Harden's says
The Ivy brand expansion reaches Edinburgh; in the group's first Scottish venture, Eric Garnier (former co-owner London's Racine) will oversee the New Town restaurant, which will open all day and boasts a mezzanine terrace and bar as well as 130-cover dining area.
Harden's survey result
Summary
Abu Dhabi royal Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan was – as of mid 2025 – rumoured to be on the verge of buying a £1 billion stake in Richard Caring’s restaurant empire, of which this famous brasserie chain is the crown jewel. Presumably, he’s more interested in ‘rolling out’ the brand in The Gulf and beyond rather than dropping by for a Salmon Fishcake and ‘Ivy Chocolate Bombe’, but if he’d asked the opinion of our annual diners’ poll, we’re not sure that he’d sign on the dotted line. “How can a restaurant with this heritage produce such uninspired, tick-box food?” is a question merited by its poor ratings, ditto what explains the “very slow and disinterested service”? The answer may be that “you don’t come here for the food, obviously” but for the “gorgeous” interior design and “picturesque” locations that continue to underpin their appeal. Let’s hope for the Sheikh’s sake that the middle classes of the Arab World are as undiscerning as those from the UK!
Summary
There’s no doubting the “wonderful location, especially in summer” at this outpost of Richard Caring’s brasserie empire, where the “lovely décor” inside is matched by a pretty garden. While caveats remain over the service and food (Caring’s venues are “never knowingly under-priced”), for the majority the overall package is “solidly pleasing” (“even for a non-chain- lover”).
Summary
As the name suggests, this outpost of Richard Caring’s Ivy empire is at its best for “summer dining in the lovely garden, with beautiful plants”. The food, though, is generally felt to be rather “underwhelming” for the price – a common complaint with this chain – but, nevertheless, as a venue, it serves a purpose.
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 The Ivy Marlow Garden?
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £19.17 |  |
|
|
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £12.20 | £27.50 | £8.50 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £33.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.25 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
Opening hours
| Monday | 8:30 am‑12 am |
| Tuesday | 8:30 am‑12 am |
| Wednesday | 8:30 am‑12 am |
| Thursday | 8:30 am‑12 am |
| Friday | 8:30 am‑12:30 am |
| Saturday | 9 am‑12:30 am |
| Sunday | 9 am‑10:30 pm |
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