Harden's survey result
Summary
“Still at the very top level, with some unforgettable dishes” – Daniel Clifford’s brilliantly situated Victorian villa is one of the country’s better-established and most renowned culinary destinations. It helps that it has a charming location – next to the River Cam opposite the varsity’s many boathouses and in the middle of the greenery of Midsummer Common – and its overall approach “has an air of formality without being formal!” There’s an eight-course evening tasting menu for £250 per person (or a four-course lunch for £150 per person), which on practically all accounts is a “dreamy” gastronomic voyage created by head chef Mark Abbott; and backed up by a “hugely interesting” wine list (introduced by a “brilliant sommelier”). As always, there is the odd gripe about the level of expense here, absent which ratings might be even higher. But the most common sentiment this year? – “everything was perfect!”
Summary
“What an experience: from the brimming tray of Champagne choices and canapés to great coffee at the end and a parting gift”, this VIctorian villa delivers an experience that’s “very special”. It helps that it has an idyllic location, on the banks of The Cam opposite the college boathouses and surrounded by the greenery of Midsummer Common. In 2023, Daniel Clifford celebrates his 25th year at the stoves here. “There is alchemy at work with his magical combinations, creativity and attention to detail at every stage” – some very fine food, which helps make this one of the most commented-on destinations in the UK. Dishes are “prepared with wit and incredible to look at”. But they are also “phenomenally expensive, particularly if you also have the wine flight” and the level of value remains the main issue when considering a meal here, with almost one in five diners feeling the place is too “overpriced”. Still, “it always impresses even if it is somewhat pricey even when compared to London”. (“There will be moans about the bill, but, as I was hosted by my children for a big birthday, that was not my problem. What an experience it was. I am not sure I like being this age, but the celebration was second to none!”)
Summary
“Gorgeously located” – on the banks of the Cam within Midsummer Common – this much-accoladed Victorian villa remains the Varsity town’s top address and one of the country’s better-known ‘fine-dining’ destinations. “Every morsel of Daniel Clifford’s cuisine is delicious, creative and innovative” and “all beautifully presented”. Staff can be a bit “formal”, but “the only real negative is the vast overpricing”, a gripe which crops up in many reports on the restaurant (in particular, “the wine selection is very extensive, but very expensive”). A more positive view? “What is there not to like? Of course, people will say the price, but for this quality there is bound to be a price to pay. Superb!”.
Summary
“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”).
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 Midsummer House?
Midsummer Common, Cambridge, CB4 1HA
Restaurant details
Midsummer House Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Had a fantastic table and anticipation was high. Service was very hit n miss, a little robotic and seemed very scripted. A real shame. Food was very yum. Had matching wine but none of them were “wow”. LOTS of courses and looked and tasted very good. Took nearly 4 1/2 hours from beginning to end…….was exhausting…….and very filling. Was a bit disappointing that there wasn’t more engagement from chef……maybe it’s just me, but would have been great to share some of the experience by meeting Daniel. Highlight: mini desserts all served together at the end ????"
"Always exceptional and perfect in every way on every visit. Unfaultable."
"By far the best restaurant I haven to in the UK!!"
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £60.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
Midsummer Common, Cambridge, CB4 1HA
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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