Dulwich Picture Gallery Cafe

This at-first-sight-appealing cafe is a bit of a wasted opportunity, although things have improved in recent months. The main problem, as ever, is service - or lack of it. The high(ish) prices charged here are not backed up by slick, welcoming and efficient staff. Instead, more often than not you get surly inefficiency. Tables are glacially slow to be cleared (meaning long queues in busy periods) and on our last visit we were told we couldn't sit outside 'as it might rain'. True, but it wasn't raining, and there were more staff than customers so even if we had had to flee inside it wouldn't have been too much effort to relocate us. The overall impression given is 'we really can't be bothered', which is a shame as this place could be so nice. As I said, it does seem to be getting better, slowly, with evidence of more staff training (and more staff, period). But, a way to go yet.
Comment on this reader review

Mike
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Thursday, August 23, 2007

Having read very favourable reviews of this restaurant, my partner and I had lunch there yesterday and what a disappointment! The only fresh ingredient in their chicken caesar salad was the Parmesan cheese. The Cos lettuce was at least a day old with brown stalks, the chicken flavourless and the croutons from a packet. I was offered an alternative, but owing to lack of time, was unable to take advantage of this offer, had I wished to. My advice to anyone visiting the Canaletto exhibition is to have lunch before you go.
Comment on this reader review

simila - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Thursday, February 15, 2007

Very pleasant & convivial place for a spot of informal lunch. Clean, starched, white minimalist type place in the middle of landscaped garden, full of TV personalities with their families, plenty of artists sitting around sketching near the picture gallery, a gentle relaxed feel to it all. Unstuffy but the food is pretty good, nothing revolutionary but well presented & executed. Service very friendly, decent value for what is presented. Tea and scones in the afternoon particularly recommended. Only problem with it really is the traffic noise coming from College Road nearby.
Comment on this reader review

Declan James
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Monday, September 18, 2006

Had some amazing food at lunch time. Even called over the head waiter / manager to say how good it was. Main lasagne and chicken dish were excellent.Deserts and afternoon tea looked amazing - but we resisted!
Comment on this reader review

Robin LONDON
Tuesday, September 27, 2005