RestaurantsHampshireLymingtonSO41

survey result

Summary

£110
£££££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Still amazing after all these years”“Andrew & Marjolaine Du Bourg are excellent hosts” and continue to win high esteem at this quaint fine-dining venue, in a pretty street near the harbour. “A real foodie restaurant”: choose from four-, five-, or seven-course menus where “every course is a surprise and you don’t get the actual menu until the end”: “inventive, delicious food and wine throughout”.

Summary

£103
£££££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“A set selection with superb balance of flavours and textures” (with options “you might not ordinarily choose”) makes for “very interestingly presented and great-tasting food” (“we even ate a tulip!”) according to fans of the “amazing tasting menus” at Andrew & Marjolaine du Bourg’s “professional” fine-dining venue in a pretty cobbled street, near the harbour. “Too many elements on a plate” can leave some diners feeling “confused”, though (“lovely people, who are trying very hard but we thought the food was unnecessarily complicated”).

Summary

£101
£££££
5
Exceptional
4
Very Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Seemingly booked up months in advance following a TV appearance but definitely worth the wait if you like high-end food” – Andrew & Marjolaine du Bourg’s “sophisticated little restaurant, set in the pretty town of Lymington” is firmly establishing itself on the foodie map (having also had a recent rave from the FT Magazine). “It serves up a delicious ‘surprise’ tasting experience, using local, seasonal ingredients. Full of little flavour bombs... this is impeccable cookery at its best. Service is highly professional, explaining each dish as it is served”. “Exceptional!”

Summary

£101
£££££
5
Exceptional
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“The tasting menu is pure theatre” at ex-Club Gascon chef Andrew Du Bourg and wife Marjolaine's “memorable” restaurant (British with a French touch), where the “beautifully conceived and served” cuisine is some of “the finest food in the New Forest National Park”. Four courses are on offer at lunch, and in the evening there’s a selection of four-, five- or seven-course menus. On all accounts it’s “outstanding in all elements and such a great experience”.

For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).

Have you eaten at Elderflower?

4-5 Quay St, Lymington, SO41 3AS

Restaurant details

No dress code
36

Elderflower Restaurant Diner Reviews

Reviews of Elderflower Restaurant in SO41, Lymington by users of Hardens.com. Also see the editors review of Elderflower restaurant.
Noemi M
We had the 7 course tasting menu, it was si...
Reviewed 12 days ago

"We had the 7 course tasting menu, it was simply outstanding: every dish was both delicious, creative, and beautiful. The service was very attentive and pleasant. We had a memorable experience and will be sure to return."

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John W
Simply superb. Definitely Michelin star s...
Reviewed 18 days ago

"Simply superb. Definitely Michelin star standard"

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Tim L
We really enjoyed the 7 course surprise tas...
Reviewed 24 days ago

"We really enjoyed the 7 course surprise tasting menu last week and were treated exceptionally well. We drove down from near Guildford and having encountered heavy traffic and New Forest ponies, we were about 30 minutes late. We had called as soon as we realised this was going to happen and the young man who took my call could not have been nicer. It wasn't an issue at all and when we arrived they went out of their way to help us relax. My wife has a shellfish allergy and we had made a few requests, such as no offal, beforehand. These were accommodated without a hitch. In fact on one course, which was carpaccio of octopus, the chef sent word that he wasn't certain we would enjoy it and asked if we would prefer something else. We had a delightful pork head terrine instead. We enjoyed 3 other fish based courses though which were all superb. The main course which was part of the surprise was braised ox heart, but since we had asked for no offal we had fillet of pork tenderloin which was absolutely delicious. The pre-dessert and desserts were beautiful. They don't offer a cheese course, however I asked if Chef had any cheese and despite it being late and us being the last customers he made me the most delightful rose from sheep's cheese which he sat on some biscuits sandwiched with some sweet ginger compote. Divine. All of the staff seemed knowledgeable and exceptionally pleasant, the young lady who I think was in charge recommended a beautiful bottle of wine which was a superb match for most of the courses, then I had a red by the glass with the main and pudding wine then port with my cheese. My wife stopped at the main!! I do however have one observation... I so wanted to leave a large tip but they don't seem to be able to do that on a credit card and as most of us no longer carry cash it was upsetting not to be able to reward the people who looked after us so well. I shall remember to bring some cash next time!!"

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suzanne W
Having heard so much about this restaurant ...
Reviewed 1 months, 15 days ago

"Having heard so much about this restaurant we arrived full of expectation, regarding the tasting menu a bit excessive for a lunch we opted for the set menu, but we were bitterly disappointed with the quality and quantity of the food.KF fish wings were all bone and very little flesh, the garnish overpowering. Fish and chips, all batter and very small pieces of white fish. The chips looked and tasted like they had been waiting! Raman mixed grill, where was the fish? Too many noodles, very little broth. Saving grace of the day, the desserts were fantastic, some of the best we have encountered.I eat in many good establishments but this was possibly the worse meal in a long time,the staff were attentive and knowledgeable but I questioned the lack of being able to add a tip to the credit card. For a restaurant claiming all the accolades our meal was well below standard."

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Simon F
Wonderful service , had the 7 course tastin...
Reviewed 2 months, 12 days ago

"Wonderful service , had the 7 course tasting menu and each course was outstanding !"

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Andy B
"First visit to the Elderflower but were ma...
Reviewed 2 months, 27 days ago

""First visit to the Elderflower but were made to feel at home straight away. Marjolaine and his staff were excellent. The food was fantastic, every plate was enjoyed by our party of 4, the fusion of flavours outstanding. Food was of a very high standard and we will definitely be returning on our next visit to Lymington.""

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Oliver B
We have eaten here several times and never ...
Reviewed 7 months, 29 days ago

"We have eaten here several times and never been disappointed. The dishes are creative and elegant, the service friendly and attentive, the restaurant comfortable and unfussy. Not ideal if you are budget-conscious but first rate if you want excellence."

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Ged G
First visit to the Elderflower but were mad...
Reviewed 10 months, 14 days ago

"First visit to the Elderflower but were made to feel at home straight away. Marjolaine and his staff were first class and they have some very talented people in the kitchen.Food was of a very high standard and we will definitely be returning."

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Prices

  Cost Availability Courses
Menu1 75.00 Always available 4
Menu2 85.00 Always available 5
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £40.00
Filter Coffee £5.00
Extras  
Service 10.00%
4-5 Quay St, Lymington, SO41 3AS
Opening hours
MondayCLOSED
TuesdayCLOSED
Wednesday12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑8:30 pm
Thursday12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑8:30 pm
Friday12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑8:30 pm
Saturday12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑8:30 pm
Sunday12 pm‑2 pm

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