The Boot Inn in South Cambridgeshire

I recommended The Boot to my friend for her mother’s 90th birthday. Yesterday the food was reasonably good and the waiter exceptional. However, we had to wait a really long time for our Bloody Mary,s and the starters had already arrived. Eventually, I went to the bar and ordered a bottle of white wine as Jenny whose birthday it was had not had a drink for atleast 40 min. Today, we went for a roast which was delicious but warm. I asked to talk to the Manager about the drinks situation the day before and she explained a refund had been offered. The same situation regarding the bloody Mary’s had happened once before and no sherry was available today. In mid conversation, she cut me short and said she had to rush off. I said I had not finished and reluctantly she half listened. I was annoyed that we had been kept waiting for our drinks the day before and if a cocktail was not available, to say so. Her attitude was patronising & unsympathetic not caring we had been let down. I will not be making any future recommendations as I feel disappointed by how we/I was treated. You have a lack of staff, lack of drinks and rude managers. The previous American manager was superb. I suggest you listen to your customers as you are not doing yourself any favours!!!

Starting with the things that I liked. Firstly the building itself which was gorgeous. Secondly the staff who were friendly and helpful. Thirdly the quality of the meat (we had the Sunday toast) was superb and it was expertly cooked. However what let the place down was my starter (cheese soufflé) which was overcooked and tasteless, the roast potatoes which were soggy and were not crispy in the slightest and the thin, insipid gravy. The roast veg were a little oily for my personal taste and the cabbage had too much pepper added. The Yorkshire pudding and cauliflower cheese were perfectly adequate. The place was extremely busy, so I would like to return perhaps on a day which is not so frantic.

Great food and great team who deliver, from the welcome on arrival to the pub exit. The food quality is excellent for the fair prices charged and you never have to hail a waiter for attention as you have your own friendly dedicated one who keeps a careful eye on you from a distance. Can't fault it all and highly recommend.

I am 80 years old and I have never ever been to a restaurant as good as this- the food was fantastic and the staff brilliant and the ambience wonderful. Many congratulations - you made my birthday a very special day. Chrissy Hobbs

We took our two mothers here and enjoyed thoroughly good meals, starters, mains and deserts did not disappoint at all. Some very imaginative dishes as well which was refreshing, super charming staff also and very attractive surroundings.

I've visited the boot on a number of occasions in the past. My most recent visit tells me one thing, this pub has seriously gone downhill. The place is clearly understaffed with the staff rushing around like there's no tomorrow. Funnily I was actually ignored for over 10mins at the bar while patrons who arrived later on were served before me. I had a good chuckle to myself as this something I've never experienced in a Cambridge pub. Finally the food, I ordered my go to favourite the sticky toffee pudding it was........Abysmal. The quality of the pudding has significantly declined, they dont even serve ice cream with it anymore. Just some sort of whipped cream. Dear Boot it was good knowing you but you're not the same anymore, time to move on!

Delicious Sunday Roast, staff attentive, will return

Superb setting, very good food and excellent service, Desire is a top waiter

Nice place, food v good, but mains (mine anyway) small and you need starter or side to make a meal. My (v flavoursome) lump of 'chalk stream trout' certainly came out of a fish the size of a salmon. 10% tip is automatically added to bill and you have to go out of your way in order to have this removed, ie verbally ask - which I resent on principle.

Excellent service and excellent food quality.

Pleasant atmosphere and food. Very comfortable place to be.

Loved The Boot. Good food and service. Lovely cosy ambiance.

On every occasion we have eaten here, we have had good service and excellent quality food

I went here with two friends for Sunday lunch and it was really lovely . I only eat chicken so I was really pleased that this was accommodated . Lots of veg and gorgeous roast potatoes , beautiful Yorkshire pudding . Would definitely go again !

I have been to The Boot a few times now, and I have never been disappointed. Whether I go with one friend or seven friends, the standard has never dropped. I took my friend there today for his first time and he was really impressed. From the moment we arrived( without a reservation), we were greeted by a gentleman at the desk, and then shown our table/menus by Amanda. The young person who served us was brilliant as was everyone we came across. One gentleman (possibly one of the chefs) came through the restaurant singing away. He was so happy looking that I suggested we do a duet. It’s a pity I didn’t get other names, but it wouldn’t have mattered as everyone appeared to be enjoying their work. No need to tell you that I will return.

Great food and atmosphere with excellent service. We were seated in the Conservatory on a lovely sunny day which was perfect.

Just the perfect late lunch. Food was very good and the amazing server, Desire, coped with complicated allergy requirements without a blink. We'll be back

An enjoyable place to eat. Helpful and friendly staff. A variety to choose from on the menu and the food was good . There is also Wheelchair accessxx

Excellent menu, well presented tasty food. Good friendly service. Will definitely visit again. Have been back several times and always happy with everything. The fish Malabar curry is delicious. Butternut squash meal also very tasty. Definitely recommend the Morrocan Mezze which was very tasty too. Lovely atmosphere and staff Very helpful. Great meal again, the crab and sweetcorn cakes also very good.

Good food, attentive service, in a nice ambience. I like this combination of bar and restaurant.

Very busy and popular pub. The dining area was excellent, didn’t feel too crammed in. The food was fantastic, but the service was a little slow.

We had a lovely meal with good vegetarian options and amazing pistachio souffle for dessert

Imagine a quaint English pub with a country side feel on a lazy day. Inside is very snug in the bar area, while the dining area has a more upmarket dining air feel about it. Outside, while you enjoy the sun setting and the tiniest of breeze on a warm day, there are further more tables to choose from. The menu has some great choices. Both of us (couple) went for the pie 🥧 dish with fries and broad beans. The pie was, like the pub, quaint in size, however well cooked to perfection and with the gravy, was a beautiful meal. We had just one dessert which was a chocolate and orange mouse. By itself the mouse was so tasty on the pallete. I don't feel it needed the icecream or the crunch topping, however a nice choice none the less. The hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows was nice. We were well looked after, and for customer service, this was a joy to visit as an outsider to the area. Great job.

Very nice. The rump stake had a good crust and was pink and soft as I wanted, perfect for me.the starter was well presented and very refreshing. The staff are very welcoming and friendly .I am looking forward to trying more of there menu.

Another fantastic meal at The Boot. We've been a few times and each meal has been stunning! Beautifully presented and utterly delicious. Definitely recommend if you're after something a bit special!! Venue is beautiful and service excellent too. 2 very happy diners!!

Lovely pub, great food and lovely service. Cannot fault it.

Lovely meal, great service too, highly recommend 👌

We had a lovely evening meal on our 12th anniversary! Absolutely blown away by the quality of the food and service. We were greeted by Aliz who was extremely kind and welcoming. Our waiter was Desire and he was the happiest, most cheerful person spreading so much joy and positivity. He made our evening really special and we felt really lucky to meet him. The place itself is magical, cozy and warm. We will definitely go back!

The Boot was a lovely place with plenty of outdoor seatings and even a spacious sandbox for children. The staff was very friendly and relaxed. They made us feel welcome just so naturally. :)

One of the best meals I have had in years. Excellent souffles, amazing bread, tomatosalat boconcini to die for, comfortable seating in a fantastic atmosphere. Been searching for Heartwood Inns throughout the UK ever since I have eaten here.

Very nice Location with fantastic food

Good value lunch menu! Nice outdoor space

Another lovely lunch at The Boot with excellent service. I had an email discount voucher. Asked before ordering if steak was included and was told that it was. The bill arrived, and I was told that I was unable to use my voucher as it didn't apply to steak. When I explained the situation, my voucher was honoured. Other venues would have put it down to an inexperienced server. Well done, The Boot, we'll be back to enjoy our complimentary glass of fizz.

Absolutely everything was incredible, could not find a single fault even if I tried! Desire was a wonderful waiter super friendly and funny! 11/10 would highly recommend

This is a really excellent place. Six of us booked for a Sunday lunch and it was packed - a good sign that it was obviously well thought of, but always a worry about possible delays in service. No need to worry! Service was excellent and very friendly. The food was brilliant - thoroughly recommend it. We sat in the back under hanging baskets spilling over with colour, under large patio umnbrellas in the sun. Glorious!

There's parking at the front and to the rear making it easy access to absolutely wonderful food, service and great outdoor space for lil'ones and bigger lil'ones. The souffle (spelting test) was unbelievably good. Many home cooks will feel jealous! Oh, ice cream....had to have more...poor waist line! After, huge steak pretending to be a Sunday roast beef!

It was a full house Thursday, and there was a lack of staff. I can find all the staff were quite exhausted. The food quality was not as good as my previous visits.

This is a good place! 6 stars if there were 6 to be given. Great food, better service and such a good atmosphere. You pay for this privilege, but you get what you pay for. Totally suggest the fillet steak but generally speaking everyone at the table could not complain about the food, wine or service. Which left us to have a great evening without all the complaining that usually accompanies your usual night out. Would totally go there again and I can't wait Thank you The Boot. You should be proud

Not only was the food excellent, the menu options were some of the best I've seen. A very refreshing change from the regular pub and restaurant foods.

We loved our meal at the Boot in Histon. The menu all looked lovely and the meal we had was delicious. I highly recommend the pork roulade and the chocolate mousse!! We were brilliantly looked after by Desire - his service and good humour made our evening even more fun!

Flying visit today for lunch, Lovely food and great drinks. Best part without doubt was the fantastic staff, Desire was fab and Adam found a way to get our bottle of bubbles home without it going flat! Set lunch menu was great value for money!

Nice place, food is excellent but I think being charged £14 for a pint of IPA and a shandy is a bit steep!

Have been a semi regular here for a few years. They have a good, frequently updated menu of fairly priced dishes served in a friendly and informal setting. The staff always give a warm welcome and are professional. There is parking on site but there is a local off-road car park a very short distance away.

Great birthday meal with family, fabulous food and lovely staff. Very cheerful and helpful.

The pub was very busy due to the warm weather but the food was still great, with only a slightly slower than normal service.

Very good food , friendly and efficient staff and very good value,just a shame it's a long way from where I live in west Sussex

Great place. Lovely building. The staff and food were excellent. The service was fast and food arrived quickly despite it being fairly busy. Would definitely recommend it.

Fantastic venue, great food, staff really knowledgeable and friendly, only issue was not enough staff 2 hours to get main meal.

The food was very nice, however, the speed of service and attentiveness of the staff was abysmal: it took over an hour from when we were seated until our food arrived, as well as taking over ten minutes to bring us some drinks. If you can't get food to tables in under thirty minutes, you need to let people know, as this was a work lunch booking which had been made in advance, and the delays made colleagues late for afternoon meetings.

The food was very nice, however, the speed of service and attentiveness of the staff was abysmal: it took over an hour from when we were seated until our food arrived, as well as taking over ten minutes to bring us some drinks. If you can't get food to tables in under thirty minutes, you need to let people know, as this was a work lunch booking which had been made in advance, and the delays made colleagues late for afternoon meetings.

A nice meal had by Jazz Pharma non- clinical connecting and socialising ahead of connectivity day. Great colleagues.

Food was outstanding. Loved my sunday roast. Staff so friendly and food came quickly too

Wonderful food in a gorgeous setting, will recommend to all our family and friends thank you ☺️

This was our dozenth visit but it is clear the chef was having an off night. We both had King Prawns and Black Rice which should have been delicious but it wasn't. It was totally over-cooked and dried up. We should have had the courage of our convictions and sent it back. The atmosphere and the service were (as always) excellent and the lovely Zim waiter was outstanding.

It is always such a treat to dine at The Boot for Sunday lunch with the kids, or grown ups dinner, or drinks and light food with friends. The food and drinks menu is very wide choice. The food is always delicious. The service is immaculate - very professional, efficient and friendly. we always feel welcome. We are so lucky to have this little gem in our village. Thank you to the waiters, managers, and chefs for your great work!

Absolutely pristine service from James, i had a truly amazing experience at the Boot. Great food and excellent beer, many thanks to the whole team!!

Don’t judge a book by its cover! From the outside I was sure but inside was great! This is a great pub to eat and drink, food was amazing and service was awesome. Would recommend to anyone.

Late lunch at The Boot Histon. Very good Staff friendly and Helpful Venue very tidy and clean ,nice garden area and parking . We would definitely go back

Booked in for lunch with friends, on their recommendation, they have been here many times and it was their first choice. The service and food were very good, everyone enjoyed what was ordered and there was enough choice on the menu to suit us all. It is a lovely space to spend time in.

The food looked good but …. The chef is very heavy handed with seasoning and the rhubarb crumble was nuked so hot it was difficult to eat

Staff need to be present, friendly and attentive. It appears that they're is a battle of wills as to who is going to take care of the customer. Staff training is needed

Suprisingly good food at a reasonable price, we had the lunch menu deal.

Great gastropub with a good and varied menu, fine wines and a nice atmosphere. Our party had all different dishes but everyone was overwhelmingly positive.

This was my first visit to celebrate my 70th birthday with a group of friends. The whole evening was faultless. All of the staff were super friendly and obliging, the atmosphere was calm and welcoming. All three dishes I chose were delicious and all 11 of us were of the same opinion. Also, unusually for food of this high standard the portions were a good size too

Thank you for looking after us (group of 5 ) so well when we visited for lunch recently. All the staff were friendly and professional. They took such great care of the guest with nut a nut allergy. The food was delicious. We would highly recommend the Boot and will certainly be back again soon.

Had Sunday lunch as guest of friends. Although full on a hot day , the room was airy , cool and not noisy. Service was extremely good. I had the pea and broad bean salad followed by trout fillet in watercress sauce ; both were well cooked and very tasty .Very pleasant ambience so I would happily go again.

This pub is 5 min walk from home so very convenient. Service is always very good. My daughter had the gammon which was extremely salty. Also she had diarrhea the next day and had to take time off work, Not saying it was due to the meal but.......Very expensive at £99 for 2 starters and 2 main courses (not steak). Despite advertising 25% off main courses they would not give the discount because I did not register. I did register but needed to be 24h before visit!!!! Unlikely to visit again.

Dear The Boot (Histon) I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to share some feedback from a recent dining experience at The Boot in Histon, which we visited last night for dinner with a friend. Upon arrival, we experienced a delay in being acknowledged while the staff engaged in conversation at the computer. This wasn't the warmest welcome, and after bringing our presence to their attention, we were seated in a quiet restaurant. While our waitress was polite, the service throughout the evening was noticeably slow. Regarding our meal, I ordered the St Austell’s Beef and Ale pie with a side of savoy cabbage with bacon. Unfortunately, the pie contained only a few small pieces of meat held together by a greyish sauce, and both the mash and gravy were lukewarm. The cabbage side was also tepid, and the bacon resembled undercooked lardons rather than the appetizing dish I anticipated. My partner opted for the chalkstream trout, which was overcooked beyond her preference, although she did enjoy it. Our friend had the house burger, which was satisfactory, though the menu-stated cheese wasn’t available. For dessert, my partner ordered a chocolate tart, which she found delightful, yet the experience was marred by having to repeatedly seek out service for our orders and drinks throughout the evening. Additionally, we noticed cleanliness was an issue; our table was not only grubby but the varnish was worn, exposing the wood beneath which can harbours germs. Furthermore, I had to return a set of cutlery due to unappealing black squishy residue. Even fellow diners expressed dissatisfaction with their meals, indicating a broader concern with the standards of food and service currently offered. It is disheartening to witness the decline in quality and service at The Boot, particularly given its association with esteemed establishments Blanc Brasserie. Unless significant improvements are made, I am hesitant to return. Thank you for taking the time to consider this feedback. I hope it will be used constructively to enhance the dining experience for future patrons.

The food was very good, in particular the fish and chips not only it was huge but also very tasty. The tartare sauce was really good with depth of flavour. The rest of our order was also good. Nice stake and burger. The service was very friendly and professional and the atmosphere was very enticing. If I had one criticism, that would be the music. I was waiting for James Brown to pop out from a corner! Maybe a more lounge/chilled music would suit better. Overall a great experience! If you believe this review has been helpful, please don’t forget to press the 👍 button. Thank you

Amazing place. Always love being here. Food menu could do with a few more vegetarian dishes but that doesn’t take away anything from the ambience and amazing service. Pistachio Soufflé are the best to finish the meal.

Delicious food, friendly helpful staff and a warm comfortable atmosphere! I recommend signing up to their emails as you get some great offers.

Very good…food service.. nice atmosphere.. Staff friendly Good choice on menus Fish.steak.vegan. Desert's Definitely will be going back.

The food was brilliantly cooked and so very tasty, loved every mouthful, well worth a visit, highly recommended.

My partner, daughter & I came here for lunch last Friday & we had an excellent meal from start to finish. The waitress was super friendly, attentive & efficient & our meal was delicious. 2 of us ate from the a la carte menu & my partner ate from the set menu. There was plenty of choice & the food presentation & quality was excellent. My partner commented that the set menu was great value for money & portion sizes were good too. I hadn't intended to have 3 courses but couldn't resist & they were all so tasty. I started with the bean salad with goats cheese, then the hake & finished off with the pistachio souffle - all of which were delicious! We shall certainly be back!

Excellent food! Wonderful atmosphere!! The food is beautifully cooked to perfection! The cheese soufflé is second to none!! The sticky toffee pudding is the best in the world. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves eating well.

It was our go to place for years. The food keeps declining over the past couple of years now, food portions halved, prices doubled, Menu looks more like an upscale version of Weatherspoons! Not a gastro pub any more, not the food we used to eat the first 2-3 years, it has become unaffordable for most - £23 for chicken with cheep mash and a carrot sliced in half! Really a shame as it is a gem and it declines consistently, especially since it was sold to another company.

Very disappointing,ordered The ploughman's platter at £21.50 arrived with a very small piece of cheddar a dry ancient piece of red leicester cheese no pear chutney and instead of the quoted sour dough loaf I gor a dry stale very hard brown roll cut into four that was like concrete. The pork pie and scotch egg were okay but again didn't appear to be that fresh. Been to boot many times over last few years and this was the worst meal I have ever had.

Pleasant evening meal but service (although very friendly) was a bit slow. We enjoyed the starters and dsessert but I found my main course a bit below par. The green beans were VERY al dente, for example.

Came here to meet family for my partner's 50th. Everything was perfect: lovely drinks, amazing food and wonderful staff who were fine with us bringing our own cake. They even joined in the happy birthday sing-a-long! We do meals out for all birthdays, and even though we are in Kent and others in Bucks, will definitely come back to The Boot. 👏👏

Really amazing food and service, will definitely be returning

First time here, booked a table for dinner. The food was good, I had the Pork Ribeye, which was very well cooked, although the sauce lacked any body and was very oily. We had two waitresses, one clearly didn’t want to be at work that day, the other was great, friendly and especially good with our kids.

Came for Easter Sunday lunch with the family. Pre-ordered the food and paid a deposit before we arrived. We were seen to our table late, it was squeezed in to fit despite booking weeks ahead, they seemed to be being greedy and overbooking beyond the restaurant space and kitchen could manage. Sat for 30 mins before starters came out, no apologies or acknowledgment of the slow service from the wait staff, food was ok but not spectacular, coffees/teas for those who ordered them came and were finished before the desserts arrived and the sauce on the sticky toffee pudding was bitter and burnt and inedible. I think it’s really gone down hill recently (maybe since it changed ownership) but our last 2 experiences now have been the same which is a real shame.

The food was good but the service was very poor. We waited a very long time for our lunch. Even when we were the last people there, the waitress walked straight past without even looking to see if we needed anything. We had to search for someone to pay. We didnt even try to order coffee because it was getting so late. There was no toilet paper in the ladies and the seat was broken. This restaurant used to be excellent but something seems to have gone wrong.

Beatrice served myself and two dear friends. She was charming and attentive. We asked to be moved to a different area as a group of young men were celebrating and slightly noisy. Really enjoyed our meal The meal was delicious, good selection of food. Lovely setting. Easy parking. No stress. We will definitely go back.

First visit to The Boot (on recommendation) and definitely didn't disappoint. We were celebrating our 35th Wedding Anniversary. Nice atmosphere, good menu and when the food arrived........ 👌

Excellent Sunday lunch. Absolutely stonking, every time

Absolutely amazing meal and outstanding service from Zoey! The venue is wonderful, ambience great, food and service beyond all expectations. Will definitely be back and recommend to all our friends and family.

When I arrived the bar was full of young builder types who were hell bent on drinking as much as they could in their lunch break, not the relaxing environment I was expecting. The barman was of little use. Once in the restaurant, the staff were attentive, although it seemed that all members of staff were taking care of us (the amount of check backs from various members of staff was a bit intrusive). Main course was OK, a bit luke warm, but tasted alright. Dessert was a disaster, over microwaved, Raymond Blanc would have been less than pleased. Once brought to the attention of staff this was dealt with and I was offered another, which I decided not to have. The item was removed from the bill. Would I return? I doubt it. Shame.

Good food, exceptional service and very nice atmosphere. Roast beef was cooked to perfection. Medium and so tender.

First time visiting at this venue. Plenty of parking and the venue was clean and welcoming. The food was well presented and delicious. We received great service with a special mention to our waitress, Beatrice, who was particularly personable. We will certainly be returning.

Impeccable service and great atmosphere. Just like it's sister restaurant, The British Queen.

Ordered roast dinner, food was warm, my beef was stone cold which was very disappointing, dessert was fine. Staff friendly. Would not recommend going for Sunday lunch, too many people for them to cope with. Very disappointing, especially for the price.

Adage is never eat out on St Valentines or Mother's days. Yesterday's Mothers day experience at The Boot was the opposite. Wonderful food especially terrine and slow cooked duck. Excellent friendly service, very dog friendly. Despite full covers, extra staff put on and all worked hard to give the diners a great experience. Well done Boot !

Visited for Mothers Day, booked for mid-afternoon. No room in the car park so had to park elsewhere (on the street). Very obvious that the team were stressed as soon as we arrived - lots of confusion and frustration between staff, including some quite harsh chastising of waitresses by more senior staff. Front of house lead especially seemed very stressed and disorganised - we asked for water when we sat down and were brought water but no glasses, and it took another ten minutes for our drink orders to be taken. Once she first came over though, our waitress (Gemma/Jenna?) was very friendly and chatty, and was very relaxed in the face of what I’m sure was a very full on day. Food was nice enough, but got the impression that it had been sat under a heat light for some time. Two of our party had a roast - pastry had gone soggy, roast veg was verging on room temperature, yorkshires had gone dry, cauliflower cheese sauce had gone a bit grainy. Quite disappointing, especially considering the price. Several things in toilet (toilet roll holder, bin) were broken. Pub in general was very noisy, though I appreciate there were a lot more young children in than a typical Sunday given the occasion! Staff were stood in the hallway to bathrooms on their phones. Overall quite disappointing, but the service of our waitress was great.

Often stop in for a drink as my local, great staff, good atmosphere and cosy

Local people talk about The Boot all the time, but I'd actually not been in years. It was a very busy lunchtime, many more people in than I would have expected. Food was really excellent. Will be back soon.

Visited with work colleagues for am evening meal. Food was really good. Prices reasonable especially for the quality. Friendly service.

Lovely food, friendly staff and our waitress Jenna was super helpful and efficient. Good service, puddings to die for. Suitable for kids as the layout allows families not to encroach on couples dining. Recommend the pistachio souffle!

Decided to stop for dinner while in town. Everything was amazing. The presentation was very similar to when I’ve eaten at Michelin Star restaurant. The starters were delicious, the mains were succulent, and the desert (pistachio soufflé) was divine. They even made special accommodations to my child’s meal. If you ask my kid, it gets 1 millions thumbs up; and my wife and I agree. We will definitely be back. I could not recommend this place more.

Such a great find! Food was excellent, service was friendly and prompt, really enjoyed our evening, couldn't fault it.