How is Hotel du Vin & Bistro - Cambridge restaurant rated?

Name: Hotel du Vin & Bistro - Cambridge
Address: 15 - 19 Trumpington Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, CB2 1QA
Telephone: 01223 227330
Price range: £26 to £40
Rating: 4.1

Hotel du Vin & Bistro - Cambridge

4.1

159 Reviews

£26 to £40

European

Top tags:

Hotel du Vin Bistro sits within a beautiful medieval building on Trumpington Street, and whilst it maintains many of its original features, much tasteful transformation has been set in place to bring out the buildings more quirky features. A French style Bistro with a modern edge serving classic dishes from all over Europe, it’s the first restaurant under ownership of the Hotel du Vin chain to host an open style kitchen, as well as a bar set within the unusual yet cosy surroundings of the Hotel’s vaulted cellar rooms. If an intimate night out is required, why not hire the private dining space, or explore the specialist wine tasting room.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
European
Hours of Operation
Mon – Thurs: 12:00pm – 2:00pm, 6:00pm – 10:00pm; Fri: 12:00pm – 2:00pm, 6:00pm – 10:30pm; Sat: 12:30pm – 2:30pm, 6:00pm – 10:30pm; Sun: 12:30pm – 3:30pm, 6:00pm – 9:30pm
Phone number
01223 227330
Website
http://www.hotelduvin.com/hotels/cambridge/bistro.aspx
Payment Options
AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
Dress Code
Smart Casual
Executive Chef
Jonathan Dean

Location
15 - 19 Trumpington Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB2 1QA
Area
Cambridge
Parking Details
None
Additional
Banquet, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Outdoor Smoking Area, Wine

What 159 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.1

4.1 based on all time ratings

4.2Food
4Service
4.2Ambience
3.7Value

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a
anngriffx
London
81 reviews
vip
3.0
81 reviews
Dined on 1 March 2015
overall3food3service3ambience3
As Cambridge restaurants go, this was an enjoyable experience. The food was very good, though perhaps a little unimaginative - the menu had a fair few choices to please most tastes but didn't leap off the page with interesting offerings. There was nothing less than good about the dishes but they did lack the kind of flair that would have made this 'very good' rather than just a good experience. The wine choices however are very good and reasonably priced - I was pleasantly surprised by some of the lower end wines being very drinkable and working well with the food. Service was good, if not the most polished I've experienced, though it was clear considerable effort was being made.
B
Blondie28
Cambridge
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on 21 February 2015
overall3food3service1ambience4
Second visit to Hotel du Vin after a few years for a special anniversary dinner and unfortunately it didn't live up to expectations. Had to ask 3 times for water to be brought to table but starters arrived promptly. I had a reasonable sized portion of mussels but my boyfriend had the parfait which unfortunately came with a side of plastic wrapper. I had duck shepherds pie which tasted ok but lacked a little seasoning. Then bf ordered A £20 main only to be told sides needed to be ordered extra as it came with nothing. Couldn't fault dessert but was disappointed when someone took my glass away and didn't bother to see if I wanted another drink. But At £10 a glass of wine I suppose it saved me some money! Maitre D was very apologetic about starter disaster but was not offered anything. Meal was overpriced for what it was and poor service means I will not be rushing back here.
T
Therandompenguin
London
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 20 February 2015
overall3food2service5ambience4
Food was adequete at best. Much better and cheaper food at other restaurants. Service was very good though
OT
OpenTable Diner
Surrey
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on 20 February 2015
overall1food1service1ambience1
My family are regular visitors and I was looking forward to going. However, following a confirmed booking I received a telephone cancellation. Apparently their system had not been turned off. It was only at the end of the conversation that an apology was given. I was saddened that they could not fit us in for lunch the next day either. For this reason alone I have only been able to give poor ratings and whilst the restaurant may meet its ratings I would be reticent to book again online as I know I could be cancelled.
YY
YumYum
Cambridge
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on 9 January 2015
overall5food5service5ambience5
If you want your steak cooked to perfection, Hotel du Vin knows how it's done. I've never had a better steak. The service is impeccable from start to finish and the atmosphere delightful. Perfect for a special occasion, but there are always offers on to make this a regular habit. It's our favorite restaurant in Cambridge.
F
Frequentdiner
London
59 reviews
vip
3.0
59 reviews
Dined on 8 December 2014
overall3food4service1ambience4
The evening started with the basement bar staff insisting we did not have a booking, despite me insisting I had just been to the restaurant manager upstairs to "check in". It got worse... When you have to get up and go find a waiter after half an hour of waiting at your table for service at the beginning of your meal, and likewise to pay the bill, it can get frustrating......and we certainly became frustrated waiting for food and service all night. When the food eventually came it was good, although the waiters left rapidly, not leaving enough time for us to even ask for salt or pepper. It was another 15 minutes before they eventually came. The misery was completed when the "optional" service charge was already included on the bill! And no apology all night. Overall, not the standard I have come to expect of Hotel du Vin over the last couple of years.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Cambridge
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 28 November 2014
overall4food4service4ambience4
Restaurant very helpful even though they did not receive our open table confirmed booking!!! The Bistro manager found us a table after some persuasion . Downnstairs bar fun and atmospheric.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Cambridge
2 reviews
1.0
2 reviews
Dined on 18 October 2014
overall1food1service1ambience2
Du Vin is local to me and in the past I have held this establishment with fond and enthusiastic regards. They must of had a change of staff. The moment I arrived I knew I was in for an encountered evening. The table was book but they weren’t expecting me. I ordered my meal of chateaubriand. 1hr 10mins later, the presented me with 6 slices of roast beef. It was promptly sent back. I am a chef and I know the difference between roast beef and chateaubriand.
1
1966paul
London
5 reviews
3.0
5 reviews
Dined on 9 September 2014
overall3food3service3ambience4
The resturant is located in a wonderful building & well presented, the lighting is low and subdued , candles on the tables, you feel like your entering a wonderful environment. The service was ok, I'm guessing a new intake of students, during our meal there were at least four drops from waiters & off trollies. One waterless was cutting bread In the resturant, presumable the bread had said something to her that offend, it's treatment was somewhat rough & manhandled. The menus are printed grey writing on a lighter grey background , very difficult to read in the low lighting. The menu is limited, but the wine menu is extensive. The food, was generally good, but be aware, rare is not rare, it's medium. If you like your steak rare ask for bleu.
w
waulp
London
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on 24 August 2014
overall4food5service4ambience5
Good food, good choice. We had the nibbles instead of a starter which was a nice touch, a very well made selection of cheese strawas with a good selection of dips. Fantastic fresh fish. Not cheap but worth it for a special occasion.
C
Caroxa
London
58 reviews
vip
5.0
58 reviews
Dined on 23 August 2014
overall5food5service5ambience4
After a day out in Cambridge we were looking for a nice dinner option. The restaurant fitted that bill. Due to a draft we asked to move to a different table which was done without a problem. Food was really tasty and the ambiance really nice.
JO
JayneO
Cambridge
25 reviews
4.0
25 reviews
Dined on 6 July 2014
overall4food4service2ambience4
£25 per person for 4 courses for Sunday lunch is excellent value. No compromise on quality, the food was very good and the open table full of cured meats, pate and shellfish was quite a feast in itself. Will definitly go back. Service could have been better, food was served promptly but when needing drinks, water and ordering coffee it was really hard to get someone's attention.
JP
JqPhysio
London
5 reviews
2.0
5 reviews
Dined on 21 June 2014
overall2food4service1ambience2
Went for a relaxing Saturday evening meal. We arrived early and were shown outside for drinks by the manager who took our order. Later a waitress came out querying the order for my drink again. She then brought one drink not 2. She came back "they don't sell that wine by the glass" but didn't bring a wine menu. he then asked for a large glass of another white wine, he received a small glass. The service didn't get better! Great olives and nuts to nibble. good food Onion soup to die for but the carafe of red wine didn't come until the main course, and then after chasing it a couple of times. The staff put the food down and disappeared. hassle++ Good food but won't be back felt exhausted at the end of what should have been a restful evening!
DD
DollyDelicious
San Francisco
86 reviews
4.0
86 reviews
Dined on 4 May 2014
overall4food5service4ambience4
We took my parents for Sunday lunch for their ruby wedding anniversary. We've been before but my parents hadn't, and they thoroughly enjoyed it. The 4 courses for £25 is really good value, and my Dad loves seafood so the buffet table was perfect for him. I don't think it's a brilliant place to go for vegetarians but for us carnivores it was great!
DD
DollyDelicious
San Francisco
86 reviews
5.0
86 reviews
Dined on 2 March 2014
overall5food5service4ambience5
We went to Hotel du Vin for Sunday lunch to celebrate our first wedding anniversary & we weren't disappointed. 4 courses for £25 is really good value & there was a good selection,though I'd say it wasn't so good for vegetarians as there's lots of meat & fish, and only one veggie choice for main course. The roast dinners were lovely with HUGE Yorkshire puddings, and I loved my dessert of banana & rum bread & butter pudding. It was a lovely dining experience. The only thing I would say is we seemed to have lots of different waiters & waitresses serving us which meant our meal was interrupted a lot with someone asking if everything was ok just a few minutes after someone else had already checked. Very attentive, maybe a little too attentive!
B
Batchelor
Las Vegas
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on 12 January 2014
overall5food5service3ambience4
Why I have not discovered this sooner I will never know. A soup, access to their incredible market style stall for your second course of sea food, meats, cheeses, amazing breads THEN a main course AND desert after? This really is an all day Sunday lunch venue and fantastic value, always loved the place. Other meals have been good for Cambridge and the bar before/after a great place to settle down in an alcove for a cocktail or bottle of champagne with friends.
A
Anon
London
78 reviews
3.0
78 reviews
Dined on 17 December 2013
overall3food4service2ambience4
Hotel du vin's set lunch menu is good. Its a shame the staff could remember that we'd ordered from that and produced (and charged for!) regular desserts - one of which came without the advertised icecream. They did however correct the bill. The food itelf was very tasty and good value, so would definitely go again.
w
whitelionlady
London
44 reviews
vip
4.0
44 reviews
Dined on 13 October 2013
overall4food4service3ambience5
this is is a really pretty characterful restaurant with a decent menu and good for a nice long Sunday lunch. they had a great buffet if you wanted as well a good a la carte. Book ahead though. last weekend I ate in another Cambridge icon, Browns, it was over priced and not anywhere near as nice!
e
ethers
Cambridge
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 11 September 2013
overall4food5service5ambience3
The service was excelent and all the staff came across as sincere and friendly. We would like to visit again.
m
mamm
Cambridge
3 reviews
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on 5 July 2013
overall2food2service3ambience1
- poor food: overdosed rosmary on veal - almost uneatable, not seasoned fish with artichoke really stange combination? - you really feel like in a hotel bar/restaurant - surprise at the end: bill
C
Chefdoc
Cambridge
20 reviews
3.0
20 reviews
Dined on 6 May 2013
overall3food4service1ambience2
Booked H-du-V for a double (21st & 23rd) birthday celebration on the strength of a good previous meal. Sadly disappointed. Bizarrely, the mains arrived before the starter! The staff needed reminded what the starters were, which, when they did come were well executed. The mains followed, and the sauce over my fish now had a skin from sitting under - presumably- a warmer. One or two of the sides had to be requested as they didn't appear initially. They brought their own disappointment. If I had wanted reconstituted chips I'd have gone to McDonald's. I had come to a restaurant hoping for actual cut chips. Dessert was excellent. The 23 yr old's chocolate fondant was exemplary.
J
Jpix
London
39 reviews
3.0
39 reviews
Dined on 14 April 2013
overall3food3service4ambience4
Hotel du Vin staff were amazingly understanding of food intolerances and we able to cater for this no problem at all - definite plus! However, the food was average, although the seafood was better than the main meal. I think this may have been a result of mass produced food for a sunday lunch. I would definitely try it again on a different day as friends did recommend.
MM
MrsM
London
159 reviews
vip
2.0
159 reviews
Dined on 7 April 2013
overall2food2service2ambience3
The new style Sunday lunch is ok and thats all, the help your self French market style buffet was the best bit. We felt they were probably at least one staff member short as service wasn't up to the Hotels usual standard. But we also felt the food wasn't up to the Hotels previous traditional Sunday lunch standard either.The soup was ok, as was the roast beef and chicken the fish and meats on the buffet were good, well presented and tasty. We wont rush back.
LH
LH10
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 21 March 2013
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious british food, sophisticated evening.
F
Frequentdiner
London
59 reviews
vip
4.0
59 reviews
Dined on 6 March 2013
overall4food3service5ambience4
Excellent service, good food and restaurant always tries to adapt to special food needs. Highly recommend this restaurant which has a gem of a bar in the basement!
ME
MEL1
London
14 reviews
4.0
14 reviews
Dined on 21 February 2013
overall4food5service4ambience4
A memorable evening Lovely food and excellent wine
TK
TKO66
London
19 reviews
vip
4.0
19 reviews
Dined on 16 February 2013
overall4food4service4ambience4
Du vin always deliver consistently. Their stables of modules and frites and rib eye steak were as good as ever for an enjoyable lunch with friends on a Saturday. The real gem as always is the choice of wines so either leave the care behind or dine with a willing designated driver!
N
Nana
Cambridge
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 8 February 2013
overall5food5service5ambience5
Love this place, been there twice for dinner and my hubby and I go to the bar regularly.
s
successfi
London
15 reviews
4.0
15 reviews
Dined on 19 December 2012
overall4food4service4ambience4
really good food in a beautiful setting. Kitchen fully understood about gluten free requirements.
s
skerss
Cambridge
18 reviews
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on 13 December 2012
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent service, tip top food & a great ambience. We had a glass of champagne in the cellar wine bar before dinner , perfect. We will certainlt be going there again.
C
Chefdoc
Cambridge
20 reviews
4.0
20 reviews
Dined on 3 December 2012
overall4food5service3ambience3
Delicious food. Extensive wine list. Delightful ambience. Welcoming, if a little obsequious, staff. One gripe however. Of all the restaurants all over the world in which I've eaten, I don't think I've ever had an obligatory 10% service charge levied for a party of only four - and certainly never in type with a font just as small as that. Be sure and bring your varifocals...
H
Herbert
London
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on 27 November 2012
overall4food4service4ambience3
good restaurant but overpriced
l
lellobot
Cambridge
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 26 November 2012
overall5food5service5ambience5
My husband and I went to Hotel du Vin & Bistro to celebrate our anniversary, and we were thrilled with the whole evening. We first had drinks down in the cellar bar which has great ambiance and comfortable seating. For our meal, we were disappointed that the kitchen had run out of oysters (!!) but all our other options were available. The mussels in white wine sauce starter, pork belly main and mushroom stroganoff main were delicious and cooked to perfection. The Sommelier in the restaurant was wonderful. He was very helpful is recommending matching wines for all our dishes and we enjoyed each immensely. We chose to buy our wine by the glass so we could sample a variety and it was definitely the right decision.
MP
MPP71
Cambridge
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 16 November 2012
overall4food4service5ambience4
It was my first time at Hotel du Vin, we went for a birthday celebration dinner with my husband and we found the service was absolutely fantastic yet not intrusive. The waiters/waitresses were nice, polite, knowledgeable and not pushy at all. The food was fantastic and the portions generous. we had duck rillette and crab for starters, the duck was a little bit disappointing, whereas the crab was delicious. I had monkfish as a main which was cooked to perfection, my husband hasd a steak which he also loved. Desserts were also delicious. It was pricey but that was expected. We will return for other special occassions.
BB
BBBB
London
211 reviews
vip
3.0
211 reviews
Dined on 3 November 2012
overall3food3service4ambience3
Good restaurant without being outstanding... the menu is good value!
SG
SGRV
London
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 21 October 2012
overall4food4service3ambience3
Truly excellent brunch with a self serve 'french market' counter that made a superb addition to the usual excellent lunch menu choices.All at a most competitive £20 price tag. And of course they know about their wines comprehensively.
CD
CateyD
London
32 reviews
vip
3.0
32 reviews
Dined on 1 July 2012
overall3food4service2ambience3
I live in London so am used to pricey restaurants but £78 for chateaubriand is outrageous. The menu was varied but the halibut and beef was very expensive for what it was. Lovely food and beautiful building and location.
D
Diner123
London
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on 1 April 2012
overall4food4service4ambience4
Hotel du Vin & Bistro in Cambridge was ideal for a Sunday lunch. The cellar bar was a great place to meet beforehand (though service was very slow) and the restaurant itself had a good, lively atmosphere without being too noisy. Food was all very well cooked and there was a good choice. Coffee on the terrace was disappointing - the terrace being more of a back yard - but as it was a lovely day it was nice to have the option.
L
Lesley41
London
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on 18 March 2012
overall4food3service4ambience4
Mothers Day lunch at Hotel du vin Cambridge. Very busy service, staff courteous and efficient. Set 3 course menu choice of 5 . Mains revolved round roasts which was disappointing plus salmon or mushroom risotto. Roast were distinctly average but puds and starters were good. Very safe Sunday lunch menu. Wine selection excellent as might be expected. Long wait between giving order and food first course arriving.
OT
OpenTable Diner
London
1 review
vip
4.0
1 review
Dined on 17 March 2012
overall4food4service4ambience4
Great service and an opulent style but still quite good value. Drinks are obviously expensive but food is good - around £15-£20 for a main course. Highly recommend.

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Hotel du Vin & Bistro - Cambridge is rated 4.1 stars by 159 OpenTable diners.