The Ivy Castle View

My family and I dined here for lunch today and really enjoyed our experience. I booked our table using the Ivy Rewards App which was quick and convenient and I was able to earn rewards points for our visit. We received a fabulous and warm welcome from Toby which set the scene for a great lunch. We were seated in a corner booth which was comfortable and had a beautiful view of Guildford Castle. We dined from the 1917 set menu (£19.17 per person) which we found to be exceptionally good value for the quality of food provided. Service was also lovely from the wonderful Hector who was very accommodating, friendly and professional. All in all, it was a super lunch in a beautiful venue with great service and good value. We will definitely be returning. Thank you to all of the team for a wonderful day.

Amazing view, great atmosphere, lovely service, a perfect breakfast. What more could you ask for? A special thank you goes to Mia for making us feel so welcome and for the birthday surprise! ☺️🙏

Deliciously Delicious. Best Sunday roast i have eaten in a long time. The waiters were very diligent and well trained. The prices quite reasonable and the quality great.

I recently visited The Ivy Castle View, and it was such a great experience. The interior is warm and inviting, with a laid-back vibe that makes you feel comfortable as soon as you walk in. The staff was incredible—there were so many people taking care of the patrons, and it never felt like anyone was left waiting for anything. The bartenders were spot on, super friendly, and knew their stuff. They had a great selection of local beers and drinks, which was a nice touch. The food options were impressive, with something for everyone. I went with the chicken skewers, and they were absolutely delicious—perfectly cooked and packed with flavor. My only tiny complaint is that I wish there had been four skewers instead of three because they were so good! I also tried one of their local lagers, and it was a great pairing with the meal. One of the highlights of the place is the third-level patio overlooking the castle. Unfortunately, it was pouring rain when I visited, so we couldn’t sit out there, but it still looked absolutely beautiful. I can only imagine how amazing it would be on a sunny day! The service was fast and friendly, which tied everything together. Whether you’re looking for a casual meal, drinks with friends, or just somewhere to relax with a view, The Ivy Castle View is definitely worth checking out. I’ll definitely be back—hopefully when the weather lets me enjoy that patio!

The whole experience was exactly what I've come to expect and love from The Ivy - creative and tasty food served with a smile in a beautiful setting. We went for the festive set menu and no complaints from any of us. Our server (unfortunately didn't catch their name - hooped earing, we sat on the banquet in the far left corner near the windows 1800-2000) was an absolute dream. Highly recommend. Actually out of all The Ivy's I've eaten at, I think the service here has been the best.

We had a fantastic dining experience at The Ivy. I had the duck—perfectly cooked and full of flavor—while my wife enjoyed the linguini, which was rich, delicious, and satisfying. We finished with the apple tarte, which was incredibly delicious—flaky, warm, and the perfect sweet ending. A big shoutout to Spencer, our waiter, who gave us incredible service—attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. We also had the pleasure of meeting Hector, the manager, who’s originally from Mexico—such a warm and welcoming presence. The whole experience, from food to service, was top-notch. We’ll definitely be back!

Absolutely delightful restaurant with staff exactly the way they should be; welcoming, and classy and with the ability to only come to the table when required. Service is absolutely first class. The menu is very good, with a good selection of dishes from appetisers to mains. If you have allerigies, you simply scan the QR code on the menu to deterimine what you can enjoy, simply by ticking the box of the product the food contains. There was a lack of choices for people with allergies though. The dessert menu was full of appealing choices, making it hard to determine what was chosen. Again, for allergens, you scan the menu, but i didn't find any desserts at all coming up, just the main menu. The atmosphere is that of a lively place, and the dress code with price brings in a particular type of client. It had been noted when booking that a party member was celebrating their birthday and that they had allergens, and provided a little something extra for the birthday girl. This was above and beyond service that I expected and was really very kind and generous. Overall everybody in the party had a great time that will be remembered for a long time.

We celebrated a birthday at The Ivy in Guildford and it was unforgettable, thanks largely to Spencer’s exceptional service. From the moment we arrived, Spencer made us feel special, warm, and truly cared for – his attention to detail and genuine hospitality stood out in every interaction. A highlight of the evening was the birthday dessert paired with champagne – elegant, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious. It wasn’t just about the food (though it was wonderful), but the way Spencer made the celebration feel unique and personal. He went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect, turning what could have been just a meal into a memory we’ll treasure. I’ve already given The Ivy a 5-star review before, but this experience deserves another one, this time with a special mention to Spencer. Thank you for making a birthday celebration truly exceptional.

Had a lovely evening here with my boyfriend, served by Luke! Lovely atmosphere and great food, came out so fast and all of it was delicious 😁

Excellent food and great service in a beautiful room. The decoration of the ceiling and walls is quite something. Our organization booked out their dining room and all of the dishes were delicious.

A huge thank you to Spencer at The Ivy in Guildford for such outstanding service – truly above and beyond. From the warm welcome to the attentive yet relaxed style, it made our dining experience perfect. Special thanks to the chef as well – the steak tartare was exceptional, perfectly balanced and full of flavour, and the seafood linguine was one of the best I’ve had, rich and fresh with beautifully cooked seafood. Even the bread and olives, which might seem simple, were of superb quality and set the tone for a fantastic meal. The watermelon salad was refreshing and perfectly seasoned, and the duck parfait was smooth and decadent, a real standout starter. This is already one of my favourite restaurants (I’ve left a 5-star review before), but this visit deserves another one, especially to recognise Spencer and the kitchen team. Thank you all for making it such a memorable experience!

We tried 2 Ivy restaurants in UK during our visit. This was our 2nd visit where we tried the afternoon tea. It was a great experience, they were very sensitive with food allergies that they even provided a separate serving for the one that has no nuts. We appreciate this a lot. Pastries and sweets are all great Ambiance was amazing, very fancy with a great view.

Beautiful place with lovely food and great service. We enjoyed smoke salmon and duck salad for starters, and both dishes were delicious and very well presented. For mains we had a monkfish and prawns curry, and the Ivy Burger and we equally enjoyed the mains. We were celebrating our wedding anniversary, and the staff surprised us with a lovely desert that was decorated with a “happy anniversary” chocolate, which was a really nice touch. All staff member are really nice ie and clearly strive for good service. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and has a really nice vibe to it. I highly recommend this Ivy for a nice we evening out.

Brilliant service. Done just right. Very pleasant, slightly over the top décor and wonderful food . I was rather shocked with the variations in calories. Some dishes contain far more than you imagine -308cals for tomato starter! Recommend scanning the barcode to get the calories and ingredients menu before ordering if you need to know.

The food was really delicious. The rendang duck and black cod fillet were super tasty. Service was good and efficient. Nice castle view. Price was reasonable too.

Absolutely amazing service. Best full English breakfast to get. Super nice staff. Very helpful. We had an amazing view of the castle. Oh it's a true English experience. So happy we tried it out. Will be back for more.

We visited The Ivy Castle View on our wedding anniversary to experience their afternoon tea (Alice in Wonderland theme). We had such a good time and the food was amazing. The interior design is beautiful and there is also a balcony with views of Guildford castle during the summer. The service we received from the moment we were inside was fantastic, and didn't at any point feel rushed to finish up and leave. I would really recommend The Ivy if you're looking for something a bit more special, its not the cheapest place but the quality is worth it. I would also recommend pre-booking a table. We hope to return soon.

Beautiful place with delicious food! I had told them we were celebrating my mums birthday and the servers all said happy birthday and surprised her with a tasty sweet treat at the end of our meal. Really special. Our waitress was lovely and very friendly (annoyingly forgotten her name!)

A very enjoyable experience. The menu had something to offer any diner from vegan to vegetarian to carnivore. I had fish and chips, which was very good but my companion's shepherd's pie was outstanding. After lunch coffee was excellent.

The afternoon tea....is AMAZING!! Highly recommend! Cocktails were good although a few tasted very similar. Service was great it was just a little warm and noisy in there.

Food, decor and service was excellent although it was exceedingly noisy when full. Maybe some soft fabric wall, or floor covering, would help. Apple tart was my favourite pudding with a bit of a show and the flavour was excellent but I forgot to take a picture, could have done with a little more ice cream.

We had a lovely dinner a couple of evenings ago at The Ivy Castle View in Guildford. The dining room was welcoming, comfortable and luxuriously appointed, featuring a nice blend of classic elegance and contemporary elements. The food was generally delicious - my 21-day-aged sirloin steak was very flavoursome, and my apple tart fine (which required a 14-minute cooking time) was stunningly good! Poppy provided us with world-class customer service throughout our dinner, which we greatly appreciated. She was very friendly, warm and approachable yet commendably efficient, attentive and courteous, striking the perfect balance between friendliness and professionalism. Her excellent knowledge of the menus helped us to make informed menu choices. In my view, her overall customer service was at least as good as the best that I'd encountered at many Michelin-starred restaurants around the world, so very well done to her!!!

An Amazing experience, we went in for a drink and we ended eating here. Every aspect of our visita was topclass. The food the service and the drinks were phenomenal. I really Hope tò come back very soon!

We had a lovely time at The Ivy and really enjoyed the atmosphere, food, and overall service. Everything was well organised, and the team made us feel comfortable from start to finish. A special mention to Anthony, who was particularly helpful and attentive throughout our visit. He was friendly, professional, and made sure everything went smoothly. It was a great experience overall, and we’d happily visit again.

I just want to say how fantastic our experience at The Ivy was. The atmosphere was lovely and the food was absolutely amazing. I was especially impressed by the scallops — a perfectly balanced dish and one I would highly recommend as a starter. A special mention goes to Anthony and Luke, who looked after our table so well. Anthony in particular was incredibly attentive, explaining the menu in great detail and recommending the perfect drinks to pair with our food. Truly top-notch service from start to finish. I will definitely be coming back as soon as I can!

Lovely decor, beautiful food, just bit quick to clear table and bit noisy, but I think it was a celebration at another table!

I visited the Ivy Castle View with a couple of work friends for a social lunch. The decor in this place is quite striking and nicely executed, with the bonus of having a view of the old castle from some of the tables. I have read various reviews complaining about the service, but I have to say from my experience that this was pretty good, being neither slow or rushed, despite the restaurant being fairly full. The food is quite expensive overall for gastro-style cooking, and adding a few side dishes to the main courses soon cranks up the meal cost considerably. That said, there are plenty of choices on the wine list at reasonable prices, and everything we ate was nicely prepared and presented. The roasted scallops starter with the truffle and parmesan emulsion is worthy of mention as a stand-out dish. Likewise, the soy-glazed blackened cod is well worth trying. Overall, this was a pleasant, if not somewhat pricey, dining experience.

Stunning restaurant with some great Gatsby vibes. Lovely view of streets in Guildford streets and the castle. Huge window allowing natural lighting while dining on the balcony. The decor gives a very elevated and aesthetic feel. The food was alright, nothing that stood out particularly but not bad either. Service was good. Even the bathroom was very beautiful!

Ngl the Ivy may not be the most tasty restaurant in town but definitely the PRETTIEST one! I usually have lunch or early dinner here so that gives you really enjoyable sunlight. Food is basically around the average, the dessert is always great tho.

Friday afternoon experience. Waiter was very good and explained the seasonal dishes. My friend is lactose intolerant so her options were a bit limited. The food was good qutand the restaurant decor was excellent with nice atmosphere. Would recommend

It's a very nice restaurant with lovely views over Guildford. The service was excellent but I was a little disappointed with the food, we had the 2 course's for £19.95 menu, I had salt and pepper squid which came as little balls and were very hard and didn't taste of anything apart from the spicy sauce, for the second course I had fish which was ok but nothing special I think perhaps my expectations were to high.

Service was very slow. Servers were not attentive at the very slightest. The amount of times we tried to get their attention and were ignored unfortunately. Also pretty hard to share a dollop of 1 ketchup and 1 mayo between 3 people lol. Asked for more and never got back to us. The food was nice though. We got the fish and chips, the squids and the poached eggs with salmon. I want to note this for all those that eat halal - the manager said the food is not halal and has never been halal and received confirmation from the chef. This was shocking because I have been here numerous amount of times over the years (also this is the first time I’ve seen this manager) and have been told the chicken is halal. So I was not happy with being told one time it is and one time it isn’t. However most recently I can confirm it is not halal.

I was disappointed with this place. It's an attractive place with a great view, but it was so noisy we struggled to hear each other talk. The food was nice but some people in my group had a long wait for their starters even though others had received theirs. Broccoli was so hard I could barely cut it. Service was terrible and we were ignored most of the time, the only way we could order or get the bill etc was by calling out to them as they walked past. We had to ask for dessert menus but were then ignored again so decided just to get the bill, we eventually managed to ask for the bill but were then ignored again until we managed to grab staff to pay. I won't return

Came for valentines dinner. Nice food but the music was way too loud. I had no idea there was live music tonight either. I already asked the waiter if it can be possibly turned down, but I didn’t notice any difference. Honestly it spoilt the experience as I could barely have a conversation. Such a shame honestly

I was actually disappointed, given the cost. The starter was very nice, but my main course was very average, I left part of it as the flavours were too sharp for me. To be fair that could be me. We did not have a desert as they were uninspiring usual range of chocolate offerings and as always a creme brule. I have had far better meals at pubs around Guildford and Woking. The coffee was very good. I generally think you can tell the real quality of a restaurant by its deserts. Has it brought them in or produced them itself. The range at the ivy was clearly brought in. The service reached ok. They were extremely slow at the end of the meal to organise payment which I personally I find very frustrating. My last point is the the knives were so blunt my wife could not cut the vegetables with them. All in all I would not bother.

Very disappointed this time. Food had been left under a heat lamp for too long. Poached eggs were not runny. Scrambled egg was hard. The baked beans had a slightly skin on the top . Definitely not what we expected

Took our mother here recently for her birthday with her granddaughter and family. We had so many issues with the service. We had a waiter who bless her heart was very nervous and I could tell she must have been new. They were teaching her how to style the tables etc she got our drinks wrong. Then when we said they were, didn’t offer to change them to the ones we wanted. She did apologies but they didn’t obviously go through customer service yet with her. My partner had the steak and no steak knife was given. They had brought out our dessert whilst I was in the toilet with the little one, and it was an amazing ice feature that you needed to see to experience it. So I missed out on that. My mother in law asked for a new spoon as our little one had accidentally dropped it on the floor. Another waiter who was more experienced, wore the green outfit had Pale skin and red long hair, bluntly said you already had one. Didn’t ask us why we were wanting another or used common sense that perhaps the child could have dropped it. I was it utter shock. They make you feel like you are not welcomed, especially if you have children. At the end of the meal, we went to go and get our coats and was waiting for 5mins whilst the waiters were sat having a chat in the one side of the venue. Then only realised we were waiting. We wanted to make this meal special for our mother in law on her birthday and she wanted her granddaughter to be there with her and she left feeling upset and unwelcomed. We wouldn’t come here again and suggest you don’t waste your money on service this bad. Food overall was nice and displayed lovely. Timing for it to come out could have been thought through but they had great choices on the menu and great value for money. I couldn’t fault them here. I would suggest having chairs for toddlers to sit on, otherwise they are perched on cushions. Venue is beautiful and picturesque. If they trained staff on service, this would have been a great experience. We have been before and noticed an odd service experience also, but wanted to try again to see if it would be better. It seems not.

The food was absolutely amazing, best calamari I have ever had and everyone was super happy with their dishes. The service however was dreadful - booked for 81st birthday dinner and were told 10 minute wait but ended up being 30 without apology. We were invited to wait at the bar despite 3 of the 5 of our party being elderly and having visible walking aids and no appropriate seating for them (high stalls only in crowded area). They had no solution, so we had to wait outside and we're clearly forgotten. When eventually seated (after chasing) the reservation the table was clean but ALL seats dirty and covered in crumbs which we had to brush down ourselves. The waiters/staff barely interacted and all looked grumpy. Set menu had lots of additional costs which was disappointing. Although they kindly brought out a small cake for the birthday girl, they kept this secret when ordering our desserts and so we ended up paying for a dessert that was surplus and went to waste. Atmosphere had potential - beautiful view and decor with nice music playing, however the volume kept being increased as it became more busy to the point none of us could hear each other over the noise of the surrounding chatter and music combined. Would not return to this particular branch but due to the food being so amazing I would chance another location and hope the staff are trained/encouraged to be friendly, considerate, professional and take pride in their work.

For the prices they charge, I would have expected the food to be genuinely delicious and memorable. Unfortunately, everything we tried was just average. The dishes were competently prepared but lacked depth of flavour, creativity, or any standout elements that would justify the cost.

The restaurant is quite nice , but the atmosphere is too loud, too busy , the food is good , but the staff are not very friendly, not all of them , our waitress had the most foul body odour I've ever smelled and it was so appalling ,it lingerd , and when ur trying to order food !! I couldn't handle it as she made me sick to my stomach and I asked politely to change her , but she kept roaming around, and her scent was all over the place ,which made my experience absolutely horrible, that I couldn't wait to leave . I couldn't understand how it was ok for this restaurant to have this kind of issues ..