Lunch in Cambridge with student DC

[CambridgeLunch]

I'll be seeing my DC at uni in Cambridge in a few weeks, also with my parents, and need to plan somewhere for lunch. We'd like it to be pleasant, not too noisy or tightly-packed / crowded, probably bookable so we're not waiting in a queue, but feels good for a student as well as us from the older generation, so can be a bit trendy / fun. Also pretty central. DC likes nice food. Any recommendations please?

ooh haven't been there will check that out

Going through your original list:

Copper Kettle - crowded, busy, average food, busy because it's opposite Kings. I also had a really bad date there possibly not relevant to you

Aromi - not bookable, long queue and crowded, over-rated

Stazione - never been, have always assumed it was average at best

Bread and Meat - fabulous but fails your no queue and not crowded criteria

Bath House - very average pub food, usually heaving due to prime location

DH's suggestion is that you all get in the car and go to Grantchester instead.

Stazione was a real surprise for us @AnnaMagnani and we have been a few times now. Decent food and nice service plus they do a pre theatre menu which is handy.

Where are you suggesting in Grantchester? Parking is a nightmare there at peak times wherever you go but it's a pretty village.

Browns

Lovely (and not far) to walk to Grantchester if it's a dry day!

Otherwise, Mill Road restaurants tend to be better, cheaper and more interesting than the central chains.

@CambridgeLightBlue glad I am wrong about Stazione!

In the market we would tend to eat at one of the multiple food stalls which are all very high quality, but that isn't going to work for lunch with grandparents.

Grantchester:
There are several choices of pub. We tend to go to The Blue Ball as the kitchen opening hours are long, it's easiest to park at, there is usually a table somewhere and the food is good. This is where we invariably go for pre-theatre then drive in to Cambridge when parking on the backs is free. The Rupert Brooke is nice for something a bit more gastro and a view over the village.

The Orchard Tea Garden is a classic on a summer's day for a cream tea. Unfortunately the whole of Cambridgeshire will have had the same idea and it will be packed, so spoiling your attempts to lounge about like you are Virginia Woolf.

You can book (the very expensive) set menu afternoon tea at the Orchard Tea Rooms.

I would probably head to Grantchester or one of the pubs out of town eg The Crown in Girton or The Plough in Fen Ditton.

All of the previous suggestions are good but with some very different vibes. I am guessing you don’t just want good food, you want something that feels a bit special and a bit “Cambridge”?

The Cambridge Chop House is by Kings College, like the Copper Kettle. The vaulted booths in the basement are good for a quiet chat. It does a good Sunday Roast.

Browns is a classic for a reason. It has ambience, it’s in an interesting building (the old Addenbrookes outpatient department) and it is quiet enough for a good catch up even when busy. It is a chain though.

Those two would be my suggestions in the city centre for somewhere where it will be best for conversation.

Parkers Tavern is so quiet it’s sometimes dead. A friend recently stayed at the hotel so we had dinner there (termtime Sunday) and we were the only people in the restaurant. It’s a nice place for a cocktail though.

The Granta pub on the river is standard pub food but a nice spot.

Brown's is great if any of you are gluten-free.

The classic venue for going out with parents is Fitzbillies. However it doesn't take bookings and is often insanely busy with queues outside.

We went once when I was hangry, couldn't cope with the queue and so ended up at Espresso Lane which is just round the corner, and have been regulars there ever since.

It's now next to the excellent Bodies in the Bookshop.

Some great suggestions here. My favourite restaurant is The Wrestlers. The Thai food is authentic and amazing. Don't be put off by what the building looks like.

Chop house, Fitzbillies, Cote, Ivy, Bills

Tradizione if you are way out of town in the Romsey Town area

Fitzbillies is great but they only serve brunch/breakfast food, sandwiches and afternoon tea. And so loud when it is busy!

if it’s a Weds- Sat then you can’t really beat Fancett’s on Mill Road. It is just really lovely.

On my to go to list is The Burleigh Arms on Newmarket Road. They were recently listed in the top 100 restaurants in the UK.

Also on my to go to list is Little Petras - always very busy when I pass by and the Oak bistro which is central and I’ve only heard good things.

Agree re The Wrestlers - it’s lovely but it’s not central.

The Permit Room is also lovely but I think it’s a fairly limited menu.

The newly opened Kobe Steakhouse - steak is really good but service is a bit slow, however maybe fine at lunchtime.

La Margherita on Magdalene Street is a good Italian.

I didn’t rate the Pint Shop or Al Pomodoro.

You need to book far in advance for Fancett's don't you?

Yes (re Fancett's)
The Oak Bistro is good
Burleigh Arms is technically Maid's Causeway, not Newmarket Road

It partly depends which college your DC is at, too.

It's a chain and the food is pedestrian but for being central, reliable and quieter than most, we used to quite like Wildwood.

Wildwood has now closed.

For evening yes definitely, lunchtime should be much easier but it depends how many of you there are as most of their tables are for 4 or under. I think you would need to ring them to see if they can fit you in.

Yes - agreed it’s not really Newmarket Road.
I had to google it as I wasn’t sure of the street and just copied the address.

Have you eaten there? I’m sure someone told me it was the chef from The Trinity who moved there when it closed.

We've done Browns and The Ivy on Uni weekend visits.

Enjoyed both.

Nice spaces/atmosphere and the food was good.

Going again in a few weeks and we will probably book one of those for our evening meal on the Saturday with DS.

if you all like fish there is Fin Boys on Mill Road - but very close to the swimming pool on Parkside.

Kibou is nice if you like Asian food. Attractive surroundings and not usually too busy. Would also really recommend Little Petra. Really tasty food and generous portions. Have never been disappointed.

I wouldn't go to any of the ones on your list as none meet your stated requirements.

Watching with interest. Made a note of your recommendation :-)

You should give your dc some credit and , after telling them your preferences, trust them to book somewhere suitable.

Oh, shame. I think I'd probably go for the Ivy then as a safe and central choice for grandparents.

We had some great meals at Trinity, very close to main entrance to St John’s. Last went there 2022. I just went to check and it’s closed! 😑