Midsummer House

This is was an experience well worth the price tag. I live near this restaurant and walk by it every day. From the outside it looks nice but unassuming and on the inside it is much the same. However, it is like nested dolls, when you think that is it there is still more. I loved it. I left the experience feeling like I had spent the day at a spa. The food was delicious but also interesting. My favourite was the pigeon leg because it was very evocative. For the taste I loved the first course and the bread. My husband and I finished the meal with digestives and coffee upstairs in the parlour and it was perfect. Of course the service was exceptional but it was also unpretentious. I was expecting it to be very posh and stuffy even, but it was not. There was a homey atmosphere to the restaurant and to the service. I enjoyed every second and I highly recommend trying this place at least once.

Over the moon with my birthday meal here. From the moment you and your party walk in the attention is on you. The dining room is bright and airy and there’s enough space between tables to have private conversations. The food which the waiters moved with perfect synchronicity, delivering each dish to the table or removing plates was magical. Highly recommended.

Food with the quality of Blancs & the imagination of Blumenthal combining for a truly memorable tasting menu. We could not have had a nicer evening, service personable & down to earth while remaining highly professional. Katie went over & above every step of the way, & it was an absolute honour to step into the kitchen & meet Liam who made time for us after a long shift. Can’t wait to go back. Don’t hesitate - book in.

Fantastic setting by the river. The food was exactly what we were expecting with such a high reputation. Very nice to sit next to the window looking into the kitchen.

My best experience in England Outstanding food, outstanding service and amazing atmosphere. 100% Must visit

We had an incredible culinary experience with exquisite food and flawless service. Every dish was impeccably presented and packed with flavour. The staff was very attentive, and the ambiance is elegant, and you are made to feel welcome and relaxed. If you're after a fine dining experience where every detail is taken care of, this wonderful restaurant is definetly worth a visit!

The tasting menu here was one of the best meals I’ve ever had. Would highly recommend the wine pairing too. Service was great, very professional but fun at the same time.

Visited for my boyfriends, mums 70th. We had a great time. The food was obviously delicious, and the service was great. The staff were happy to take themselves not too seriously. Only criticism was that some of the servers spoke very quietly, which was tricky for those of us without perfect hearing.

What an experience, FANTASTIC!!!!! This place is in Cambridge and it is a delight, they do have 2 Michelin stars. Located in a park near a river back, it is beautiful and actually in a house. Everything was perfect, I had the 8 course menu and what an experience tasting each of the dishes while paired with wines from all over the World. A true restaurant for the sophisticated pallet. Staff and somaliers were amazing, I love the smoked quail eggs, served in a nest made of straws, what an aroma, it felt like camp fire. If you are in the area it is a must and it is expensive but worth every euro.

AVOID - please read Previously visited Midsummer House for the 'lunch menu' for birthday celebration pre covid, so in July when couldn't seem to book online phoned to make the reservation for the lunch menu for another very special birthday celebration in September. Paid deposit and received confirmation email containing booking but no detail. Arrived with our special guest and started the lunch. Requested a menu as a keepsake during the lunch and it didn't register there were more items than previous visits pre pandemic. The food and service could not be criticized as it is special. The bill total was astronomical and was paid, we had had the tasting menu. In shock I spoke to the assistant manager before departing, he informed me that lunch menus on Saturday's ceased a few months previously. We departed the restaurant and considered the situation we had found ourselves in, concluded we had simply been misled or a casualty of circumstances changing. Phoned to challenge and discuss the matter on the next opportunity they were open for business and sent a detailed email regarding the problem. Chased a response over a week later and were told a voucher was in the post. No voucher arrived after nearly 2 weeks, so chased again. Then received the rudest most unprofessional email from CROWN MANAGEMENT the owners of Midsummer House. Basically, saying the staff had told us it was a tasting menu on booking, and we ate it, so we pay for it, and said nobody had offered us a voucher and to basically go away and they would not discuss the matter further. Replied challenging their false statements with explanations and got no response. The way the matter was ignored, and then the content of the eventual response is not what you would expect from a small-town café let alone a Michelin starred restaurant. The tasting menu is too large and is not worth the exuberant price tag BE CAREFUL as they hardly offer anything else now and this is probably why they seem to always have availability on Instagram.

While it is usually true that less is more, when dining at the Midsummer House more is better. Remember this piece of advice when you find yourself seated at this two Michelin star restaurant for the 1st time with an important decision to make: to opt for the tasting menu or not to. I will not bore you with details of how fantastic our meal was this weekend as there are undoubtedly countless reviews available on every morsel consumed at this restaurant. Instead I'll offer a few suggestions: 1) If your budget allows, go for the 10 course Taste of Midsummer menu. Do not worry if you're not very hungry you will make room (but shame on you if you didn't plan ahead and starve yourself 2 hours in advance). My justification is that you'll not likely dine here on a regular basis, might as well take the opportunity to enjoy this epicurean experience to the fullest. 2) When making a reservation, request to be seated in the greenhouse part of the restaurant. This is especially beneficial if you're having lunch, it is much more pleasant with all the light coming in and you get a better view of the garden. 3) Do not discount the desserts. They are every bit as interesting and delicious as the main courses. My personal favorite was the caramelized pineapple, brioche, and pineapple sorbet drizzled with pineapple caramel topped with a large fluff of cotton candy (or candy floss as the Brits call them). If you do opt out of the tasting menu and are given the choice I highly recommend the sautéed scallop with celeriac and truffle as well as the roast sea bass with slow braised chicken, Jerusalem artichoke, truffle & roasting juices. Both were perfectly prepared and left me lusting for more. For some photos visit http://candidsbyjo.com

It's exactly what you'd expect. Fantastic drinks, service, food, etc. A great experience.

How often does one say "truly magical" about a meal? That was my response when my mother and I finished our lunch at Midsummer House (two Michelin stars, btw) today. I won't tell you which part of the meal this was, but imagine that you have the host (Jean-François) approach your table with a bowl of something smoking (dried ice?); he then picks up a yellow rose from the small vase on your table and grates what appear to be golden flakes (from the tip of the rose) on top of your dish and around the plate. It was flourishes like these -- playful but serious at the same time -- that made our experience here unforgettable. I had the five-course selection (which, today, included venison) and my mother had the five-course vegetarian selection. Each was full of surprises: the savory dishes had, in some cases, fruit components; the dessert dishes had ingredients like artichokes (yes, artichokes). Wow. They like to keep you on your toes at this place. And, somehow, it all made sense. The best part of the dining experience for me was eating small bites that struck a perfect balance: complex but simple, flavorful but not over-flavored (over-salting is easy to do); there was usually a crunchy element to offset the smoother elements, or a citrusy punch when least expected. Amazingly, too, the food never felt heavy or too rich here. Between us, we had a wonderful array of remarkable dishes: canapés with smoked fish and equally smoky vegetable mouses, plus crispy bits; a green "lasagna" concoction; melt-in-your mouth venison with a separate "sausage" amuse-bouche on the side; and multi-dimensional desserts that made you want to cry. Everything from the quality sparkling wine to the *wow* fresh bread to the chocolates -- and, importantly, to the talented and attentive servers -- was/were superb. Add to all this a tranquil garden setting and the cheerful energy of the place, and you have the makings of a joyful, surprising, unforgettable dining experience. Bravo, Midsummer House. We will be back again and again.

We went to Midsummer House in May with friends to celebrate our anniversary, a birthday, and just life in general. What we got was arguably the best meal of our lives with some of our favourite people. Every aspect was perfect, from the spaceage champagne cart, amuse bouche, cheese course and wine pairing. Pairings that seemed ridiculously strange (orange wine with duck? leave it to Midsummer House to shock you - it was perfect!). We were going to have a tour of the kitchen and wine cellar at the end, but by the time we were on our way homewards it was near to midnight and we all needed to get home (and the kitchen had closed!). It was an incredibly wonderful evening that left us all asking when we would come again!

We celebrated my birthday at Midsummer House during a week long visit to London/Cambridge. This was by far my favorite dining experience of my trip and is my new favorite restaurant ever. Four of us went at 1:30 on a Friday and had the tasting menu with wine pairing. This food experience was an event. Beautiful and delicious with outstanding service. They did not rush us out and allowed us to take coffee and our last dessert course in the upstairs lounge. I think we may have been the only ones with the tasting menu as we were the last in the restaurant by far. The flavors we experienced were so amazing with the paired wine. The staff was well educated. Spectacular! Thank you!

I took my wife here a few years ago before they got their second Michelin star (and before the prices went up accordingly). From the amuse bouche to the coffee and petits fours, it was clear that there is something special about this place. It helps that the food was absolutely excellent, but so too was the service, the location (how many other restaurants do you know of in a handsome Georgian house with an elegant conservatory, in the middle of a common, next to a river ?) and the decor. This is very much a special occasion type-of-place - not least because of the (now) hair-raising prices.

Great atmosphere, friendly staff and the food was excellent! Perfect evening out, would recommend.

Absolutely fabulous experience at Midsummer House! We went for dinner on our first of the two evenings at Cambridge. We chose to go with the seven course meal, which was preceded by four canapés as well. Everything was excellent -- and creative. My particular favourite was the scallops -- perfectly cooked and topped with sprinkles of truffles that made my mouth water the whole time. Every part of the course was well though-out e.g., certain courses were placed to cleanse your palate to prepare for the following course, etc. The only negative feedback I had was regarding the main course, which was duck breast. I found the meat a bit chewy and hard, and I thought the pairing of duck breast with another duck spring roll on the side was a bit too overpowering. Service was impeccable. They came out with everything very promptly, and filled our water and wine consistently. The servers came not only to serve but chat with us about the dishes. All the staff were really friendly, and I felt feeling like I became friends with them all. Lastly, the ambience was cozy but sophisticated and just perfect for a date dinner. The house spans across two floors, the second of which had larger, posher rooms for bigger parties as well. Can't say enough how amazing this place is -- an absolute must if you're visiting and into food!

Really disappointed. Very plain food, and a cheap interior. Afraid to say that this place not lived up to the expectations. 500 £ for food and wine is not justified.

Very intimate setting. The food and service were excellent. Great for a date night in cam.

Five stars for beautiful ambiance in the green house, unpretentious service and atmosphere, quality of food. My husband, fellow Yelp Eliter Michal F., and I had a solid meal with familiar progression and main players, but the entire meal was done very well with such hospitable service and an approachable scene. A couple tips: *There is no dress code, but I still wouldn't come in with jeans and T-shirt, even at lunch. Go for smart casual. *If time is an issue, go for the seven course set menu (five is too little and ten will take upwards of three hours to experience). The following are a few highlights: Amuse bouches - *Bloody mary sorbet: I'm not a bloody fan usually, but this was an unusual way to have one and fitting for the fact that we were doing more of a brunch as we went with an early lunch reservation. *Canapes that mimicked sweets: Very surprising as they really looked like petit fours but were savory! Starters - *Smoked haddock on grilled cheese: Paid homage to local British seafood *Beet (roasted for a long time and taken off the fire and cut in front of us!) and goat cheese (frozen with liquid nitrogen so it looks and feels like dry ice but melts in your mouth) salad: Absolute star of the entire show!!! Mains - *Roast quail with an unusually intensely flavored shallot puree, bright/sweet grapes on sour dough toasts *Sauteed scallop apple and luxurious amount of truffle grated on top *Tender slow roast venison paired with swiss chard, berry and blue cheese Desserts - *Very citrusy and divine lemon posset - crunchy on top and creamy underneath the juicy blueberries: my fav as I'm a tart citrus fan more than rich chocolate with desserts (opposite of my husband) *Passion fruit paired with dark chocolate and a side of froyo *Tons more little chocolates like truffles and ones with walnut center

We've been lucky enough to dine here on a number of occasions. Each time we've had different dishes and each time we've been amazed by the food, service and ambience. Some of the best food I've ever eaten.

This really is as good as it gets! - You get what you pay for and it's fab! Food - it is fantastic. Location - easy to get to, only downside is no parking! (coming from back from the US this can be considered a blessing and a curse). Ambiance - lovely, romantic, stylish, intimate, and immaculate. Additional pros - no dress code ware what you want :) -i'll go as a back end of a pantomime cow. ;)

Yes, this place has exquisite service. The ambiance is positively romantic and their attention to detail when it comes to looking after their guests is spectacular. The food itself appears as though it serves up to its Michelin standard. Their Grand Marnier ice cream was the best ice cream I have ever had in my life. That being said, having opted for their tasting menu, I can't recall anything else really delivering an experience well worth the hefty price tag. Sure it's French cuisine, but I've had better food in Paris that is more soulful. While everything was presented with precision, it didn't carry with it that explosion of flavour that leaves one yearning to return for just one more bite. I would recommend this place for a date to really impress your partner, the surroundings are beautiful and the restaurant itself is enchanting...but I expected just a little more magic for the food to really take things to the next level and deserve that fifth star. All the reviewers rave about the Michelin star, but if no one knew it WAS a Michelin star restaurant, would they really rank it as highly? I feel as though people are so enamoured by the status and assumed prestige of eating here, they don't really take in the food itself for what it is supposed to be...simply delicious...

Pricey Michelan starred restaurant Very good food served as two sets of tasting menus I won't go again due to the price, but had a lovely evening with some amazing food

The finest restaurant in Cambridge by a country mile - I can only echo the sentiments of other reviewers. To end your meal, I would suggest considering the flight of vintage cognacs - really quite superb !

This is the only Michelin star (it's got two of 'em) restaurant I have ever been to. I was taken there courtesy of the boyfriend's parents on the day that Wales won the Grand Slam. What a day. Midsummer House is tucked between the river Cam and Midsummer Common. It is a romantic little villa with an incredibly intimate (but posh at the same time, so no hanky panky) atmosphere. As to be expected from a fancy award winning chef, the food is excellent and imaginative and you get served all the little things in between courses. When I was there we had some pink champagne frothy stuff in a shot glass which came out of what looked like an enormous perfume spritzer, another thing in a shot glass that was green and pink and doughnuty pastries before a selection of fancy chocolates before coffee. Those were just the extras. It's all beautifully presented in the light and airy dining rooms. The service, again as you'd expect, was formidable. It was almost as if they knew what we wanted before we did. But not so much that it was spooky or unnerving. I had no idea how much it cost as I had to sprint off to a pub but I assumed it was loads. Having a look on the website though, it seems not massively overboard considering the quality of the food, service and location. Tasting menu is £80 or three courses for £60. Perfect for a really romantic dinner, or to impress your son's girlfriend.

This is my first experience with a Michelin-rated restaurant (and a 2-star one at that), and wow was it good! I've been to good, high-end restaurants that had nice decor, beautiful scenery, and good, creative dishes, but really it's the attention to detail that really set Midsummer House apart from the rest. From the moment I was seated, besides the usual chair adjustments, the waiter immediately brought a little hook that hangs on the side of the armrest so I could put my purse there. The waiter will also help re-fold your napkin should you leave your seat for any reason. Not to mention the regular tabletop cleaning to rid you of unsightly breadcrumbs, changing of the silverware, etc. I was feeling under the weather so I ordered the ginger twist tea (which was fragrant and soothing), and when I asked for some more hot water, the waiter took the entire tea set away, giving me not only water refill, but also a new cup and maybe even a new tea bag. The food was, of course, superb. I can't really name a favorite dish because they were all so excellent! Chef Daniel Clifford is extremely apt at taking classic flavor combinations and applying a twist on the texture. Cases in point: bloody mary foam with celery sorbet (temperature and texture contrast); pea soup/foam with prawns and tomato jelly(!); semi-deconstructed apple crumble with granny smith apple(?) + lemon sorbet, plain streusel, vanilla yogurt (I suspect some apple puree mixed in there), and caramelized apples in parfait form. The seasoning in each plate was always so spot-on, and the done-ness just right. It was pure bliss eating course after course and being pleasantly surprised by Chef Clifford's creativity and the expert execution of his kitchen staff. I was so full after the 7-course "taste of market" that I had to regrettably skip the beignets that came AFTER the LAST course. Now, how often do patrons get a chance to go into the kitchen and see where the magic happens??? We had the honor of going into the kitchen (which was very well-organized and clean!) to see the different stations hard at work, how the different stations need to come together at the same time for that perfect plate; and a little stroll in the garden where they grow some of the herbs and fruits used in the cooking; and (best of all) a visit to the prep kitchen where Chef Clifford was working on his newest menu! We got to taste this beautiful orange chocolate soup with a very subtle hint of Jack Daniel's -- if the Chef didn't tell us about the jack Daniel's, we never would've caught on; but once we knew, the flavor immediately presented itself in a most elegantly subtle way. (Aside: The bathroom art was also quite interesting. :) I found it hilarious, but those who are more conservative may not share my views. It was added pleasure for me when I noticed the L'Occitane products right by the sink, since I am a big L'Occitane fan.) Overall, just a fantastic and extremely enjoyable experience. I think Midsummer House alone might be compelling enough for me to come visit Cambridge again!

Absolutely fantastic, fine dining at its best. We had the 8 course menu and every dish was perfect. Staff and atmosphere are great and we felt very welcome. Will definitely go again.

GastroNaughties say Literally, a quaint, two storey house with a small garden at the base of the Common and near the river. Simply adorable. Sorry, we just think that sums up the place. We could say a lot more, but why ruin the simplicity of perfection? FOOD - bread Excellent, but M only allowing me a tiny bit. Smart lady... - ingredients Asparagus from the neighborhood this morning. Can you say fresh? - presentation Staff know the food and explain well. - creativity Excellent - taste Excellent...again. - smell Excellent...yet again... - execution Excellent...again and again and again... For Full r

I took my wife to Midsummer House for a celebration dinner and was very happy with the entire experience. Before getting to the food, let me set the dining context for you. The restaurant is located on the banks of the river--if you take a taxi they will most likely drop you on the North side of the river and you will need to walk across a cute little bridge. Upon entering the restaurant, request a table in the greenhouse room and you will look out over the garden and dine under the stars. Once they seat you, they will offer you a drink and/or champagne. Both are delicious but very expensive. I highly recommend the full tasting menu with wine. The classic French preparation was sinful and the portions were very filling--my wife could not finish her last couple of courses. Overall, this is the best fine dining establishment in Cambridge--as of now:) Enjoy.

Expensive but very good. In my first visit the food was very good. However, we went for the wine tasting and that was memorable. Exellent wines perfectly coupled with each dish. A lovely sellection of cheese and a superb tea at the end. My second visit was not as good, but that was perhaps because first time expectations were high. I would surely try it again. if you have the money to pay for it it is simply the best restaurant in Cambridge. Book a taxi and go for the wine tasting on a summer evening. The location is lovely.

simply put this is supposed to be a 2 Michelin Star restaurant and while it certainly is one of the best in cambridge there was little pomp or ceremony and we where directed to the table the food was nice however not filling compared to parisian restaurants I think that this would make a stunning location and maybe inspired during the summer so I will have to revisit ! regards John Jones http://www.johnjones.me.uk

We lived in Cambridge for a year and my hubby took me here for my birthday a few years ago. It was one of the best meals of our entire lives.

Without a doubt, this is Cambridge's best restaurant - and it has two michelin stars to prove it! Located in a small Victorian villa on Midsummer Common on the banks of the river Cam (take a cab) it only offers a dozen or so tables, so make sure you book a good few weeks ahead! Since most of the tables are situated in a conservatory extension the atmosphere is light and timelessly elegant without being at all stuffy. The waiting staff are experts at their craft: they are extremely knowledgeable and helpful without making you feel silly for not knowing how to decipher the menu. I felt perfectly at ease, even though I had never eaten anywhere remotely like it before. It was an unforgettable experience. There are two set menus to choose from: a set menu of three courses, offering a selection of about five dishes for each course, and a tasting menu, consisting of smaller versions of the dishes on the other menu to showcase the chefs' incredible range of culinary skills. These are then supplemented with a never-ending array of amuse bouches, hors d'oeuvres, sorbets, petits fours and any other fancy double-barrelled French morsel imaginable. The food is very complex - the dishes look like culinary works of art! Each plate consists of a lengthy list of foams, purees and sauces, yet are very easy to eat. There are some surprising combinations of flavours you wouldn't think go together, but turn out to be most delicious. I cannot remember everything, but some of the highlights included the best fillet steak I have ever eaten and the amazing range of homemade chocolates offered to go with the coffee. On our visit we chose the tasting menu with the accompanying 'flight of wines' - each sip perfectly enhancing the food it was meant to go alongside. It took us almost four hours to eat it all, leaving us not stuffed but simply happy in the end. It is undeniably expensive - there's no way a poor student such as myself could afford to eat there, unless taken there by one's visiting father. Thank you dad! And it's worth every penny.

Okay, being in the catering trade i always seem to find something which is not quite as it should be, but this certainly was not the case with Midsummer House. The restaurant itself is ideally located, within easy reach from the town centre but far enough from the hussle and bussle associated with it. The food is a feast for all your senses with fantastic presentation and of course taste. I would certainly reccomend the tasting menu so that you get to sample the chefs displaying their variety of talents in the individual dishes on offer. Something that can not be overlooked is the professionalism & helpfullness of the staff, and by that i mean all the staff. The service was just about the best i can remember. The staff were always on hand when you needed them and could be noticed when you didnt, perfect discreet & efficient service in my book. Yes, the menus may look expensive but you certainly get what you pay for - quality all round.

Highly recommended for those special celebrations. I came here when I graduated 7 years ago and am planning a visit again soon and can't wait. This was my first encounter with fine dining and I became convinced that the occasional well chosen meal at this level is well worth the expense.

Went to Midsummer House for lunch recently with a friend. We had the Taste of the Market menu. I had the starter which included a "runny" egg. I found this to be only half cooked and it put me off finishing this course. The waiter came to clear our plates and asked my friend, how she found her food ,, she replied "It was lovely". He looked at my plate which was hardly touched, picked it up and took it away without a word!!! Need I say more.

Absolutely fab restaurant, went for a nice meal with the wife. Service, food outstanding, price was justified!!

Loved this place so much, great food and service want to go back to try the tasting menu! Deffo the best in Cambridge.

Such a beautiful place I will be returning again and again and again!! Nothing more to say!