British, Modern Restaurants in Cambridge
1. Restaurant Twenty Two
British, Modern restaurant in Cambridge
22 Chesterton Road - CB4
A “top foodie spot in Cambridge” that’s going places – in early 2018, Gordon Ramsay protégé Sam Carter and his wife Alexandra (FOH) took over this long-established Victorian townhouse restaurant on the fringes of the town centre, and the “new chef has revitalised the site” to the extent one or two local foodies prefer it to nearby Midsummer House. Even those who poke fun at its “modish rough, scratchy, plates” say its “fabulous and imaginative, local and seasonal set menu” (from three to seven courses as well as the à la carte) is “excellent and comes at a good price”.
2. Pint Shop
British, Modern restaurant in Cambridge
10 Peas Hill - CB2
“Tasty, simple, British bistro fare” washed down by a “great selection of craft beers” plus a “brilliant range of gins” is the formula at this “great traditional pub with a twist”, launched five years ago. There’s a second branch in Birmingham, but a spinoff in Oxford closed down.
3. Amelie Flammekueche
British, Modern restaurant in Cambridge
Grafton Centre - CB1
Look out for the bright yellow Citroën van, if you want to try veteran restaurateur Regis Crépy’s latest venture, selling Alsatian pizza-type Flammekueche in a Cambridge food court. For a tasty, cheap ’n’ cheerful snack that’s a little out of the ordinary, these “light”, “fresh-tasting” and “reasonably priced” wafers of bread dough complete with toppings are just the job.
4. Midsummer House
British, Modern restaurant in Cambridge
Midsummer Common - CB4
“Amazing… every time” is still the most typical assessment of this acclaimed Victorian villa – one of the UK’s most renowned eateries – which is very picturesquely situated across the Cam from the Varsity’s boat houses and bordering Midsummer Common. Daniel Clifford and his team deliver “a superb overall dining experience: the number and quality of amuse-bouches, the sourdough bread, each individual course… the service… all of the highest order”. Even many fans feel that the “exuberant bill is hard to justify”, however, and to its critics the “staggering costs” are plain OTT, with toppish wine prices a particular gripe (“some more reasonable ‘house’ options would be welcome”).
5. Trinity
British, Modern restaurant in Cambridge
15 Trinity Street - CB2
“Definitely above average for a touristy part of Cambridge” – it’s set opposite the Great Gate of the namesake college – this “lovely little” establishment has worked up a loyal following since opening a few years back, and is a top tip for a “good-value early dinner”.
6. Oak Bistro
British, Modern restaurant in Cambridge
6 Lensfield Road - CB2
A “good local bistro” that’s “always very busy” owing to its solid, reasonably priced Anglo/European food and a “very visible” owner who “obviously cares very much about the business”; “lovely courtyard in summer” too.
7. Parker's Tavern
British, Modern restaurant in Cambridge
1 Park Terrace - CB1
The formerly creaky old University Arms Hotel has been expensively transformed, and this – it’s new ‘pub’ – is a “wonderful room in Parisian brasserie style with high ceilings and mirrors”, and “with a brilliant view over Parker’s Piece”. Tristan Welch (once of Launceston Place) is at the stoves and has won some stellar newspaper reviews for his “high-end brasserie food”. But while survey feedback on it is mostly OK, it’s also pretty middling: “nice but not 100% perfect…”; “pleasantly consistent but a bit underachieving…”; “nowhere near as good as initial reviews suggested – shame as the setting’s great”. Still, it’s “well-placed to up its game in a city short of options”.
8. Millworks
British, Modern restaurant in Cambridge
The Watermill, Newnham Road - CB3
This “meaty joint” occupies an attractive converted mill, complete with working water wheel. It “continues to please students and locals in its airy space overlooking river and millpond (I saw a kingfisher!)”.
9. The Ivy Cambridge Brasserie
British, Modern restaurant in Cambridge
16 Trinity Street - CB2
“An attractive brasserie, professionally staffed and competently run” – “and the food is perfectly fine” at the Cambridge branch of Richard Caring’s national roll-out. “The problem with the Ivy Brasseries is that there are too many of them and you can forget which town you’re in as they even look the same”. “There’s nothing really to complain about, they’re just a bit formulaic – like an upmarket Côte!”.
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