Review: The Clink Restaurant at High Down Prison, Sutton
Fine dining where you wouldn’t expect it – The Clink Restaurant at High Down Prison is a dining experience like no other and as good as any high-end restaurant I’ve been to.
![The Clink Restaurant, High Down Prison](https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/12/The-Clink-158-1000x667.jpg)
WHAT? WHERE?
The Clink is a restaurant like no other. Located within the high barb wire-topped walls of HMP High Down, it’s staffed by prisoners from the chefs to the waiters. Even the art and poetry that graces the walls is the work of inmates.
The Clink is part of a prison-run initiative aimed at rehabilitating offenders and creating opportunities for prisoners who show potential and commitment. All the food here is cooked and served by prisoners nearing the end of their sentence – or Learners as they’re called – working towards earning their City and Guilds NVQs.
It’s one of three restaurants set inside a prison – alongside HMP Brixton in London and HMP Styal near Manchester – and since it first opened in 2009 it’s received a flood of awards (more than 60 and counting) and produced hundreds of graduates. They’re in demand too, and some go on to work in top Michelin starred restaurants.
THE VIBE
![The Clink Restaurant, High Down Prison, Surrey](https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/12/The-Clink-150-1000x667.jpg)
Once you pass through the security checks (much like airport security) and walk through the front door of the restaurant you could be seated in any smart restaurant anywhere in the world. There’s a stylish slate feature wall, smart leather banquet seating and vibrant artwork displayed on the walls. Above us, a glassed-in mezzanine is set up as a conference room – available to hire for events – and there’s a view of the open kitchen.
There are one or two differences though, as you might expect. All bags, devices and banned items must be stowed in a locker before you go inside, and you’re escorted to and from the restaurant via a series of air-locked doors and gates. There’s no chance of feasting and fleeing here. Also, cutlery is plastic, and no alcohol is served.
My lunch date was my 18-year-old son and while he was horrified at being separated from his phone for a few hours, for me it was wonderfully refreshing to have his undivided attention. We were shown to our table by the restaurant manager, a long-time professional in the hospitality industry who oversees the training programme, and then introduced to our waiter who presented our menus.
SCOFF & QUAFF
![](https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/12/The-Clink-124.jpg)
Much of the food on the menu here is produced in prison gardens and farms around the country – which means that as well as being sustainable and super fresh, it’s also contributing to the rehabilitation of prisoners. It’s a set menu offering two courses or three courses, with drinks list that includes mocktails, soft drinks and hot drinks.
Our waiter brought a bottle of water for the table and took our order for Mint Lemonade mocktails while we mulled over the food menu a little longer. There’s a choice of three starters and three mains, with sides and puddings. We’re almost in December, so there’s a festive nod.
![Smoked haddock scotch egg at The Clink Restaurant, High Down Prison](https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/12/The-Clink-198.jpg)
For starters I chose the Shallot Tarte Tatin with chilli jam, pine nuts and a beetroot and chard salad, and my son went for the Smoked Haddock Scotch Egg – but we decided we’d share. Good decision! The scotch egg was wonderful – the perfect combination of smoked fish and soft boiled egg. The tart, too, was lovely – the shallots caramelised and the chilli jam with just the right amount of spice.
For mains, Fin went full-on festive with the traditional roast turkey and I opted for the catch of the day, salmon, with herbed mash potatoes, seasonal veg and a caper and lemon beurre noisette. No complaints at all – it was delicious.
![](https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/12/The-Clink-120.jpg)
Never one to shy away from a good pudding, we went for the whole three courses – me the Christmas pudding, and Fin the hot chocolate pudding with honey and pecan ice cream – which along with a very good flat white, was the perfect way to finish a lovely lunch.
Our waiter, it turned out, was fairly new to the job – having joined The Clink Restaurant only three weeks previously. You genuinely couldn’t tell. He was friendly, professional and chatty. And happy to share his insights so far – he says he enjoying the job and likes that he’s doing something productive and learning new skills. “You can also forget you’re in prison when you’re here,” he says. Which I guess is the point – The Clink is the Learners’ first step back into the real world.
KID-FRIENDLY?
Sorry, this is a restaurant for over 18s only.
THE MUDDY VERDICT
![](https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/12/The-Clink-Food-Preparation-2.jpg)
Good for: Those looking for a unique dining experience – it’s not every day you’re escorted into a prison for a delicious three-course lunch.
Not for: Walk-ins. You must book 72 hours in advance (and bring photo id with you when you arrive) – so this is not one for a spontaneous lunch. It’s open for lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday and from February 2023 some Sundays.
The damage: It’s great value. Two courses is £30 and three-courses is £35. Sides are £4.50 each, and drinks are £3-£3.50.
The Clink Restaurant, HMP High Down, High Down Lane, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PJ. Tel: 020 7147 6724
Open in Google Maps