Amberley Castle Restaurant

Amberley Castle Restaurant reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. J

   Jo

   West Sussex2 reviews

   3.0

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   Initial booking was confusing as we booked for Easter Sunday, and there was an option for Easter afternoon tea with fizz and egg decorating but we just wanted the standard afternoon tea. It wasn't clear how much it was because the email confirmation differed from what was online and no clarity on child price so had to make a call. And even when we called the staff member wasn't clear either ! Service was a little disappointing this time, one of our servers appeared to be new as on several occasions our drinks and food was taken to another table first. I have no problem with people being trained and some errors but this should affect the service charge...see below We had some cakes and pastries left over so asked to box them up as we have done in the past, we were given a box to do ourselves! Previous occasions sandwiches have been topped up without asking, this time we had to ask. Oh checkout to pay were presented with a bill for standard charges but service charge already added on- we like the option to tip if we believe service is excellent and given the issues we had don't think this should be automatically included. Also because another member of staff had to ask us if the explanation of the food options given by the other team member was ok, suggested he new that the service wasn't as expected. Overall lovely food and atmosphere but a few areas to improve on service to make it a 5* .
   

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2. F

   Fiona

   London1 review

   1.0

   Dined on April 19, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 2

   Tired and Bland Expensive £50 afternoon tea: nice scones and pleasant staff, but otherwise tired and bland: sandwiches curling, cakes tasteless. Cheap heavy catering china, no tea knives or pastry forks. Dull decor inside - externally castle looks great - and needs dusting
   

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3. C

   Camille

   Surrey1 review

   2.0

   Dined on April 16, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   We went to Amberley Castle for afternoon tea. The Castle is beautiful and lovely to walk around the grounds, but the afternoon tea itself wasn't great. The savoury food was brought out first and was really nice. However, we then waited almost an hour for the desserts and scones to be brought out - they didn't taste great but were okay, definitely not what we would have expected considering the setting. The person we met on arrival was really friendly and attentive, and helped us move a table as one of us had a broken leg, so we couldn't sit at a coffee table with sofas, so we were moved to the restaurant room upstairs. The people serving us, on the other hand, were borderline rude, and the service was extremely slow. All in all, we wouldn't recommend afternoon tea as the food and service aren't worth the price and there are similar venues in the area that offer better quality.
   

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4. Y

   Yvonne

   Devon2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 15, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   It was a very special occasion, my daughter’s 50th and the wonderful experience added to the celebration. The staff were very caring especially about my allergy. The food was delicious with so many varied flavours.
   

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5. K

   Kirsty

   West Sussex4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 13, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Excellent service, fantastic choice of teas, coffees and hot chocolates. Don’t worry if you can’t finish the food, they’ll pack it up for you to take home!
   

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6. a

   adrian

   Dubai1 review

   1.0

   Dined on April 2, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   We have had meals at Amberley Castle many times over the years so are accustomed to a high standard of service in the restaurant there. However, the dinner we had on Wednesday 2rd April, demonstrated an unfortunate and significant lowering of these standards. It would appear the reception and waiting staff in general have not received suitable or adequate training. Their attitude, behaviour and actions fell far below what is expected in a first class hotel and restaurant. The food was excellent but the standard of service was simply unacceptable and more suited to a Harvester or Toby Inn. In addition, the public spaces are looking very tired and worn and threadbare i.e. carpets on the first landing, the dining room ceiling also looks very tired. Amberley Castle was previously considered to be one of the premier place to eat and stay in West Sussex but this will soon not be the case unless these deficiencies are remedied without delay. Reputations are hard won and easily lost.
   

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7. c

   carol

   Brighton1 review

   3.0

   Dined on March 30, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   My daughter mum and myself went for Mother's Day I had rang them a couple of days in advance to tell them of my daughters dietary requirements however after alot of questions on the day they still got it wrong with white bread when we requested brown When we asked for the teapot to be topped up it took forever we had finished the cream tea by the time new pots arrived wasn't impressed with sandwich fillings very rich the cake selection was poor with miniature scones so overall not a pleasant tea Have visited before for cream tea on my birthday was a lot nicer very disappointing
   

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8. T

   Tina

   West Sussex5 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on March 29, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 1

   Booked cream tea for Mother’s Day. Whilst the setting at Amberley Castle is beautiful, the interior is very dated. I last went 25 years ago and don’t think much had changed since. Tired and felt a bit unloved. The vase of flowers on the windowsill next to our table hadn’t had the water changed for several days. The food itself was very average. The tea came about half an hour before the sandwiches arrived. Not much filling in the sandwiches and not sure that they had been freshly made. The cake selection was a bit odd with a chocolate, caramel and coffee layered cake (very heavy on the coffee), fruit scones, spiced orange choux buns and Battenberg cake wrapped in marzipan. We had expected something a little more contemporary such as delicate patisserie with fresh fruit, lemon cake or lemon tarts (always a crowd pleaser). For the price (£60 per head) and the setting we had expected something very special. Wouldn’t return.  Shame as it has huge potential.
   

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9. E

   Emma

   Bath1 review

   5.0

   Dined on March 28, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We had a super afternoon the card was a thoughtful touch and staff went out of their way to make us feel welcome . Really enjoyed tea in the lounge and we will be back !
   

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10. S

    Stephen

    West Sussex1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Superb ambience in resturant area. Nice calm and relaxed. The historic room added to the ambience.
    

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