Many places will tell you that their food is specially prepared. In reality it is white chiller van food hotted up in the microwave.

At the Beano Restaurant at the Guildford Institute the food is specially prepared. Ask the lady serving what is in the dish and she will be able to tell you as it is she who has prepared it. Ask her nicely and she will tell you how she made it. Ask her very very nicely and she may give you the recipe.

There is a choice of salads, main dish, main plus two salads, followed by the most delicious scrumptious desserts. Usually there is soup and a bread roll for starters.

On offer is a meal deal: buy main dish, two salads, a dessert, at a reduced price compared with buying the items individually, plus free glass of fruit juice. Tea or coffee is extra.

There is often afternoon tea: tea or coffee plus a flapjack, scone or cookie.

Whilst in the Guildford Institute pop into its library. It is a rare example of a private library. Unless a member you cannot borrow books, but you are welcome to have a wander around, read the newspapers.

Lunch at the Guildford Institute is one of the best kept secrets in Guildford. It spreads by word of mouth, people are either taken or recommended.

For me it is a Friday treat, a day out to Guildford, wander round Guildford and lunch at the Guildford Institute.

The Guildford Institute is one of the best places to eat in Guildford. For vegetarians, the only place to eat in Guildford

The Guildford Institute is at the top end of North Street (parallel to the High Street) opposite Guildford Library. The restaurant is open lunchtime, term time only, Monday to Friday (since the end of April 2012 open Saturday lunchtime).

Outside term time try the Thai restaurant in Jeffries Passage opposite (down the side of Guildford Library, linking North Street to the High Street) or The Keystone, bottom of the High Street, over the bridge and behind St Nicolas Church. It is especially pleasant to sit in the back terrace of The Keystone on a warm sunny day.