There are London gardens, and then there’s The Garden at Home House—a secret, sun-dappled oasis that feels like one of those Philip Pullman portals you cut into, only to discover a parallel universe has been there all along. Tucked behind the grand Georgian façade of Home House, a private member’s club in Marylebone, this is the perfect place to lose a few hours under a beautiful canopy of green.

Good service usually allows a restaurant experience to glide seamlessly, but service here is not just good, it’s spectacular. Our waitress, Valeria, offered a masterclass in hospitality. Despite the garden being busy and buzzing with a summer evening crowd, she glided from table to table with the kind of effortless charm that would make even the most seasoned restaurateur take notes. Rushed off her feet? Maybe. But you’d never know it. Valeria delivered nothing but grade A service—warm, attentive, and genuinely invested in making our meal memorable. Some of the best service in the biz.

We should mention the food. The menu at Home House Garden is a love letter to British produce, with a few med flourishes thrown in to brighten things up. If you’re here to eat (and you should be), the rib on the bone steak is a must. This is steak as it should be: thick-cut, perfectly charred on the outside, blushing pink inside, and not just meltingly tender – but also a flavour bomb in every bite.

But the real surprise? The charcoaled prawns. Sweet, deep, and smoky, these beauties arrive with just the right amount of char, their natural sweetness amplified by the grill. Paired with a squeeze of lemon and a glass of something cold, they’re the taste of summer on a plate—simple, unfussy, and utterly delicious.

To drink, they have an impressive wine list, complimented by a cigar menu if you’re feeling fancy (it’s fair to say HH has an air of the old school about it, but don’t let the exclusive glamour fool you – this place is also creative and fun). We adored the clarified colada – made with rum, coconut, fresh pineapple juice and lime and clarified with milk (??). Don’t ask too many questions, just drink two or three.

Home House Garden offers a dreamy setting, the food is spot-on, and the service—thanks to Valeria and her team —is nothing short of exceptional. If you’re looking for a slice of London that feels both exclusive and welcoming, this is it. Just don’t tell too many people.