Smokeworks Ltd in Cambridge

Should be zero stars, horrible tourist trap, rancid tasting food, awful service too - avoid at all costs. There are much better options in Cambs now. Do yourself a favour and cross the street and go into Bread & Meat for honest quality food. Ignore the 'management' response on here..

Excellent value for money. Great staff and fab food. Definitely recommend.

Great food, with a smokey flavour 😋 yummy!!!!!!!! There is a nice list of beverages as well. Go try it out when your swanning around the city centre 😎 you won't be disappointed.

Can't wait to come back here as the food is out of this world. I would highly recommend the sharing platter. The milkshake is one of the best I’ve ever had too. But nothing beats how tender the ribs are as they fall apart! The only thing that comes close is the lovely staff members who work there.

Absolutely love this place, we have eaten there both times I have visited Cambridge in recent years and I will definitely return again - fantastic food and a great range of drinks. On top of that, they are a really lovely friendly bunch, even offering to post a favourite scarf free of charge when I left it under a table there (thanks Ben!) 110% recommended :-)

Lovely food, great service from staff and good music in background.

Good food - mostly for carnivores but some rrasonable options for herbivores too.

Delicious BBQ. I had one of their pork buns and it was great. Also had the Cajun onion rings, which were also yummy. Would suggest for sure.

Beautiful place. Food is amazing,

We booked nearly two weeks ahead a table for two upstairs. Apart from a single woman at a table for four we were the only ones in. We were seated in a gangway at a small table for two which was not ideal as my husband is six four and 'chunky'. We asked to move to a bigger table but were told they were all booked so were moved downstairs...it was cold, I sat in my coat, and no atmosphere. We ordered the Sauvignon blanc house wine and they were out so went for a rose. On to the food we chose the beef ribs platter, only to be told get hadn't got any. The platter was ok, heavy n pork without the beef ribs. Pulled port and loaded chips were cold, sausages good, wings good especially bbq dip. I passed on the pork ribs as not a big fan of pork 🤷‍♀️ Waitress was very sweet, took on board our disappointment at the platter. The smoked gin was excellent , very different especially with my choice of ginger ale! Pecan pie was good but no lactose free deserts😢 All in all not a wonderful pre concert meal but the waitress made up for our disappointment . Sadly and an hour and a half later we were still the only ones downstairs and there were tables still free upstairs / but the music was 😊

Brilliant good, very attentive staff, great atmosphere

A really nice BBQ restaurant. We were sat in one of the smoker tables which was really cool. The food was very tasty and the service impeccable. Would definitely recommend for anyone looking for some BBQ food

American Barbeque Food delivered quickly without delay. The food was hot, I assume the restaurant prepared fresh for every order. The taste of the pork rib reminded me of sweet and sour pork(a traditional Chinese style dish). The hotdog was nice. A German style sausage in a brioche bun is always a good combo. The fries and wings were hot and well seasoned, therefore I forgot the dipping sauce. Good quality fries no need to use dipping sauce to finish afterall. The dipping sauce tasted rich. The clawslaw had seeds inside the dressing, I assume it was mustard seeds. Looked pretty homemade to me. The portion was massive and generous. No customer will get hungry. The design of the restaurant reminds me of the American restaurants in Man vs Food. Very American style.

Burger didn’t have enough meat on it. Tasted good other than that, they were just a it stingy. Ribs were dry and overcooked, also didn’t have enough sauce. Not that impressed. Overhyped.

Food was absolutely excellent. Would recommend the St Louis ribs and staff were very attentive to my gluten intolerance and so catering towards me.

We sat in the bar and ate. Great food great service the lads that looked after us were really polite with good personalities, really nice to be looked after. We went over the top and ordered the sharing platter for 4 (we were only 2) Everything was really good the chicken wings were banging & sauces were also really tasty. Needles to say we didn’t finish it but we nearly did 😅 Can’t wait for our next visit to Cambridge so we can come back to the smokeworks. Neither of us were fans of the Cumberland but the other sausage was lush

Went for dinner the other night to one of my favourite restaurant’s in town & found out it now has a shuffleboard room! My friends & I decided to try out a few games before dinner & it was great fun. We were all a bit rubbish tbh, but that doesn’t matter as it’s such a laugh anyway. It’s addictive too. It was a great addition to our meal out & I’d highly recommend it. You could also play beer pong, but we’ll save that for another time. It’s easy to book on the website & good value for a night out with friends. A great new addition.

A very friendly place either a good selection of local beers. Food was good with many side options. Small but cozy. Would go again.

This is a meat lovers paradise! With a strong industrial aesthetic, the darkened rooms add to the smokey vibe, along with some very friendly and approachable staff who clearly enjoy working here. And the food, damn these guys can cook with some of the best flavours in the city. Couldn't recommend Smoke works more, you have to try it...

Beer bars with bbq in the center of the city. The one star is lost because it had a small selection of vegetarian dishes (but it is also a bbq restaurant, so that makes sense). Potatoes with vegetables and guacamole hell!! Also, one of the best lagers I've had lately. The staff is kind and pleasant.

lovely meal in here today, our first time visiting, will definitely be back! mario is a great member of staff ☺️

Awesome little gem! Food was flavourful. Staff was friendly. Didn't have to wait long after ordering for the food to come out.

Very nice BBQ ribs, nutella milkshake was excellent.

Visited today and had a lovely meal. I had a full rack of ribs and they were the best I’ve ever had. My wife had the pulled pork and she said the same thing and said the meat was lovely with no fatty bits you usually get. Staff were very friendly and we loved the light system for service. See you again soon.

The food was amazing the chicken wings the ribs and the chips too and the blue cheese sauce is my favorite there the milkshakes are a cherry on top of a cake they’re so good. The service was good as well and i go there a lot so i can assure you it’s worth the visit and the mone. The atmosphere is also really good comfortable so loved it !!

A lot of thought has been put into this restaurant. Pre-food experience was good - great mechanism to request service. Food was fun to share and excellent. Went again today, so good that we just can't help but keep on returning! Family favourite.

Food was fine, the spicy margaritas are INSANELY GOOD and the music was absolutely amazing throughout. Cheers to whomever chose the playlist!

We had a meal yesterday at The Smokeworks best meal in Cambridge on our weekend away for sure. The ribs and the beef brisket loaded fries where unreal so much so we had to order another portion of the beef loaded fries. Staff were so friendly really helpful but we didn't get told about the ordering system (we quickly worked it out) and we were given the wrong bill in which we paid but worked out before leaving at it was more. (Very apologetic but fine)

Such a lovely place. Food was amazing and service out of this world, would definitely recommend ♥️

Charismatic servers, food excellent atmosphere brilliant well worth the visit.

It's worth going to dinner. We were served by a very attentive and professional waitress. I highlight the Caesar salad and the chicken wings. It has a terrace

Great urban vibe and ambience. Good selection of drinks. We opted for cocktails which were excellent. Really good menu too.I had beef bun which was pulled brisket. Cooked so well - absolutely delicious. Came with a generous side of house slaw and we shared a small Caesar salad. My husband had ribs and fries. We sat inside but there were outside tables as well. Friendly and helpful staff provided excellent service. A really good place to eat.

I’ve been there a few times solo trips and for my birthday a couple of times mouth watering food great service I always try and get in when I go to Cambridge

Best milkshakes we ever tried !!!!!

First off, the staff is awesome. Second, as soon as I ordered the beef bun and fries, it was about 2 minutes later it was on my table. Lastly, the food I ordered was EXCELLENT! I would definitely recommend Smokeworks for eats or drink.

Employee was so helpful and enthusiastic especially thr lady that wait on us today. We had an amazing lunch here. Highly recommended here. Baby pork ribs was so good and the buffalo sauce that come with wings is one of the best buffalo sauce I have in a while ( You don’t find this in London )

We very much enjoyed our experience at smokeworks. All the staff were very friendly, attentive and helpful. The food really hit the spot. Four of us had great mix from the menu from the share plate to the macaroni to a salad and sides and everyone ended up sharing their meals around. Good list of drink which also flowed. We will happily return for another meal in the future.

If you want to eat really delicious BBQ, you've come to the right place.😊

This is like my dream restaurant. Delicious smoked ribs and sauces, the best wings I've ever had, great beer and a cheeky syrupy Pecan pie to finish. If I come back to Cambridge, I will come again, anything else would be madness !

Wow : great food, excellent service and location There were so many options and all very tasty We had chicken wings, onion rings with 2 sauces and loaded chips Thank you folks

Good food really good service told the waiter I needed to be out quick and got my beers , food and bill paid dead quickly . Proper Friday night pre gig atmos too ! Love you all

Amazing food with nice staff and quick service

Love the food here it is just filled with lots of meat cooked to fall off the bone as well as burgers and wings and all sorts. I love the baby back pork ribs here and often pair them with pulled pork and chilli loaded fries. They have a unique system where you turn on a switch at your table which will light up the number and someone will come over. They have some pints which are nice and sections on the menu of normal cocktails, slushie cocktails and milkshake cocktails.

Old-fashioned pub with 2 locations (2 entrances next to each other) and several levels. Very good meats and beers. Excellent rock music. Service with clever button to call. In a very lively restaurant district in the evening.

Wow wow wow! Randomly stopped here for lunch! Oh my god! The food is unreal! & The staff so friendly I asked them to move to Huntingdon, because this place would be a gold mined anywhere it went! Very impressed & nice my new favourite restaurant in Cambridge! Espresso martini is on our Ranking Page as a S Tier! Well done guys!!!

The service was impeccable, I believe I got served by Aysh. He made me feel very welcome.

We had the most amazing time here tonight! The staff were unbelievable and the manager was so chill and lovely proper made us feel at home it was such a relaxed atmosphere and the food was incredible!! It was my brothers first time and now is his favourite restaurant! Everyone needs to go here

Sadly I didn’t take any pictures Visited on a day out with a couple of mates. Rocked up about 7:30 with no booking. Immediately offered a table. I’m an electric wheelchair user without any prompt the delightful Italian waitress got the ramp and selected a suitable table for us. The specials were explained, menu explained and during order we were offered upgrades. Service was quick. Food was banging. 4 different menu items selected. Wheelchair accessible toilet is very spacious. Overall was really impressed. In an old building it’s difficult to create access. Top tip if visiting as a wheelchair user ask to sit at front separate restaurant as access is best and this is where accessible loo is.

A great "smoke house" in the heart of Cambridge. Nice restaurant, with a mix of new and old furniture. It feels like being in a diner, but with a British twist. The meat is great, I didn't like the quality of the chicken (felt a bit too fatty), but everything else was lovely.

If I could give 0 i won't give 1 star. The rudest bar tender and restaurant waiters told a guy in front of us saying no table but actually lots of tables there and when we asking for tables He said I'm not gonna serve you first I'm going do some cleaning. This guy just very rude from his face. Dont go to this restaurant ever and I hope this restaurant get bankruptcy. Worst wishes. Never seen Such a cringe restaurant which is in the Cambridge.

Lucas and Harry were extremely kind and helpful and friendly in the pub today. It was a delight to be there.

Very friendly and helpful service, delicious food and big portions. The playlist was also 5⭐️

Brought my toddler son to Cambridge for 3 days. We visited Many restaurants around the city but the experience by far was SMOKEWORKS because of our servers Elisa and Ciaran, they went above and beyond making sure our dinner was special and even giving extra sprinkles for my son when he said he liked them. The food was also great if you are looking for ribs and wings, the coleslaw could have been better though.

We went here for lunch. Food was very good and was cooked perfectly, but the bbq sauce was in the sweeter side for me and also for the others who were accompanied. The service was really nice. And they have an interesting button pressing system to call the service personnel. We took the basement, it was dark and a bit stuffy, there was no mobile coverage. Nonetheless a good place.

Had a great morning drink and relax at this wonderful spot on the corner..Good beer, Good shots. Thanka for the fun on my birthday 🍻😀

We left after 5 minutes. It was either the cold temperature, or possibly the freezing atmosphere. Then again it could have been the noise from the kitchen, or the deafening music. I suppose the cramped table in the corner, perhaps even the uninspiring menu didn't help. As we left, a customer who had eaten, caught up to us in the street and told us the food was terrible, so maybe my son's birthday meal wasn't ruined here.

A feast for the eyes and the stomach, best ribs in Cambridge #loveit extremely inspiring menu! Reminds me of America, can’t wait to come back #americanbbq #beautiful #greatmusic

Discovered this place by chance on our first trip to Cambridge and very impressed by how tasty the food was. We also liked the system of calling the waiters and how friendly they were to us. Great atmosphere and will definitely visit again.

I visited for the first time on Saturday, and our waiter, Mario, could not have been any better. I had friends visiting two days later and decided to bring them here based on my previous experience, but it could not have been more opposite. I don't know the name of the waiter this time, but he made it very clear that our group of six was an inconvenience to him, so we decided to leave and find somewhere else.

I have a specific complaint about the toilets which ruined my whole experience. When entering the toilets, the gender distinguished entrances were not made obvious. When going in to the women’s, I opened the already open door, and found a man going for a wee with his pants pulled down. Without stating the obvious, I think it’s pretty appalling that women cannot have a safe space separate from drunken men to go to the loo in peace. I also felt incredibly uncomfortable and awkward after this and it ruined the rest of ,y dining experience. I cannot say I would recommend this place to families, as allowing your children to go to the toilet alone would be an unsafe option. I still feel uncomfortable.

Good food and atmosphere. Beers could easily be better

Amazing local small business that deserves your time to visit, great staff amazing food and some locally brewed beers

Went out for lunch, the nice girl working at the bar, let us taste the beer and was very kind overall. I had the chicken burger, which was amazing, and the mac and cheese on the side, I would recommend this place

I had a great experience on my first visit to Cambridge. Smokeworks on Free school lane was definitely a highlight and I really really enjoyed my St Louis belly rib. Lots of intense flavours, soft tender meat and the slaw was the perfect accompaniment due to its crunch and freshness. Our sides were the Mac ‘n cheese and the Cajun spiced onion rings, both were probably the best I’ve ever had. My partner ordered the baby back ribs but this was the only item which unfortunately wasn’t on par with everything else. The ribs were tender but didn’t have much flavour. I also got the apple crumble handshake which was so good I had to grab one to go. You’re missing a trick by not offering a strawberry cheesecake version! Staff were brilliant from start to finish and if you’re reading this then know that I appreciate you.

I had a great experience on my first visit to Cambridge. Smokeworks on Free school lane was definitely a highlight and I really really enjoyed my St Louis belly rib. Lots of intense flavours, soft tender meat and the slaw was the perfect accompaniment due to its crunch and freshness. Our sides were the Mac ‘n cheese and the Cajun spiced onion rings, both were probably the best I’ve ever had. My partner ordered the baby back ribs but this was the only item which unfortunately wasn’t on par with everything else. The ribs were tender but didn’t have much flavour. I also got the apple crumble handshake which was so good I had to grab one to go. You’re missing a trick by not offering a strawberry cheesecake version! Staff were brilliant from start to finish and if you’re reading this then know that I appreciate you.

Really nice and cozy place! The food was tasty and the service very friendly and fast!

Nice little BBQ restaurant with great food. Service and ambience are good.

Amazing food, tasty ribs very well cooked Friendly and helpful staff. Highly recommended

Want chicken and ribs, soft and fall off the bone, plus then a button for service them this is the place. Great staff and lovely food. Snug but comfortable we had a platter which is good for the money, the mac and cheese is a must add on too. Lovely food not a big vill. Recommended.

The food was rather good, unfortunately the music was so loud we could barely hear each other, despite asking for the music to be turned down, they seemed more interested in ignoring my request, really disappointed and spoilt a lovely day with our son.

Got a table with no reservation on a Saturday which was nice. Drinks and food arrived fast and I like the switch on the wall if you want service. Now the food, I ordered the ribs and rings combo and it was a bit of a let down tbh. The ribs were not tender and was very tough chewy. I questioned this and was told that’s how they are meant to be, with a bite I believe he said. I have not had ribs like this before, the bbq sauce just tasted a bit generic nothing special. The wings were pretty good best part of the meal but I came for the ribs glad I didn’t order a full rack. My friend got the special pork and Mac burger. This again was a let down. Two small bits of pork was not enough for the big bun it was served in. The loaded fries were not good. Hardly any meat and came with chillis even thou we asked for no chillis

Our 3rd time here and never disappoints

Had a sharing platter for 2 with the short ribs. The beef rib was really soft. I’d give it a 10/10. Customer Service was really good 😊

Fantastic buffalo wings. Amazing service. I came here the second day in line!

Great little place, atmosphere was lovely, the food very tasty and the cocktails amazing! The basil mescalita was so good! Service was also excellent! Thank you!

Delicious food. Definitely recommended when it comes to BBQ and meat dishes. The interior is small and cozy.

Food not nice, service wasn’t nice, loud music

This place is awesome! The food was absolutely outstanding! And we was served by an awesome waitress! Attentive and with great hunour. The whole experience was great. The portion sizes was huge! Definitely a challenge for any food lover!

Beef ribs are fabulous! The great way of asking for service is innovative.

Amazing food, brilliant service! Will definitely come again!

We had our table cancelled on us elsewhere (who does that in 2024?!), so decided to look nearby, and chanced upon this place. We both enjoyed it massively. Our combo meals were both delicious, we couldn’t fault it, it’s quirky, stylish and just good southern style hospitality in Cambridge. I’ve eaten at many places like this, and it really made me smile, as good food should. Just good ole fashioned eats. Killer soundtrack on the playlist too, although the warbling lady next to us was off key singing bless her.

Fantastic service, excellent food and a whole separate menu for my gluten-free friend, which was brilliant. Definitely recommend

I’d probably give this place a miss - there are too many other options worth a shot. We came here as a couple for dinner before some comedy at the corn exchange. Seated quickly - quite liked the switch on the wall to request service - thought the serving untensils storage on the wall was very smart. Menu looked tasty if a little more expensive than we’d expected but still worth seeing how it comes. Server was attentive and adjusted our order so we could eat something sooner than the time it would take for our main order to arrive. Main food arrived promptly - probably faster than we’d have expected but certainly no complaints! St Louis pork belly was lovely - coleslaw a definite hit - fries serving too small mind. The issue came with the ‘half smoked chicken’ on the ‘double clucker’ platter. Everything else fine but this chicken was drier than the bloody desert. I’m really not fussy when it comes to chicken but I had to spit it out before it ended me via dehydration. Seriously I get that the USP is bbq food and perhaps we didn’t appreciate that the atmosphere is certainly not date night nor particularly comfortable - hey that’s on us for making the choice. Can’t say they mislead you there. But good lord - what did that poor chicken do to deserve that! That CANNOT be what you generally or aim to serve! We did tell the lovely server at the end how bad it was and she walked off shouting somebody’s name as if there was a protocol for this (or perhaps we’re not the first … I doubt very much that we are!) - but she did not return. Instead we requested the bill - paid and left. We couldn’t be bothered to kick up a fuss at having paid £24 for a twice murdered chicken - but we can safely say we did tell them - once was just fine! Let’s hope they forgot about it in the oven and it was a one off dud - otherwise the area surrounding it is going to be filled with people clawing for fluids all around the streets of Cambridge and perhaps vengeance for the injustice of their poultry friends masssacre.

At Smokeworks in Cambridge, I indulged in their "Big Meat Up" platter for 2, featuring Cumberland sausage, smoked Austrian sausage, BBQ chicken wings, fried chicken wings, BBQ pulled pork, crispy pork belly, corn, vegetables, slaw, fries, dip, and an additional choice of meat (we opted for a full rack of ribs). Right off the bat, I can tell you that this meal was exceptional. The Cumberland sausage and fried chicken wings were decent, but not outstanding, and the pulled pork fell short of my usual expectations (as a pork lover), but the rest of the items were positively impeccable. The ribs were perfectly cooked, falling right off the bone. The fries were crispy and flavourful, and the BBQ chicken wings stood out, particularly owing to the sauce they were coated in. The Austrian sausage was also impressive, though I wish there had been more of it instead of the Cumberland. The pickled vegetables, slaw, and corn all enhanced the meal, though I didn't partake in the pickles as I'm not a fan in general. The pork belly was a standout and definitely the highlight of the platter. Despite some minor disappointments, the overall quality of the meal definitely justified the £52 price tag. I highly recommend this platter to any meat lover. I also must mention their "baconnaise" (mayo & bacon) dip, which was a delightful addition to the table.

Came to Cambridge for our anniversary and had to try this place. By far, the best BBQ food we've had in the UK! Staff were incredible and there was an endless drink menu to choose from. We'll definitely be coming back to Cambridge just to have another go at this place! Only advice would be, book a table! Enjoy!

Lots of good things about this restaurant: great beer list, good staff, lots of good food. The problem is the main event: the smoked meat. The beef rib was incredibly dry, more like overcooked roast beef. And the pork rib is really poor: unrendered pork fat, rubbery skin neither classic st Louis ribs nor roast pork. It's the third time I've been and it's been the same each time so there's clearly an issue. Could be a great restaurant.

The food is consistently great so great chefs, and the people are all very good and vibey. The Assistant Manager there Mario is such a great guy and he helped out out instantly with such a smile, all of us were so happy with the service, which was also mirrored by the waiters and waitress's Nick also a great guy super fun and always on it. My Family and Friends also agree so it wasn't just me

A great little place. Friendly staff and easy ordering system. Only complaint they forgot my chips, but when I queried this they soon corrected this.

Lovely 🥰 pub Nice and cozy Place for spending time

Amazing dinner!! Me and my kids loved it

Deliciosa comida, Buen ambiente, buen servicio.

In my opinion: Food was lacking flavor Small in portio size Uncomfortable sitting The staff were really ok Wouldn't recommend Sorry

This place is outstanding. The food was delicious, even the vegan option. Portion sizes were perfect. The variety of meats and sides were ideal. The service is second to none, with a really handy and easy way to get staff attention, and the people there are super attentive and friendly. The bourbon is out of this world too. Fantastic selection!

I took a smoked half chicken with chips and rainbow slaw. Everything is extremely tasty, especially rainbow slaw (I took an extra potion). The stuff is very friendly, music is excellent. Highly recommend

We popped into smokeworks on a busy Saturday as a family of four. Straight up the service was fantastic - the team were warm and friendly and we were quickly seated and water brought to the table. Quick, efficient and friendly service throughout. The team really made us feel welcome and well looked after. The food was delicious. Excellent prices for the kids meals. So pleased we came here for lunch.

Loved it, staff very friendly, food served quickly and tasted great.

We are regulars here. Fantastic staff, friendly and always go the extra mile to make your visit special. You would struggle to find a more genuine and consistent level of service, food and care and attention. You are made to feel like friends here. Thanks so much, Jill & Phil

Went with a group of 9 of us and they were really accommodating. Venue has a nice ambience. Food came quickly but was amazing and very filling. Staff were happy and gave the group some good subjects of good foods. Only issue is no sweet menu for after your meal.

Saw this place online and decided to give it a try as we were spending the night in Cambridge. It's only a very small place, but we got a table as a walk in. The staff were brilliant, very friendly and efficient. Our drinks were out within minutes, and the food not too far behind. Staff checked up on us, and we ordered a few more drinks when they did. Somewhere I'd gladly go back to

The ambience, food and staff were great, but I can't say the same for the beers. I hope there will be better options for beers