We only went to the Summerhouse because they bought salt and pepper pots from our online shop www. Jollymolly. Co. Uk and were really pleased with it when we were there. The calamari was delicious! The wine was good and always topped up and the location was so nice and peaceful. I would say the service could have been better, but other wise, it easily deserves a 4/5.

I have been to The summer house 4 times now and it keeps getting better. Admittedly i went when if first opened and they clearly had teething problems but the location and decor was enough to get me back there and now i'm hooked! I always have the fish & chips as it's some of the best i've tasted and the rose sangria is a triumph. I tried to make it at home and it didn't compare. Plus i can't sit and watch the ducks and boats go past at home!
Staff are young, friendly and attentive and whenever i have people visiting it's the first place i take them for lunch (once for dinner which was a bit too romantic with all the candles for me and work colleagues!).
Anyway the negative reviews on here upset me as i'm a big fan and i hope this local gem really does pop up again next year.
P.s. you have to book in advance - it seems i'm not the only on who loves this place!

I would have to agree with all of the previous reviews here, that the decor is perfect. Its a great little find, right in the heart of Maida Vale on the canal and is just delightful in the summer sun! I went along last week for some brunch and I was greeted by a very charming manager at the door who was very accommodating and spent plenty of time during our meal making sure we were looked after. The Summerhouse really does have a good personal feel. The food was excellent and perfect for a summer's day or evening and I really felt urged to right up on here and spread the good word. The drinks are really fun and exciting (try the mojitos, they are Moorish). I will be back!

let me start by saying i never complain about anything or feel compelled to write reviews but this place is awful. i went for brunch with my little girl and was shocked at the place. we arrived at about 10 and the doors were open, on asking the many staff sulking around if they were open for food not one of answered me but just carried on with their conversation. we were eventually sat after alot of hanging around sat by a surly french waiter who was clearly irritated by us as he had to get a high chair. on ordering i asked if i could have some toast with my scrambled eggs to which he replied with disgust " err we are a fish restaurant we don't have TOAST" so i had a small amount of scrambled egg on its own and paid 8 for the honour. when i had finished i waited for my plate to be taken away for about fifteen minutes ( i was the only customer to their eight members of staff) in the end it took it back to the kitchen myself

avoid avoid avoid, the setting is nice but that is it

I have been to this restaurant twice now and things have dramatically improved since my last visit. I think there were a few teething problems with the service at the beginning of April but as the food and décor were so appealing I decided to give it another try last night. It was busy, so instantly I worried that the service would be slow but to my delight everything was as perfect as a sunny day at the beach. I had the tuna steak this time that was cooked to perfection and I enjoyed my Pimms Mohito as much as I did the first time, truly delicious! I had come with my friends from work so there was five of us and not once were we left waiting or ignored, the service was just right and the food and atmosphere were enhanced by the now organised and efficient service. I would recommend this restaurant to everyone and I think it will become something of a summer regular for me.

The Summerhouse screams summer. It was a glorious summer’s day when I visited, and I was seated on a table along the banks of the Little Venice canal and once ordering I watched people sail their barges past me- what a picture! To start I had the popcorn shrimp which was fun and the accompanying sweet chilli dip was divine. For mains I had the Nicoise salad, which was extremely fresh and light and the seared tuna was cooked perfectly. Then to finish with my favourite part of any meal I had the lemon tart, which was fresh with just enough zing to make it a perfect end to a beautiful meal. After the mix of the beautiful weather and the fresh seafood I was desperate to hop on down to the seaside to maintain my blissful feeling. I would definitely recommend The Summerhouse to everyone, especially on a summer’s day!

Disappointing - For what is an excellent idea the Summerhouse in Maida Vale let's itself down. The decor, concept and setting are perfect but then it all falls apart from there. The manager is appallingly rude which is surprising given he is in the service industry - he probably needs to revisit his career options. The staff try hard and are friendly although without any real direction (our table seemed to be attended by 4 different members of staff with no cohesion) they struggle to deliver on the service element. The food is almost very good - although hard to say given timing issues. The steak was luke warm but chips on the same plate were piping hot. I also had food poisoning the next day possibly from a suspicious starter. Overall the restaurant has the potential to succeed, locals like me want to see it succeed, but it needs to lift its game to attract the success it should have given the beautiful location on the canal. I would recommend the nearby and sister restaurant the Waterway until the manager sorts out his wasted opportunity.