Candlesticks Hotel & Restaurant in South Kesteven

Fairly unique place restaurant with 8 rooms.We had no2 right at the top . Breakfast was in a cupboard in a fridge in the room.Toaster and kettle in with fridge. To get in you need to ring Portuguese owner who is resident next door. We didn't make use of bar or restaurant..In fact last night nobody had booked for food so the bar area was locked up..We had a front door key and room key.It was located very central to town. As we didn't make use of the facilities we cannot score on the service.Room wise certain things need to be tidied up..But we got a great night's sleep..

Had a lovely stay at this hotel, which we enjoyed very much. It is very old and atmospheric but no ghosts disturbed our peace. The location is very central and we managed a tour of the town within an hour. I loved the fact that I could have my breakfast in bed without having to get dressed and go down to the dining room. The bed was comfortable but I wished I'd have the foresight to ask for an additional pillow. The host was very obliging, friendly and accomodating and went out of his way to book us in at the last moment, and in fact, re-arranged his rooms to suit our particular needs. Above the call of duty. Thank you for a really pleasant stay. We had dinner in the restaurant downstairs. Excellent food. I really recommend the lamb and the pineapple dessert.

The hotel was originally several old houses, which were converted into one 3 storey building in 1975, accounting for its novel layout. It would be difficult for anyone who struggles with stairs, as they are steep and narrow. The hotel provides basic accommodation in dated rooms, that would benefit from some updating. The shower room, though small, was very well fitted out, and the water was hot. The breakfast items were provided in the fridge before arrival, ( cereal, milk, yoghurt, bread for the toaster, butter, jam, pain au chocolat, and fruit juice) Plenty of tea, coffee and sugar were supplied. The accommodation is ideally situated to explore Stamford, and walk back from an evening’s entertainment which is plentiful in the town. I think you have to bear in mind that accommodation in Stamford is limited and generally very expensive, when deciding if saving some money and having a great location outweighs the need for luxurious accommodation. It did what we needed - and we would happily return.

Booked to stay 2 nights, found another hotel for the 2nd night. Owner is really nice but the place is twenty/thirty years out of date. Rooms very small, shower not good and “breakfast” was in a fridge in the room. Very retro, but not in a good way. Shame because the owner is a really nice bloke.

Horrible place. STAY CLEAR AT ALL COSTS! Aggressive, intimidating and rude owners. Will never ever be able to say it’s nice

Owner is really friendly , service is immaculate, had a lovely meal very good quality for the price . We stayed the night also, in a snug and peaceful room with all the necessities for a perfect stay . Then we were awoken to a beautiful breakfast downstairs which was a beautiful start to a day out in stamford . Overall this stay was impeccable ,very good pricing and lovely people and environment to stay in .

A bit past its best. Needs a full refurb, sadly stuck in the 90s. Friendly and helpful presumed owner who checked us in after having to call and wait to be let in. If you want check in outside restaurant hours you will need to call. Think we were the only guests that night, just not a great place sadly.

Restaurant feels very tired and smells musty throughout. We were kept upstairs in the bar for ages even though the restaurant was nearly empty. Some of the mains were unfortunately very dry and basic and the whole experience felt very dated and impersonal. Unfortunately, an instantly forgettable evening.

We eat here 25 years ago when we were on our honeymoon and thought the candle lit restaurant was so nice good food and excellent wine list that we would return for our silver wedding anniversary the restaurant is still in the same family and didn't disappoint, on paying our bill the owner presented us with a anniversary card, such nice people.

I have stayed at the Candlesticks very frequently for the last 15 years, and I have never been disappointed. The Host offers superb hospitality, serves excellent food in his restaurant, including a very hearty cooked breakfast as well as a light breakfast if preferred that is provided in your room within the fridge. A great selection of wines to compliment your meals and a cosy bar with a good selection of spirits and quality Port. For the price you pay, the Candlesticks is extremely good value for money. Always 1st choice for me.

We stayed the night, lovey old house. Owner Nelio couldn't be more helpful, gave us a lift so that we didn't have to move our car.

A classic food menu cooked very well and served with care, everything was fresh and prepared on site. Nice cosy restaurant downstairs.

It was like travelling back in time but not in a good way! Very small room reached by 2 rickety flights of narrow stairs. Room felt damp with mold around windows. No shower in cold bathroom even with rad in full power. Duvet with not enough filing so very inadequate TV from the ark!

Myself and my partner just had the most beautiful candlelit dinner at the Candlesticks. Excellent value, fantastic home cooked food and the most welcoming, personable owner with polite, attentive staff. We’re already bringing family with us in a few weeks for another visit. You won’t regret an evening here, it’s the cosiest hidden gem in Stamford.

For me to give 5 stars is very rare. This visit was recent but I have visited in the past and it remains 1st class. They have a fixed multi choice menu which covers most requirements. The cellar gives a pleasant atmosphere by candlelight . Both food and service are very good ,four of us each had different choices and no complaints. The fixed price for three course and coffee is very reasonable.

We dined here (a group of friends) in early December and had a fantastic evening. The food was excellent and the service impeccable. Our friendly host recommended some fantastic wine for us to try and made our night special. Will definitely be back.

The food was incredible as always and the service was quick and attentive, so glad we came again, such a wonderful experience yet again, would recommend to everyone. Thank you to the staff and to Nelio who gave us a warm welcome and a very friendly atmosphere :))

Recently visited Candlesticks for a meal with friends and family. Immediately welcomed by the proprietor Nelio, an agreeable man who's family have owned the hotel for 40 years. We had drinks upstairs in a cosy bar area before being taken to our table. The dining room was a spacious stone cellar lit by the eponymous candles and our table was quite accommodating for 6 people. The food was delicious and hearty, with choices of Portuguese dishes like Espada fish and steak with a Madeira sauce. The waiters were polite and knowledgeble, even going so far as to teach us a bit about the history of the building and of Stamford. The selection of wines was more than great and Nelio took the time to help us out in choosing a bottle. Overall: excellent food, excellent service and an evening we won't forget shortly. We will come again 5**

Visited here with friends. OMG it really is stuck in the 80’s . Being a chef myself for 40+ years I can say with total honesty that this place is living in the past with Menu choices , crockery, doilies, Paris wine goblets and the dust to go with it. Extremely mediocre food poorly presented, basic boiled vegetables to accompany ( not sure where the silver service was that they say they provide) and poor service is a sad effort at trying to provide a culinary experience. The owner himself ( and the chef) was pleasant to chat to but about time he hung up him apron! Choose an alternative place to eat is my advice.

I came here with my wife for a nice romantic night, the staff were very kind and helpful, the chef gave excellent suggestions on wines and the taste was beautiful. The food was up to an amazing standard and we both loved our meals, the staff made extra sure we had a lovely night and even went out of their way to make our night special, it was a lovely, welcoming atmosphere and we just know we’ll be coming back quite often!

Used this restaurant many years ago and it was was really good, how times have changed !! The waiters were indifferent very poor choice of drinks, no draught beer only 1 choice of white wine. The decor has not changed in 20 yrs and I do not think it has been hoovered in that time, dust eveywhere. Food nowhere near the standard it used to be. When settling the bill we asked if it was not usual practice to ask if eveything was OK, the manager/owner was not the least bit interested. No wonder there was only a total of 8 people on a Saturday night. Do yourselves a favour and stay clear

A great meal selected from a set menu of course choices, fabulous wine selected for us by our host. We were both really happy with the meal , wine and price.

Dreadful room, not cleaned properly, cold shower with hardly any pressure (although to be fair when booking via hotels.com the confirmation was for shower OR bathtub). Continental breakfast laughable - white sliced bread to put in a toaster that's plugged in, in a cupboard. Is that even safe or legal? Also juice, yoghurts and cereal packets. Really really dated and worn out. We also unfortunately ate in the restaurant. Could hardly get my steak knife through my steak although my husband said his meal was "OK". I am so perplexed at the good reviews and can only imagine they don't get out much. Was very disappointed.

Stayed here for a couple of nights for a family gathering in a nearby village. The location, with parking, enables one to walk to Stamford and explore the main and side streets there. Hotel bedroom comfortable, cooked breakfast with locally sourced produce was very good...

Omg what an amazing little gem . Absolutely loved the quirky place . Food was awesome and the service was above and beyond . Nelio the owner was so lovely & friendly and nothing was too much trouble . We were let down at the...

What an amazing eatery, we found this place totally by accident whilst out walking. Thank you Nelio & team for making our Friday evening in Stamford extra special. The food was cooked to perfection & the wine was fabulous. The restaurant has the feel of...

We ate at this restaurant twice during our brief stay in Stamford. Both occasions were memorable and very special evenings. On the first evening I commented that the dinner and wine was one of the best we have experienced in England. Nelio, the host, is...

Once again another lovely evening here. Never disappointed, food was first class and fresh as always. Nelio & staff very attentive, polite and friendly. Always love coming here as food fab ambiance so relaxing can’t wait to go back.

PERFECT!! This is an absolute gem of a restaurant may not appear much when you first enter but when you’re taken to the tables in the basement the atmosphere is incredible! Giving a classic Italian winery feel with white exposed bricks. And obviously candle lit....

We've enjoyed this unique little restaurant set in the cellar of this hotel on 3 occasions the latest last weekend for our anniversary dinner, and we'll be back with my daughter and son-in-law for April. The food quality and choice is excellent with some lovely...

Went with a dining group. Service at table quite good. V disappointed by poor choice of food. Very dated menu and expensive for selection and size of portions. Veg was hot but both types of potato very cold. We remarked on this but nothing done...

If you have never been, go. I really enjoyed eating here. Tasty food, impeccable service. Run by the same family since 1974, think about that 1974., it’s lasted this long because it’s good, Nelio cares about the food he serves, the wines, and most importantly...

We arrived after a long ride and was greeted my what I believe to be the owner. He kindly showed us where to park our bike and showed us inside. He then showed us to our room and where all the essentials are. The price...

Its ages since weve been to the Candlesticks for a meal...our first impression was it hasnt changed one bit over all the years. Ive read on recent reviews it appears to be stuck in a time warp and that was our thoughts entirely. The staff...

Last minute phone call to find accommodation. Owner carried our bags upstairs which would have been difficult for us. Small room but sufficient space in the room & bathroom. Value for money. Free Wi-Fi & parking (small space but able to leave our car there...

Great venue with friendly staff led by the owner. Good food in a lovely relaxed candle lit cellar dining room. Attentive staff and an all round great night out.

We’ve stayed a couple times now and have enjoyed it so much. You receive such a warm welcome and nothing is too much to make you comfortable. Brilliant bar area and the restaurant is down in the cellars with candles and is an exquisite setting....

Came here for dinner as a wedding gift. Food was lovely and fresh. It was presented and served well. Lovely relaxing evening. Staff very pleasant and couldn’t do enough for us. Would recommend this place if your in the area.

Here for first time. I was aware of the mixed reviews on trip advisor but our friends wanted to go. It was an interesting evening. I can only imagine there had been a recent major change in staff as none were fully up to speed. When pouring the wine our wives were asked " do you two want some". It made us smile but....

My hometown is in Nigeria and I came to the UK to pursuit my dreams to be a footballer. As a young lad it wasn't easy being away from home but Nelio and the great staffs of the candlesticks hotel made the hotel a home away from home.

I have been visiting Nelio and his fantastic restaurant/hotel for the past decade. Nelio is by far the most welcoming and helpful person that I know of.

Visited on a Saturday evening. Six adults & two young teens. Didn’t know it was a fixed price menu beforehand, but not a problem. You know where you stand with the bill, except for adding drinks. The service was friendly and the menu appealing, with something for everyone.

My brother two friends and I chose Candle Sticks for the NYE dinner. The 5 course meal inc Tornedo Rossini fillet steak was cooked perfectly!! The cosy atmosphere with the vaulted ceiling is second to none! Candles everywhere and wonderful service from one of the prettiest girls we’ve seen. The owner and master of wines is always willing to converse and help select some wonderful wine! We drank multiple bottles of fine wine and left feeling totally satisfied!! We’ll be back, thank you. Coopers & Co

Going to the Candlesticks is like taking a step back into history. Quite quaint in the old traditional service and menus. They offer accommodation too but I’ve not stayed here and wouldn’t really want to.

A fine restaurant that has been run by the same family for several years now. A good comprehensive menu with both English and Italian dishes. There is a warm and cozy atmosphere in the downstairs restaurant. The staff are friendly and attentive. There is als a fine selection of wines. Parking can be a bit of a problem but not insurmountable

We've stayed here for one night and have to admit - hotel has a true English spirit. Owner is very friendly and caring. Rooms are not very spacey but still comfortable. Inside the room we had a fridge, tea/coffie maker, hair-dryer in bathroom, modern TV etc - overall everything you might need. And of course good quality mattress on the bed :)

We enjoyed the good wine and most of the Portugese food was high quality. The exception to this was that the boiled vegetables were uninspiring. The service was very good and all the staff were very friendly.

The title says it all . This place is missing a trick, it could be such a superb venue but it is stuck in a late 70’s early 80’s time warp. The menu, the crockery and even have the meal is served is very dated.. it made for a very humorous evening from start to finish. Home made Melba toast in plastic baskets on the tables, prawn cocktail starters, coq au vin for main and creme caramel for dessert, cauliflower cheese, all served at your table from metal serving dishes no less... like I said, very dated ... this was all the special valentines menu too. It wouldn’t have been bad if it had been to a high standard or reasonably priced , however it was neither! Definitely won’t be returning again!

It always has been excellent and this visit has not changed. Comfortable, friendly service and, most important of all, the very best of food and wine. Can't recommend a visit too highly.

Fantastic food, always superb, friendly staff, quaint setting, never a disappointment, must return soon.

Clearly some enjoy the ambiance of the cellar restaurant but for me it is too dark and dismal. However that has not influenced my poor rating which is down to the very disappointing meal. When ordering the roast beef I was told it was cooked rare - it arrived well done. However this was nicely counterbalanced by the undercooked roast potatoes, they were pale without a hint of a crispy roast coating. Accompanied with insipid boiled cabbage and carrots the meal was one to forget as soon as possible. I regret that this was the worst Sunday meal I have had - ever - anywhere. On the plus side the staff were friendly

We celebrated my birthday here last night with all my family and was not disappointed. We have been many times and wanted to go somewhere special for my birthday. Everyone in my party was so impressed with the excellent, delicious food which was served piping hot. No one was disappointed with the choice of food. The service was first class from the moment I emailed to book the table which continued once we arrived with a warm and friendly welcome. Both Nelio and the staff were attentive and nothing was too much trouble. I would definitely recommend the restaurant and cannot wait to return. Thank you so much.

We walked in on a quiet lunchtime Dec 13th but were given a great lunch and very good and friendly service. Topped off with a nice chat about Portugal in general and Madiera in particular. And a terrific Portuguese wine to accompany the meal. We only wish we could have gone in the evening for a bigger and longer meal

What a lovely traditional Portuguese / Madeiran restaurant. Lovely friendly staff, excellent service and beautiful food. The atmosphere makes you feel like you're on holiday.

First impressions are a little bit old-fashioned but service is welcoming. Dining Room is downstairs in what was the Cellar; cosy, candle-lit. Menu has good choice and is good value (£24.95 for 3 courses). We had home-made Pate followed by Espada fillets and Seafood crepes followed by Lamb Rump. To finish, Stawberry Meringue and Mango cheescake. Flavours were excellent and portion sizes were generous; the lamb is possibly the best I have tasted in recent years. It's clear that Candlesticks has a loyal following and it's not difficult to work out why - a family-run establishment with several generations of staff that know their trade and deliver great food. We will be back.

I personally was not impressed eating here, I would not return... But i say people should try this resturant for themselves.

A beautiful historic stone building with quaint features, an amazing hidden restaurant in the depths of the hotel maybe once was a cellar? Absolutely unique, passed through the generations of a Portuguese family. Wonderful piping hot food, served on hot plates by very accommodating and polite staff. Rooms are small but quiet and private, no rowdy neighbours or loud traffic! Would definitely stay and eat here again.

It was a special occasion. The table was in a dungeon/cellar which smelt in fact the whole restaurant which was dark smelt of decay.it used to be the best restaurant in Stamford and now a Harvester is better. It's now a Portuguese restaurant but I've never had food as bad anywhere in Portugal. Perhaps the chef was off, whoever was in the kitchen couldn't cook but is the smell of damp and decay in the restaurant which would ruin even the best of meals.

Me acaba de comer junto con otros 3, no reservar así entramos en la oportunidad.

Mi pareja y yo pasamos el fin de semana en Stamford, y para mí era mi primera vez allí y qué experiencia tenía. El servicio fue increíble junto con el ambiente.

Desde el momento de ser recibidos por Nelio para salir a la mañana siguiente después de un maravilloso desayuno caliente, nada podría haber sido mejor.

Hemos usado el candelabros de más de 30 años, y todavía es un lugar en el que nos mantenga para un regalo especial!

Tuvimos el placer de pasar 10 noches con dos habitaciones. Todas reservadas por el trabajo.

This is a brilliantly quirky restaurant.The staff are great and the food will remind you of the 1970's. The wine list is exceptional and service very good!

It always has been excellent and this visit has not changed. Comfortable, friendly service and, most important of all, the very best of food and wine. Can't recommend a visit too highly.

People come to Stamford because it is an historical town. It therefore seemed appropriate that with guests coming to stay with us for the weekend, we should take them somewhere appropriately Stamfordian. Candlesticks has been run by the same family for over 40 years - and it shows. Their years of experience is apparent in the way the bar and restaurant function like clockwork. The stone-walled vaulted cellar which is the main dining area is very atmospheric - warm & subtlety lit, and the old-fashioned silver service does indeed have a feel of a bygone era about it - but it is something that many people enjoy.The cuisine is not over-fussy or pretentious - but it certainly isn't plain! There is a Portuguese slant to it, or course. The menu gives a good choice of dishes - there's something for everyone - dishes with enough originality to appear interesting without bordering on quirky.The service is excellent, the staff are friendly, there is a good wine-list and all our food was perfectly cooked and presented.Most impressive was the fact that they offer three courses for a fixed price of £23.95 off a menu offering such a wide choice of dishes (8 starters & 9 main dishes).This is certainly a restaurant worthy of regular visits.

Excellent position for exploring historic Stamford with free parking.Proprietor Nelio could not do enough for us very friendly very knowledgeable .Yes the rooms are a bit dated and the showers are iffy but Nelio makes up for all of that .hope to return soon.

Nello the owner was very friendly but we spent the first evening believing the shower wasn't working. When he did show us how to get it functioning, it was impossible to control the temperature so difficult to shower. One of the basic things you need working in a room. The facilities are dated but showers so much so that they need replacing. There were also only 2 hangers in the wardrobe. There was a fridge with continental breakfast in the room. No option for wholemeal bread which also applied to the cooked breakfast. We weren't asked what we'd like as part of our cooked breakfast before it was served eithet - potentially wasteful.Wouldn't stay again.

This friendly, family-owned restaurant in Stamford oozes character and is deal for dining as a romantic couple. When booking a table in the restaurant ask if you could reserve a table in the cellar. The cellar has exposed stone walls, and the only form of lighting is candle light.

My Husband booked for my birthday dinner and we were not disappointed. We liked the idea of being able to sit at a table with pre dinner drinks and browsing the menu before being shown downstairs to our table. The restaurant is family owned and the Owner was brilliant. He welcomed us and talked to us but was not intrusive. The food was excellent with a very varied Portuguese menu and an extremely good wine selection. This restaurant comes highly recommended.

Warm welcome pleasant seating area to have a drink before the meal...very good choice on the menu You have to go down stairs to the restaurant area this might be problem for some people. restaurant was cosy and welcoming service was very good and the food was also very good.

I am baffled as to why this restaurant has so many positive reviews. I accept that some things are personal taste and apparently some people are charmed by eating in a windowless basement painted black and by 1960s waiting - unfolding napkin and placing on your lap, "silver" service from serving dishes. But the food was beyond awful.. I had sardines to start which were OK but my husband's pasta Bolognaise was pasta in a white sauce with some under cooked mince all heated to molten in the microwave. I then had Beef Stroganoff which was some kind of beef in what tasted like cook in sauce from a jar. It came with rice and I was also offered boiled and chipped potatoes. My husband had kidneys - also in a cook in sauce and really not good at all. There were only 2 other people in the whole restaurant who also sounded unhappy with their meal. The service was old fashioned but OK. The wine was OK. I really don't understand how so many people have given this positive reviews or how it has apparently stayed open for years. Is Tue the chef's night off ? Honestly a packet of crisps in front of the telly would have been so much better.

Nearly ten years and still returning! This Hotel & Restaurant is so welcoming and we've visited again - first time since last Autumn - to find, thank goodness, that it hasn't changed. Conveniently situated for the town with its many places of interest and beauty, this Hotel is ideal for tourism and/or business travellers. The welcome is warm, the service excellent and the quality of food/wines are out of this world! It's well worth a visit and, to prove it, we hope to be back for several days in the late Summer.

This was a birthday present for my wife from her daughter.I can't believe I've lived in Stamford all my life and not been in this little gem of a place.Had a lovely 3 coarse meal and everything was great from the food to the service they was all very friendly and made us very welcome.We will defiantly be going back and would like to say a big thank you to you allLindsay and Steve Ford from Ketton

I ate hear during my recent stay in Stamford. The atmosphere and ambience is exquisite, and the owners and staff really friendly. The menu is excellent and the food delicious and superbly cooked. They gave a good wine list and it is real value for money.

Lets face it, you rarely go to a hotel in a place like Stamford with the intention of lounging round the place. We use this place as a great value for money place to sleep. You get stuff for breakfast in a fridge. Why not? Just what you need. It is an ancient building with lots of stairs.Family run, there is a great place to eat downstairs. We really do love this place.Decent family fun value for money. We'll return time and time again.

We had a beautiful 3 course meal here. The ambience was lovely, the setting was romantic/cosy and the staff were attentive. They are very accommodating and said they'd cook vegan as long as our friends tell them in advance what they'd like so that they can get the right food in. Nothing was too much trouble. Eating by candle light was special. Will fully recommend this place.

Was taken by family to celebrate a birthday. I liked the fact we had a drink in the bar and relaxed while perusing the menu. We felt very relaxed and ordered our food. A few minutes passed and we were told our table was ready and led to a downstairs restaurant which was a beautiful surprise. The room was fantastic. Our food arrived promptly after being sat down and the napkins placed on our laps. I ordered the cod fishcakes which were even better than i had in Lisbon. To follow i had the Lamb which is the best i have had ever so tasty and melt in the mouth, this was accompanied by fresh broccoli, carrots, swede, Jersey royals and saute potatoes. I had a creme caramel for pudding which was delicious. I couldn't manage coffee as i was so full . The bill for 6 of us was a very reasonable £175.40 and included a wonderful Portuguese red that the manager recommended. I have booked for next month to try it again.

We enjoyed a meal for 4 in the small restaurant. Friendly service from Nelio, our host, and an excellent meal in atmospheric cellar surroundings. We will definitely go again.Out-of-town visitors should note that parking next to the hotel is very restricted, but the public park down the hill at Cattlemarket, Station Road is reasonably close.

We have been visiting this Hotel for more years than I care to say. The reason? The superb meals in the restaurant. The starter, mains and desserts are to die for. I would go so far as to say that this is the best of all the places we have visited. The staff are courteous and always make you feel welcome . The presentation of the food is highly professional I just wish that other establishments maintained such high standards.I find t hard to believe that anyone would be disappointed.Mike

sardines.....dry and burntsauce madeira on steak...............coagulating as watched..blandvegetables.........watery and barely warmchips.soggydrinks extremely expensive as was the whole meal especially in view of qualitycreme brulee was in fact a slab of creme caramelNot repeat not to be repeated

I used to come to this restaurant a lot however got out of the habit; but ventured back a few weeks ago and so glad I did! This really is a special restaurant and the food was still as fabulous as I remembered. We sat downstairs which makes it so special as it is lit by candlelight; very romantic!Food was excellent and plenty; service was excellent and we will not leave it as long next time! Many thanks Nelio for looking after us!

We stayed one night with evening meal and breakfast included for £155. We was greeted by the owner very friendly chap. Our room was in great need of a deep clean it was very cold as well. In need of decoration and lots of T.L.C. My meal was very good Lamb cooked beautifully. My husband steak was very disappointing very gristley he couldn't even chew through it left half. The mango cheesecake was very sweet it was not of good quality. We arrived downstairs for breakfast in the morning to be ignored twice by a girl who could see we was waiting, in the end my husband had to shout down to the restaurant which is in downstairs in the basement. We had been waiting 15 minutes. When the breakfast finally arrived was very good. But the dining room was very cold, the customer service not good. It was valentines weekend but for £155 it was certainly not worth the money.

We had a really good value Sunday lunch, £16.90 for 3 courses. The food was good and the service was very good. Unfortunately, we were the only table occupied in the restaurant which slightly hampered the experience. The waiter was very well presented and offered a great 'silver service' experience, he also helped us navigate the Portuguese wine list and recommend a good red wine for £25 a bottle. this gets 4 stars due to the value for money, if it was more expensive, the rating would be lower.

Hadn't been here before but will definitely be going again. First impression, quirky and olde worlde, it was a bit chilly when we sat having a drink but when taken down into the restaurant it was lovely and cosy with a beautiful soft glowing atmosphere due to all the candles!We were spoilt for choice over the menu but what we both chose we thoroughly enjoyed and I hadn't realised until the end how very reasonably priced the three course menu was and then found that tea and coffee was included! Staff were very friendly and polite and the owner made time to chat to us both on arrival and when we were leaving.Have family visiting next week and we wondered where to go but not any more! Definately recommend.

Went for a dinner on the 19th December as a couple,Quality welcome Quality service Quality food Been here now 3-4 times never a bad word just simply roll on our next visit thankyou Nelio and staff.

Went here christmas day and loved the place and service. Very reasonable price too. The food is good but not outstanding. Christmas pudding was to die for!!! Made our Christmas very special, would def book again. Wonderful staff too.

I got in contact with the owner - Nelio - to arrange coming to his restaurant so that I could propose to my girlfriend. Nelio was really helpful and agreed to open early so that it was just my girlfriend and I in the restaurant and he was absolutely brilliant in not giving the game away when we arrived! The restaurant itself is brilliant and fully candlelit making it perfect for both couples who want a nice romantic meal, or for families/groups who want a meal in a nice relaxed environment. The menu is very well priced and has a great range of choice. Both my fiancée (she said yes) and I had a 3 course meal and both went for the steak. They were both cooked perfectly and came with a choice of vegetables and potatoes. All in all it was an amazing experience and Nelio and his staff are very welcoming and he is a great host with a good knowledge of wines. We will definitely be going to Candlesticks again and I would thoroughly recommend it. Thanks again Nelio and the rest of the staff and thanks for the congratulations card!

I visited the Candlesticks Restaurant for dinner with a friend.The host greeted us and chatted about the food and wine. He made us feel very welcome and clearly the food is a passion for him.The menu is a bit of a nostalgia trip, with dishes such as Beef Olives, which I haven't seen on a menu for many years. The decor is a bit dated but this is made up for by the friendly but not claustrphoibc service and quality of the food and wine.A very enjoyable meal.

While the Candlesticks may not appeal if you are looking for a main stream restaurant if is very quaint and like being in a time warp. This is one of the very few restaurants that still offer silver service and have very old fashioned crockery and bar seen. With an injection of cash this could be a trendy and very popular eatery as the building is unique and very interesting. The same family have owned Candlesticks for 40 years and as hard as they try to serve good food they haven't moved on much in that time. Give Candlesticks a try with an open mind and expect nice food in a quirky restaurant.

We stumbled upon this lovely little place in Stamford. The room was very comfortable and clean and the bed was first class. We had dinner in the restaurant and you really don't want to miss that experience down in the cellar that is beautifully appointed and the food was out of this world. It was a great value for the price and the owner is just a lovely gentleman who found the perfect bottle of wine to accompany our meal at a very reasonable price. Would definitely recommend this place

What a setting - the candlelit dining room in the cellar makes a lovely evening meal a special occasion! The food and service are superb, the wine is excellent and the quirky bar and restaurant are delightful! You will not be disappointed!!We stayed overnight, and whilst the rooms are a little tired, they are perfectly comfortable and very affordable. We will return!

Twice this year and well worth it! My Wife and I have been visiting Candlesticks for upwards of a decade now and the quality never varies. A friendly welcome, very comfortable accommodation and a Restaurant that is really top quality. The Wine Menu is equally fine. We have no hesitation in recommending this well sited Hotel whatever your reason for visiting Stamford - and, as to the town itself, there is no reason not to.

This restaurant offers a three course meal with tea & coffee for £22.95. You are spoilt for choice at the selection of the scrumptious food. The desserts are also to die for. I recommend the sozzled steak personally. The staff are always polite and helpful and the ambience downstairs of the cellar lit by candlelight makes it intimate and personal. A fantastic family run restuarant, it's no wonder it's been open for decades!

Have herd so much about this restaurant over the years. Can't say I will be making the same recommendation to others. Service was close to poor. Waiting staff not really interested in their roles. Eat in the cellar - candlelit - should have been romantic but was just too dark and too cold.

Very olde world and popular experience great food and welcoming staff , overnight stay but parking is a problem in peak times as the establishment is in a side street

Cannot fault this beautiful restaurant.the food is outstanding,superb quality,hot and cooked to perfection. The service is faultless,polite and your made so welcome. The ambience is wonderful,relaxing and each table has candlelight and you feel private.i cannot say enough compliments about this amazing hidden gem

We stayed and ate here..and it was like joining the family..The rooms are up and around a variety of staircases and the rooms quite small when you get there. However, they are clean but leave you feeling that money could've been spent on redecorating.The meals were excellently cooked but the portions were far too large to eat in one sitting and we all asked to take away what we could not finish. The service was excellent throughout our stay.

I really wanted to love this place. I dismissed the negative reviews as there were so many excellent ones. The atmosphere was pleasant - candles, linen tablecloths and napkins, fresh flowers on the table. The welcome was warm, the service friendly and attentive and the recommended wine very good. Sadly the food was mediocre - a bit reminiscent of 70s package holiday food. I had read a previous reviewer say s/he was a bit of a food snob - perhaps I'm the same.There was a big party in at the same time as us and they were having a great time. Clearly many people love the place so go if you enjoy rather old fashioned food, over cooked vegetables etc. but don't if you have high culinary expectations.If you do go ask for wine recommendations - the owner knows his wine and has some unusual and interesting ones.

Sure, the lounge is a little dated and quirky, but the service is friendly and pleasant, the food is delicious and we find the candlelit atmosphere downstairs to be really lovely. We have been back again and again and are always impressed.Well done the owner and all his staff, we think you're doing a fantastic job :)