Rafael's - Canterbury

Food was stupendous. Each course delicious. Service perhaps slightly too attentive if anything. Hard to get the balance right but authentic interactions work best every time. Lovely mellow NYE atmosphere. I look forward to a return..

This dining experience was a Christmas present for us. We arrived for our reservation at 12 pm, but the restaurant was not ready to open. We waited 25 minutes for tap water and menus. Both our starter and main course orders were incorrect, with the starters sitting on the pass for at least 15 minutes before being brought to our table. The monkfish liver parfait had a strong ammonia taste, and the partridge was overly salty while the cod lacked flavor. The jug of homemade lemonade, priced at £15, was disappointing as we expected more than just flavored water. The total bill came to over £100 and was not worth the cost. Despite my partner having enjoyed meals here before, this experience was subpar. Overall, it was a disappointing visit with multiple issues that added up to a poor dining experience.

As ever, the food was delicious. Beautifully presented and tasted amazing. A fantastic showcase for local produce, set in an historic goods shed. The lemonade was the best we’d ever tasted.

The food was consistently delicious, but the staff were cold and uncommunicative. The service was slow and plates were dropped off without any interaction. It was an odd and unwelcoming atmosphere. The wine was significantly marked up, some by as much as 100%, and there were limited options available by the glass. It may be a while before I consider returning, if I do at all. It's unfortunate because the food is still top-notch.

Excellent food, fab team, warm friendly. Also easy to look over the farmer’s market, so you feel part of something bigger. Great idea, brilliantly executed