The Ivy Reviews 

Went to Ivy in Tunbridge Wells. Have been a few times. Great for occasions, as atmosphere a good mixture of busy, and yet can easily hear conversations, as good space between tables. All a bit glitch decor wise, but hey, all in all it ticks the boxes - except for the food!!’

Have to say that the last 3 times I have been, the food has been stone cold! Fish & chips, COLD, burgher COLD, Shepards pie COLD. Just extraordinarily odd. Had to laugh; even the butter was soo COLD, you could barely cut it in half, let alone spread it!

It’s just so disappointing, as I just have to conclude they really don’t care, and just think the name alone will keep the punters coming - and to be fair maybe they will. I mean I’ve been back despite what seems like a terminal issue.

That said, with me and mine it’s definitely a case of 3 strikes and you’re out!

PS. They did unhesitatingly get me a new burgher and the waiter was unfailingly polite - but of course that’s not the point.

I have just visited the Ivy in Exeter. What a fantastic venue. I would say that it’s the best in Exeter and the best Ivy I have eaten at. We were a group of seven and service from James and Kiara was first class. Food also very good so all in all we had a great time and I will return.

The food was not particularly good. Cheese soufflé informed very flavoursome -bland. Cod Goujons were inedible tough and chewy really not nice at all. Minute steak with peppercorn sauce the steak comes with water cress and smothered in peppercorn sauce, tasted like chillies and red pepper just the look of it put me off so gave it to my hubby instead. Was so looking forward to our meal as the Ivy always looks great. The service was good though.

I am not normally one to leave reviews but feel like I have to comment on an experience I had at The Ivy Asia St Paul’s branch. I did not eat so cannot personally comment on the food or service but would like to raise a concern I have. A few nights ago I got off at St Paul’s tube station as I was meeting a friend in the area for a drink; I do not mean to share TMI but I suffer with health conditions that cause me to experience urgency issues and as this was the nearest place I saw to the tube station exit I planned to ask if I could use the restroom quickly. I was greeted by the staff at the door who I found to be quickly dismissive and was turned away being told the restrooms were for customers only. I do not know any names and do not wish to blame anyone in particular - simply to raise awareness of invisible conditions like this which can cause people to become very distressed, as I was on this occasion. I understand that restaurants and other establishments have ‘customer only’ policies due to the need to pay bills etc. but I am writing this review with an understanding The Ivy is a well-off chain and I felt like there could be more done from businesses to help someone in my position who can be visibly distressed.

I can only speak about the visit we recently had to The Ivy in Chichester which was brilliant. Excellent range of drinks and food with equally excellent service, mainly from Sophie. Perhaps a little pricey but worth it especially as our visit was with a special friend from America who was equally impressed, We will go back again.

The service is a bit icy but reasonably swift. We had the Ivy breakfast which was excellent. Booking a table on line is tedious, I gave up.

I wish I could give it less than one star

Ivy Marlow
My experience at The Ivy Marlow has always been good. The staff are knowledgeable and attentive and I have thought of it as having a touch of the Parisian about it until tonight - I ordered double cheese soufflé which I must say was delicious but it was presented cut through - half a soufflé! It was belly up and did not look good enough to eat rather a second cousin twice removed to the magnificent image of a beautiful soufflé au fromage - such a let down - I don’t want to feel differently about The Ivy Marlow but nowI unfortunately do -make the half soufflé into a smaller whole one - we are not in a canteen but an exclusive smart restaurant- live up to our expectations please

Ivy Asia at St Paul’s for a 50th and 18th. They were very helpful regarding seating both parties close together. Food was fabulous and our waiter George could not have been more helpful.

Tiny little table for 2 with no tablecloth to cover up the old wooden table we had.
Poor service
Asked twice for Olives with our bread
Served main when still eating bread and olives
Everything being piled onto the table
One main dish was nearly cold
Parmesan cheese eventually brought to the table after asking for it twice
We didnt even bother with a dessert
When asked if our meal had been ok I couldnt tell them it had been. They took my bill away and took money off but actually feel that the bill should have been ripped up. We were told that they had a problem recruiting staff. Our waiter was also training the girl who was serving. One waiter and his trainee were serving about 10 tables.
Very overpriced too for a what I call and in my opinion now a bottom end restaurant !

We will not be returning as not the first time we have been disappointed

Very disappointed with my visit to The Ivy Chelsea Garden on 14.08.25. Food had to be returned to the kitchen, so one diner ate alone! Service was very bad and yet one table of very loud gentleman had staff bending over backwards to attend to them! Mentioned it was a friends birthday when booking which the didn't acknowledge at all and yet Ivy Manchester made such an effort two weeks ago. Last but final comment was the state of the female toilets and only one working!
Following a review I left on their website, I was asked to forward my contact details so they could discuss my visit. I did this and guess what? No one contacted me! Just about sums up The Ivy

Really dissapointing dining experience with friends on Saturday 16th August at St Johns Wood Ivy. Decent cooking but glacially slow and amateurish table service performed by poorly trained and inexperienced staff. Completely disinterested restaurant management compounded the disaster. Avoid!

The food was SO disappointing. There are many other places nearby that are better. Poor quality, not at all what I would have expected from the Ivy. And appalling value. Will definitely not be returning.

IVY OXFORD

Great greeting, shown to table. Waiting staff introduced himself then took an age to return, It was our 30th Wedding anniversary and booked as a special treat. Ordered food and drinks, to be told no steak and chips- can you believe that in a supposedly high end restaurant. Drinks didnt come and saw other waiting staff serve drinks to their allocated tables for people that arrived after us. Food came before the drinks, how can this even be allowed in a restaurant. Didnt want to make a scene but after about 15 mins went to waiter. Drinks came bottle or 330ml lager (£7!!!!) and wine were warm. Eat food, wifes chicken was so dry and it must of been waiting a while for collection, my fishcake ok, Decided against ordering deserts and coffe and just wanted to leave. Didnt even argue about the mandatory service charge. Will never go back. Subsquently went on Trustpilot and disinterested staff and wait times a common problem and a score of 2.7 over all of their estate. Wish I read Trustpilot before. Surely managemnet are inept as not acting and correcting previous comments. Avoid, it ruined a lovely day

We visited The Ivy Winchester a restaurant we have visited many times. The restaurant was not busy so there was absolutely no excuse for the bad service we encountered.

We were seated in a pleasant manner and appointed a sullen looking man as our waiter. Menus on the table. No children’s menu I had to ask. No apple juice and no other suggestions made. Drinks and arancini ordered. When served an arancini went onto the floor and all the waiter said was ‘Ooophs’ picked it up and left. No side plates I had to ask. Mains arrived. Children’s meal was huge. Steak had to go back basically a lump of gristle couldn’t cut. The other two mains had lids on and I had to remove and get up and place lids on serving section. We know the food isn’t the main event at the Winchester Ivy but usually the service and ambience make up for it.

It was my daughters birthday but the meal made me feel angry. I have given feedback twice and have heard nothing. Disappointed is all I can say. I do hope others do not have the experience that we had.

We went to The Ivy in Chichester for our wedding anniversary dinner with great expectations.
Impressive interior design, but the service was poor. Considerable wait before our waitress arrived to greet us and take an order. We didn’t order a bottle of wine and it seemed as if this put us down the queue in priority.
We had to ask for condiments which never arrived. We ordered a green tea at the end of the meal which never reached us but did reach the bill!
We did get an anniversary profita roll which was a nice touch.
The food was OK, but not noteworthy, especially considering the size of the bill.
May be good for big groups but not for a couple!
Overall a disappointing experience; would we return - unlikely.

1) I had a basket of flowers and 2 balloons delivered.They do not allow balloons in the restaurant,& reluctant to put the flowers by the table ?
It's in there protocol that wearing shorts and trainers are acceptable,when clearly it says smart dress ?
Food comes to you on cold plates.portions are minute,price is unbelievably High .
The small bottle of wine was £35 ?
A surcharge was added at the end also without telling us.
Portions are minute.these are not meals if you have to add vegetables etc at extra charge.
4 people £212 really

We have had countless meals at the Ivy in Norwich Norfolk and on almost every visit the food has been outstanding the staff are well trained and very polite. I can only give five stars for brilliant service and superb food.

My Godson invited my wife and I for dinner at the Ivy.
He knew that we had been talking about this special restaurant many times but never found time to go at all.
Our reservation was promptly verified at the front desk and were taken to our very confortable table by a very charming hostess.
We were serve by Michael who throughout the whole evening was impeccable for service, recommendations, knowledge, tactful interaction. the food came on time, of which the presentation was good as you would expect, but the taste was sensational. we ordered ribs of beef cooked perfectly and a shepherd's pie which was absolutely delightful.
Then Michael suggested the "Bombe chocolate for dessert." with the chocolate coulis serve slowly over the bombe by a lovely waitress.
The whole experience was a total success.
The atmosphere was great with music at an appropriate level of volume.
But the real winner apart from a great restaurant/brasserie was Michael who observed and acted on every aspect of our table service with discretion as well as perfect timing.
We shall return. the food is excellent, the service miraculous.
Many thanks for an unforgettable time.
Thierry Torlotin, Jonathan Level

I went to Ivy, Cambridge with my family and friends to celebrate my son's birthday on 15th July. I had what was listed as Full English Vegetarian breakfast. A few hours after, while driving back to London I started to feel stomach cramps. These became very intense, leading to other gastrointestinal symptoms. I called Ivy the next day to give them a feed back in order for them to investigate if there were avoidable issues. The lady who took my call said that the manager would call me back soon. Three days have gone but there has been no phone call. I therefore decided to write a public review to warn others. My symptoms are still there but much subsided . Please look for hygiene issues in their kitchen.

In response to my review on a different platform, the management of the Ivy claimed they had reached out to me. This is incorrect. I'm 75 years old and am always available on phone. I received no phone call from the Ivy.

Food: 1/5 | Service: 3/5 |