The Ambrette at Canterbury

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1. SL

   SirLunchalot

   London

   161 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   161 reviews

   Dined on 31 March 2017

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   If this isn't the best restaurant in Canterbury, it must be close. We returned to Canterbury and so to the Ambrette as we enjoyed it so much on our last visit. In fact this time our hotel choice was driven by proximity to the restaurant. We enjoyed it just as much this time. The food is outstanding, and quite different from anywhere else with the innovative use of spices. My pork belly was excellent, and don't miss the Masala mash. My wife chose the pigeon starter and aubergine main, and thoroughly enjoyed them. Good service, especially recommending the dessert wine, and music from a violin and piano. A most enjoyable evening.

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2. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Kent

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 25 March 2017

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Perfect place to have a birthday meal with family. Food, service was first class. Lots of special touches that we weren't expecting lead to a great evening. One of our party is vegan and they catered for her no problem...would definitely recommend and will be going again soon

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3. JT

   JanT

   London

   4 reviews

   4.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on 14 January 2017

   overall4food5service4ambience4

   Excellent, central location in Canterbury. Delicious, innovative food. A little on the expensive side, but well worth it!

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4. s

   shazza

   Kent

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined on 10 December 2016

   overall1food1service1ambience1

   I am unable to comment on my visit to The Ambrette. The reason for this is that the restaurant does not open until 5.30pm but I had managed to book a table with your website for 4.30pm!!!

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5. AM

   AMdM

   Kent

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 8 December 2016

   overall5food4service5ambience5

   Really excellent place - have been about 5 times and so far each experience has been very positive. The food is very tasty and varied and the service extremely friendly. Am going back

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6. L

   Leigh

   Kent

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 4 December 2016

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   My friend JY has used this restaurant several times and we went together on Sunday. My first time. I was suitably impressed. It was absolutely great. The decor, ambience and waiting staff all lovely. The food excellent. It was a unite evening which is what we were looking for but I hear that their music nights are very good. I will definitely return to find out. Lovely place.

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7. PB

   PippaB

   London

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 19 November 2016

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   A real treat! Wonderful food and fantastic service! We were celebrating our daughter's graduation and were surprised by the waiter with a lovely extra pudding course wishing her many congratulations. Delicious menu and very reasonable considering the high quality of the meal.

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8. D

   Danielwise

   London

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 17 November 2016

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   Excellent food and service, fine dining at reasonable prices, loved every minute!

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9. S

   Slippery

   London

   7 reviews

   3.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on 29 October 2016

   overall3food4service2ambience2

   My wife and I booked on the Saturday Evening for 20:00 and, after reading the reviews, had high expectations. The restaurant was busy on our arrival and we were not given a choice of table but put at the back in a dark corner. I noticed another free table adjacent which was better positioned so asked to be moved and, after much checking with the manager, we were moved. The table was still not really ideal for a couple wanting to have a nice meal and conversation since it was placed right next to a table of 8 having a 30th Birthday party and being very noisy all evening. Service was, at best, mediocre and the waiter even forgot to bring a second glass of wine that I ordered mid-main course. Most of the attention seemed to be on the party table and we felt quite neglected. Service was slow and our meal took a total of 2.5 hours. We didn't bother with a desert or coffee as were becoming quite exasperated at the end of the main course. Food was very good and very enjoyable but, for a bill of approx. £110 for the two for the two of us with a bottle of rose and a single extra glass of red (should have been 2 had the waiter remembered) - it was not worth the money. Parties and groups should be kept separate from couples wishing to dine together - its common sense !! So overall, not great considering the price, location and our expectations - all let down by a general management style (or lack of!) - also no phone signal in the location and no wiFi available - so like being in the dark ages. One positive, besides the food was the two musicians playing the piano and violin which, we were occasionally able to hear over the raucous noise from the group on the adjacent table.

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10. P

    P123

    London

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 10 October 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Fantastic food and amazing service. Went for my wife's birthday which I mentioned when booking. Were extremely well looked after by Ralf the very friendly waiter and the food was amazingly presented and full of flavour. We went for the lunchtime special offer so great value for money. Have already recommended to many friends and family and will definitely go back.

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11. F

    Foodie

    London

    23 reviews

    4.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on 8 October 2016

    overall4food4service3ambience4

    As always an interesting meal at Ambrette in Canterbury. On a Saturday night to be able to have a 2for1 deal is great value. We both felt that we were rushed through the meal having been served all courses in around an hour. A more leisurely pace would have made it feel more like an occasion.

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12. S

    Sasha

    London

    47 reviews

    4.0

    47 reviews

    Dined on 11 September 2016

    overall4food5service3ambience3

    Absolutely fantastic meal. We came in for Sunday Lunch with our 2yr old daughter - and the food was completely faultless. Even 2 days later, the flavours were still swelling around in my mind. The food is an unusual and brilliant fusion of British and Indian. The only slight setbacks were service/atmosphere related. The front-of-house team could be a touch more polished; there seemed to be some new members of the staff that weren't completely familiar with the menu. They should also think about adding some background music - the dining room is very big and when not completely full can be very quiet. In terms of food though - faultless. Will absolutely be back, very soon.

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13. S

    Stigsfatcousin

    Kent

    7 reviews

    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 2 September 2016

    overall3food4service1ambience2

    Excellent food spoiled by extremely slow service. Such a shame.

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14. JO

    JOHNNYCFRALDN

    New York Area

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on 28 August 2016

    overall5food5service4ambience4

    Fantastic evening - the fusion style of food works extremely well. I would recommend

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15. CD

    ChristianD

    London

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 7 May 2016

    overall4food4service4ambience3

    The restaurant had very good ratings and our son had been there albeit to another location. Couldn't really fault the food or service and the in between courses were very tasty and a nice touch. I went for the venison which was tender but lacked a bit of flavour and the overriding impression was that the dishes were a bit too experimental - Masterchef comes to Canterbury! But all in all a very nice experience including the final dish not on the menu because it was our anniversary and they brought out a small/tasty treat. The wine list was quite limited and seemed to jump from modest/budget prices to a lot more expensive. Would I expect 12.5% added on automatically or should it be down to the diners to decide - personally the latter. The only thing we didn't like was the noisy tables either side of us but that's not the restaurant's fault - some people lack social intelligence and consideration for others!

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16. W

    Warwick

    London

    5 reviews

    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 30 April 2016

    overall3food3service3ambience3

    After requesting a corner table when we booked in advance, on arrival we were offered a poor mid-restaurant table even though a corner table was available, which we were able to take, but at our suggestion. The senior waiter who received us (after asking us to wait whilst he disappeared elsewhere) seemed very harassed, but the younger table waiters were pleasant. The wines are over-priced, notably a pre-food prosecco and wines by the glass: only one and a half inches of wine in our glasses of red and white wine. The food was good but by no means exceptional or good value. We stated (away from other diners, to avoid embarrassing the staff) that we did not wish to pay the service charge, a request which was politely accepted. This restaurant claims to be the best in Kent, but its poor reception of two guests, poor service and wine overcharging for inadequate amounts do not support this aspiration. We hope for the sake of other diners that our experience is not a typical one, otherwise disappointment will prevail.

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17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Kent

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 29 April 2016

    overall3food3service3ambience4

    I have visited the Amberette before but only the one in Margate . I see they have one in canterbury and thought I'd book it for my friends birthday. We arrived were not greeted straight away ...Not that they were busy. We were offered sparkling water/still & felt awkward to turn this down and just ask for tap water...our waiter was clearly nervous to be serving us and on bringing our food out read out his script taking you through in detail what everyone has individually got (only effective if the person delivers this with confidence and a smile) which was all a bit uncomfortable as the food wasn't that hot & waiting to eat it made matters worse. My chicken was dry...however the taste was there with the sides. My friend and sister said they were enjoying there's but agreed the tiny sides were over priced ... Considering we all know spinach and lentils are cheap. It all felt a bit hit & miss elements of it being great or showing potential but the overall finish just isn't there for how they seem to be marketing themselves. Our desserts were pleasant but so over priced and the amuse bouchée they serve is the best part... Really tasty in fact but too many flaws to feel confident to recommend or go again. Also the 12.5% service charge is off putting and instead of allowing people to choose to fill out a card recommending them for the food awards 2016 by checking they are all filled in with a stamp on all ready to go is too disperate,presumptuous & irritating. The staff just feel on edge & I remember when it was a pub & it looked like certain parts were still left ... They charge high end but not high end specifications, such a shame.

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18. JG

    JandG

    London

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 28 April 2016

    overall4food4service4ambience3

    We had a really nice time here the food was excellent I would describe it as fine dining english food with a very good indian twist as in spices. We went on a thursday evening and it was very quiet but even so this did not detract from the experience

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19. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Kent

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 24 April 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Thank you to all the staff, the waiters and the staff we never saw i.e. the chef and his wonderful team for making our 40th Anniversary Meal so special. We even had Happy Anniversary piped onto a dessert with mango sauce by our waiter. It was a very special thing to do.

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20. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    London

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 23 April 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    The Food was absolutely excellent and the service spot on. Fantastic combinations of flavours in starters and mains. Quite a unique take on Indian English fusion dining. Very strong wine list too. Certainly the best quality restaurant in Canterbury. You get what you pay for.

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21. S

    Sandalwood

    London

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 23 April 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This restaurant which is in Canterbury city centre is a gem. It serves the most scrumptious meals. There is a good vegetarian option, the service is great and best of all the price is reasonable. I have eaten at this restaurant on numerous occasions and it has never failed on serving the most delicious food which is locally sourced. The three course meal always has two extra taster courses included. I will be going there again soon.

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22. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Kent

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 16 April 2016

    overall3food4service3ambience4

    The atmosphere was dark and friendly.Unfortunately it was a plastic fake candle.The staff a little over well meaning,and the long food descriptions a bit pretentious.However the food was good and interesting,with 3 amuse bouches in-between.Very expensive really though,£55 per head for 2 courses only(no pudding)

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23. WS

    WendyS

    Kent

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 15 April 2016

    overall4food4service3ambience4

    The food was very good but quite expensive. The issue with the service was that it was too quick and you felt very rushed, despite empty tables. I was meeting up with a friend who I hadn't seen for a while and was asked to order before we had had much of a chance to say hello. This was the same all the way through. I would go back again but only for occasions when I felt flush!

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24. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Kent

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 13 April 2016

    overall4food5service4ambience4

    Third time of dining at the ambrette (both Canterbury and Margate). I am never disappointed. It's a pleasure taking new people there to enlighten their tasting experiences with the 'just right' blend of Asian spices and local produce. The 'extra' tastings are very welcome and enhance the meal to make it a dining experience rather than just food. Service is just right as well, leading to a well paced meal. My favourite restaurant in East Kent.

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25. P

    Palermo99

    London

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 2 April 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This was our first visit to the Ambrette having been recommended by a vegetarian friend. We are not vegetarian but they do cater well for veggies. We were given a warm welcome and the staff were friendly and informative the whole time we were there, answering our questions about the ingredients with enthusiasm. The food was superb. We were given a sublime pre-appetiser. I had a started or crab and beetroot cakes and it was delicious with subtle spices and bags of flavour. My main of chicken biryani was nothing like I have ever had before, fantastic. I couldn't manage a dessert although I did have to help my hubby out with his apple crumble....again nothing like Mary Berry....chai custard, whole apple pieces with mousse. We can't wait to go back again.

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26. SL

    SirLunchalot

    London

    161 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    161 reviews

    Dined on 1 April 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    We very much enjoyed our evening at The Ambrette at Canterbury. The fusion of traditional British cuisine with Indian flavours was most unusual. After a beautifully presented amuse-bouche, we started with the fish of the day - red snapper served with fish cake, seafood raita, sun-dried shrimps - and the soft-shell crab. This was followed by a second amuse-bouche of lentil soup (two words that do no justice to the flavours here) and then our mains of venison and pork belly. The former was perfectly cooked and served, whilst the latter came with stir fried broccoli and spiced dauphinoise potatoes. After an amazing lager shandy sorbet with popping candy, we finished with lemon & pomegranate bavarois and the chocolate platter. Both brilliant. We enjoyed the meal so much that we went back the following evening.

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27. K

    Katya

    London

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 27 March 2016

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    We couldn't have wished for a better place to celebrate my husband's birthday. The food was beautifully presented, interesting combination of flavours and suited everyone in the party. They deserve a Michelin award!

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28. AR

    AnnaR

    Kent

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 26 March 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We were at the Ambrette Canterbury for Saturday lunch to celebrate our wedding anniversary, our food was excellent as was the service and all the extra touches. Amuse bouch was special and the extra touches were greatly appreciated. Our friends loved the meal as well so we look forward to our return trip.

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29. t

    taxman01

    Kent

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on 20 March 2016

    overall5food5service4ambience4

    Despite arriving over an hour late for our reservation (which the restaurant were great about when we rang to advise) we were welcomed as usual on arrival. First time here for Sunday lunch but certainly won't be the last. Superb quality and good service. The pork and lamb were excellent. Try it. You won't regret it.

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30. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Kent

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 18 March 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Everything was really good - our 2nd visit, cannot fault it!!

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31. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Kent

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 15 March 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Absolutely brilliant service and food, definitely going back to show off to others.

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32. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Kent

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 10 March 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We had the tasting menu which was exellent. The elements of each dish were explained to us by the waiter as wwre the accompanying wine's. A very enjoyable evening eating food of high quality. Probably the best experiece we have had of indian food

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33. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 9 March 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We visited Ambrette in Canterbury and enjoyed the tasting menu (available in March.) The food was absolutely incredible. Every course was different and the variety of flavours was simply stunning. We travel from London just for the food and are regular visitors to Ambrette in Canterbury and Margate. I can honestly say that it was one of the best meals I have ever had.

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34. S

    Sub1346

    London

    9 reviews

    3.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on 6 March 2016

    overall3food3service3ambience4

    Not as good as I expected with its hype in advertising itself

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35. MM

    MinnietheMinx

    Kent

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 6 March 2016

    overall3food2service4ambience4

    The service and quality of food at The Ambrette is what I expect and the service is impeccable but mothers day was the first time when I have doubted this. First I had a boiling hot plate placed in front of me that was luke warm (great service and both plates changed) then one was hot and mine was luke warm again. I didn't complain as I don't mind cold plates but that is not the norm. Next the potatoes on the main course were solid, they were changed quickly for us, and replaced with...well more solid potatoes...which we ate as we were hungry. It won't stop me going to The Ambrette but I won't go for Sunday lunch again in a hurry!

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36. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 6 March 2016

    overall2food3service3ambience2

    Welcoming and friendly staff; ambience a little cold - feels like a restaurant in an (ex) bar or rather empty pub. Food started out very promisingly, but the 'western food with an indian twist' lacked subtlety - not enough variation in the spices to make this really interesting. Main course was served on butchers blocks, but in a 'to share' style, with each dinner given separate plates. Would have been ok but for the small tables and the huge plates. The course could easily have been plated up (on smaller plates) and we wouldn't have been left eating with plates hanging off the edges of the table. Portion size was small (literally a child's size portion for adults), and the meal was overpriced.

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37. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Kent

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 5 March 2016

    overall2food2service2ambience2

    I visited the restaurant just over a year ago and was very impressed, but this time I was rather disappointed. The main dishes were very tasty, but the sides dishes of broccoli and cauliflower were both rather bland. My main concern though was the fact that most of what I was served was only just warm at best, none of it was hot. The between course soup was very nice but only just about warm at the top and cold at the bottom - perhaps it was supposed to be cold? I had the pork main, very nice but only just about warm, the accompanying samosa was warm on the outside but cold inside. We had already waited quite some time and were to hungry to send it back so did not complain. It was early evening and not very busy so there is no excuse for cold food – unless of course it is supposed to be cold.

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38. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Kent

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 5 March 2016

    overall3food4service2ambience2

    A group of 4 we ate here Saturday 5 March 2016 lunchtime. It took 2 3/4 hours to have a 3 course meal. After one hour in the restaurant starters arrived. Clearly a problem in the kitchen. Second and third courses had to be rushed and were therefore not enojoyed. The food was great when it came but it took way too long and the place was not busy.

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39. J

    Jamo

    Kent

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 4 March 2016

    overall3food5service3ambience4

    We had the tasting menu which was excellent. The only downside to the whole evening was we were told that we had under paid the bill - a discretionary 12.5% had been added and we had paid what we thought the service was worth. The waiter having challenged us then went off in a bit of a strop and the service then stopped! We had to get our own coats - they have a system so we were rummaging around trying to find them. Perhaps the management should explain to their staff what discretionary means !

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40. G

    Gertrude

    London

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 26 February 2016

    overall4food5service4ambience4

    Excellent as usual. The food is exceptional and the service always very friendly and welcoming. It is a pity they don't have a round table to accommodate any more than 4 people, we were 6 so had two oblong tables put together - OK but not as easy for chatting.

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