The Watermill — Restaurant in Mole Valley

SUMMARY: Nice looking venue, good views, but poor food, poor food presentation, poor value and poor service.

DETAIL: A nice looking restaurant with good views, particularly if you are set out on the terrace overlooking the hills. Very small lower garden with picnic benches. The terrace is the place to be.

Menu seemed a bit lacking and unadventurous - very traditional pub food - burgers, fish and chips, salad, fish pie, a fish dish and a few other dishes - no specials boards.

Service was very poor and slow. Waitress seemed new and inexperienced. Some mistakes made, and lacked the attentiveness and awareness of looking after your customer, set up and clear down, and no knowledge of the menu or wines. That to me is likely more of a management issue - more thorough training and procedures need to be adopted for new staff e.g. limit the number of tables to serve and given support.

Food was poor. Bread arrived with butter that had clearly been sitting under a heat lamp - a sloppy mush. A small and expensive bowl of olives similarly had the high heat treatment - the bowl was almost too hot to touch.

Kids portions were very poor - expensive, bland, small and in some of courses -unappetising. The crudités starter should have arrived with guacamole - instead it arrived with some dried out carrot and cucumber in a bowl with some half mashed avocado underneath that clearly wasn't ripe. A small bowl of oily tomato pasta arrived for main. I seem to recall it wasn't cheap for a kids menu either - no fixed price.

Atmosphere quite good but it was a mixture of couples enjoying the views, family celebrations and, unfortunately, two large younger loud groups - lots of shouting and regular swearing. Not ideal when with a young family.

Bill came to around £120 for two adults with a 2 course meal and a 3 course kids meal. Drinks were a beer, roughly a bottle of wine and a couple of soft drinks.

All in all a real shame. Lovely looking place, but a lot to improve. Left very...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Watermill, a charming restaurant on the gate of Dorking. From the moment I walked in, I was captivated by the warm and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant boasts stunning views of the picturesque Boxhill, adding a touch of natural beauty to the dining experience.

The highlight of my visit was undoubtedly the incredible food served at Watermill. I opted for their famous Sunday roast, and it did not disappoint. The roast was cooked to perfection, with succulent meat, crispy Yorkshire puddings, and an array of delectable vegetables. The flavors were exquisite, and each bite was a true delight. To complement my meal, I chose from their impressive selection of wines and beers, and I was not disappointed. The staff's knowledge and recommendations added to the overall dining experience.

The service at Watermill was impeccable. The attentive and friendly staff ensured that every need was met, and they went above and beyond to create a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere. The wait staff were prompt, knowledgeable, and made me feel welcome throughout the entire meal.

However, I must mention a minor disappointment during my visit. The meat on my plate was slightly colder than I would have liked, and the waiting time for the food was longer than expected. Nevertheless, considering the overall experience, I would gladly overlook these minor hiccups. The delicious flavors, excellent service, and breathtaking views make Watermill a place I would undoubtedly visit again.

I wholeheartedly recommend Watermill to anyone seeking a fantastic dining experience. Whether it's a Sunday roast, a refreshing drink, or simply a relaxing atmosphere with stunning views, Watermill offers it all. Despite the small setbacks, the quality of the food, service, and ambiance make it a must-visit destination for those seeking an unforgettable...

Disappointing Experience for Those with Food Intolerances -

I visited this venue last night with a group of work colleagues and had high hopes for the venue. It was busy and outlook from the outdoor seating area was beautiful.

Having clearly communicated my multiple food intolerances to the waitress, who took careful note of them. I ordered the fish and chips with mushy peas, tartare, and curry sauces, but asked to swap the peas (a trigger food for me) for a side salad and to remove the sauces. I was told the side salad wasn’t available, so the waitress kindly offered broccoli as a substitute.

Unfortunately, when my meal arrived, it included the sauces and mushy peas—both of which I had specifically asked to avoid. The plate did have an “allergy” marker, so it was clearly intended for me, but it was not prepared as requested. The waitress took it back when I explained the issue, but did not appear concerned at the mix-up.

When the bill came, I was surprised to see I had been charged the full £18.50 for the meal, plus an additional £9.50 for the broccoli—despite it being a substitute for the unavailable salad. Although the broccoli charge was eventually refunded, I later noticed on the receipt that the kitchen had swapped my fish for a gluten-free version. I had explicitly stated I did not want the gluten-free fish, as I tolerate the wheat in regular batter better than the corn, pea, or soya often used in gluten-free alternatives. I had planned to simply remove the batter myself.

Despite the staff’s polite demeanour, this experience left me feeling that the venue is not a safe or reliable choice for those with food intolerances. The miscommunication between front-of-house and kitchen, and the lack of understanding around substitutions, led to me having a reaction to the food. I won’t...