Harden's survey result
Summary
“Everything that a lavish foodie experience should be – just wonderful”. Daniel Clifford’s Victorian villa remains one of the most accoladed restaurants in the country, and under chef Mark Abbott continues to plough a very steady course thanks to his “extraordinarily accomplished and delicious cooking”. It helps that it’s a pretty house in a gorgeous location: set on lush Midsummer Common, next to the Cam and with the backdrop of the university’s many boathouses on the opposite bank. There’s only one fly in the ointment here, and it’s the fact that at £270 per person for the evening (15-course) tasting menu, the price tag is a very large one and even some who say the food is “very good” can still find it “overpriced”. But for most, it’s “unfaultable”, “with a lot of fantasy and love for detail and really worth the journey”.
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!”.
For 34 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
"Daniel Clifford’s restaurant is a ‘breath of fresh air’ in an otherwise cluttered menagerie of old school eateries in Cambridge. Modern, refined and exceptional taster menu. Service was friendly but not as attentive for a restaurant of such high calibre. Would definitely recommend for a special occasion - just for the outstanding flavours. Our Autumn themed taster menu took us on a journey from orchard to field and back. Truly memorable. "
"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."
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 |
Best British, Modern restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Cambridge
British, Modern restaurant in Cambridge
British, Modern restaurant in Cambridge
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
Fusion restaurant in Tower Hamlets
