The Physic Garden Café — Restaurant in London

Hidden gem for Afternoon Tea in the heart of London, especially if the weather allows you to sit out in the historic garden. A nice change from your typical swanky hotel Afternoon Tea. Full review as follows:

★★★★☆ Ambience The garden cafe has a really charming atmosphere, you really won’t feel like you’re in the heart of London, but in an English village a few hours drive outside the city. If the weather means sitting inside it’s not quite as notable, but perfectly acceptable. Just try to go on a sunny day!

★★★★☆ Sandwiches Six remarkably well-filled sandwiches on fresh moist bread. Very good. • Two hock ham and mustard • Two tuna and cucumber • Two cheese and tomato

★★★★★ Scones and Cream Delicious scones, cream and jam. Could not fault here at all.

★★★☆☆ Cakes A selection of four rather stodgy and dense cakes. Would have been nice to have at least one light mousse style included.

★★★★☆ Service Service was prompt if unspectacular. Note the closing time is strict, so don’t expect to be able to linger.

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This once was a delightful cafe in a beautiful horticultural oasis where the food,attention to detail always shone through.Very sadly times passes and things do change, so though the food here is good,it is EXTREMELy EXPENSIVE ,a portion of tomatoe salad £5.50 which was way over the top.But nothing excuses horrible,patronising surface from one of the older team members a greying Canadian,who's waspish comments and camp mannerisms ,100 per deflect from the beautiful surroundings of the gardens and area. So please be wary ,as sadly Tangerine dream where made aware of this ,but did nothing to prevent his attitude.Sadly it feels the staff there lack any sense of self pride or are able to cope with hospitality skills,no smiles,no pleasantries.As one team member remarked when I was collecting my ticket,the physic garden and all in it is there simply to make money. Perhaps this is sadly true,but to loos stead fast loyal customers because of poor service & expensive food is sadly now perhaps just another sign...

What a great restaurant and a hidden gem! The cuisine is very, very good. My rack of lamb was exquisite and cooked to perfection. My fellow diners equally enjoyed roast duck confit and also the salmon en croute. The atmosphere is delightfully casual to the point of being almost scatty but everything works well. You have to go inside the building to order from wall boards and then return outside (covered) to your table while your food is bright to you. Probably best to book in advance.

Just a note about the location: on Google Maps the location is shown accurately but access is via the entrance to the Physic Garden on Swan Walk. Note also that you have to pay for entrance to the Garden just to get to the restaurant. Best to consider that as a bonus incentive to get you to actually walk round the beautiful gardens before or...