Giles Coren's review of Inn The Park (The Independent)
Jay Rayner's review of Inn The Park (The Observer)
A Hedonist's guide to London: Editor's picks
Alfresco Restaurants in London
Inn The Park reviews
I have been there just once, for a coffee. The latte I had was great and the service was fantastic.
by Bagi, 17 Feb 2009
by Bagi, 17 Feb 2009
I visited this restaurant for a reunion with some friends. The meal started badly as we didn't all arrive at once and rolls were served for those who had arrived first but not for those arriving later. We had to ask for further rolls. Sugar was not already on the table when coffee was served, so once again we had to ask for it. Service was also slow.
As I am a vegan, I had phoned them several days in advance and was assured that one of the main courses, which included puffball, could be adapted by omitting the duck egg. When I arrived I found that there was no option for a single course, I would have to pay for two. The only option for a starter was to adapt another mushroom-based dish. What is more, further items needed to be omitted from the puffball dish, and potatoes and vegetables were extra. I decided to cut my losses and have the starter and main course as adapted.
When they came, both courses could have been served on one plate with room to spare, and the puffball was too salty. I was still hungry afterwards. Inn the Park would do better to serve straightforward food well than to serve unusual dishes poorly.
by anotheronymous, 25 Oct 2008
As I am a vegan, I had phoned them several days in advance and was assured that one of the main courses, which included puffball, could be adapted by omitting the duck egg. When I arrived I found that there was no option for a single course, I would have to pay for two. The only option for a starter was to adapt another mushroom-based dish. What is more, further items needed to be omitted from the puffball dish, and potatoes and vegetables were extra. I decided to cut my losses and have the starter and main course as adapted.
When they came, both courses could have been served on one plate with room to spare, and the puffball was too salty. I was still hungry afterwards. Inn the Park would do better to serve straightforward food well than to serve unusual dishes poorly.
by anotheronymous, 25 Oct 2008
My family and I dined in the restaurant and had a fantastic meal. The food was surperb, with wonderful attention to detail - including a lovely farm butter that was just like my grandma made when I was small (my grandson, aged 18 months, cried for more it was so lovely). Thank you for a delightful family meal, which we will do again later this summer.
by MrDonaldParry, 23 Jun 2008
by MrDonaldParry, 23 Jun 2008
We rang the restaurant when they had just closed and they waited 15 mins for us to get there. The service was absolutely lovely, the food was the best we had in our whole time in London (Michelin-starred places included). I really recommend the children's menu. It was great to get proper food for them instead of deep-fried crap. I can't wait to go back the next time we're in London.
by shellyd, 30 Apr 2008
by shellyd, 30 Apr 2008
We went here for breakfast on a Saturday. On the plus side, it does have a lovely view of Horse Guards and the rear of the buildings on Whitehall. However, service was no good and the architect/designer needs to be lynched (the chairs are uncomfortable, and the toilet walls look like a colour-blind test). To be fair, the quality of the food wasn't bad, with the marmalade of particular note, but the chef/staff forgot one meal and the rest of us had finished by the time my friend got his. Oh, and the drinks were beyond abysmal - a tea was served as a cup of hot water and a tea bag separate!
by stewybabe (2 reviews), 18 Mar 2008
by stewybabe (2 reviews), 18 Mar 2008
The setting is the only thing worth visiting Inn the Park for. The restaurant itself is disappointingly overpriced - £100 for 2, for mushrooms on toast followed by fishcakes accompanied by a bottle of Cote du Rhone is not good value, whatever the setting. And let's not forget that Inn the Park is half posh restaurant, half self service cafe, so if you are in the posh bit you feel doubly ripped off. Oliver Peyton should know better.
by A customer, 08 Jan 2008
by A customer, 08 Jan 2008
Went with two friends last week. Beautiful setting and ambience, better than average food, but the service was really terrible. It wasn't that the staff weren't friendly or helpful, but there seemed to be no channels of communication, no one leading the service. We had to wait ages for everything, no one knew about the wine list, and generally I was disappointed as I was expecting great things from Oliver Peyton.
by rachel8571, 17 Aug 2007
by rachel8571, 17 Aug 2007
Went for a party with a pre-set menu. There was nowhere near enough food for the number of people. The food was poor quality and overpriced. Better off with a sandwich from M&S - tastier, more filling and better value. The manager was rude and unhelpful, the serving staff sour faced and inefficient. Will not go back and would not recommend to my worst enemy. Poor establishment, which is a shame as the setting is fantastic and it has heaps of potential.
by barnetro, 14 Aug 2007
by barnetro, 14 Aug 2007
Definitely not recommended. The location and view are amazing but otherwise a big disappointment. Despite being only the second or third table occupied at 9am for breakfast, we waited over half an hour for our food, and even when it arrived we had to wait longer for the toast, which was cold when it did get there. Pretty pricey but would have been worth it if the food and service matched the location. Sadly, they did not.
by citygirl148, 27 May 2007
by citygirl148, 27 May 2007
Fantastic! Everything was so great - service wonderful, roast lamb cutlets and garlic nuggets to die for, even the bread melted in our mouths. At the end I actually cried with gratitude.
by Tif, 19 May 2007
by Tif, 19 May 2007
Visited the restaurant recently with several friends to celebrate a birthday. Easter Sunday we found it under-staffed, toilets dirty and uncared for (obviously being used as a public loo).
Food generally was disappointing and am amazed that we had to pay a deposit to reserve a table that was not prepared for us or necessary as it was empty!
by Julie W, 01 May 2006
Food generally was disappointing and am amazed that we had to pay a deposit to reserve a table that was not prepared for us or necessary as it was empty!
by Julie W, 01 May 2006
I've taken my mother there for brunch, been there for cake with my friends, and had the most incredibly romantic dinner there on the terrace one nice night. I love the place.
Yummy food, cute waiters, the dreamiest chef that I've ever seen in my life. My Australian friend Kate assured me he's huge Down Under..
by Anonymous, 13 Apr 2005
Yummy food, cute waiters, the dreamiest chef that I've ever seen in my life. My Australian friend Kate assured me he's huge Down Under..
by Anonymous, 13 Apr 2005
Inn the Park is a perfect dining choice for the summer, and combines a relaxed experience with good simple English grub. Not sure though whether the glass front and decking might make it too chilly a choice in the middle of an English winter!
by capital girl "top london reviewer" (59 reviews), 16 Jan 2005
by capital girl "top london reviewer" (59 reviews), 16 Jan 2005
Excellent restaurant. During a brief London break we ate at St John Bread and Wine, Blueprint Cafe, The Cow and Inn The Park. We considered Inn The Park the most enjoyable with Blueprint a close second. The Cow was ridiculously expensive and the magic of the Ivy I'm afraid passes us by...
by terence p, 27 Jul 2004
by terence p, 27 Jul 2004
The food was excellent - and good value too. The views are stunning, the atmosphere relaxed - all in all a lovely way to spend an evening in London. We found the service very good actually - but I think we were lucky as our Italian waiter took a real shine to my mother and seemed determined to take good care of us. Will definitely be going back - it'll be fabulous in autumn...
by Chris Joseph, 22 Jul 2004
by Chris Joseph, 22 Jul 2004
I have now visited Inn the Park a number of times and can't find little to fault. What fantastic service, food, location... this should be a must visit for all visitors to London. I paricularly recommend early mornings as the sun rises over the lake and the Great British breakfast.
by Anonymous, 10 Jun 2004
by Anonymous, 10 Jun 2004
Delicious food and lovely setting, but the waiting staff still need improvement - surly to say the least. Also - any restaurant must realise by now that toilets are very important to ladies. Overflowing waste bin, broken door - they are in the process of being refurbished, but that's no excuse not to check periodically and tidy them.
by Cornelius, 08 Jun 2004
by Cornelius, 08 Jun 2004
Agree with the comments below which are fairly critical of the service here. Everything was pretty slow - 20 minutes for our wine to arrive, etc., but fortunately we were in no hurry. After the meal the restaurant was much quieter - and requests were handled quicker, so it seems like they're just understaffed or not able to cope with large numbers of covers.
However, the food was reasonably priced, well prepared and used good quality English ingredients. And design and location are absolutely great.
by tekka "top london reviewer" (37 reviews), 07 Jun 2004
However, the food was reasonably priced, well prepared and used good quality English ingredients. And design and location are absolutely great.
by tekka "top london reviewer" (37 reviews), 07 Jun 2004
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Photograph © Inn The Park
