Marco Pierre White Restaurants reviews & trust report
Marco Pierre White Restaurants operates a chain of dining establishments across the UK, specializing in steakhouses, bars, and Italian cuisine. The company offers a diverse menu that features a range of dishes, including world-famous steaks, seafood, and Italian specialties, such as pasta and pizza. With locations in cities like Birmingham, London, and Bristol, Marco Pierre White Restaurants targets a broad audience, including families, couples, and food enthusiasts seeking quality dining experiences in a vibrant atmosphere.
The restaurants focus on providing a memorable culinary experience, enhanced by seasonal offerings and collaborations, such as their partnership with Laurent-Perrier for champagne cocktails. Customers can expect an inviting environment designed for sharing meals, whether for casual dining or special occasions. For those interested in exploring contemporary cuisine in a stylish setting, Marco Pierre White Restaurants presents a compelling choice in the UK's competitive dining landscape.
Marco Pierre White Restaurants has a poor customer experience.
Marco Pierre White Restaurants receive a mixed reception, with a significant number of negative reviews overshadowing the positive experiences. While some customers praise the food quality and the attentive staff, many others express disappointment with the overall dining experience.
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Common complaints include tough, bland steaks, poorly executed dishes, and a lack of proper service, such as unwelcoming staff and dirty napkins. Reviewers note that the atmosphere can be marred by inappropriate music and outdated decor. However, there are bright spots, as some diners celebrate special occasions and commend the friendly service at specific locations, particularly in Liverpool and Dublin. Overall, the sentiment leans heavily negative, reflecting a need for improvement in food quality and service consistency across the chain.
Each source counts by its number of reviews. Only reviews written by people are scored.
Rating, volume, share of the score, six-month trend and fake-review risk for each source
Source
Rating
Reviews
Weight
6-mo
Fake risk
★
Trustpilot
Imported Trustpilot reviews
2.1
268
100%
-1.8
● Medium
2.1 / 5 overall
=
268 reviews across 1 scored source
How fake risk works ⓘ
Reputation trend
Monthly average rating from reviews written by people · latest review Nov 2025.
Last 3 months
1.6▼ 1.8
12-month avg
2.3
All-time
2.1
Category avg
2.7
Monthly averageCategory average
Monthly average rating and review count
Month
Average
Reviews
Dec 24
2.0
5
Jan 25
1.8
5
Feb 25
2.2
13
Mar 25
2.0
10
Apr 25
3.0
6
May 25
3.0
4
Jun 25
2.0
2
Jul 25
5.0
2
Aug 25
3.0
1
Sep 25
1.0
1
Oct 25
5.0
1
Nov 25
1.2
6
What people praise & complain about
Share of positive (4–5★) and negative (1–2★) reviews mentioning each topic · based on the 268 most recent reviews.
Top praiseof 57 positive reviews
Customer service47%
27 mentions
Friendly staff28%
16 mentions
Helpful support18%
10 mentions
Prices & value18%
10 mentions
“My friend and I enjoyed afternoon tea on a Groupon at MPW Meriden, Solihull on 14/3/25”
On “Customer service” · Mar 15, 2025
Top complaintsof 197 negative reviews
Customer service52%
103 mentions
Payment issues27%
54 mentions
Pricing24%
47 mentions
Charges18%
35 mentions
“We visited the Steakhouse”
On “Customer service” · Nov 21, 2025
How it compares
Same method for every company: overall rating, legitimacy checks, the average rating of reviews mentioning each area and the 6-month trend · Fine Dining.
Overall rating and review count for this company and similar companies
Awful, do not go here! I booked for valentine's day using a virgin experience voucher, when booking I paid a £20 deposit, expecting to be refunded or deducted from the bill. I ordered extra food to cover the cost of the deposit, when the bill came the £20 was not deducted and I was informed it was in fact just a fee that I had to pay to make the reservation at all, which is ludicrous. Very very expensive, the voucher was only valid for 3 mains, the rest were all extra costs, we got the rump steak, which came as a very small piece of meat, with a choice of 2 sauces on the side. There were no sides included, just a piece of meat with a sauce on the side. We ordered extra sides of chips and creamed potatoes which weren't very nice at all and for £7.50 each was just awful. I contacted the restaurant afterward, asking for a refund for the £20 I paid to book as they never informed me it would be a fee, just a deposit. They got back to me saying how I should count myself lucky that I could use the voucher on Valentine's Day at all, how rude. Stay Away from here, overpriced and not worth it.
I booked the afternoon tea experience at Liverpool’s Marco Pierre White Steakhouse for my partner’s 51st Birthday. We were greeted warmly by Jess who was our server. She enquired if we had any allergies before showing us to our super-cosy and intimate banquette table. Jess checked in with us throughout the experience and was always friendly, helpful and attentive. We loved the moody, masculine decor and the afternoon tea selection was a nice modern update of an English tradition. We would definitely recommend the venue to anyone looking for a special dining experience. It really is the ideal gift for a friend or loved-one. We’re grateful to Jess for
taking such great care of us. We’ll definitely be back to sample the rest of the menu. The complimentary glass of Prosecco was a nice surprise. Thank you.
What types of restaurants does Marco Pierre White operate?
Marco Pierre White operates various restaurant concepts including steakhouses, gastropubs, and fine dining establishments. His restaurants typically focus on modern British and European cuisine with an emphasis on quality ingredients and classic cooking techniques.
How can I make a reservation at a Marco Pierre White restaurant?
Reservations can typically be made through the individual restaurant's website, by calling the restaurant directly, or through online booking platforms. It's recommended to book in advance, especially for dinner service and weekends.
Do Marco Pierre White restaurants accommodate dietary restrictions?
Most Marco Pierre White restaurants can accommodate common dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. It's best to inform the restaurant of any dietary restrictions when making your reservation or upon arrival.
What are the typical opening hours for Marco Pierre White restaurants?
Opening hours vary by location and restaurant concept. Most establishments serve lunch and dinner, with some offering all-day dining. Check the specific restaurant's website or call directly for exact opening times and days of operation.
All 12 questions →Show fewer questions
Is there a dress code at Marco Pierre White restaurants?
Dress codes vary depending on the specific restaurant and location. Fine dining establishments may have smart casual or formal dress requirements, while gastropubs typically have a more relaxed atmosphere. Contact the specific venue for their dress code policy.
Do the restaurants offer private dining or event spaces?
Many Marco Pierre White restaurants offer private dining rooms and can accommodate special events, business meetings, and celebrations. Contact the restaurant directly to inquire about private dining options and capacity.
Are Marco Pierre White restaurants suitable for families with children?
Most locations welcome families, though the atmosphere and suitability may vary by restaurant type and time of day. Some locations may offer children's menus or have specific family-friendly policies.
Anyone can write a CrowdTrust review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they'll be displayed as long as an account is active.
My sister and I recently went to MPW in Plymouth for a meal. We only had a main meal of 6 oz fillet steak with a peppercorn sauce and it was absolutely delicious. The steak was very tasty and cooked perfect. We had a bottle of wine and a latte and had such a lovely evening. Our waitress Katie B was lovely and very helpful checking back to see if everything was ok or if we needed anything. Would definitely go back again. Thank you 😊
Maybe I was expecting too much...!!
the rooms were far too hot, all the windows were painted and locked , hence the fan in the room.
The shabby chic hotel had a certain charm, the ripped carpets , leaking bath taps and loose bathroom tiles were not chic.
none of the serving staff ask if you have allergies
NOW my real issue....half the evening meal food menu and the breakfast menu had supplement charges.
REALLY, when I ask the receptionist why...?
We are still recovering from covid, really four years ago, poor excuse,
they will be charging for car parking next
VERY DISAPPOINTING, only the friends I went with made the special night
Initially I was sceptical about the restaurant after reading the reviews and I was trying to make contact by phone to confirm the booking but they never answered. The restaurant was booked using Buyagift vouchers in Islington that we had for 2 years. However, we had a fabulous evening as we celebrated my mum's birthday. The staff were very nice and the food was lovely, you got good portions for each meal we had. It was worth the wait.
I can't write a review as we never got to use my voucher. We had booked the Steakhouse in London but when we got there they told us my voucher was for another steakhouse accross London so we got an uber there (can't remember the exact address but it was a part of a hotel) and the same thing happened we were told our voucher was not for that restaurant and to go back to the original restaurant we had booked. We were so disappointed we ended up getting an uber to another restaurant we knew. My voucher eventually went out of date which I felt bad about as my son had given it to me for my birthday and he didn't earn much at the time. On further investigation looking online there are so many restrictions to the vouchers they are not worth it unfortunately!
No better than meals served up at pubs that use the company 3663...I'm not convinced they even had a chef in the restaurant! We complained at the time of our Christmas Day dinner but I can only assume that the restaurant was too embarrassed to report our complaint. They said they would but I suspect they hoped we would go away and that there would be no come back on them.
We arrived at 1.20pm for a 2.00pm booking as the 4 of us intended to enjoy a pre-dinner drink...neither the Lounge Bar nor the restaurant bar were open.
There were no Christmas crackers nor festive table decorations to indicate that this was a celebratory event.
We were advised that our table was ready and we could sit there for a drink and were provided with the wine list and cocktail list. At this point we were advised that the Passion Fruit cocktail was not available to order. We were also asked if we would like any food with our drinks so we ordered bread and olives.
When we were ready to order the drinks we had chosen two cocktails, only to now be told that no cocktails were available to order – the reason given “the delivery was late”. We ordered two soft drinks and a bottle of Pinot Grigio.
The bread and olives never came and when we chased these up our first course choices had been plated up and were ready to serve.
1st course – all ok, except we weren’t sure which cutlery to use as a knife and fork had been placed on all the side plates and two sets flanked the place setting.
2nd course – Prawn Cocktail served with the bread already spread with margarine! The lettuce was full leaves, not shredded, which made cutting it up in a curved bowl really difficult. Was this really how it should have been presented? Were you ashamed that there was no butter and therefore you spread the margarine yourself in the hope we wouldn't notice?
3rd course:
2 x Beef Wellington – served with two ramekins of vegetables and one ramekin of roast potatoes to share. No horseradish or mustard was offered. The beef looked good but wasn’t particularly tender.
2 x Turkey dinner – two slices of turkey breast, roast potatoes, steamed (?) cubes of carrot, previously frozen sprouts, parsnips that had not been roasted, one “pig in blanket”, a small portion of stuffing and lukewarm gravy. We thought it had come from the carvery as it didn’t have the bread and cranberry sauces provided, as listed on the more expensive menu. We couldn’t believe the vegetables weren’t served separately as per the beef wellingtons...in fact the turkey dinners looked as they might in a school refectory.
4th courses:
2 x Panna cotta – apparently very nice although one was served with a soup spoon.
2 x cake with sherry syrup and cheese. The cake was dry with no trace of the sherry syrup and the cheese portions had sufficiently dried out for us to return the whole plate to the kitchen. Personally, I could see that only some of the cheese was replaced, not all of it. The cake was just as dry as before.
5th course: After a very long wait chased up the Afagato course, which, when it arrived, was fine.
For a Christmas Day Dinner, we were expecting a first class meal, under the branding of Marco Pierre White. Instead we were given a 2nd rate meal where the food was extremely disappointing, both in taste and presentation. The service was very poor and, if you were unable to provide sufficient appropriately trained staff, you should have reduced the number of covers in the restaurant...or did you think your staff were sufficiently and appropriately trained?
On a positive note, the table magician was excellent. The pianist was also good but it was a shame he wasn’t booked for the whole event.
Ok, I always start with the positives. The wife and I visited the Birmingham Marco Pierre White Restaurants just before the pandemic and had the most wonderful time, ambiance, comfort, staff, and the quality of the food was just amazing. It was our memory of this occasion that took us back this week for a celebration with friends. On arrival, we first discovered the drinks offered were very limited, in fact only a single larger on draft (neither I nor my friend drink larger). We fell back on the bottled ale selection, again only a single choice and only two bottles in stock (at least we managed to have one drink we enjoyed). The only fall-back after that, which is always the last resort was canned Guinness, needless to say, we drank very little. When entering the restaurant I was asked for a copy of my Gourmet card so I could take advantage of the 25% off total bill, I provided my card details. The service was good and all the staff was very helpful, as my wife and I were guests we did not feel it appropriate to “make any fuss” it was important, to us, that the evening was a joyous occasion with our friends. The meal arrived, starters were very good to the expected Marco Pierre standard and very nice. The main course was just a disaster for my wife and I, cannot speak for our friends because if they felt the same they did not comment, although the simple comment “ very nice” when asked if they were enjoying the meal was not the normal feedback we normally got from this couple when they are enjoying a really good quality meal. The wife and I had the 8oz Sirloin steak, both cooked medium, so a little of the juices remained in the meat which should add to the flavor. Both steaks were only warm, and the outside of both steaks was almost black (blow-torched to death). When cutting into the steak it was a little tough so we both knew it would be a little on the chewy side, the inside gave the appearance of medium-cooked meat outer edge cooked with a good run of red meat through the middle, but was void of all juices, just a warm, dry almost tasteless chewy steak, this was cheap meat, it’s that simple (Morrison’s and Tesco’s 8oz Sirloin steaks at around £8 are of far greater quality). The four uncooked cold tomatoes dropped on top of the steak, the cold side order of mushrooms, and the egg cup measure of warm pepper sauce that accompanied the steak added to the poor quality of the main course, the only hot part of the meal was the chips. Dessert was only taken up by one of our party, I think by then we’d had enough as the canned Guinness had become a flat over-expensive yuk! Even if our friends had wished to complain when asked by the staff if everything was ok with the meal, they did not get the chance because they were never asked. The bill arrived, just under £400 but my discount had not been actioned, after another attempt at the correct bill, which failed my friend ended up going to the team and directing them to provide the correct bill. We left shortly after to seek out a nice drink to enjoy together. Not what you expect from Marco Pierre White, I really cannot see us ever returning, unless some major changes are implemented, I would start with a Mystery Shopper approach in every restaurant at least one a week.
Purchased Black Friday vouchers mid November hoping to eat in Cardiff restaurant which was still trading into December however when trying to make reservations for January found restaurant had been permanently closed!
Basically told no refund as terms and conditions of vouchers state they will not honour if restaurant closes.
Do not purchases any offers or vouchers for this restaurant chain it’s a scam to get your money
Mark L 2 Reviewed yesterday Waitress staff professional but very poor meal
I have eaten at many Marcco Pierre Whites restuarants in the UK and always had an excellent experience. Our meal today was a big disappointment and advise you to avoid. Waitress staff excellent but let down by food. Offered feedback but no response from manager. Main issues were:
1) Ordered the Turkey with all the trimmings. Gravy cold; stuffing like rubber; Turkey meat tough, ridicously small amount of vegetables
2) Ripped chairs, wobbly table
3) Slow service between courses
Complained immediately but feedback fell on deaf ears. Experience affected the enjoyment of our day in Birmingham. Advise you to go elsewhere because much better places in Birmingham for half the cost.
We had an absolute shambles of an evening at this embarrassment of a venue. We spent £400 on our meal, the service was slow, the starters were brought out and we had to ask 4 times for one of our friend's starters to come, by that time it was 45 minutes later and he was still waiting and our mains had already started to come out. This is poor beyond belief.
The toilets especially in the men's are disgusting, out of order cubicles and urinals were blocked and leaking all over the floor
At 7.30 pm I wouldn't think this would be a late evening for a sitting. So we were shocked when we were told there was no prosecco how can a restaurant bar such as this which claims to be fine dining and sits in the higher tier price setting on food and drink, just simply run out at such an early time in the evening?
So, we had to opt for a more expensive rose champagne instead as we had no alternative to toast our festive meal.
We sat right in front of the kitchen, and still, our meals were late coming out and were incorrect. 3 guests had to return their plates to get the correct orders. our chairs and decor were so shabby and torn seating on every chair, its embarrassing even a decent pub doesn't have ripped decor you need to sit in. I also have taken photos of this as proof.
As this was the first time we had come to Marco's restaurant and had a terrible time. I would like a full refund or to be compensated as we didn't enjoy our evening we had to constantly keep chasing for lost food, orders and missing drinks - our experience was poor.
My thoughts are since 2018 as I have read other reviews since my experience you have known about these issues you have at your establishment and still after 5 years you have not rectified them - again, this is poor as you are not valuing your guest's feedback and experiences.
We had a Christmas treat from our children. The food we received in the Marco Pierre restaurant in London was awful and very disappointing. We will not be visit anytime. Please don’t waste your money on this restaurant.
I booked a private-room event at The Cube Birmingham for a work gathering, for 25 people at £40 each for the meal, drinks on top. We had to pay the entire amount of £1,000 well in advance. I told them 18 days before the event that we would only be 17 people and assumed the balance would go towards drinks and any remaining balance would be refunded. "That's not how we do things" was the response, and I was told that there would be NO refund at all, regardless of amount. The balance remaining on the account was £400 or so, a lot for a few glasses of lunchtime wine. I was absolutely appalled, so my advice to anyone thinking of booking an event here is this: book for the minimum number of people and add on as required! That way you won't be fleeced. I asked if any unspent balance could be used to tip the waiting staff and I was told that was possible, however a few roundabout enquiries to people in the know told me that this restaurant does not share tips with their staff, which is totally reprehensible.
When we arrived, the young woman at the desk said she had no record or our reservation (almost giving me heart failure!!). After several minutes of tapping at her computer she said "Oh, you have a private room booked". As I had told her that at the beginning, a lot of worry could have been avoided if she had just listened. It was an embarrassing few minutes though as I had work colleagues around me who understandably though I might have messed up!
The meal - no more than ok. The food is very pretentiously named.... "Mr White's Scotch Egg" had a suitably runny yolk - achieved by sous-vide rather than soft-boiling judging by the consistency, but the sausagemeat around the outside was actually unpleasant with a very strange texture as if the sausagemeat was uncooked. I didn't eat much of it. The fishcake I chose for main looked pretty much just like the scotch egg. It was acceptable but almost entirely made of salmon which is a fish I don't enjoy. We ordered some sides of chips and they looked ok although I didn't try them. Cheese was my pudding choice (at a supplement) and there was lots of it, but served with some little crackers that were the texture of cardboard and about as tasty, no butter was offered.
Following the event I asked for an itemised invoice which arrived - minus the bar tab which was just shown as a single cost. I asked for an itemised bar tab to be sent and it was eventually emailed, showing a small balance left which I didn't even bother to ask them to give to the staff as I knew they would ignore this request.
The lobby is very strangely decorated with endless photographs of the 'great man' himself, including a whole-wall close up photograph of him. Just how narcissistic does someone have to be to cover the walls of their restaurant with photographs of themself?
Summing up: the views from two glass walls are magnificent, making it a gorgeous venue if you're not afraid of heights, but their business practices AND the food leave a lot to be desired. I would not dream of returning - I've eaten in a MPW restaurant in London before which was equally unimpressive.
Four of us went to Mr Whites on Leicester Square for afternoon tea and we would never go again. The ambiance was dreadful, an adjacent table was occupied by a group of extremely loud and ‘well oiled’ men whose conversation was heavily laced with profanities. Staff made no attempt to address their poor behaviour for the benefit of other customers who were clearly disturbed by them. The hot chocolate drinks were served barely luke warm, all of the scones were dry, burnt black and inedible and the sandwich fillings were very disappointing. Do not be fooled by the use of a distinguished chefs name, the experience will not live up to expectations in any way, shape or form until drastic improvements are made.
Went to mr white’s at Leicester Square for afternoon tea (this was a birthday treat) really disappointed. When booking was made, 3 weeks ago, I also requested plain scones and again day before. On arrival shown to table which was ok but no tablecloths on the tables. Advised waitress I had requested plain scones and was advised there were no plain scones available as their supplier didn’t have any. Staff not bothered eventually was offered additional sandwiches or cake. Asked for additional macarons but waitress bought us extra fruit scones!!! No teaspoons available to stir tea with had to use a fork! Don’t waste your money coming here, I for one will not be returning. Really disappointed.
Atmosphere was terrible - very bright lights. No table clothes (even though on pictures on website), plates slide around on the table - service was diabolical as very short staffed. No wine list, so was offered the house wine only with no mention of cost. Was worse than being on an airport concourse. The absolute best (and I am being sarcastic) were the little midgets accompanying us during our meal and flying around us. When I pointed them out to the manager (as they were on the ceiling and could be clearly see) I was politely thanked and then ignored! I was seriously disappointed and it ruined what was meant to be a very happy evening. Thank you MPW for nothing!
Went today for afternoon tea.. sat down then waited 30 mins for someone to come to the table. We got our food after 45 mins. The waitress was very polite and did keep coming to check in on us. The decor is dated and the chair i sat on was ripped on the seat and arm.
An additional £6.40p was added for service charge… REALY? Mens cubical toilets were out of order.
Birthday meal - disappointed with table service staff was rude. Starter tasted like jared paste, mash potato was bitty & dry (6.50) additional charge. An expensive but poor quality experience, wouldn't go back. So much better quality out there to choose from.
How can I contact a specific Marco Pierre White restaurant?
Contact information for each restaurant can be found on their individual websites or through the main Marco Pierre White restaurant group website. Phone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses are typically listed for each location.
Do the restaurants accept gift vouchers or gift cards?
Many Marco Pierre White restaurants offer gift vouchers that can be purchased online or at the restaurant. These make popular gifts for special occasions and may be valid across multiple locations within the group.
Is parking available at Marco Pierre White restaurant locations?
Parking availability varies significantly by location, as restaurants are situated in different areas from city centers to suburban locations. Check with the specific restaurant about parking options, including whether they offer valet service or validated parking.
Can I host a business meeting or corporate event at these restaurants?
Many Marco Pierre White restaurants are well-suited for business dining and corporate events. They often provide appropriate settings for business meetings, with some locations offering dedicated business lunch menus and private spaces.
What payment methods are accepted at Marco Pierre White restaurants?
Most locations accept major credit cards, debit cards, and cash. Some restaurants may also accept contactless payments and mobile payment apps. It's advisable to confirm accepted payment methods when making a reservation.
About Marco Pierre White Restaurants
Marco Pierre White Restaurants operates a chain of dining establishments across the UK, specializing in steakhouses, bars, and Italian cuisine. The company offers a diverse menu that features a range of dishes, including world-famous steaks, seafood, and Italian specialties, such as pasta and pizza. With locations in cities like Birmingham, London, and Bristol, Marco Pierre White Restaurants targets a broad audience, including families, couples, and food enthusiasts seeking quality dining experiences in a vibrant atmosphere.
The restaurants focus on providing a memorable culinary experience, enhanced by seasonal offerings and collaborations, such as their partnership with Laurent-Perrier for champagne cocktails. Customers can expect an inviting environment designed for sharing meals, whether for casual dining or special occasions. For those interested in exploring contemporary cuisine in a stylish setting, Marco Pierre White Restaurants presents a compelling choice in the UK's competitive dining landscape.
