Lunch Date
Lizzy asks:
"Five work colleagues and I are visiting Greenwich next week. Do you have any suggestions about where we can find a delicious lunch? We're not well paid work colleagues so value for money is a must."
The Phantom replies:
I have to say it's much tougher than it once was to find really great good-value luncheries in the centre of town. My fave place for cheap snacks, The Meeting House is now a nasty tourist trap, and sadly tourist-traps are what Greenwich excels in.
Royal Teas serve simple, tasty snacks, and if the weather's nice you can sit outside. Ditto Peter de Witts in Greenwich Church Street- a tiny place which has an even tinier garden at the back. If you like Thai food, I am a big fan of Kum Luang. It's uncomplicated, reasonable and friendly.
Avoid both Tai Won Mein and Noodle Time like the plague - they may be cheap but they are most definitely not delicious. I don't have much time for any of the many Tex-Mex places either.
Pub lunches are probably your best bet. I love The Plume of Feathers and always enjoy The Yacht though if you're looking for a view, you may choose the slightly pricier Trafalgar Tavern.
I seem to be having a bit of brain ache just now - I'm blanking badly - but I know that everyone will chip-in with the ones I've forgotten...
"Five work colleagues and I are visiting Greenwich next week. Do you have any suggestions about where we can find a delicious lunch? We're not well paid work colleagues so value for money is a must."
The Phantom replies:
I have to say it's much tougher than it once was to find really great good-value luncheries in the centre of town. My fave place for cheap snacks, The Meeting House is now a nasty tourist trap, and sadly tourist-traps are what Greenwich excels in.
Royal Teas serve simple, tasty snacks, and if the weather's nice you can sit outside. Ditto Peter de Witts in Greenwich Church Street- a tiny place which has an even tinier garden at the back. If you like Thai food, I am a big fan of Kum Luang. It's uncomplicated, reasonable and friendly.
Avoid both Tai Won Mein and Noodle Time like the plague - they may be cheap but they are most definitely not delicious. I don't have much time for any of the many Tex-Mex places either.
Pub lunches are probably your best bet. I love The Plume of Feathers and always enjoy The Yacht though if you're looking for a view, you may choose the slightly pricier Trafalgar Tavern.
I seem to be having a bit of brain ache just now - I'm blanking badly - but I know that everyone will chip-in with the ones I've forgotten...
Labels: Eating Out
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
09:07
16 Comments:
If the weather's nice, what about bringing a picnic as you can't do much better than sitting in the park on a Summer's Day. You can easily pick up some nice chilled wine in between the train and the park... or get your food in between arriving and walking into the park.
The Deli in Nevada Street by the main park gates do nice stuff (poached salmon with salad etc) - although there are only a handful of small tables.
(I thought Peter de Witt's had closed - or was it just re-furbished?)
SoC
Greenwich Union on Royal Hill - easily the best pub food in the area and they make their own amazing beer!
If there are no free tables at Royal Teas or the Nevada St Deli (both have very few tables) you could do a lot worse than to stroll up to the Pavillion Tea House across from the Observatory in Greenwich Park.
They do a fair selection of good home-cooked dishes. It's a nice airy interior (or sit outside if the weatther is fine) and there will be no problem getting enough seats.
Plus you get some great views and to see some of historic Greenwich.
Also The Hill, at the top of Royal Hill is worth a mention (but lunch on Fridays and weekends only). They do very nice fish and chips.
Inside - Greenwich South Street. Totally fantastic and inexpensive (not cheap, but not expensive).
Personally, I'd avoid The Hill. I've never had a good meal in there yet but that is personal preference (and, quite literally, taste!).
Picnic in the park, as Robert suggests, a great idea. Go up One Tree Hill, spectacular!
I agree that Inside is by far the best in Greenwich, but I don't think its comfortably affordable for everyone. Expect to pay £40 per head for 3 courses including drinks and tips. I agree that the food and service is worth this, but is thsi wwhate everyone wants to pay on a work day out ? Also I don't think Inside is well set up for large groups.
For an easily affordable lunch for large i would recommend the Italian on Nelson Road (Saltieri ?). Think of Cafe Uno without corporate branding and thats it. Service is cheerful and quick, and they are good at dealing with large groups. Food is reliable, expect to pay nearer £15 for 2 courses and a drink.
If you're looking for more of a restaurant than a café then Inside isn't such a bad bet. That's assuming they're still doing their set lunch menu. £11.95 for two courses is a reasonable deal, I think.
The Ashburham Arms in Ashburnham Grove is a great pub with good food. It also has gardens at the front and back for when the sun comes out. Only a 5 minute walk from Greenwich station too!
What about the Cutty sark in East Greenwich. Good simple pub food with an awesome view. Only problem ( I think it is its best point) is that it is a bit of a walk from central greenwich - just far enough away for tourists not to venture there....
Sorry the food at the Cutty Sark is god awful and priced for tourist to boot.
The Greenwich Union is the best pub food in my opinion. I would choose the Union over the Hill anyday. The Hill is a pub trying to pose as a restaurant whereas the Union is a good herty pub with excellent food (and the best chips in Greenwich by far). And in agreement with many others above, Inside is definately the best restaurant in Greenwich. It has a creative and varied menu, always has nice choices for vegetarians beyond the almost default goats cheese tart that everywhere else offers and the service is now excellent (was a bit lacking a couple of years ago).
oi phantom! Laicram in blackheath beats Kum Luang. have you reviewed it yet? def worth a visit.
the guildford pub does really good lunchtime deals and has a lovely garden if it's sunny.
organic cafe is always cheap and cheerful.
Oi Ruth!...that Laicram gaff is miles away - not in our manor :)
It was great in 1994 - even then, and to this day - the people on the next table are almost on your lap.
Same old question - best food or best setting?
The Hill has a lovely courtyard garden to sit in (if the weather is OK!)The food and service is always very good. As gastro pubs go it's the best in Greenwich. However, Inside is very good but can be a bit soulless at lunchtimes. The Coach and Horses in the covered market is also very good and its in the centre of town so easy to find.
Speaking as someone from Tex-Mex land, the local restaurants are neither Tex nor Mex. Definitely give them a miss.
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