85 Maple Rd, Surbiton, KT6 4AW
Harden's survey result
Summary
“We LOVE this restaurant. Use it for weddings, anniversaries, special occasions… it never disappoints!” – Eric & Sarah Guignard’s Gallic stalwart, 10 minutes walk from Surbiton station is “just the best neighbourhood restaurant” for its army of dedicated fans drawn from the inner London burbs, Surrey and beyond (some of whom have been coming since the place first opened in 2001). It is “a long thin room as it always has been” and perhaps “rather cramped”, but “year-in, year-out” the Gallic cuisine is “excellent”, “beautifully presented” and well-matched with “interesting wines”, all delivered by a “superb front of house crew” who “are very welcoming and remember preferences”. “Brilliant value all round”… “and great bread too at their ‘French Tarte’ patisserie” next door.
Summary
“A high-quality find on a suburban parade!” – a “comfortable and highly competent neighbourhood gem” that’s 10 minutes walk from Surbiton station; and which has long been a “mainstay” of sophistication for many local residents. “Eric Guignard in the kitchen provides excellent cuisine and first-class service is overseen by Sarah, his wife”. Other key features are a “very good wine list with a wide selection of reasonably priced as well as special bottles” and “a set lunch that’s outstanding value for food of this quality”. (“I‘ve been coming here for 20+ years and TFT is consistently brilliant with Eric and Sarah remaining at the very top of their game and continuing to develop the great food and wine they offer”).
Summary
“A local treasure” – Eric & Sarah Guignard’s long-established “little gem” in “a tree-lined road 10 minutes walk from Surbiton station” (“handy if you wish to enjoy their brilliant wine list”) remains a shining and much commented-on beacon in the ’burbs. “Eric and his team consistently create high-class modern French cuisine while Sarah and her front-of-house team provide very professional, very genuine service – dining here is first-class”. Even those who note “the somewhat unpromising shape of the room” say it “continues to provide an excellent experience year after year” and one that’s “very good value”. Top Tip – “they also have a great little pastry counter next door”.
Summary
“Consistently outstanding” – Eric & Sarah Guignard’s “cosy” backstreet gem has provided Surbiton’s contribution to London gastronomy for over two decades now. Their “professional and amiable” team deliver “confident”, “high-end” Gallic cuisine in a low-key but “delightfully decorated” space. In the words of a diner, who crossed town (from Watford!): “worth the very long, 3-hour drive for us… great crispy pig’s head and ham hock: excellent lamb assiette and the broccoli in a chickpea batter with pistou dressing was outstanding as part of a first-class culinary experience!”.
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 French Table?
Owner's description
The French Table serves contemporary French cooking in a laid back and comfortable setting. Located in the leafy suburb of Surbiton it provides the local neighbourhood with a great place to eat time and again, and for those coming from further afield, the exemplary cooking and friendly, professional service definitely makes it worth the trip.
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £40.00 | £48.00 |  |
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| Dinner | £58.00 | £68.00 | |
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| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 58.00 | Lunch only | 5 |
| Menu2 | 78.00 | Dinner only | 5 |
| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £29.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.50 |
| Extras |
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|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
Restaurant details
The chef
Head Chef Richard Giles, previously head chef at Sorrel restaurant, Dorking
The French Table Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Still at the top of its game: consistent excellence. One can see how much this is appreciated by one’s fellow-diners: a very civilised experience."
"Stalwart go to for Saturday lunch, well run, lovely welcoming staff team. Cooking reliable and dependable. Good cheese board from La Fromagerie. "
"I have no idea why this does not have at least one michelin star. Year after year this restaurant delivers consumate food"
85 Maple Rd, Surbiton, KT6 4AW
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Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:15pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:15pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:15pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:15pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:15pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
