Harden's survey result
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.
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!”.
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 Petersham Nurseries Cafe?
Church Lane (signposted 'St Peter's Church'), off Petersham Road, Richmond, TW10 7AB
Restaurant details
Petersham Nurseries Cafe Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Hugely over priced. Dining out on its former reputation. "
"Excellent. A real treat for the family. It is expensive but the food and service is great. "
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 (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‑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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