Harden's says
On the site of Little Dudley House, the third solo venture from well-known local chef and Roux scholar Steve Drake (of Drake’s on the Pond and Drake’s).
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Steve Drake is at the top of his game” and “continues to turn out beautifully prepared dishes, visit after visit” according to practically all reports on this much commented-on fixture: a “smart destination suited to a special occasion” in the centre of “lucky Dorking”. There’s “a very high level of professionalism in both kitchen and front-of-house” and the result is “a brilliantly devised, modulated and presented menu” full of “inventive and original flavours”; together with “an excellent choice of wines”. One caveat, though – “check your bank balance before booking!”
Summary
Steven Drake’s “formal, well-spaced but welcoming and comfortable Surrey Hills venue in the centre of Dorking” is “a great bonus to the Surrey dining scene” and one of the most commented-on non-metropolitan restaurants in our annual diners’ poll. “It has really bounced back well post-lockdown – service is discrete and knowledgeable” and the “always exciting” cuisine “remains of the highest quality”. It focuses on a tasting menu format: 9 courses for £125, and all of the many reports suggest results are “special in every way”.
Summary
“Stunning every time!” – Steve Drake’s “romantic” 40-seat four-year-old is one of the most commented-on restaurants in our annual diners’ survey, and “consistently delivers a memorable stand-out experience” showcasing the chef’s “incredible craft and invention”. “Top-class” service is “delightful” too. And “for such quality the price is terrific. It’s not cheap but if you want quality you need to pay accordingly!”.
Summary
“You begin to wish you could dine on the amuse-bouches alone they are so good, and then along comes a stunning meal and contentment reigns!” – Steve Drake’s “brilliantly presented and superbly tasty cuisine” delivers consistently “wonderful and creative dishes” at his “lovely if slightly formal” 40-seater, with fans crossing the county to get here. Now two years old, it still feels like a relatively new arrival here since he relocated from Ripley. “Staff are invested in the place” too – “they have a detailed knowledge of the plates, are helpful and engaging without being fussy and intrusive”.
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 Sorrel?
77 South Street, Dorking, RH4 2JU
Restaurant details
Sorrel Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Excellent food, although portions a little stereotypically "Michelin sized." Meat and fish cookery outstanding, and a nod to an excellent wine choice. Would have loved to do the wine pairing, but we were out on a school night. Slight demerit on the hot drinks; the glass chosen for a herbal tea at the end of the meal was nearly undrinkable from!"
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £85.00 |  |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 125.00 | Always available | 11 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £60.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
77 South Street, Dorking, RH4 2JU
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑4 pm, 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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