Lime & Thyme

Delicious Mediterranean Delights, Top Service

On a recent jaunt to Raynes Park, I stumbled across Lime & Thyme, an intriguing spot that straddles the line between charming café and bustling restaurant. Nestled conveniently by the station, it evokes the Mediterranean with vibrant aromas wafting from open doors and a menu that woos diners with promises of souvlaki, smoky shashuka, and piquant piri-piri chicken. Inside, it's warm, cozy, and brimming with families—yes, it seems kid-friendly despite some grumblers—and diners who appear unnervingly content with their laid-back brunches or hastily whipped midweek dinners. Despite all this friendly charm, beware of bringing a stroller or a wheelchair; accessibility is quite an afterthought here, lost in the celebration of eclectic culinary offerings.

The service was delightfully efficient and carried out with genuine friendliness—Luisa and Alexandra buzzed about with a grace that'll trounce even the decorum found in the most polished of West End haunts. My visit featured smoked salmon-topped brioche with an egg (or two for one, rather) and a dangerously moreish piece of banoffee pie. While portion sizes indulged the greedy child in me, dietary requests seemed trivialized, lending a slightly cavalier edge to the proceedings. One niggling, recurring shadow, however, drapes itself over such geniality in the form of a somewhat bizarre management style—a performance which might have been mildly entertaining if it didn't create discord among loyal patrons. Still, Lime & Thyme enchants with its unassuming ambiance and honest fare; the staff gleefully defy expectations to serve up a slice of Mediterranean warmth in the middle of London. Save room for the shashuka—it’s a comforting hug on the plate, worth navigating accessibility hiccups if just for a taste. — Penelope Savory