Midsummer House

For nigh on three decades, Midsummer House has been a fixture on the Cambridge dining scene, a gastronomic destination once famed for blazing new trails. With fresh eyes, a meal in the sombre-looking conservatory seems stuck in the mould of a formal 'white-tablecloth' venue where handbags get their own seat. Yet chef-patron Daniel Clifford’s brigade still serves some skilfully prepared food. If you are comfortable with the steep pricing, it remains a place to celebrate a graduation or a significant anniversary. To get the full impact of the riverside setting, have a drink in the first-floor bar – the view onto the river Cam and Midsummer Common is so lovely that visitors have suggested more could be made of this under-utilised spot. Wine flights are the failsafe option if the huge wine list defeats you, though sommeliers will help you navigate. Expect to pay handsomely, even at the lower end, where a glass starts at £18.