Harden's survey result
Summary
“A very classy restaurant that never seems to get the praise it deserves” – David O’Connor & Joe Mercer-Nairne’s “understated” feature in deepest Chelsea is nevertheless one of the Top-20 most commented-on destinations this year in our annual diners’ poll. The Insta crowd are entirely absent – this is one for seasoned foodies and wine trade types and “while of more-than-local interest there is no pretension or fussiness”. “There’s always something of real interest on the menu” and the “terrific modern British/European dishes are served at very fair prices”, in a “a quietly elegant setting” by a team that “hits all the right notes”. There’s “an interesting wine list to suit all budgets, with a sommelier who looks after you”, but “those in-the-know take advantage of the reasonable corkage charge at both lunch and dinner”. “Why it doesn’t have a Michelin star is incomprehensible!” – the tyre company gave the place one after it opened in 2011, bafflingly took it away, and then seemingly have never quite been able to get over themselves to give it back. Perhaps with the opening of Cornus (see also) in Eccleston Yards (Belgravia), the tyre man will finally return the accolades this team so clearly deserves. Top Menu Tips – “The warm chocolate mousse tart is on my last ever meal wish list”; “the cheese board is one of the best in London”. The three-course lunch for £47.50, married to £15 corkage: “what‘s not to like?”
Summary
“It may not have the best location in an obscure end of the King’s Road”, but this “low-key” Chelsea operation (est. 2011) “continues to quietly excel” and is one of the most popular in our annual diners’ poll. “Imaginative” modern British cuisine “with a good range of ingredients” is “expertly cooked by co-owner and chef Joe Mercer Nairne, and with excellent but unobtrusive service overseen by co-owner David O’Connor”, including “well-targeted wine advice” on the “terrific list”. Another “star of the show is the cheeseboard” (“I am still talking about it months later!”). “Much better than many one-starred Michelin restaurants in London”, “it is incomprehensible that this restaurant has been passed over for regaining its star for so long”. Top Tips – “the three-course lunch for £45 and lunchtime corkage of only £15 are some of the capital’s great culinary bargains”. “Old favourites on the menu include the Crab Raviolo.”
Summary
“A class act that consistently punches above its weight”: this low-key but high-quality Chelsea indie (opened in 2011) flies somewhat under the radar in terms of PR profile, but regularly ranks in the top 40 most-mentioned restaurants in our annual diners’ poll. Joe Mercer Nairne’s “superior” modern British cuisine is “always a delight”, often “special” and comes at a “reasonable price”. Service (overseen by co-owner David O’Connor) is “likewise expert” and it’s “well worth asking the sommelier to recommend something offbeat”, as there are “some unusual gems on the wine list”. And while the interior is “low key”, the atmosphere is “conducive to a wonderful evening”. “It’s not clear why it lost its Michelin star”: “it should have regained it long ago”. Top Tips – “the tarte Tatin for two is to die for. Corkage of £10 at lunchtimes and £25 in the evenings is one of London’s great bargains”.
Summary
“Consistency and total professionalism” have won a major following (in the Top 40 most-mentioned names this year) for Joe Mercer Nairne and David O’Connor’s “first class” and “always welcoming” destination in a nondescript corner of Chelsea, which transcends its neighbourhood character (“it’s a bit of a cheek-by-jowl affair”) by attracting a far-flung fan club. Reporters have often cited Joe’s cuisine as worthy of a Michelin star (which it briefly held) and he continues to win praise for well-judged cooking that’s “good value, too, considering the quality” (even if its ratings slipped a smidgeon this year on some reports that were “good but not outstanding”). The “fabulous wine list” is also a major attraction in its own right. “Sommelier Melania has put together a stellar selection from across the world, at fair mark-ups, and with plenty of variety”. And “the £10 corkage deal at lunch is an added incentive to regular visits”. “It’s filled with people who love great food, and not just another trendy ‘place to be seen.”
For 33 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 Medlar?
438 King's Rd, London, SW10 0LJ
Restaurant details
Medlar Restaurant Diner Reviews
"An excellent restaurant in a slightly obscure area of Chelsea. Service is professional but friendly, however, I think on the evening we went, it was slightly understaffed. Food was very good from start to finish, with generous portions of classic simple cookery. The Duck Egg Tart and Crab Raviolo starters never leaves the menu and are stand out. The Belted Galloway main course is also excellent, a very generous portion of rump, cooked perfectly. Wine list is extensive and priced reasonably for London standards. Ambience is good, with simple decor in the restaurant. Medlar is a true hidden gem only for those in the know. "
"Friendly service, good cooking, a reliable stalwart with good portions. Restaurant has had a BYO policy for a long time, on this visit I noticed a more ‘merry’ clientele with almost 70% tables BYO"
"Always reliable good interesting food"
"Signage still awful so hard to find. Dishes are interesting and delicious and service friendly and attentive "
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £40.00 | £47.50 |  |
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| Dinner | £60.00 | £75.00 | |
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| Drinks |
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| Wine per bottle | £40.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
| Extras |
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| Service | 15.00% |
438 King's Rd, London, SW10 0LJ
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
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