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?

Yes, dd left in 2021 and I expect there have been many changes. I enjoyed my trips and the shops.

We went to the Anchor yesterday, it wasn't busy but they're having some external work done, and the river views are partly obscured by scaffolding.

I remember when the Old Bicycle Shop was an actual bicycle shop.

We always used to meet ds in The Senate for lunch - it was lovely. Was going to recommend it, but sad to see it's permanently closed. Ds only graduated a few years ago, but things clearly move fast.

We liked Carluccio's, which is on one end of the Grand Arcade. It is prebookable.

My DD also loves The Ivy as she has been with friends since her student days ended and she has been working. I haven't been there, but it gets good reviews and I'd like to.

The food at The Orator is fantastic.

Browns is the absolute classic. Always took my parents there as a student. It's a lovely atmosphere. I don't think it's bookable though

We also had a really great meal at Flatiron recently (it's just steak but if you like steak it's amazing) that's definitely bookable.

Pretty sure it is.

Time Out have great suggestions. Old Bicycle Shop for me! Well Misummer House if I was celebrating! Parker’s Tavern or Restaurant 22.

Midsummer House and Restaurant 22 are ££££

@AnotherEmma Depends how special the day is! Lunch is cheaper.

Weekday lunch at Midsummer House is £95 per person not including drinks.

I wouldn't say it's "cheaper" than dinner (or lunch at the weekend) - more like "less eye-wateringly expensive"!

Interestingly, Restaurant 22 has a set lunch menu on Thursdays for £60 per person, which is very reasonable for such a high end restaurant. DH and I have eaten there (in the evening, as a treat) and it was wonderful. However, for a sociable lunch with family and/or friends, I prefer something more relaxed and less expensive.

Bath house is a bit meh

The Oak Bistro has great food.

@AnotherEmma Depends on how much you value the food. I’m happy to pay for food if the occasion warrants it. Fancett’s looks good too.

Oh come on, the OP said she wanted somewhere a bit trendy and fun that would appeal to her uni student child as well as her and her parents. A Michelin star restaurant where they give you a speech about every course before serving it is not that!

DH and I love food and have been to both Midsummer House and Restaurant 22, which were amazing culinary experiences, but personally I wouldn't go somewhere like that for this occasion.

It's visiting DC at uni, the opportunity to enjoy good food together, sure, but it's not graduation (as far as I'm aware) and there are plenty of places to eat that won't cost £600+ for 5 people.

I had such bad food at the old bicycle shop - it was chaos.

We liked the Japanese restaurant on the river, not been for a while though

I have had bad to terrible food at a lot of the restaurants mentioned in this thread: Restaurant 22 (they gave me a full refund); The Orator: The Old Bicycle Shop: Al Pomodoro: The Red Lion pub in Granchester . I'm vegetarian and I think this massively effects my experience.

The only restaurant mentioned where I have had consistently good food is The Ivy (and Vanderlyle but it gets booked out for the month in minutes so is probably irrelevant for this thread). Friends very much rate Fin Boys and Fancets.