The Fernery Cafe in Forest of Dean

We were lucky to get a table quickly but we had to wait 15 mins for staff to take our order. The drinks arrived fairly quickly but we then waited 45 mins and our food hadn’t arrived. When I went in to find out what was happening the staff member asked if we had enjoyed our food and did we want the bill!! I explained we hadn’t had our food yet and after the staff member had a brief discussion with the chef our order was (I was informed ) plated and ready to come out. The food looked very appealing and the salad was pretty with its flower petals. However, after eating a few mouthfuls, I found caterpillar excrement on a couple of leaves and an aphid, so did my guests. The salad had not been washed! I then tried my beef and horseradish sandwich, which again looked lovely. There was so much horseradish that I had to remove some, and the beef (although it was pink) was extremely tough. I couldn’t even cut it with a knife. The prawn sandwiches were dry (presumably prepared and left on the plate too long before serving) and there wasn’t much filling. I was very disappointed as the food is not cheap and it was supposed to be a treat. We were offered 20% off the bill and given a piece of cake each to take away (that was delicious). I have thought about leaving a review for a few days before posting this as I didn’t want to do so straight away. I would probably not go in the cafe again which is such a shame.

Delicious food but absolutely dreadfully slow service with two little ones to amuse it was increasing frustrating waiting to be seated, waiting again to order, waiting for food and then an extended wait after asking for the bill. In the end we went to the till and paid as our little ones were restless!

This is a gem of a place, love it here.Fab coffee and cake, but had late lunch today and it was truly lovely.Highly recommendBought myself a wooden outdoor chair today, really helpful in putting it in the car for me.

We have used The Leaf in the past after finding this little Gem by luck. Today the 7th May we again drove over from our home 70 miles plus. After walking around the garden section we decided to have lunch. On entering the room there was a very rude lady who was possibly the manageress talking to a customer who was requesting a piece of cake. We sat down and ordered our meal and drinks, the drinks arrived within a few minutes delivered by this lady mentioned above. She was very rude again at the table to my wife by shouting who was the drink for holding the coffee, my wife said it was mine and she replied no what drink does the Lady want. After this episode we waited more than an hour for food, when it arrived the food was of a good quality, they had forgot to put avocado into the salad. The table next to ours ordered the steak baguette after eating the first halve, he opened the second halve they had forgot to put the steak on. It was replaced immediately with a good quality sandwich. We spoke to the staff at the till and our issues where addressed, the Lady who was shouting and rude earlier came over, we just told her it and been sorted again she was very rude. The last time we visited the Leaf we had to wait for a table, this time in the area we ate in there were 11 tables with 3 taken and all 3 customers complained. I bring this to your attention because if your restaurant carry’s on in this manner, it will not last it will be a loss leader. We do not usually complain unfortunately it’s so disappointing how this previously excellently run venue, has deteriorated to this extent and that’s considering the effects of Covid.Regards Brian Simmons

Popped in yesterday late morning to have a look around and decided to have a snack whilst we were out, greeted by staff after a few minutes to be seated and given menus, 10 mins later orders taken ( only to be advised that only sandwiches today) ordered two sandwiches and two drinks.. 15 minutes later drinks arrive... a further 15 minutes later sandwich arrives after me notifying staff of wait...informed staff that 35/45 mins was a ridiculous amount of time to wait, his reply "oh we've had two people not turn in today, and shrugged his shoulders!"all the while two of the front of house staff are sat down laughing and joking around...will not return or recommend

Service in cafe ok. Had the quiche with salad. Very small portion size. Lettuce had died before it met my plate! Lovely garden centre though

This is a hidden gem. Absolutely beautiful plants and delicious food in the restaurant. Now I have found this plant paradise - I won’t be going anywhere else

Truly amazing food in the restaurant using many local suppliers and farmers that you would never see anywhere else.We only found this hidden restaurant because we move our business out of town.Will be defiantly return to try more food.Garden Centre is also very impressive. Regards Paul

Really nice garden centre. Only negative was no wheelchairs to borrow to take disabled relative around in. But speaking with staff they already had one on the way so it will hopefully be available for the next time. The selection and quality of plants is high, especially the acers and olive trees.

The garden centre is beautiful! Staff are very helpful and knowledgeable. We then had a lunch, which was delicious. Definitely recommend.