The Gainsborough Brasserie

The Gainsborough Brasserie reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. E

   Evie

   Bath1 review

   1.0

   Dined on May 1, 2025

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

   Unfortunately afternoon tea at the Gainsborough was such a disappointment. The lounge it was served in was really hot and smelled badly of cigarettes. The afternoon tea was bland, with dry scones and deserts that had smears of other foods on them from being sliced. The decor is also uninspiring and the cost of £40 per head seemed too expensive for what was provided, although this would usually be a good price, the entire experience was just a bit sad. Staff were attentive but not very helpful. I wish we had gone elsewhere for what was meant to be a special occasion.
   

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2. S

   Steph

   Bath1 review

   4.0

   Dined on April 12, 2025

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

   Lovely afternoon tea. Lovely food and the setting was lovely. Would of been nice if the service was better as we were charged a high service charge and were rushed to pay after not finishing our food.
   

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3. D

   Dean

   Bath3 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on March 30, 2025

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

   We arrived on time at the brasserie where we were directed to the lounge. We were then freely a server how enquired for our booking details which I gave. The server could not fined our reservation so I then showed the server the confirmation on my phone of our booking. After a while going away and checking they found our reservation and we were directed back to the Brasserie. We sat down and confirmed that we had booked the Mother’s Day afternoon tea. We chose our tea which was served quite quickly. We then waited about 20 minutes for our sandwiches, cakes and scones to arrive by which time we had finnished our tea and no top up of tea was offered. I then had to ask if we could have our glasses of bubbly which was advertised with the package. The server then said they would check. The bubbly then arrived. The sandwiches ect were excellent. We finnished our food and tea then asked for the bill which was presented £185.63. I paid this as I did not want to embarrass my wife. The package was advertised at £160.00 for four people. I would like an explanation as to why I had to pay more? After I paid then had to enquire where the Mother’s Day gift would be presented. The server then said that she would check with reception? After a little wait it was so we then left. Generally I felt that the service level was not great from what I expected. I should not have had to ask for items of a package that I had pre booked! I am expecting a response to my complaint!
   

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4. V

   Viki

   London3 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on March 23, 2025

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

   We booked afternoon tea to celebrate my birthday with some friends. Unfortunately the whole experience was totally underwhelming for many reasons. The staff overall didn’t seem very attentive, even though we had a reservation for 3 they proceeded to put us in a table for 2. We were then put in the main restaurant as no more tables were available in the tea room for 3 people. We were the only table in the whole room so zero atmosphere. We ordered one glass of champagne each and afternoon tea. The sandwiches were chunky and some had very little taste, the cakes were hard and crumbly and most of them did not taste fresh. We left a good portion of them. The cost was £190 for 3 people. Disproportionately steep considering the quality of both food and service. Highly disappointed, would not recommend and would not go back.
   

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5. P

   Paul

   London2 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on March 18, 2025

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

   Nice restaurant and pleasant staff. Asked for sauce on the side of the chicken as it said spicy sauce on the menu. Food arrived covered in sauce. Sent it back, next food arrived sauce on the side but chicken was very spicy without the sauce. We were assured plain chicken with spicy sauce. Sent it back took the fish this time. 15 minutes later fish arrived but potatoes not cooked and not edible. Gave up at this stage and called the manager. Profuse apologies and bill cancelled. Shame, nice hotel and nice restaurant.
   

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6. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   London1 review

   4.0

   Dined on March 7, 2025

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

   Great night, great food and service was very good.
   

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7. K

   Keji

   London5 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 14, 2025

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

   Quality good tasting food. Excellent customer service and warm and lovely ambience. Exceeded expectations. Highly recommended.
   

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8. S

   Shariesma

   Devon1 review

   3.0

   Dined on December 28, 2024

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

   Went as a party of three had a nice tea, but we had to ask for sugar and cream (not offered with the delivery of our tea) and we were basically ignored after we were served our food platter. We also to wait 20min after asking for the bill three times and no apology was given. The ambience and food were nice but the experience was let down by subpar service.
   

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9. M

   Mia

   Bath1 review

   1.0

   Dined on December 22, 2024

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

   The most disappointing afternoon tea I have experienced to date. I booked for a “festive” afternoon tea for my mum and I, and requested for there not to be any butter or spread in the sandwiches due to allergies during my booking, I can confirm there was in fact butter in the sandwiches. Thankfully, the allergy isn’t severe but nevertheless, the fact this was ignored is incredibly dangerous. The afternoon tea itself wasn’t festive whatsoever it was the usual afternoon tea they offer. The menu displays that you also get “Warm Savoury” treats, that wasn’t the case as apparently the chef had changed the menu a week beforehand (this was what I was told by a member of staff). This would have been great to know as I solely booked this particular afternoon tea based on the menu being appealing. The food was very much average. The service was non existent, many occasions there wasn’t a member of staff around. I asked politely about why the afternoon tea was different to what I booked, but the member of staff I spoke to (I didn’t catch her name) with a raised voice and a huff, told me she’d check. However, when she returned she was in completely different mood. Smiley, apologetic and offered us a glass of Prosecco each because of the mix up. Well, this didn’t happen so I’m not sure why it was suggested, and even if I wanted it to there wasn’t anyone around to ask and I gave up trying to hunt anyone down. I will not be visiting the Gainsborough again, absolute waste of money!!!
   

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10. D

    Des

    Bath1 review

    3.0

    Dined on December 7, 2024

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

    Excellent starter, the signature Dancing Prawns which I would highly recommend; main courses were fine; limited wine list and service was polite but slow considering the restaurant was not busy. However there was no ambience and it did feel like dining in a hotel restaurant.
    

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