The Ivy Cafe Blackheath — Restaurant in London

Usually I like this place but decided to visit for a brunch for a change and disappointingly, I wouldn't make a return visit as a result.

The place wasn't busy but we put our order in for four adults and a toddler. Asked about allergies which was good as we did have one of the group with a paprika and chilli allergy. Orders made, we did end up waiting a while but not a particular issue as in no real rush.

Food arrived, one of the groups order was wrong completely so had to be returned to the kitchen and consequently had to eat the corrected order largely alone as the rest of us had finished.

My biggest gripe was that the one with food allergies was told that the batch of hollandaise sauce currently being used has paprika in, so was offered ketchup or mayonnaise instead with her breakfast. Personally, this should have been highlighted esrlier or at the time of ordering in order to allow for an alternative breakfast choice to be made, NOT when your breakfast is laid in front of you. The option of ketchup was declined by my friend. Making matters worse, it then transpired the poached eggs were hard, so her avacado with poached eggs and hollandaise was a dry and dissapointing meal. One other in the group also had eggs as part of their brunch which turned out to be hard as well. The toddlers toast came last and late also, so not sure if that was initially forgotten and then corrected as the meals were being brought out. I will say, my pancakes were lovely. On having our plates collected, my friend plucked up the courage to say she had been disappointed in her breakfast, for which the waiter did apologise and agree the eggs were not up to standard (they had been left uneaten in the end). The restaurant was kind enough to remove the cost of that meal from our bill without us even asking, but it didn't detract that the experience was not what we were used to, and wasted a birthday voucher. It was a shame as it had been a treat we had been looking forward to for some time.

I'd go back for an evening meal on previous experiences but definitely not for a brunch or lunch. Nor will I recommend for this timeframe as a result either.

Service wise, we weren't checked on whilst having our food to give us the opportunity to point out our hard eggs. I think there was training going on as it seemed managers and waiters were gathering around an empty laid out table doing alternative work, so the restaurant just seemed to have their priorities wrong that morning. Pity, as I know they...

Here’s an even longer and more detailed version that keeps all the enthusiasm and warmth:

We recently celebrated both our birthdays at IVE in Blackheath, and it was a fantastic experience from start to finish. Choosing IVE was the best decision we could have made! From the moment we walked in, we felt the special, welcoming energy of the restaurant. The ambiance struck a perfect balance between elegant and cozy, creating a setting that felt both festive and intimate—the perfect backdrop for a birthday celebration! 🎈😊

Let’s talk about the food. Every dish was a delight! We started with appetizers that were beautifully presented and full of rich, balanced flavors. It was clear that the ingredients were fresh and carefully chosen, and each plate felt thoughtfully crafted. Our main courses were just as impressive, with each bite bursting with flavor. From the quality of the ingredients to the creativity in each dish, you could tell that the chefs take real pride in their work. We finished the meal with desserts that were the cherry on top—decadent, satisfying, and, of course, delicious! It’s rare to find a restaurant where every course feels like a standout, but at IVE, that’s exactly how it was. 🍽️✨

But what truly made the night unforgettable was the exceptional service. Honestly, this was the best service we’ve experienced in London in nearly a year. So many places these days add a service charge to the bill, and sometimes the personal touch seems to be missing because of it. But at IVE, the service felt genuine, attentive, and completely in tune with what we needed to make our night special. Our server was so warm and friendly, and they had the perfect balance of being there when we needed anything without being intrusive. We felt genuinely valued as guests, which is such a rare treat these days. It’s clear that the staff at IVE truly care about their guests, and it made all the difference. They definitely deserved every bit of the service charge, and we were happy to leave them an extra tip on top of it! 😊💖

If you’re looking for an experience that combines delicious food, fantastic service, and a warm, inviting atmosphere, IVE in Blackheath should be at the top of your list. They made our birthday celebration feel truly special, and we couldn’t have asked for a better evening. We can’t wait to come back and enjoy another meal there, and we’d recommend it to anyone looking to celebrate or simply have a wonderful dining experience.

IVE is truly a gem—thank you for an...

Flies Arrived for our brunch yesterday afternoon and we were seated by the window. We immediately noticed that there was an abundance of Flies on the window behind me. When I mentioned this to the waitress, she explained that they had been there since the morning. I asked her why nothing had been done about it and she explained that they weren't really bothering anyone. At one point we counted 27 Flies.

The food was excellent but we were really put off by the Flies, the couple next to us complained and the waitress opened the window and tried to shoo the flies out of it. However, the window was promptly shut because the man sitting outside was smoking and it disturbed the couple next to us.

By the end of the meal I was so upset that I complained to another waiting staff who just apologised. I then complained to the manageress who seemed not to care at all and just said 'I'm really sorry about that'. When I went to the toilet apparently staff came and cleaned the window and some of the Flies dispersed but there were still some there. I was so upset and stressed I left to go outside and left my partner behind to pay the bill.

The bill came to £120 and I am disgusted that weren't even offered or deducted a drink at least from our bill. I have been in the hospitality industry all my life and am truly appalled.

Dear Ivy next time you have a fly infestation DO NOT SEAT CLIENTS NEAR THEM AND AT LEAST MAKE THE EFFORT TO GET RID OF THEM BEFORE CLIENTS EAT. AS YOU KNOE FLIES CARRY MANY GERMS AND DISEASES.

This tainted our special anniversary lunch will not be rerunning which is a real shame as we...