Harden's survey result
Summary
“The plant-filled terrace was magical… it could be the wine, but I can’t remember anything standing out foodwise…” – this garden centre café just outside Richmond Park became an unlikely hit under chef Skye Gyngell 20 years ago, and – with its shabby-chic greenhouse setting remains “a lovely place for a meal on a nice day”, even if the food is nowadays undistinguished and “the prices definitely on the high side”. In summer 2024 it finally prevailed after an astonishing 18-year standoff with Richmond council over evening opening, which had threatened its survival as a restaurant.
Summary
A series of converted greenhouses makes an “eccentric but wonderfully romantic setting” for a meal at this posh garden centre, near Ham Polo Club. A shabby-chic culinary hit when it opened under chef Skye Gyngell 20 years ago, it has often stood accused of “hype over substance” – but remains a “personal favourite” to many, especially for the “quite delicious reinvention of afternoon tea”.
Summary
“A stunning location – perfect for a summer’s lunch” guarantees the appeal of this shabby-chic café, inside a garden centre amidst some of the plusher housing on the fringe of Richmond Park. When it comes to the ambitious cuisine, it’s “always tempting and food is never disappointing… but when the bill arrives there’s often a sense that it wasn’t worth the final cost”.
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.
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 Petersham Nurseries Cafe?
Church Lane, off Petersham Road, Richmond, TW10 7AB
Restaurant details
Petersham Nurseries Cafe Restaurant Diner Reviews
"The food was brilliant as usual. The waiter was not up to their usual top standard. Having said that there was nothing wrong with him. Just not quite as attentive as we have experienced before. This was a double celebration meal for my 60th and my son's 21st. Therefore we went for the four course menu. We had told everyone not to worry about about four courses as the individual courses are not too large. Well we couldn't have been more wrong if we had tried. The portion size was ample. I'd probably say too large if you were going to have four courses and wanted to be picky. If coming to this restaurant then I would recommend taking a taxi as driving in and out is a squeeze and best leave that up to someone else. "
"Excellent meal. Eye watering priced wine list"
"Hugely over priced. Dining out on its former reputation. "
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £60.00 | £70.00 |  |
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| Dinner | £100.00 | |
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| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £35.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £2.00 |
| Extras |
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|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
Church Lane, 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‑5 pm, 6:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑5 pm, 6:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑5 pm, 6:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑5 pm |
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