You know those restaurants that you just keep going back to because the food, ambience, décor and prices are just so on point? Well, Garden House, a gorgeous restaurant tucked away inside the very cool Graduate Hotel on Cambridge’s Mill Lane is one of them. Everything just hits the spot for a perfect meal out. For starters, the interiors are just stunning and give you that feeling that you’ve come to a destination that’s serious about its fine dining. The views are pretty amazing too. The restaurant has huge windows that overlook the gardens and River Cam, so while you eat you can watch the punts lazily gliding by, and really feel that Cambridge connection.

It’s not all style over substance at this restaurant though. The food is the star of the show here. Talented chef Adam Wood (from London’s award-winning Perilla) has created an ever-changing menu for his grill-focussed cooking that celebrates local and seasonal produce. It’s a no-brainer really, when you’re based in East Anglia it makes sense to use the many incredible ingredients our counties are known for, but it’s more than that – the staff here are passionate about sustainability, lowering food miles and high welfare farming. And, we’re all for that!

Foodies will be in their element eating here because the restaurant is centred around an open grill, so you can watch the talented chefs at work creating the delightful flame-cooked food. In fact, when we went recently, we were so taken with a sauce that we simply asked the chef what was in it and he was happy to elaborate. For somewhere that is so focussed on using seasonal food, you might thing the menus would be rather limited to what arrives each week, but you’ll actually be spoiled for choice here with around five different options for each course. Starters include dishes like Cromer crab on toast and Norfolk tomato salad. For main you can expect dishes such as 45 day aged rib eye or an artichoke casareccia. Puddings might be Cambridge burnt cream tart or a chocolate, salted caramel & almond slice. There are always sharing options too, such as prime ribs, tiger prawns and Old Spot pork chop. Don’t forget to order sides wile you’re at it – we can confirm they’re certainly no afterthought.

To really make a night of it, the best time to book is Friday when there’s live music to enjoy in the moody bar before you head to your table, although we heartily suggest heading there on a Sunday as well, to enjoy the very popular Sunday roast. In the next door Garden Room, you can enjoy a very refined and traditional afternoon tea with a glass of English sparkling wine or if it’s private dining you’re seeking you can’t go wrong hosting an event to remember in the fabulous private dining room within the restaurant.

The restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday for dinner, and Monday – Sunday for breakfast. Afternoon Tea is available from Thursday – Sunday from 12 – 4pm.