and seasoning – and excellent desserts too – all at very reasonable prices”). “Chef David is so creative, always unveiling new ingredients, with each dish so well balanced in terms of composition and flavour, while Sally’s wine pairings are also excellent”. The “decor doesn’t quite match the extremely high calibre of food” and the space can feel “quite cramped” – but nobody is complaining when there’s “a range of tasting menus including a very reasonable six courses at lunchtime for £43 (but I’m yet to try it as the £29 three-course lunch is so good!)”.
Summary
“I might have walked past if I hadn‘t been looking for it” – David Wykes opened his small contemporary fish bistro supplied from a “small, one-man open kitchen” in 2010. Despite its modest size, it’s nowadays one of the top-100 most commented-on venues in our annual diners’ poll thanks to its “exceptional fish dishes, presented with flair and imagination”. “You choose the number of courses you want, and say if there is anything you don’t like and then the most amazing fish just keeps coming” to create a “unique and outstanding food experience”. “Chef is keen to emphasise at any opportunity, everything is made in house with lots of interesting spices and flavourings, many made from his own foraging expeditions”. “It’s quite simple in décor and unpretentiously welcoming” (but while “the space is comfortable, when a large group arrives it can become near deafening”). Many reports suggest that “all fish lovers need to experience Verveine at least once”… “I live a couple of hours away, but I’ll certainly be back again soon!”
Summary
“Constantly innovative, super-fresh fish dishes” from chef-patron David Wykes have established this “small, warm space” with an in-house fishmonger as a true “destination restaurant”, invariably hailed as a “great discovery” by first-time visitors. The “outstanding tasting menus” are presented in an unusual format, with guests nominating the number of courses but not their content. They arrive with “imaginative accompaniments” and “charming, attentive service”.
Summary
David Wykes has carved out a unique niche over a dozen years with his “intimate and innovative seafood restaurant”, “almost hidden behind the fish-shop in front” – the source of its “delicious fresh fish”. It’s an “interesting concept”, too: “you choose the number of courses (2, 3 or 6 at lunch; 4, 6 or 8 at dinner) and are then served whatever the chef is cooking that day”. “Staff clearly love the place and not only announce the food but can talk to you about how it is cooked”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Verveine Fishmarket Restaurant?
98 High St, Milford-on-Sea, SO41 0QE
Restaurant details
Verveine Fishmarket Restaurant Restaurant Diner Reviews
"A brilliant combination of outstanding seafood and unpretentiousness: ambitious flavours and combinations, charming service, low-key surroundings. One could be in Australia or New Zealand (and that’s a serious compliment)."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £28.50 |
| Filter Coffee | £0.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
98 High St, Milford-on-Sea, SO41 0QE
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑1:45 pm, 6 pm‑9:15 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑1:45 pm, 6 pm‑9:15 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑1:45 pm, 6 pm‑9:15 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑1:45 pm, 6 pm‑9:15 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑1:45 pm, 6 pm‑9:15 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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