Dulwich Picture Gallery Cafe

Visiting the cafe on Tuesday 12th July to take an elderly lady for her 97th birthday, we were extremely disappointed with the main course meals. The Chicken in Thai sauce did not live up to the description on the menu, it was totally unpalatable, cold chunks of red pepper, cos lettuce with cold hard strips of chicken, the small piece of pollack on wilted spinach was badly presented and the tuna nicoise badly cooked and presented. Our 4th friend ordered soup and salad and recieved half a bowl of cold soup. I was really embarrassed as the elderly lady was looking forward to her birthday treat and her visit to the gallery. The meal also took a long time to arrive. The only visit I will make in future will be for tea and cake.
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Lynne Tidbury
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Friday, July 15, 2011

Inconsistent in quality of food and service. Was excellent, one time, but portions are smaller, especially mean bread with soup; and staff not always happy. Shame, because at one time it was more wholesome, friendly and a real pleasure. Much the same can be said of the changes to the gallery which, although arranged well, have some new, officious and inexperienced staff, who know nothing about the nature of the place. The surroundings are beautiful.
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5 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Thursday, November 18, 2010

Despite the restaurant being busy at lunchtimes, it is not that good. The service is acceptable, but the food is not good enough for the premium prices charged. There was no vegetarian option available on the day I went, so a supposedly large starter was provided, which comprised a small pot of humous, some unidentifiable red sauce (that tasted like tomato ketchup mixed with yoghourt), a small pitta bread and slice of chevre cheese. At the price charged this was not good enough. My friend's kedgeree was, in his words, 'all right but bland'.

What the gallery really needs is a simple coffee shop, selling no more than light snacks. The fact this small space sees itself as a quite upmarket restaurant is a problem. It means lingering at your table during the busy lunch is not easy, and the people on the next table had to be forceful in telling the waitress that they were not ready to leave (three times no less!)

That is not to say the staff are rude (they are not) but they clearly are being asked to do something that neither the space nor (to judge by my food) the chef are up to doing. My advice is to walk the few hundred metres into the village proper and go to one of the cafes or restaurants there. The short walk will lead to a much better meal.
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2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Friday, March 05, 2010