The Wet Fish Cafe

Wow. Really high-end fare for very reasonable prices, considering what you get. We're used to much higher tabs for this level of committment to the food.

My wife and I went for supper at the Wet Fish for the first time last week, and enjoyed our meal so much that we took a friend for Saturday brunch just a few days later.

My artichokes were great, the snapper curry with mango et al was super, and the chili ice cream simply astonishing - a taste of fire we called it ! The pear salad and pumpkin similarly excellent, and my wife's creme brulee delicious.

The Henry's Red - really an impulsive choice to taste the 3 grapes all at once - was remarkable, at limited mark-up, and versatile in pleasing our group. Excellent for leading the wine line-up, we'll have that again. We'll try the Gewurtz and the Pinot Noir next chance.

Breakfast was my salmon and eggs, my friend's french toast - a treat - and my wife's bubble & squeak with wild boar, bacon and hollandaise sauce.

To the coffee. Bar none, the best we have had in London. Indeed it about matches the Romans for Cappucino: we didn't try the espresso alone.

When a place is this competent, it's likely to get busy, so we waited some five minutes for our bill after brunch. We had no negative service experience here, not sure what previous reviewers refer to, despite the modest space dedicated to such estimable provisions.

All in all, a truly excellent meal, good wine, in a restaurant with a little history that doesn't overcharge; this last despite an owner and a team that clearly cares about your food and where you eat it.

A find, we'll be going again.
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b.e.
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Wet Fish is my favorite local restaurant . The Sunday Brunch is really nice. The eggs with mushrooms... mmm... delicious! I'm always happy to go to this restaurant. The food is really good. The Menu is not as long as in other places and for me this means that the food is fresh. Also they offer a fresh juice - that is quite difficult to find in London. They change the menu quite often - for me this mean that they use seasonal food. The atmosphere is pretty cool, the music is good and the waiters are very nice - the guy from Australia adds humor to the visit and the girl from Canada always has a smile on her face.
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Santuzza
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, September 02, 2008

I have tried again and again to like this place since the reviews have often been so good. I went for brunch on Sunday and had a very dissapointing meal (and very expensive!) . The cornbread was dry and the eggs were overcooked and I could say that maybe it was a bad choice. But the staff continually tryng to rush us out of the place to make space for the 4 people waiting, who were practically sitting on me, was not something I could be diplomatic about. They were nowhere to be found when I was trying to order a coffee but suddently every single member of staff was asking if we wanted anything, and desperately trying to get us out. Again very dissapointing, very overpriced and don't go for brunch unless you want them to try to get rid of you as they start removing your plates one by one as soon as your cutlery is put together. NOT my idea of a relaxing brunch, poor customer service, overall a very unpleasant experience.
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LC
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Monday, August 04, 2008

Contrary to the last review, I sooooo get the wet fish café - I think it’s great value despite its location! Funny enough on the day we went we’d been to Le Caprice for lunch and guess what – the food was simply higher quality and more impressive at the Wet Fish, hands down, at a much more reasonable price. It’s value for money, albeit for foodies who are prepared to spend a little more for good quality. A proper local restaurant right on my doorstep here in West Hampstead.
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Simon
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, July 25, 2008

This place is sooooo over priced because of it's location in Hampstead that I would seriously not waste a good evening out! The service is bad and apart from the attempt to create an interesting atmosphere I really just dont get it? Also had a opportunity to meet Andre the co-owner who really wasn't that bothered about my comments, £68 down and out! I don't think so even if the coffee is ok.
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Kate Hurley
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, July 22, 2008

I Have been going regularly since discovering the wet fish cafe a month or so ago! The Breakfasts are sublime and the new Lunch menu great. The Rabbit and Pancetta stew and the smoked chicken salad both very moreish. The one bone I have to pick with them is I am unable to drink coffee anywhere else since trying theres! Great place and I am already looking forward to my next visit!
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Alex Thomas
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, June 10, 2008

My friend Mirin & I go for coffee at Wet Fish like 2-3 times a week, and it's definitely the best coffee in London. The breakfasts are great too, and it's hard to resist the croissants. Great atmosphere and staff--always very friendly. It's great to have this cafe as a local.
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Diane Meynell
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Thursday, May 29, 2008

I had a lovely dinner with my boyfriend and his parents. at the wet fish cafe.

The waitress was very friendly but professional and respectful, and she knew the menu very well and helped us choose our meal and wine.

My crusted goat cheese with green beans was so delicious, and now the menu has changed I miss it even more! The apple crumble was bit sour, but the home made ice cream was lovely and heavenly, so was the chocolate cake!!!

Great music and the vive was just perfect. We had such a lovely evening. Thank you Wet Fish Cafe!

I recommend this place to anyone for any occasion- whether it's a special one, or big group dining, or romantic meal for two, or brunch by yourself! I often wonder why there aren't that many places in London where people can sit alone comfortably and have lunch or, even dinner.

Oh, don't forget to drink coffee after your meal. It puts smile on your face it's so good!
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, May 22, 2008

Breakfast is never a good time to keep people waiting... Unfortunately not only did my partner and I have to wait 10 minutes before menus were even unceremoniously placed on our too small table - it took over 20 minutes & a request before our order was taken. Too many people had been crammed into this seemingly popular cafe and we were asked to move to accomodate larger groups. When my breakfast finally arrived, 8 minutes before my partner recieved his scrambled eggs, my muesli was a little on the burnt side (supposedly "toasted"). Paying West Hampstead prices, and then the "optional" service charge" for a poor saturday morning breakfast experience really put a sour note on the day. Friendly staff are let down by sub optimal food, disregard for service and far too many tables... Definitely will not be returning to Wet Fish.
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Bailey (NW6)
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Sunday, May 18, 2008

I went to the Wet Fish cafe for dinner with a friend last week. Having lived in West Hampstead for 4 years and having only ever admired this place from the outside before (previously put off by the higher prices than other options on West End Lane), we decided to treat ourselves. Sadly, the food was not up to the standard we would have expected for the price of the meal (total bill £68). Starters of soup and a beetroot/feta salad were very bland. My main course (fillet of sea bass) was completely raw in the middle and had to be sent back. The waitress did not offer to keep my friend's main meal warm whilst this was being dealt with - and it took 15 minutes for my meal to return (having chased three times and my friend having finished his dinner during the wait). No apologies were offered. The atmosphere of the place is nice, but I'm afraid I won't be returning. There are plenty of far better options within 100 yards of the WFC.
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Kate
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4
Tuesday, April 22, 2008