Squires Tea Shop - Elmbridge

We call in every month when visiting Esher and always enjoy a light lunch. The coffee is pretty good and the soup is really excellent. Sandwiches are good and although we don’t often try the main courses they look good too. We always reserve a table online just in case it is busy and although service can be a shade slow at times we’ve found it friendly and efficient. Worth a visit for sure.

Sadly the quality of the food not as good as it was. They were very busy, and the bacon came out rock hard and cool. It had obviously been under the hot plate or in the oven too long. Left it on the plate and the waitress said that she would inform the chef. Complained later as they were rushed off their feet. Emailed the manager and had a chat and she said I should have told them which I did and that it was a one off experience, which it wasn't. Reality of it is that it is not as good as it was, and I and my friends will not be eating there again and we were regulars there at least 3 times a week.

Although we had visited other Squires Garden Centres this was our first visit to Hersham. We only used the restaurant for lunch so cannot comment on the garden centre as a whole. Good menu choice reasonably priced, good sized portions well ours were! Pleasant counter service acceptable wait time so all in all well pleased. Would visit again.

I booked the afternoon tea for 5 people over the phone. I did inform them at the time that there would be one vegetarian. The morning of the date, I rang to cancel one of the people who was unable to attend. That was fine. When we arrived, I was informed that I would have to pay for the cancelled person as they had to buy the food in from outside and order it in advance. At no time had I been told that cancellations would be charged although I was informed it did state this online! However, I had not booked online!. When the food arrived, the vegetarian sandwiches were mixed in with the meat sandwiches. When this was pointed out, the staff grudgingly agreed to prepare fresh vegetarian sandwiches and put on separate plate. The food was very nice once this was all sorted out and the teapots were refilled on request. Paying for the meal proved a problem as we were all paying separately, some with cards, some with cash. This was not possible as they did not have the facility to do this as the bill was a complete bill! The manageress was not particularly helpful or welcoming and we came away feeling very disappointed with the experience.

Lovely local cafe, but would be even better with a vegan option for breakfast and lunch and at least one vegan cake.