Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Cambridge/Cambridgeshire

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Cambridge/Cambridgeshire? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The White Swan

4.7

4.7 (294)

£25 and under

British

Woodnewton

About the restaurant

The White Swan Woodnewton is a multi award winning gastro pub serving a popular menu with quality dishes for everyone's taste - from burger and pizza through to tapas, Greek, Chinese & Mexican dishes.
The White Swan was built in 1790 and has had a £150,000 refurbishment inside and out to create a contemporary space whilst retaining the history of the building.

Best Village Pub & Restaurant 2023 - East of England
Tripadvisor Traveller Choice Winner 2023
Northamptonshire Family Friendly Pub Of The Year 2021 & 2022
Best Gourmet Dining Restaurant & Village Pub - Northamptonshire 2020

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined 2 days ago

As always a first class experience all round. Thanks you

Sticks'n'Sushi - Cambridge

4.7

4.7 (86)

£26 to £40

Sushi

Cambridge

About the restaurant

Just a short walk from the prestigious Cambridge University and across from the Corn Exchange, we offer a vibrant dining experience in a historic setting. Enjoy our quality sushi and grilled sticks amidst student chatter, shoppers and locals alike. A sushi restaurant - even for those that don't like fish.

Top review

Maggie

Dined on 23 Dec 2024

Excellent food, great service. Exceeded expectations. We will return

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Experience

Lunch & Early Evening Sticks Set Menu £19.50

Pho Cambridge

4.5

4.5 (568)

£25 and under

Vietnamese

Cambridge

About the restaurant

LOUD, VIBRANT, DELICIOUS...Situated on Wheeler Street in the centre of Cambridge, Pho is a healthy Vietnamese restaurant that specialise in pho noodle soup, the national dish of Vietnam. Aside from pho, you can also expect to find amazing starters, healthy salads, hearty rice bowls and decadent curries. They have a range of freshly made juices and also Vietnamese beers and a large wine and cocktail list. Pho’s menu is 40% vegan and nearly entirely gluten-free too. They also have an accessible kids’ menu where children can get a meal and a drink for £6.95.

Top review

Kirstie

Dined on 23 Dec 2024

Family meal after seeing the Panto and it was perfect! We all lived what we ate. The only thing that made it tricky for us is we had to go up a lot stairs with my very old, disabled mum. But we managed. A lovely evening out!

The Ivy Cambridge Brasserie

4.4

4.4 (10453)

£26 to £40

Contemporary British

Cambridge

About the restaurant

The Ivy Cambridge Brasserie serves all-encompassing, contemporary British menu.

Top review

JeffreyB

Dined 1 day ago

Always a great place to dine! Never disappoints and is always one of our favourites.

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Experience

Breakfast Set Menu

Experience

The Ivy Cambridge Afternoon Tea

Experience

Sunday Steak Supper

Côte Brasserie - Cambridge

4.3

4.3 (94)

£25 and under

French

Cambridge

About the restaurant

Cote is inspired by the brasseries of Paris, serving authentic French dishes all day in our classically designed restaurants. We are committed to producing authentic French classics, freshly cooked to order, from the highest quality sourced ingredients.

Top review

Joy

Dined on 24 Dec 2024

We booked for 8 for a Christmas Eve brunch. Our table was perfect, tucked away in an alcove with a beautiful view. Great service, good food, a delightful experience all in all and a great start to Christmas celebrations!

Turkuaz Social Cambridge

4.2

4.2 (49)

£25 and under

Turkish

Cambridge

About the restaurant

Turkuaz brings the authentic flavours of the Mediterranean to Cambridge.

Every dish we prepare is a testament to the rich heritage and culinary traditions of the region. We take pride in using the freshest ingredients and traditional cooking methods to ensure every bite is packed with authentic flavours.

For Large bookings please call 01223 658210

Top review

Steven

Dined 1 day ago

Great experience. The food was outstanding and the service to match. Quality and flavoursome. A birthday team for my wife and a well chosen venue after being recommend by a colleague. The meal was substantial and flavoursome. The attention from the staff absolutely fantastic. To end the meal a slice of cake was brought to the table to the sounds of happy birthday being played through the sound system. Much to the embarrassment of my wife but a wonderful touch. Prices online for the menu however did not match those advertised on the web, this my only criticism. However outstanding value and contentment. Thank You Turkuaz and Staff.

Pint Shop - Cambridge

4.1

4.1 (1996)

£25 and under

British

Cambridge

About the restaurant

We serve simple, seasonal British food alongside an awesome beer list.

'Standard’ for a Dining Room reservation on the Dining Room menu

‘Bar’ or ‘Outdoor’ for drinks only or bar snacks

Please note dogs are only allowed in our Bar and Garden

Top review

tim

Dined on 19 Dec 2024

Great ambience, amazing selection of beers and good food - what more do you need?

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Popular dish

Overnight XO Pork Belly

Popular dish

Overnight Pork Belly

Bill's Restaurant & Bar - Cambridge

4.1

4.1 (1414)

£25 and under

British

Cambridge

About the restaurant

Take a punt at Bill's next time you're in Cambridge. It's one of our most tucked away, historic restaurants and we think you'll agree it's pretty special. Whether you're a gown-wearing student or a coat-wearing visitor, we've got a table for you.

Top review

Jason

Dined 7 days ago

Family meal, good service, reasonable price and food was as expected

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Experience

Bottomless Pancakes

Experience

January Group Dining Menu

Experience

January Small Group Dining Menu

The Orator

4.1

4.1 (493)

£25 and under

Contemporary British

Cambridge

About the restaurant

Nothing delights quite like The Orator, serving up contemporary British food, cocktails, beer and wine. Set in a stunning Victorian gothic venue with high ceilings bathed in swathes of natural light.

We can offer private dining for up to 20 in our private Dining Room used to host guests of the Cambridge Union Society, recently including Dua Lipa and Robert de Niro. For larger groups, we have a number of different rooms throughout the venue to cater for any occasion.
Speak to our events team at enquiries@theoratorcambridge.co.uk for more information on all private hire options.

Top review

Madeleine

Dined on 20 Dec 2024

The food and cocktails were delicious, but what made this evening so special were the staff (our waitress was particularly fabulous, so wish I'd got her name) and the overall atmosphere. Gorgeous seating, lovely furniture, a variety of areas to eat, drink and socialise. The history of the building and pictures on the wall were a great talking point. The ability to play the piano, just made it! We will be back. Thanks so much :-)

Carluccio's - Cambridge

3.8

3.8 (803)

£26 to £40

Italian

Cambridge

About the restaurant

Here at Carluccio's, we’ve always been true to our Italian heritage and what food really means to us. The best ingredients, from the best regions, cooked with love.

We’re in the heart of the city, next to the Cambridge University buildings.

We’re open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday to Sunday. We cater for vegetarians and those who are following a gluten-free diet, with options for both on our menu.

Top review

Rhys

Dined 5 days ago

Really friendly dog-friendly restaurant right in the centre of Cambridge. The food was a tad slow to arrive (although we were a table of 8) but, when it did arrive, it was exceptional. Nice family atmosphere. Superb service (top marks to Kerry, especially, for her professionalism, good humour and attitude). We'll definitely be back.

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Popular dish

Chicken Milanese

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