Harden's survey result
Summary
“Our best meal of the year!” – “we benchmark all fine dining experiences against Lumière and nobody beats them”, say fans of chef Jon Howe and his front-of-house wife Helen’s small restaurant, whose “unassuming exterior camouflages” a “gastronomic delight”. “Sophisticated, balanced dishes with exquisite flavour” are “served with skill and passion” – and it’s “come through lockdown even better than before”.
Summary
“Chef Jon and his front-of-house wife, Helen, consistently provide a very special experience (along with charming waiter and budding sommelier Matthew)” at the Howes’ small (only 24 covers) establishment, which – though less commented on – vies with Le Champignon Sauvage as the town’s top culinary draw. Fans say it’s “better than ever after the long lockdown”, with superb cooking featuring the stunning presentation of local and seasonal ingredients.
Summary
“On our foodie tour of the area’s culinary heavy hitters (four in four nights) Lumière was by far the best in every way! – the food itself, the artistry and invention of the cooking, the front of house…!” Jon & Helen Howe’s small (just 24 covers) venture “benefits from a feeling of intimacy and calm” and scored the top ratings in town last year. Jon Howe’s food is “out of this world” with “some very good flavour combinations, some very clever and precise cooking” – all “without pretentious twiddles”. Dishes are delivered by the “serene and endlessly helpful Helen in charge of a small team” and “you are made to feel your dining experience is uppermost in their minds rather than your visit being an opportunity for them to ‘showcase’”. “We liked it so much that we went back to Cheltenham just to eat there again!”
Summary
“On our foodie tour of the area’s culinary heavy hitters (four in four nights) Lumière was by far the best in every way! – the food itself, the artistry and invention of the cooking, the front of house…!” Jon & Helen Howe’s small (just 24 covers) venture “benefits from a feeling of intimacy and calm” and scored the top ratings in town this year. Jon Howe’s food is “out of this world” with “some very good flavour combinations, some very clever and precise cooking” – all “without pretentious twiddles”. Dishes are delivered by the “serene and endlessly helpful Helen in charge of a small team” and “you are made to feel your dining experience is uppermost in their minds rather than your visit being an opportunity for them to ‘showcase’”. “We liked it so much that we went back to Cheltenham just to eat there again!” (STOP PRESS, the restaurant closed for eight weeks in summer 2019 after Jon Howe broke his ankle walking, but is now up and running again).
For 32 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Lumière?
Restaurant details
Lumière Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Oh my, our large group of foodies enjoyed the most amazing lunch cooked by chef proprietor John and served to us by his wife, Helen. Every single element was carefully crafted and utterly delicious. I have had the good fortune to eat at some very good restaurants. Lumiere is as good as it gets. John must surely rank as one of the UK’s most talented chefs. Incredible cooking."
"Absolutely first rate. Delightful food prepared with care and originality, professionally and pleasantly served in a calm room. If anything, the cooking has got better since lockdown. We are lucky to have both Lumiere and Champignon."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £20.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £2.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
Clarence Parade, Cheltenham, GL50 3PA
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 7 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 7 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 7 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 7 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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