The Elderflower Restaurant

I’m always impressed by the quality and creativity of the food here. The chef’s talent shines through in every dish, with flavours and presentation that are consistently imaginative and beautifully balanced. I’m a big fan of tasting menus, and this one easily holds its own against several Michelin star experiences I’ve had. Not knowing what’s coming next, and having each course introduced as it arrives, really adds to the sense of occasion. It’s also great to see a place investing in future talent—the energy and enthusiasm from the team is infectious. Our waiter was genuinely thrilled when we complimented the bread—he couldn't hold back that he’d made it himself that morning. Just a heads-up: tips are cash only, so it's worth bringing some along to avoid getting caught out. I can't wait to be back, if only I could fit in more than once a year.

This is fine dining restaurant, but we felt a little disappointed. The duck salad was tasty but didn't seem to have any meat and was what seemed to be duck skin scratchings. The seafood mixed grill was more stew like and the fish was a bit over cooked. The raspberry soufflé was the star dish and quite brilliant.

A wonderful full on experience. I chose the KF Fish wings as my starter. This chef must be mad to come up with the idea of fish wings KFC style. It’s so hard to eat without getting frustrated by a bone here or there; but it is soooo worth it. A totally tasty, barking mad, delicious starter. Being a Friday I followed by posh fish n chips. It’s just what to expect from an excellent restaurant. Spot on. To finish Rasberry soufflé. An amazing and incredible desert. It’s a must visit restaurant.

I ordered a takeaway Mixed Fish Grill with potatoes for £25 from The Elderflower Restaurant In Lymington, expecting a decent portion and quality for the price. Although the restaurant staff were nice the food experience was a letdown. First of all, the portion size was shockingly small for a £25 meal — it felt more like a starter than a main course. To make matters worse, instead of the potatoes I ordered, I received plain noodles, which made no sense. For a dish that’s marketed as a premium option, this felt lazy and overpriced. I definitely won’t be ordering from here again. There are plenty of places that offer better quality and value for money. Very disappointing.

We had the five-course tasting menu over lunch, and from start to finish, it was an excellent experience. The staff were warm, welcoming, and attentive without being intrusive, setting just the right tone for a relaxed meal. The dining room itself felt either brand new or impeccably maintained, adding to the sense of occasion. The food was outstanding. Every dish beautifully presented, seasonal, and most importantly really bloody tasty! The wine list was solid; while I didn’t drink, my wife enjoyed the wine selected for her. It wasn’t a formal pairing, but when we asked for something to match what we were eating, the choice was spot on. One small piece of feedback rather than a complaint. I was surprised that there wasn’t a seafood course, especially given the restaurant’s prime waterfront location. It felt like a bit of a missed opportunity. Also, while the English sparkling by the glass was a great option, I’d have loved to see a Champagne by the glass as well. That said, these are minor points in what was an otherwise fantastic meal. We’ll definitely be back!

A "10 minute wait" for takeaway fish & chips turned into a 35 minute wait, orders came out in waves and for the last 2 portions we were informed that they'd run out of chips and they were now coming fries (looked like the type ovened from a frozen bag). If I had known in advance I wouldve chosen a different venue for our lunch. The standard dining-in experience may have been given the AA 3 Rosettes, but the takeaway option sadly doesn't live up to that grading at all. Communication of expected delays in advance and knowing stock levels could be improved significantly. From what we saw whilst ordering, the quality of food being carried to tables inside looked great. A last tip if ordering the takeaway is to check your order by opening the box before leaving to confirm that you have salt and vinegar on, as they didn't add any to mine despite confirming it at the counter. Not worth £16.50, grab a sandwich from the store opposite, save yourself £10 to use on a flapjack, coffee and 30 minutes of your holiday.

We had an early lunch. The choice was a good indicator of the freshness of the food. All courses were very nice and perfectly portioned. Staff were lovely and made one feel special. Loved the cutlery, glassware and crockery, too. Note that service is not included in the bill, is well deserved and they only take tips in cash. So bring some cash!

Visited The Elderflower to try the 7 course (yes, 7 course) tasting menu, and I must say it was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. Every dish was incredible, but not large enough to make you feel like a stuffed pig by the end. The wine was matched perfectly to each dish and the staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. Easily one of the best restaurant meals I've ever tasted, just superb.