survey result

Summary

£101
£££££
5
Exceptional
5
Exceptional
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“At last! A well-deserved Michelin star” for John and (FOH) Helen Howe’s “small, intimate and sophisticated modern British venture” and its considerable fan club is “absolutely delighted” that it is “finally getting the recognition it deserves” (although, to be fair, the question is what took them so long, as we’ve been raving about this place for many years). “Every element is perfectly crafted” to deliver “sublime cooking and stunning presentation” (with much of the produce sourced from a relative’s farm) all “delightfully served”, combining to make Lumière “as good as it gets”“just what a perfect restaurant should be”.

Summary

£96
 ££££
5
Exceptional
5
Exceptional
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“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

£96
 ££££
5
Exceptional
5
Exceptional
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“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

£96
 ££££
5
Exceptional
5
Exceptional
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“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!”

For 33 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

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No dress code
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Lumière Restaurant Diner Reviews

Reviews of Lumière Restaurant in GL50, Cheltenham by users of Hardens.com. Also see the editors review of Lumière restaurant.
David J
Intense individual flavours. Shout out for ...
Reviewed 5 months, 19 days ago

"Intense individual flavours. Shout out for the theatrical petit fours. Best meal for years."

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Prices

  Cost Availability Courses
Menu1 80.00 Always available 6
Menu2 100.00 Dinner only 8
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £20.00
Filter Coffee £2.00
Extras  
Service 10.00%
Clarence Parade, Cheltenham, GL50 3PA
Opening hours
MondayCLOSED
TuesdayCLOSED
Wednesday7 pm‑8:30 pm
Thursday7 pm‑8:30 pm
Friday12 pm‑1:30 pm, 7 pm‑8:30 pm
Saturday12 pm‑1:30 pm, 7 pm‑8:30 pm
SundayCLOSED

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