The Caterham Arms — Restaurant in Tandridge

Service was unbaleavably poor. They took our orders quickly drinks arrived in a timely manner, but then the plates came out rather spaced apart, we were left waiting for cutlery. Child meal came last and it was served in in bowl so stayed really hot and she couldn't cut the chicken peices, ended up having to request a plate to put it on. Food was lovely, everything brilliantly cooked, seasoned, lovely presentation. However just not what it's said on the menu. Menu said the seabass would be accompanied with med veg and a potato and spinach tower but they was no med veg. First server we spoke with said she would go find out, never came back. Second said I think it under the fish, I'll go check with the chef and again never returned, after waiting a few more minutes we decided we best start eating so it wouldn't get any colder. Finally managed to find another server who said she would go speak with the chef and promised she would come back after we explained the the previous two never returned. The chef came to our table and told us the med veg was under the fish in the potato and spinach tower (it definitely wasnt), but offered to bring us more veg. By this time we had finished and it seemed pointless. I had the carvery roast which I enjoyed greatly however it would have been next level if there was crackling, stuffing and not brought in Yorkshires. As the people on our table finished plates were taken rather than waiting for everyone and our server kept coming up asking us if we wanted any desserts or the bill, we were kept asking for more time but ever few minutes she would return making us feel pressured to leave. I had the Eton mess which consisted of meringue, whipped cream (tasted like the uht carton stuff) and frozen Berry mix. Not creme on glaze like it said on the menu. The food was good but the menu gives the expectation of amazing and delivers a lie. Staff need some major training as this really ruined the experience. Possibly the usual customers don't know what they're looking for when they order these dishes but please don't lie and say its there when it's not it insults people's...

Absolutely disgusting customer service and food.

Visited this pub today to take my mum and children after becoming a regular in the summer as the carvery was really good.

Today however was a completely different experience. They have changed the chef and not for the better! Firstly....I ordered a starter of portobello mushroom and goats cheese. I had to remind the staff that I ordered this and when it eventually came (40 mins later) the mushroom was served cold and sliced onto shreds lettuce? Strange and disgusting. Secondly.......there wasn’t one ingredient on the roast dinner that had any flavour, potato’s that are meant to be roasted were more sautéed, not crispy at all and completely flavourless, the cauliflower cheese was bland, the Yorkshire puddings where tasteless and doughy, the meat was carved like doorsteps, the peas were hard and the gravy was cold.

We then went a stupidly ordered dessert! Again we had to remind the staff that we had actually ordered, waiting around 40 minutes for a cappuccino (which again o had to remind staff that I’d ordered. When the dessert finally came....it was supposed to be apple crumble? It wasn’t. The crumble tasted like rich tea biscuits, we were trying to figure out what it actually was, it seems as though they tried to make apple pie and failed so they just smashed up the pie crust and called it apple crumble.

When the land lady came over to ask if everything was okay, I quietly and politely said that the food used to be better and I preferred the last chef they had. The landlady started to argue her point saying that no/one else had complained and if I didn’t like it don’t come back!!! Absolutely disgusting customer service! Appalling food appalling staff appalling landlady.......don’t waste your hard...

Went to the Caterham Arms to watch a Crystal Palace match with 3 mates. Well kept pub. Busy with a nice bunch of locals. Didn’t eat there but the smell of Sunday roast dinner was in the air and I wish I hadn’t eaten before I went. Toilets nice and clean. Outside areas great for kids and covered if it’s raining.

The reason I guess most people go to a pub is for the beer. If you fancy a main stream Lager, Cider or a Guiness then great. The “Real Ales”, as advertised on the board outside, are truly appalling! The first pint was cloudy, and tasted of vinegar so why do experienced staff serve it? I stuck to the other two extremely average offerings, at over £4 a pint and left as soon as the match was over. Absolutely I would have had a few more if something better was on offer.

Dear Manager..Spend some time searching out some proper Real Ale, of which there are 1000s to choose from, and your potentially fantastic pub will massively benefit. Please don’t think I’m being mean...I’m seriously trying to do you a favour!

“””Update””””

Went back to the “New Caterham arms” very recently and what did I find? Staff that happy and willing to serve us at the table even though they were pretty busy and didn’t have to..really excellent keg beer..heated and covered outdoor seating with super comfy seats and loads of room. Was a good pub anyway…looks like the managers have spent their time wisely and improved this pub in an Amazing...