Midsummer House

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

Midsummer House is not easy to find if you’re not familiar with Cambridge. Easiest path may be along the river and then wander around until you find the entrance. It’s worth the hunt.
Classifying this as a French restaurant may be technically true, but the chef, Daniel Clifford, is not content to be a French restaurant. He’s extremely creative and his French staff and white table cloths are anything but stuffy.
The food is amazing. The ambiance perfect. The head waiter kept us laughing. Wine list is great. Amusingly, the only non-​French front-​of-​house staff was the English sommelier. Go figure. But not complaining. Excellent all around and well worth the trip if you find yourself in Cambridge.

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!

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. ;)

Five stars for beautiful ambiance in the green house, unpretentious service and atmosphere, quality of food.
My husband, fellow Unilocal 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 purée, 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

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

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 1^st 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

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

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.

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 décor, 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 purée 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!

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.

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.

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 !

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 décor.
This is very much a special occasion type-​of-​place — not least because of the (now) hair-​raising prices.

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

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

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.

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.

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.