Restaurant in Cambridge for dinner

[MegCleary]

Not too posh, 2 adults 2dds 13 & 16, off to the theatre sat on and would like nice place, not a chain if possible for dinner after.
girls fairly decent at trying new stuff.
suggestions appreciated

The Little Rose opposite the Fitzwilliam is lovely. Quite nice but not too posh. T

Parker’s Tavern.

I know you said not a chain but I recently had dinner at The Ivy with friends and it was really good. Smart enough to feel special but not overly formal and the staff were lovely.

I really like Browns. The banana daiquiri is to die for. It is a chain, but quite a small one with unique architecture (old hospital).

The Pint Shop and the Cambridge Chop House are good, as is Yori BBQ on Green Street

Chop house!

Still undecided, keep em coming!

The Ivy is too many ££££ for what it is. he last few times I've been there our table hasn't been ready at the time we'd booked for and they've pushed us towards the bar and told us to get a drink till we're called (like you'd do if you were a walk-in). If you're then paying for 4 cocktails beforehand which you hadn't planned on doing, that's a big wodge of money added to your bill. I hate places that do that, try and rinse you for every penny by whatever means. They can't be that inefficient with their booking system that everyone has to wait in the bar first, people aren't stupid, they realise what those places are doing. I'm not sure we'd go again as the food was nice but not amazing and overall I don't think our bill has ever felt worth it. It's definitely not the place to go before the theatre as you might be there a long time.

Browns is a shout. Bills is also good and central, though it is a chain. I really enjoy it though!
In term time you'll need to book ahead at both 😊 have a lovely time OP

I'm another one seconding The Chop House! It's also very near to the theatres and is popular, so make sure you book ahead.

Mercado is really nice- Spanish food.

I like Mercado too. And Tu Casa is also nice for tapas if it's Spanish food you're wanting.

There are some nice Indian restaurants in Cambridge. Different to the norm.

We like the Oak Bistro, but depends what you mean by "not too posh" really. It's not Michelin.

The Navadanya in Newmarket Road, Indian cuisine, very good.

Market House on the market square is really good, as is Mercado. Further afield Fancetts on Mill Road is fabulous but that’s a bit of a trek from the theatre.

We always liked the Japanese restaurant by the river but not been since covid (moved)

I just thought of another one - there’s a new Japanese restaurant in Jesus Lane called Kibou, it’s absolutely beautiful inside and we thought the food was delicious when we went.

Little Petra on Hills Road. Middle Eastern cuisine that is really tasty, generous portions and very friendly. Also better priced than most of those suggested so far! It is run by a family so not a chain. It's a little further from the theatre but walkable within 10 minutes and is on the way to the station if you're catching a train.

Little Petra is awesome. Otherwise Oak Bistro is good. Brown’s is crap! Chop house is (unsurprisingly) very meaty.

The Ivy is too many ££££ for what it is.

Funnily enough, I'd say the opposite. I think the Ivy is quite reasonably priced (there's quite a few mains sub-£20) and you get (5%?) cashback if you sign up to their loyalty scheme.

I've been to numerous ones in London plus Cambridge, St Albans and Oxford and not been disappointed, although the Edinburgh one had very slow service.

We were there in February for a few days with teens. We particularly liked https://www.gigglingsquid.com/restaurant/cambridge/ this Thai place - it’s a chain but v nice, very pretty inside, lovely food. It’s just off the market square.

We also went to Parker’s Tavern and while the food was nice and it’s a great location, it felt somewhat overly formal and it was v expensive. Not wildly expensive but one of those places where it all adds up needing to get side dishes of veg.

If you’re heading for the station I recommend Tawa Kitchen an Indian restaurant v nearby, I popped in there last year not expecting much just looking for something quick and it was absolutely delicious!! Would go back 100%

Little Petra

I really recommend Al Pomodoro which is fairly close to the station so a little bit out of the city centre. https://www.alpomodoro.co.uk/ Italian food and almost everyone involved is from the same Sicilian family.

Have had a joyous time reading menus and booked the Market House, Asian menu, am fierce excited!
thanks to @2catsand2kids & all of you lovely lot for suggestions