Sorrel Restaurant in Dorking

77 South St, Dorking RH4 2JU, United Kingdom

★★★★★
(318 reviews)
Categories: Fine dining restaurant

About

Chef patron Steve Drake's modern fine dining restaurant nestled in the Surrey Hills. 1 Star in the MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2020. 4 AA Rosettes. Squaremeal's Top 100 Restaurants.

Website
sorrelrestaurant.co.uk
Address
77 South St, Dorking RH4 2JU, United Kingdom
Plus Code
6MH8+F6 Dorking, United Kingdom
Time Zone
Europe/London

Business Hours

Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
6–11 PM
Thursday
6–11 PM
Friday
12–4 PM – 6–11 PM
Saturday
6–11 PM
Sunday
Closed

Services

Service options
Takeaway Dine-in
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible toilet Assistive hearing loop
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Healthy options Spirits Wine
Dining options
Lunch Dinner
Amenities
Toilets
Atmosphere
Cosy Romantic Upmarket
Planning
Reservations required Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards

Photos

Reviews

4.8
★★★★★
318 reviews

Most Mentioned

tasting menu (34) course (33) lunch (24) michelin (12) combination (11) food and wine (10) house (10) wine pairing (9) presentation (9) wine list (6)
5 stars
281
4 stars
27
3 stars
2
2 stars
3
1 stars
5
★★★★
October 20, 2024

The food was very delicious, the setting is pleasant and the seats are very comfortable. The service was very friendly, described all the meals well but unfortunately they were rather slow, it took several courses until we got to order wine, another wait was for the bill. In a casual restaurant we would not mind but when paying £400+ for the meal for two, we would expect much more.

September 14, 2024

I recently opted for the tasting menu at lunch, and unfortunately, I was left quite disappointed. While the presentation of each dish was visually impressive, the portions were insufficient. Having experienced tasting menus at various establishments, I understand that smaller portions are typical, but they are usually filling. Regrettably, this was not the case on this occasion. There seemed to be too much pomp and ceremony surrounding the meal, but the basics were overlooked—namely, ensuring that patrons leave feeling satisfied. Despite the high price point, I left the restaurant still hungry, which is not something I would expect after such a meal. In fact, I had to eat a sandwich less than an hour after returning home. Overall, the experience did not meet my expectations, particularly given the cost, and I feel the value for money was lacking.

★★★★★
January 20, 2024

Fantastic culinary experience at Sorrel on Thursday evening! Had the taster menu with wine flight and it was an incredible treat, very clever indeed! Even got invited to look in the kitchen, looking to return in summer! For me the dishes that stood out the most were the scallop, barbecued quail, supplementary cheese course and the blackberry waldorf dessert.

★★★★★
June 15, 2023

Absolutely wonderful! The staff were warm and welcoming, the sommeliers truly excellent, and the discovery menu was superb. We did the wine pairing with the tasting menu and the wine choices were perfect. The restaurant itself is beautifully designed. It was a pleasure.

★★★★★
March 14, 2023

The most stunning experience and unbelievable combination of flavours, textures and science. Everything from the vibe, food and wine pairing were perfect. Steve is a humble genius and its reflective in everything he does and the vibe he’s created.

★★★★★
February 24, 2023

Second time at the restaurant, and it was a wonderful experience. It was a mini honeymoon as we got married the day before. We went for the wine flight too and was served by Luke(?) who was very interesting and served some incredible wines. Flora (we think that was her name!) was our server and she was exceptional. And finally, the food was just brilliant and so so tasty. It felt a bit like having the best food we've had in ages in a family home type vibe, so lovely was the atmosphere. Obviously it cost and arm and a leg, but it's really worth it and you must have this kind of restaurant experience at least once if you're able to, especially for a special occasion, or if someone else if paying! Thanks again for making the effort with the flowers, personal menu etc. It meant a lot! Cheers, Dave and Chloe.

★★★★★
May 29, 2022

I think Sorrel is one of the best restaurant I ever visit in Surrey Area , here is in UK since 9 years I live in this country. I am always amaze how the chefs are preparing this finest food by seeing the presentation with perfect real délice. We was 6 of us, and all my friends enjoying the food, from beginning till end of Degustation menu which the only one choice , and it was perfect, also the Wine list a lots of choice. Love the ambiance of the restaurant , so cosy and relax old house . And the service was also correct , so after all just perfect fine dinning restaurant in Surrey area. I am glad and happy as all my friends they like it and keep thanking me by introducing this place. Sure and certainly I’ll be back again before I left this country. Highly recommended for those who knows the real fine dinning restaurant with high quality food.

★★★★★
November 15, 2018

We had a most memorable 3-course lunch at Sorrel. The ambience was relaxed and intimate, service was very good and attentive, but most importantly the food was perfectly executed and tasted delicious. Every dish was well balanced, sophisticated and beautifully presented. We didn't expect this from a restaurant outside London; the food was on par with the best Michelin-starred restaurants we tried in London, including 2-Michelin-star restaurants The Ledbury and The Greenhouse. Mr Drake is a highly talented chef and I wouldn't be surprised if the restaurant soon gains another star. Highlight dishes were the Herdwick Lamb main (with Jerusalem Artichoke, Smoked Paprika, Sherry, Miso Aubergine) and the Venison main (with Bitter Orange, Earl Grey, Kalamata Olive, Broccoli), and the Apple dessert (with Black Pepper Caramel, Thyme Cream, Malt). It's not cheap but definitely worth a visit for a very special occasion. We cannot wait to return. Second visit: Sublime food, as always, but service a bit slow on this occasion. Sometimes I wish there was a bit more of the delicious accompanying "sauces" on the plate, or a bit more sorbet in the desserts, but this restaurant remains at the top. Third visit: Service was slow again, and not at the same level as the food served, unfortunately. Also, for a lunch at £45 per person, it is a bit disappointing that only one brioche was given with a 3-course meal. When asking for some bread, I was told that they prepared exactly one bread per person, and that bread was complimentary. Apart from that, the dishes were excellent but really small. In the strawberry dessert, one tiny scoop of divine strawberry sorbet is really too little, and a few more fresh strawberries pieces would be most welcome. Because of all this, I have removed one star. Fourth visit: Everything was excellent this time, and service is faster and staff is more friendly. We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch, and so it made sense to upgrade my rating to 5 stars!

★★
November 23, 2024

Fantastic service, sadly my husband had some of the blue label in his wine which went un noticed until we mentioned it and I had a large bone in a small fillet of seabass. There was no apology, just a response from thr head chef of oh, that sometimes happens. This made me feel that we were there at their behest, not enjoying a relaxed Anniversary celebration as was intended. The waitress referred to my husband and I as guys which wasnt appreciated. Some incredibly odd food pairings of black garlic in a petit four and castel blue cheese and German sausage on a plate of Highland venison. It is the most beautiful building but I have enjoyed better tasting food in other locations. Sadly not for me, an8d I am classically trained in food cookery.

★★★★★
September 23, 2024

Wonderful meal here. Had the Journey Menu and will be back for the Discovery Menu as that also look incredible.

★★★★★
June 23, 2024

Blissful food delicious to look at and amazing to consume. The combinations of flavour and texture are literally to die for. Nine courses which leave you feeling full but not uncomfortable Absolutely loved it Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 23, 2024

Wow, what an experience ! Faultless Incredible dining experience. Everything was perfect. Dietary restrictions: I have a wheat intolerance and this was not a problem at all here.

★★★★
Local Guide
April 23, 2024

(Visited in Jan 2024) Food was fantastic. We had the full tasting menu and opted to include the optional cheese menu. The seating was very comfy and the room broken into sections really well with old beams. The décor is nice but subtle, no distractions from the food. It felt cozy but light and airy. The only issue we had was with our server, very impersonal, and a bit offish. Especially after I ordered soft drinks rather than wine. Nothing was explained for the first half of the meal and we were not sure what we were eating. Before the cheese course he asked me if I had ever tried English Cheese, which as a foodie living in England was the most bizarre question iv ever been asked in a restaurant. We ended up spending about £450 which for 2 people I thought was not bad. I would recommend trying the broccoli dish, it was delicious.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 23, 2024

Simply superb - lovely food, staff and private ambience. Thoroughly enjoyed the fine dining experience and will definitely return

★★★★★
March 23, 2024

Absolutely Amazing experience the food was beautifully presented with lovely combination of flavors and the floor staff were so friendly I will definitely return thank you

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 23, 2024

Exceptional, delicious food, and super staff, we had dinner here on Friday evening, I didnt read the website correctly when I booked the table and expected to have the journey meal, only to be told when I got to the table that it was for lunch. And the evening is a full tasting menu, I wasnt prepared for that and Mia our waitress was very accommodating and shortened it for us. Everything was fabulous, and we will be back for the full tasting menu. Thank you chefs.

★★
February 23, 2024

Very excited about our trip to sorrel but felt underwhelmed by the lack of depth in flavour and wow factor in most dishes. Tasty yet flat. Service was good and restaurant comfortable.

★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

Very crafty, we were cold

★★★★★
February 23, 2024

Just Perfect! Fantastic culinary experience. Thoroughly enjoyed every course , thank you so much Food : 5/5

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 23, 2024

Wow , what an amazing time we had tonight. Everything was just perfect ,thank you.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Fantastic experience. The food was exceptional - interesting flavour combinations, beautifully presented. Lovely setting with great service. Highly recommend.

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

One of the finest restaurants I have had the pleasure of experiencing. Food was fantastic and the service was impeccable.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Food was amazing, atmosphere incredible and our server Mia made the experience even more magical. Couldnt recommend more, 5 stars!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Friendly staff,knowledgeable and fab food.

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

Dinner for 2 in May of 2023 and we were completely blown away by the food, presentation and service! This is a place worth traveling to! We were invited back to the kitchen and although it was the middle of a very busy evening service, Steve took a picture with my wife and I and we admired the gleaming, spotless kitchen and the brightly lit pass. We felt from the moment we arrived that we were going to be treated to a very special evening. Special mention on the wines that although we didnt spring for the pairing (I was driving) the options available were really outstanding, we enjoyed every sip, and every bite, just a perfect night out, and worth the flight from NYC to visit! We would go back in a heartbeat!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Amazing! Highly recommend. Cocktails need improving.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Second time Ive been to Sorrell, first time was just before lock down. Used a voucher this time and took 3 friends last week. Was expecting good things but forgot how good it actually was, especially since trying quite a few Fine Dining Tasting Menus elsewhere in the meantime. Its impressive the minute you walk in the door, theyre so gracious, helpful and attentive its simply unparalleled locally. The attention to detail, the wine recommendations, the attitude is impeccable. I do not wish to be treated like this every time I go out, but it is nice occasionally when you have respect for the people and you spend this kind of money, it is so nice, very much appreciated and I take my hat off to each and every one of the staff for making it such a lovely humbling experience. The food is experimental in the sense its just stunning and must have taken so much prep, care and thought... however most trying to emulate this experience tend to put out a few courses are on the edge and split the room... but not here! 4 staunch meat eaters walk out talking about how amazing the Turbot was! Dont hesitate to try Sorrel, Ive not found better in London. Absolute local gem! Thank you to the chefs and everyone that was working that night. I feel we may have thrown things into disarray a little with our repeated cigarette breaks, whilst no one said anything, we couldnt have helped the flow at all but they acted like Swans... you all deserve a massive round of applause!

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

Impressive all round. Food, service and atmosphere. Would recommend a visit for a special occasion

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

A magnificent experience! Staff were incredibly welcoming, patient and attentive - we were made to feel very relaxed and that we could enjoy the experience at any pace that suited us. We had a newborn with us and they did everything to make us comfortable. The quality of the ingredients were unbelievable - biggest and tastiest scallops I have ever had, perfectly cooked duck - and one of the best desserts I can remember. Sorrel is a real gem that slows down time so that you can truly savor the magnificent cuisine. Jenny was great too - well done team Sorrel you smashed it! Parking: The parking lot is small and difficult to navigate even if you find a space. I would come early and park down the road at the West Street parking across from Waitrose - great size parking spaces, cheap, and a 4 minute walk from Sorrel if you take a shortcut through Waitrose.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

A perfect experience, top quality food and wine, expertly described and served.

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

My first time at Sorrel yesterday. A really beautiful restaurant, understated, decor and absolutely exquisite service, especially the sommelier who was so passionate and knowledgeable. The food was, of course, delicious; beautifully presented and described by the headwaiter. A really lovely experience and would definitely recommend(especially with the wine pairing option on the menu).

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Good experience, staff good food excellent, wine first class, a must.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Exquisite delicious food and drink served by true professionals. Highly recommended Sorrel to everyone. Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Very reasonably priced menu with a nice variety of dishes in a nice cosy venue with great service. Definately worth a visit.

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

Delightful and delicate dishes in a beautiful and atmospheric setting. Each course on the discovery menu is so varied and all were so well put together. Thank you for a wonderful lunch and your great service.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Lovely place with a character, serving innovative dishes. This is one of our go to places for a special occasion, and Im glad to report its the same excellent quality every time, if not better.

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

Consistency excellent. Interesting food. Beautiful setting.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Great dining experience. Worth every penny.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Amazing food and wine and lovely / friendly service :-)

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

We visited a few years ago and we still talk about it, and that says a lot. Lovely place, lovely staff, amazing food and great memories.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Fabulas Michelin stared restaurant in Dorking. Tasting menu only and the cuisine is simply divine. Warm comfortable surroundings and charming attentive service amply enhance this most exquisite experience. Best enjoyed with loved family and freinds.

★★★★
December 23, 2022

Very good food and service, very expensive but worth trying. The nine course tasting menu is excellent.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Sorrel is very much worthy of their Michelin star and high Harden s rating and the journey out to Dorking, and yes, that makes it a £500+ evening for two (and yes, so worth it for a truly special meal). Absolutely do choose the wine pairing with the nine course menu, the Sommelier and Head Chef collaborate to create extraordinary pairings. As the sommelier put it, they focus on making 1+1=3.

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

First visit to this restaurant and wont be our last. Everything was fabulous and we were made to feel so welcome. We had the lunch menu and it was superb. Every dish so tasty and unusual. Highly recommend

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Excellent food, excellent service and a relaxed pleasant atmosphere. Loved It!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Perfect in almost every way. The taster menu is what you get. Your only choice is drinks and the friendly somelier helps you with that. 9 courses. 3 of them were out of this world. 5 of them were superb. 1 of them had chocolate and Guinea fowl together (which is not for me - but that is a personal thing). Finish it off with a cuppa blue mountain coffee. Delicious. Bravo. Btw there music playlist was awesome. All 1980s classics, including the 12 inch version of Billy Idol White Wedding.

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

Sensational meal, great service. Expensive but not bad value at all for what you get.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Excellent food, excellent service, excellent music. Just a shame they dont really cater for non-alcoholics. I ummed and ahhed quite a lot over whether this should be 5 or 4 stars. The food was 5 stars, really incredible. The highlight for me was a piece of miso fudge - it had no right to be that delicious!! Her highlight was the venison, which she doesnt normally like but this time she really enjoyed. The reason Im giving 4 stars is that we felt let down by the drinks. They had a very friendly and knowledgable somelier who was of course able to help with their great selection of wine. But when we asked for some interesting non alcoholic mixes to go with our meal, we were saddened to hear they didnt do that. So we had to have cordial. A bit of a let down, given the ingredients would have all been on hand and some cleverly thought through drinks would have really complemented the food, in the same way a good wine would. That all said, we will definitely be back as it was a lovely experience. A final note that we thought the music was amazing! Predominantly 80s, and we were playing a great game of guess the intro, which just made the evening even more fun!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Such an amazing experience, every mouth full was delicious. Grate way to spend an evening.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Absolutely fantastic food and really relaxed atmosphere. Well worth a visit.

★★★★
December 23, 2022

Interesting combination, different layers. I like most of the dishes. Will come back when menu updates.

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

Absolutely perfect.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

I just wanted to say thank you so much for supper last night. Please thank the entire team for a wonderful meal. The quality of the food was out of this world and the service was impeccable. At no point did we have empty glasses, yet we didnt feel that we were being watched over! The timing of the courses was perfect. It was a really special meal to celebrate quite a few family events!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

My mouth is still in orbit! What an exquisite combination of extraordinary cooking, sumptuous wine (Sommelier Francesca is brilliant) and warm, friendly, knowledgeable service. We were made to feel so comfortable it was like we were dining at home (only the food & wine were better!)

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Sorrel had an awkward start. Planning issues and the general difficulty of working with a listed building slowed the opening of this restaurant when Steve Drake moved from Ripley, and now you have to book well ahead to get a table. But these delays are absolutely worthwhile when you sit down to eat. Our lunch was perfect with clever and interesting food from start to finish, a wine list with some surprises to explore. Surrey is unusual in having so few really good restaurants in an area which you would imagine to be ideal for them. But Sorrel would be seen as excellent in the centre of London or anywhere else. Adjusting for this county effect means that it deserves several more stars on its rating if they were available. Really very good indeed. Absolutely deserving its Michelin star, the front of house team is now as exemplary as the kitchen crew. I thought that it might even get a second star this year. Worth a very long detour, simply superb. Post Pandemic - there have been ups and downs with the front of house but this is something that many good restaurants are struggling with. But the bottom line remains the same: the kitchen is still banging out wonderful food.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Fabulous Michelin star restaurant, you will not be disappointed!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Amazing experience. You have to try it at least once. The experience is amazing, and you won t have the same menu in 2-3 months. We had a separate room, which made the experience even more interesting.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Exceptional quality, nice ambiance, good wines. The fish was outstanding! And a great experience to be able to see what it going on in the kitchen - the crew seemed to be very calm, in control and harmony.

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

Only my second visit, but as per the first it could not have been more perfect, the greeter, the kitchen staff, the waiting staff, the sommelier were all so attentive. A perfect birthday treat. Huge thanks to all on the team from all in my party Dietary restrictions: And thank you as a coeliac and an amature cook myself I know how hard it is to adapt food. You make it look easy. Huge respect

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

This is my first time eating at Sorrels and the food was amazing!! The combination of flavors like broccoli and kiwi sound odd, but the taste together was magical. Steve Drake has a tremendous amount of creativity and passion for what he does, the staff was extremely knowledgeable. I cannot wait to go back!!

December 23, 2022

Its very good

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Whilst in person is the best experience here, have been doing the dine at home which is a great indulgence and special moment with family dining together apart . You order via website voucher, they tell you timeslot to come and pick up, bring out to you. Then at home you get to see Steve finish preparing the food so you know what to do and whilst he does this he talks about the flavours and at bit about the dish. Then you cook in your own time, we do so together over whats app video call and enjoy

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

Absolute exquisite supper box, so lucky to be able to experience this journey on the taste buds at home! Thank you Laura and Steve. Such a special occasion for us and we loved every second from the cook - a-long to actually enjoying every last mouthful! THANK YOU

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

This is the best restaurant in Dorking by a country mile and one of the best if not the best in Surrey. They truly are Michelin star level. It will cost you more than most, but that is to be expected when producing cuisine and a dining experience at this level every time.

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

Fantastic culinary experience

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Loved this restaurant. Wonderful food, wine and service!@

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

Incredible food and service. Will come back as soon as possible

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Devine!! Tasting menu was wonderful as was the wine.

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

We had the 9 course dinner taster menu. Absolutely 1st class food, service and ambiance. I highly recommend

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

Lovely food, attentive staff. Would recommend.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Excellent menu and extremely attentive staff. A relaxing and intimate atmosphere.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

My husband and I visited for lunch. The interior design and atmosphere of the restaurant, as well as the taste of the food, were truly amazing, and Im glad I went there. The overall taste of the dishes was very strong, and some felt a little salty, but it varies from person to person. The person in charge of our table was very polite. However, even though he was wearing a mask, he spoke a little too quickly, so it was difficult to understand his explanations and questions, and it was difficult to communicate with him. Personally, I was concerned about the uncomfortableness of the sofa seats and the plates on which the food was served. Although the food itself was beautiful, I thought the presentation of the plates was a little boring, with all the plates being round and white. I then sat on the sofa seat on the upper floor, but as a small woman, I couldnt balance the height of the table when I sat on the sofa, so it was a bit tiring for me. I think some people like the sofa seats, so I think this is also a preference. All of the dishes were beautiful, with flavors from various countries on one plate, and I was especially impressed by the main meat dishes and desserts. It was interesting to see how they actively incorporated Japanese seasonings. The course can be gluten-free, but the bread on the side was replaced with rice crackers. I had told them the day before that one serving would be gluten-free, so I was happy that they were able to prepare gluten-free bread for me.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Probably the best food Ive ever had. Great place & exceptional food. Fine dining at its best. Ive visited at least 4 times & the quality is consistent. Booking in advance is necessary but worth the wait. Expensive, but excellent.

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

A beautifully prepared meal in a fantastic setting.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

We had the discovery menu. It is what you would expect from a Michelen Star restaurant. Great tastes. I didnt give it five stars because I felt it the cost of the experience was not warranted. Service was good but some very long pauses in a 3 hour session. Specifically between main courses. I found myself with an empty glass a few times and not because the bottle was empty. My cappuccino was also definitely cold. At this level the small things are important.

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

The best food Ive ever had, a real treat!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Really lovely interesting food. We had the discovery menu with the wine pairings. Not the cheapest night youll ever have, but totally fair pricing and a great treat night out!

★★★★
December 23, 2021

We did the discovery menu with wine pairing. Amazing food, great service with excellent staff. The wine pairing was spot on, and there was a lot of it!! I didn t give this 5 stars because, although it was classically executed and I couldn t fault the food at all, I don t think the experience is justified by the price.

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

sexy food

★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Nice atmosphere, good service but the food could be better. I wasnt impressed at all. The flavor and the presentation just wasnt right. Extremely small portions compering to other fine dining restaurants. Disappointing.

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

A fantastic dining experience at Sorrel. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. We cant wait to return!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Outstanding!!!

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

We visited on Friday lunchtime...the only day left to us at this highly regarded restaurant. We chose the stunning discovery tasting menu using seasonal produce savouring every morsel. Exceptional. A very special experience with informative and attentive service. Yes it was an extortionate expense with the wines and 12.5% service escalating the cost but definitely worth saving up for! Thankyou Steve and the team we will be back!

Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Have been here several times pre-covid and the food and table service doesnt disappoint, its a really lovely experience, although it did begin to lack innovation. Unfortunately, however, weve now had our latest booking cancelled again, for the third time. Two cancellations were due to lockdown which was of course out of their hands, but the third - a Thursday lunch for a special occasion in August, made 4 months previous - appears rather arbitrary and we were only contacted about this in the last few days via a generic mass email rather than an individual call. It would seem that they calculated they could take a hit on these bookings to save some money on opening for Wednesday and Thursday lunch services. I understand that times are tough, but this is not the level of service youd expect of a high-end restaurant. It could have been handled with much more professionalism. The lack of personal communication or a suggestion of an alternative booking is very disappointing in the extreme, particularly as we were regulars who had been shunted a few times already. Unfortunately, our previous few visits will be our last as we now search for another venue with only a few weeks left before the special occasion. What a let down.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Beautiful well proportioned dishes, the food was really amazing (Discovery menu), the staff were flawless, the wine was well priced in a stunning period property. HOWEVER they played cheesy 80s music to a point where it was evasive on the meal you couldnt speak to each other with I would walk 500 miles on in the background!? I asked to either change it or turn it down and I was told the owner has selected this specific music. I found it very bizarre as it was very distinctive karaoke music, not what you want to be listening to while taking in the whole experience. Maybe review the 80s sing along playlist for future guests! Otherwise this would be a 5 star experience.

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

We have not visited Sorrels for a while mostly due to the Covid situation. But we have been several times in the past and it has always been excellent. Definitely my restaurant of choice for a special meal.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Outstanding, both the food and the service. Thank you Steve for your passion and craft, your team that bring it to life, and for Francesca and the delightful Mia for the exceptional front of house experience. All round perfection, take a bow.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

We had the testing menu. Each dish was exquisite. An intelligent combination of flavours and textures that sends your taste buds on an unexpected journey. The wines are delicious too and expertly recommended by the impressive Francesca.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

The food and the drink were glorious, and the staff were incredible. We had the 9 course taster with accompanying wine flight, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Very

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Third time visiting Sorrel, and again very impressed. A different menu again, very interesting and unusual combinations of flavours but very enjoyable..

★★★★★
December 23, 2020

Just a wonderful meal. Staff utterly delightful as well. Well with a visit.

★★★★★
December 23, 2020

Excellent food, good wine list, thoughtful friendly service. This establishment deserves a higher rating.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Great food and great service, at a price.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

I am usually not a big fan of fine dining, but Sorrel exceeded all our expectations. We had the 9 course tasting menu and every single dish was absolutely delicious!! We will definitely come back again.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Amazing experience

★★★★★
December 23, 2020

We found every aspect of our evening absolutely delightful. The dishes were attractive to the eye and full of subtle flavours. I dont remember ever having a better meal, and the service was excellent and very pleasant to experience.

★★★★★
December 23, 2020

First class service.

★★★★
December 23, 2020

Nice food, service was a little poor

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

ok - well it isnt cheap - but you knew that ... lunchtime tasting menu plus wine pairing come to £200 a head .. however .. thats good value for money to have a restaurant on the doorstep that equals many and surpasses just as many London restaurants .. the food is excellent, but to be honest the wine pairing is inspired .. we thoroughly enjoyed lunch, clean, safe, great service and spectacular food and wine ..

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Amazing food, and wine. Worth it for the broccoli.

★★★★★
December 23, 2020

Beautifully presented food and quiet romantic ambiance

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

As soon as you walked in there was a real sense of serenity. The staff were all very professional and very welcoming. We went for the discovery menu and the food was amazing. The building is quirky and very light and it feels spacious. Food, wine, service, absolutely 5 stars, would highly recommend and we are already planning when we can come back!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

I took my grandad here for his 92nd birthday post COVID lockdown. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the food was very very good. It wasn t ground breaking, I won t remember any of the dishes in six months time, but a solid meal nonetheless. The atmosphere was slightly stuffy, it would be nice if they could do something to make it feel a little warmer and cosier, at times it felt like I was stuck in a silent room with four couples not talking because you could hear everything each other was saying. Would I recommend? Yes, probably. Would I go back? No, once was enough, it just wasn t that exciting.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Fine dining in Dorking. The kind of fabulous food and great service youd expect from the best of Central London.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Excellent food, wine and service!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Amazing gastronomic experience. Well worth it for a special occasion.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Really delicious lunch today. In these peculiar times the quality and service remains top notch. Highly recommended.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Excellent in every way. Tomato Tea was amazing

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Vollkommen zu Recht in den Kreis der Michelin-Sternträger aufgenommen, verwöhnt dieses Restaurant von Lokalmatador Steve Drake seine Gäste nach Strich und Faden. Herrliche Gerichte, feine Weinkarte, charmanter und sachkundiger Service in einem geschichtsträchtigen Haus inmitten des Antiquitäten-Städtchens Dorking. Auch für das problemlose Parken ist gesorgt... wir waren rundum begeistert!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Great food and an amazing team. Highly recommend the discovery menu

★★★★★
December 23, 2020

Loved our recent anniversary lunch at Sorrel, Dorking. A lovely atmosphere and felt safe and well cared for in this current climate. Food was outstanding and the little raspberry amuse-bouche was a taste sensation!

★★★★
December 23, 2020

We had a wonderful meal at Sorrel last night. The signature discovery dinner menu was diverse, well-presented and full of flavours. The staff is well trained, polite and the restaurant was clean and safe. Will definitely visit again.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Wonderful tasting menu. A real delight

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Great food and wine good to see it is open when a lot of places are not open currently I would recommend both deserts .the house red was very good

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

High quality

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Faultless. And I rarely say that these days. The best lunch I have had in a long time.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Bloody amazeballs

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Deserves 2 Michelin stars in my view. Excellent lunch.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Incredible food and great service, the tasting menu was sublime. A really great experience. The atmosphere was relaxed and not formal, smart casual dress the order of the day.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Outstanding - best restaurant in Surrey by a fair margin. Service is outstanding and flexes to your pace and want. Food is exceptional! All in all the best dining experience I had in 2018.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Had an exquisite meal, with sublime flavours and textures .The front of house staff where all very friendly, professional and attentive. A lovely evening .

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Fabulous. 9 course tasting menu. An epic journey of fascinating flavours. Best restaurant I have been to in Surrey.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Excellent combination of flavours. Great experience

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Excellent food and excellent service by Miguel. Thank you for a wonderful experience.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Phenomenal! Amazing food, exquisite service. Loved it!

★★★★★
December 23, 2019

Had yet another stunning meal here. Service relaxed yet impeccable as always. Again the food has improved (I previously didn t think this was possible), to a point where we all agreed that Debretts are wrong, licking a plate clean is not just acceptable, but unavoidable at Sorrel. Every dish was a delicate balance of flavour, presented with finesse. Couldn t bear too send a single plate back too the kitchen with anything left on it.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Amazing food, fabulous service. Love coming here. Great veggie options too.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Outstanding, we visited the day before they were awarded their first Michelin star. Faultless.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Excellent quality, sophisticated dining at its very best in a friendly relaxed environment. Thoroughly recommended.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Excellent place with tasty food and great staff.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

We had a wonderful lunch here. The food was original, beautifully presented and tasted delicious. The wine was good too. The staff were friendly and took time to talk through all the dishes. They were receptive to us bringing a baby with us. We were given plenty of time to eat and drink and chat, without leaving us waiting too long for food. Whilst it is a relatively expensive place to eat, I think it is money well spent for the quality of the food, the service and the atmosphere.

★★★★★
December 23, 2019

We were so lucky to get a table at the last minute and had the downstairs part of the restaurant all to ourselves...perfect.From the moment you walk in you feel the welcome and everyone oozes professionalism. Later in the evening we were invited to visit the kitchen...wow spotless Steve Drake was not in attendance that night but it is such a well oiled machine you would not have known.and everyone was a credit to the restaurant.A special thanks to Harry who looked after us so well...EXCELLENT. The food 5 stars The service 5 stars The atmosphere 5 stars

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Exciting and clever

★★★★★
December 23, 2019

Fantastic food, setting and service. Really happy with the day weve had.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Destination restaurant. Food amazing. Service impeccable. Pricey but worth it for a special occasion. Meeting the chef and seeing the kitchen a nice touch.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Just brilliant. Great food, great wine, great service

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Absolutely stunning restaurant, food was incredible, service was outstanding.... However, I believe a 12.5% service charge should be discretionary, not forced to go towards making up salary. A tip should be optional for the guest, which would no doubt be given at this establishment...

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Excellent taster menu with fabulous service

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

This place has a Michelin star and with good reason. The food is delicious - I had the 9 course Discovery menu with ingredients and taste experiences from around the world. Service was impeccable with the waiter explaining the finer details of every dish as they were served. The decor tone is just right, classy without trying too hard. Really enjoyed my evening here, definitely worth going out of your way for.

★★★★★
December 23, 2019

Fabulous 9 course taster menus. Loved them all but my favourite was the scallops. Very friendly & attentive staff. Glad we went.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

We all enjoyed the 9 course dinner.I think it could be shorter with maybe 7 but description of food by our waiter were very well done and he was good fun .

★★★★★
December 23, 2019

Amazing food brilliant service and we had our own room. One of the best restaurants Ive experienced in Britian.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Had the lunch tasting menu there. Food was excellent and as was service. i love pretty much all the dishes. but i did spot the alacart desert next table seemed more interesting :-) Because I lived in japan for 4 years, the japanese influence is ok but I still found what is done in Japan is better. However, I still enjoy the whole experience tremendously. looking forward to the new tasting menu.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Great food and great service. Highly recommended

★★★★★
December 23, 2019

Fantastic food and service

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Food, as always, was MAGNIFICENT! Highly recommended the tasting menus!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

One of the best dining experiences Ive ever had. The flavors were incredible, the presentation beautiful, and they accomplished it all with a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Our server, Susie, did a fantastic job guiding us through the tasting menu and had us laughing the entire time. If youre anywhere near Dorking you MUST go here.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Fantastic lunch, quiet, relaxing and sublime food.

★★★★★
December 23, 2019

An explosion of flavors. STEVE DRAKE knows how to magnify each ingredient. What about quail? AMAZING! Very friendly and professional team. Well done, wonderful discovery. To be tested without reservation. We will come back.

★★★★★
December 23, 2019

On a scorching hot day we had lunch at Sorrels. It was amazing, the food was exceptional as was the service. We were treated to such culinary delights and I know we will dine there again soon.

★★★★★
December 23, 2019

Exceptionally good food, and exceptionally good service, and portion sizes were spot on. A very enjoyable treat for my birthday today.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Great food, served by great staff in a lovely location.

★★★★★
December 23, 2019

Faultless. Food, service and atmosphere spot on

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Stunning food and great service, a real treat for foodies

★★★★★
December 23, 2019

We were curious to understand what was so special about dining at a Michelin star restaurant and chose Sorrel and our wedding anniversary for our first experience. Oh my goodness, we had THE most wonderful evening. We had a warm welcome, we had the luxury of time, we had friendly, experienced service, we had the most divine, exquisite food. We included a wine pairing with one of our tasting menus and it was an utter revelation, like magic! Our experience was intended as a one off but Sorrel is too tempting, well be back.

★★★★★
December 23, 2019

Exquisite, delicious, first class service and attention to detail. Saving up to go there again!

★★★★★
December 23, 2019

Food was surprisingly good! Every dish had a lot going on and venue whilst very period, was really relaxed whilst sophisticated. Special mention to the Manchester waitress and the head front of house - both made the evening, with informative / good banter Will be back with friends in toe!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Five star everything. Taster menu is recommended.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

It was absolutely fantastic. The best meal and welcome I have had in 20 years. A wonderful approach to food in the UK. Deserves at least another Michelin star.

★★★★★
December 23, 2019

A fantastic dining experience. The food was incredible and the service was impeccable, especially the quality of the front of house. Exceptional quality for a decent price. We were lucky enough to meet the head chef and kitchen staff whos passion for food and the restaurant itself was evident. Overall an incredible experience, would definitely visit again!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

A wonderful evenings entertainment. We had the 9 course taster menu, with a paired wine for each dish. The service was charming, the food was cleverly presented and utterly delicious. Brilliant stuff

★★★★★
December 23, 2019

Excellent tasting menu. Perfectly balanced, full of interesting flavours and seasonal ingredients. Very good service.

★★★★★
December 23, 2019

Amazing food combined with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere and attentive, friendly staff. Truly memorable.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Classy, delicious, and well served!!! Londoners should add this to their list cause it offers incredible flavours and amazing ambience.

★★★★
December 23, 2019

Went for the 5 course tasting menu, food was good! beautiful deco. A special dining place. We were seated upstairs, its not a very big space hence a little noisy when everyone got excited and chatted away.

★★★★★
December 23, 2019

Brilliant british food - autumn flavours served with great love and precision

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

One of my favourite restaurants to visit. Lunch time set menu a bargain. Steve Drake and his team are always comming up with something new and different that works.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Outstanding food and friendly service in nice surroundings. We had the 9 course discovery dinner menu with wine pairing. A little pricy but thoroughly worth it. We will visit again.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Fantastic food, atmosphere and service! Weve been to a few Michelin restaurants and we all agreed this is our favourite in the UK yet. The Italian sommelier was particularly friendly.

★★★
December 23, 2019

On Friday last week My fiancée & I & two best friends had a lovely lunch ! We have been to visit you for dinner & lunch on a few occasions . Loving the experience Unfortunately we then were asked if we wanted coffee , we all said yes , originally I said no but after being asked again I thought I would have an Irish coffee , twenty minutes later I was told the kitchen won t make you an Irish coffee ? I asked why he said he didn t know . The rest of the coffees were dumped in front of our friends on a tray & the waitress left ! No saucers ! No milk . Eventually I got a glass with a half filled white coffee in it ! Really spoilt our experience When pressed the Italian waiter said they were getting ready for the evening live round the corner from you & the day fell flat !

Local Guide
December 23, 2018

Reserved a table for 10 in August for December booking for office Christmas dinner. Rang today to re confirm numbers only to be told they only booked for 7 when I specifically said 10 back in August. Hugely disappointing and frustrating as I now have to rearrange for 10 with just under a month to go until the 22nd December which is when we arranged to go. Myself and all my staff were really looking forward to this, it goes without saying that I will not be booking here again.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2018

Great food £65and £95 menu or tasting menu same price 5 or 9 courses. Very good wine menu reasonable prices. Be careful entrance on first floor reached by outside stone steps which have a lip be careful going up! Could catch your pointed type shoes. Would definately go back !!!!

★★★★★
December 23, 2018

Perfect as ever.