The Garden Room Restaurant At Down Hall Hotel Review

The Garden Room Restaurant At Down Hall Hotel Review

During our recent overnight stay at Down Hall Hotel in Essex, we had the pleasure of dining at The Garden Room, their beautiful on-site restaurant. And what a treat it was – from the moment we stepped in, it was clear this was going to be something special.

As a family – mum, dad, and two kids – finding a restaurant that ticks all the boxes for both grown-ups and little ones can sometimes be tricky. But The Garden Room managed it effortlessly. The ambience was just right: warm, relaxed and elegant without being stuffy. Soft lighting created a lovely evening glow across the space, and the staff couldn’t have been more welcoming – especially with the children, which always makes a big difference.

We kicked things off with starters, and my wife and I decided to try a couple of beautifully crafted dishes from the main menu. I went for the smoked salmon sashimi, which looked like a work of art when it arrived. Served with avocado, crispy fried onions, wasabi and delicate yuzu pearls, it was light, zingy, and full of flavour. My wife had the leek and potato, which came with Parmentier potatoes, pickled shallot rings and baby leeks – fresh, comforting, and really well-balanced. A great start.

Meanwhile, the kids tucked into their starter of garlic bread, and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen garlic bread disappear so quickly. Always a winner, but this one was warm, soft, and full of flavour – not just a token bread basket, but properly made like a pizza.

For mains, we continued with some of the vegetarian options, and again, we were both really impressed. My wife chose the tomato gnocchi, which was packed with baby courgettes, heritage tomatoes, black olives, and finished with a creamy basil pesto. It was rich without being heavy – a really comforting, satisfying dish. I had the crispy polenta, which came with roasted baby artichokes, shallot purée and smoked olive oil – a fantastic combination of textures and earthy flavours. I wouldn’t usually go for polenta, but this was cooked to perfection – crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and full of flavour.

The kids were just as happy with their mains. One went for chicken strips with fries and beans – classic, but done well – crispy coating, juicy inside, and generous portions. The other had a vegan plain margherita pizza, and honestly, even I had a bite – it was delicious. Lovely thin base, tomatoey and fresh, and it disappeared in no time.

By dessert, we were comfortably full but couldn’t resist sampling what was on offer – and I’m glad we didn’t skip it. I went poached rhubarb, served with orange blossom meringue, yoghurt sorbet and maple oat crunch – light, fruity and refreshing, with just the right amount of sweetness. My wife’s choice was the milk chocolate and almond delice, which came with sour cherries, an almond tuile and mascarpone Chantilly. It was rich and indulgent but beautifully balanced by the tartness of the cherries and the crunch of the tuile. 

As for the kids, there was no question – sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream all round. It arrived warm, gooey, and utterly irresistible. It was the kind of dessert that’s always a hit, and Down Hall's version was spot on.

What really stood out throughout the evening was the atmosphere. The room was buzzing but not noisy, the lighting was soft and inviting, and the service was spot on – attentive but never overbearing. Everything flowed naturally, and it made for such a lovely experience. The portions were generous without being overwhelming, and the presentation was beautiful throughout.

It’s not always easy to find somewhere that caters so well to both adults and children, but The Garden Room struck the perfect balance. It felt like a grown-up dining experience, but one that welcomed and embraced families too.

We only stayed at Down Hall Hotel for one night, but our dinner at The Garden Room made a lasting impression. Delicious food, warm service, and a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere – it was everything you’d want from a family meal, and then some. We’ll definitely be back next time we’re in the area – and next time, we might just leave room for a second helping of that sticky toffee pudding.