Harden's survey result
Summary
“Quirky and delightful”, “stylish and charming” – it’s the “lovely garden setting” of a plant nursery bordering Richmond Park that underpins such major support for this shabby chic greenhouse (which owes its culinary fame to long-departed chef Skye Gyngell). These days, reporters continue to enthuse about some “original and beautifully presented food” (and “scrumptious cakes”), but can also sometimes judge the cuisine “second rate”… and “expensive”. Still, there’s no let-up in its popularity, so it’s often packed – despite the extensions installed by the current owners, who have also invested in a large sister venue in Covent Garden.
Summary
“The setting is just ‘wow’ on a sunny day” – “a secret paradise among the plants and bushes in a greenhouse” – “but the food is such a disappointment” (“seemingly great ingredients but very mediocre cooking”) nowadays at this venue near Richmond Park that became famous under former chef Skye Gyngell a decade ago. It now has a smart offshoot in Covent Garden, but there’s “something missing” at the original – not to speak of “the inadequate facilities, which leave you queueing outdoors for the toilet... in January!”.
Summary
“The setting is just ‘wow’ on a sunny day” – “a secret paradise among the plants and bushes in a greenhouse” – “but the food is such a disappointment” (“seemingly great ingredients but very mediocre cooking”) nowadays at this venue near Richmond Park that became famous under former chef Skye Gyngell a decade ago. It now has a smart offshoot in Covent Garden, but there’s “something missing” at the original – not to speak of “the inadequate facilities, which leave you queueing outdoors for the toilet... in January!”.
Summary
“It’s just fab eating great food in a greenhouse in summer or on a blue-sky winter’s day”, say fans of this “unique and magical” destination (part of a garden centre near Ham Common), which famously “oozes Bohemian charm” and is a top “romantic” trysting spot. Even those who feel its modern British cuisine is “very good” however, concede that it’s “probably not as good as it was a few years ago” (when Skye Gyngell was at the stoves, and pioneering the use of edible flowers) and more cynical souls ponder whether “seating you amongst the potted plants on rickety furniture lets them get away with the high prices and mediocre service”. It now has a sibling in Covent Garden (see also).
For 31 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 Petersham Nurseries Cafe?
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £55.00 | £65.00 |  |
|
|
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £25.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £2.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
Church Lane (signposted 'St Peter's Church'), off Petersham Road, Richmond, TW10 7AB
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑5 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑5 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑5 pm |
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