The Study at Poets House in East Cambridgeshire

Great drinks, food and service! We popped in for lunch, didn’t book but were very welcome. Had a drink by the bar where our order was taken and then taken to our table. We had the set menu - all delicious!

We spent Christmas here with family. The hotel is lovely and the staff very welcoming. A Christmas card and present greeted us in our gorgeous room. We had a copper bath in our bedroom and a large bathroom with shower. The GM was charming and was eager to make sure we had everything we needed. Our only complaint would be that we had cold water on the second morning so were unable to try out the copper bath. This problem was quickly remedied but sadly too late for our bath

Just got back from an overnight stay at the Poets House . From beginning to end was very enjoyable . A very warm welcome when we arrived .Staff very friendly and food was yummy . Bedrooms very comfy and nice and warm . Copper bath is a must try . Will certainly return . Mr & Mrs Conway

Delicious meal, lovely surroundings, lovely people. Popped in for a birthday dinner with a few close friends and brother - delicious starts - scallops, pate etc. followed by steaks, pork and other delicious plates. Lovely wines and beers too!

There is no doubt that this establishment has set out to be a cut above anything else in Ely. Funky arms chairs, trendy decor, gorgeous bathroom consumables scented with rhubarb and a glass wall facing out onto the garden. This is obviously a place for those who value quality. When dropping in for a coffee and cake on a Sunday morning the reception we received was exceptional. We were given a choice of seating areas and handed a very well ordered menu to choose from. We felt like valued guests as we settling into the comfortable and relaxed surroundings. Then came a voice aimed in our general direction. “Have you ordered or not” we were asked in a tone that almost seemed to demand an apologetic reply. It is odd how someone’s conception of a place can change in an instant. The coffee and tea were very good, as was the carrot cake and lemon Victoria sponge. We ate up, drunk up, paid up and left in the hope that we didn’t further inconvenience our waitress.

It clearly states on the website that special diets can be catered for in relation to afternoon tea. On this basis I booked afternoon tea for 3 of us; one meat eater, one veggie, one vegan, and gave all this information at the time of booking. When they brought it out, my vegan one was missing the middle plate with the scones on! Nothing was said to us about it so we had to ask about it and if there was a vegan scone alternative. Was told 'afraid not' and that was it! I would have expected to either be told when booking that 1/3 of it would not be available, so I could decide if I still wanted to book (I paid full price), or alternatively they could have just provided extra sandwiches/cakes to make up for it, which I would have been more than happy with. The above aside, the food that was provided was lovely.

Sadly this is bottom of the league. The scones were dry as sand, so too the brownie and the sandwiches edges too. There are a lot better afternoon teas locally. Value was in the high side for the amount offered

Really enjoyable afternoon tea. Presented really nice and actually quite a lot of food I thought. We struggled to finish it. Thought it was nice to know that everything was home made too. Special mention to the maitre d and waitress staff. Saw them being attentive and professional throughout which I thought was correct for the venue place

Disappointing visit for lunch. Ordered two sandwiches on wholemeal bread, when they arrived they were on white bread. When queried with the waiter the response was that they had run out of wholemeal, and didn't really care. You would have expected that they would check with the customer first if this was OK or whether they wanted to order something else. Not good enough for an establishment of this "supposed" quality and standard (and price!!) Unlikely to return.

Coffee and cake was very nice. Service was abominable. Once we got our order NO ONE came near us to find out if we wanted more, or how our food was. After more than 45 minutes I had to get up to retrieve the bill. Waitrons were hovering about,but we were INVISIBLE. A really poor result from a pleasant setting.

Cela faisait plus de 8 mois que l'on n'avait pas mis les pieds dans un restaurant. 1ere étape, le jardin, pour un verre. Face à la carte, on craque pour un encas...un plateau aux saveurs de l'Espagne! Pas un seul morceau de victuaille sur ce plateau pouvait nous rappeler un vague souvenir ibérique. Un bol au couleur de la paella, mais au goût indéfinissable, des crevettes sans saveur, des boulettes de viandes d'une densité proche de la boule de pétanque et sans herbes ni aromates, entourées d'une vague sauce tomate, des tomates séchées (moyennes mais c'était sans doute le mieux du plateau) des brochettes de poulpes dures, des anchois frais avec des oignons vinaigrés (jamais gouté ça en Espagne, mais je ne connais pas tout), un pain vraiment sans intérêt... Je rêvais de pan y tomate (il y a une boulangerie à moins de 100 mètre qui a un pain extra) de tortillas, de quelques tranches de Chorizo (il y a un revendeur de produit espagnol sur la marché d'Ely, tous les samedi). Franchement, c'est nullissime. Comment osez vous appeler cet amalgame de produits bas de gamme, un plateau espagnol! Vous pouvez faire mieux, beaucoup mieux, surtout pour 29 £!

Found Poets House was reopening their garden dining. Their website said they opened daily from 9am. We turned up at 9am but everything was shut. So we called them to ask when they were opening and a woman said to come at 10:30 - no mention of needing to book. We duly turned up at 10:30 and waited for ages in full view of the maitre d who ignored us for 10 minutes. Eventually we got tired of waiting and went in to ask about breakfast, only to be told that they were fully booked, even though every table barring one was empty. So disappointed - we've been to Poet's House before and had a nice time, but this experience has really put us off ever visiting again.

We visited for my husbands birthday with my mother and father-in-law on a very warm Friday afternoon. We were greeted by a really friendly waitress who had only been at the Poets House for a couple of days, although she was lovely she looked a mess (The top she was wearing was overly washed and was really creased), she was extremely slow bringing everything we ordered, we had ordered the afternoon tea which we waiting nearly 45 mins for. When it arrived it was OK, we had 3 different types of sandwich and although the majority were OK the cheese and pickle were horribly dry. The scones were great but they are really tight with cream and jam so we had to order more, the cakes again were OK. Every time we wanted to order drinks etc we had to go and find the waiting staff as they’re were particularly absent! All in all it was merely mediocre. We probably should have given feedback on how mediocre it all was but we couldn’t find anyone to talk to. I called the hotel before we arrived as one of the reviews suggested they have valet parking which is either not true or the receptionist isn’t aware of it, we ended up driving around Ely trying to find a space and had to walk a fairly long way to get back.

Booked in for the festive afternoon tea and very disappointed. No turkey , sausage rolls or mince pies on offer. Didn’t quite workout what macaroons and frangipane tarts had to relate to Christmas ? Overall I would not book to go there again for the festive tea.

Having had an excellent meal at the Poets House in the past, my friend and I decided to meet there for morning coffee and cake. She had not eaten there before and was going on my and others' recommendations. We arrived at 10.20 to be told that the bar and Study Lounge was shut for the morning as it was being cleaned. We were not offered the option of using the dining room and it seemed to be presumed by the member of staff that we would leave. . My friend explained that I had a leg injury and did not want to walk further and had to ask if we could sit in the dining room. This was agreed but we felt as though we were imposing. We ordered 2 lattes (no menu or mention of cakes was offered) . The waitress disappeared for a few minutes and returned to say that we could only have a basic coffee from their machine. We decided to leave as it appeared that it was too much trouble for them to serve us. Bearing in mind that this is a hotel and not a restaurant we wondered how they met the needs of any guests who may wish to use their dining services during the day. I will not be returning for daytime refreshments. My friend was extremely disappointed by her visit.

Been here before for drinks and really liked the location and decor. All going well until food arrived, dry tasteless sandwiches, indescribable desserts. Scones not even up to much! Over priced cocktails, ordered 2 of the same which looked different. Such a shame they can't deliver on the food as an amazing location and lovely garden area. Left feeling hungry and very disappointed.

We live in Ely so one Saturday afternoon while strolling around town, we popped in for a drink. I regretted it as soon as I walked in. The bar man is beyond rude and possesses zero personal skills! The drinks are massively over priced and £4 for a bowl containing c.15 olives is extortion. The atmosphere is dull - have been in the evening too - safe to say there is probably more excitement in a morge! Avoid and check out 11a in town!

Slightly off the beaten track in Ely, this place is great for a nice relaxed lunch on a weekend. The staff are friendly and polite, and the food is good. There is no pressure to rush, so is a great place just to chill!

Lovely bar with a pleasant atmosphere. Good lunch menu, not that expensive, and a good selection of draft and bottled beers and wines.Cocktails were interesting and very tasty but the coffee cocktail was pricy at £10 for a small glass and was gone in a minute so a bit disappointing.We saw people with cream teas and they looked amazing so well worth booking one for your visit.

My husband and I were given a voucher as a wedding gift for afternoon tea at The Poets. We have been before when the hotel first opened and had a good tea so we were looking forward to going again. We were not particularly well greeted when we arrived and had to wait some time before we were served after being seated. The sandwiches were a little crusty and some not very pleasant tasting. The cakes were ok but the pannacotta was not nice and was warm. Ultimately we did not feel looked after and it seemed a bit conveyor beltish with the cake and sandwiches already pre made which is why they were dried out a bit. The waitress was rushed off her feet trying to keep up with a busy afternoon. It was a lovely sunny afternoon late in September and we were really looking forward to it but so disappointed. We were going to comment at the time but no one came to check on us or see if we wanted anything else to drink so we got up and left feeling a bit fed up. As this was a gift for our wedding i felt it put us in a difficult positon when asked how it went as I did not want to sound ungrateful. Essentially it should have been a lovely gift. Compared to pur previous visits it really felt it had gone down hill and the place had lost its sparkle.

Good strong cocktails, really flavoursome beers along with great table service for drinks all make this a winner. Is quite pricey but you are in a very nice area along with nice views over the court yard.

This is a good place for drinks and a light meal. Staff are friendly and helpful and there is a good selection of wines and spirits. We ate tapas and toasted cheese sandwiches which were tasty enough. The chips were not very good.The loos were spotless and my husband was impressed by the whisky handwash and hand cream! We liked the 60's music!

We met up with family for a champagne afternoon tea. The service was excellent with friendly staff. The afternoon tea was superb with a great selection of sandwiches, cakes and scones. The Study Bar is comfortable and relaxing. We would definitely recommend a visit and look forward to returning.

Met by friendly staff and served rapidly while sitting in very comfortable surroundings.While I could have used another scone what was given was delicious w/pot of clotted cream and strawberry jam & my choice of Earl Grey Tea

Sandwich comida era excelente, justo y con patatas fritas y una sabrosa ensalada de berros vestido. Nada más no sería necesario. Un buen café, un ambiente agradable y tranquilo. Extraño tener algún tipo de tipo de jazz cantante para música de fondo en todo el tiempo que las campanas de la iglesia iban al otro lado de la calle! Lástima de la falta de clientes.

No estuvimos para una bebida, así que es difícil dejar un comentario bueno o malo, pero sentí que era necesario registrar nuestra corta experiencia. Nos paramos en el bar viendo el paseo camarera pasado nosotros media docena de veces, buscando en nosotros, pero claramente no interesa. Quiero señalar que sólo había tres parejas que ocupa el estudio, incluyendo nosotros mismos. Una mujer pedía una Tía María, y el servidor insistieron que no tienen algo así. Yo estaba mirando una botella de Kahlúa durante toda esta conversación, y no paraba de punto, pero no sirvió para nada. Creo que la mujer terminó con un ron de coco en su lugar, por sugerencia del servidor. Cuando finalmente conseguimos nuestros menús, nos dimos cuenta de que no sólo el servidor no parecen conocer los licores, pero los estantes bar parecía sólo será la mitad. Nos fuimos, no desean confiar su conocimiento en general y de cóctel, confundido.

Lovely atmosphere. The tea was tasty with a different selection of sandwiches to the traditional teas I've had i the past. Yummy cakes. The staff were good although could have been a little more attentive.

Me gustó el ambiente al aire libre/abierto a este cómodo bar, buena variedad de bebidas con un personal amable, vale la pena una visita

Tuvimos un almuerzo ligero con bebidas en un entorno agradable y muy cómodos asientos y un lugar bien separadas de otros.

Precioso entorno, tarde t, buen ambiente, ir de nuevo y de nuevo para el servicio y la comida. El aparcamiento es un desafío si quiere un parque cerca salir temprano para encontrar un espacio, un lugar encantador para su almuerzo o cena tarde T.

Popped in before a service at the cathedral. Staff were very welcoming and understanding we had a time constraint. Sevice was prompt and the sandwiches were fresh and tasty.Toliets were immaculate- always a good singWould have been nice to have the time to egg in the restaurant- loons a very lovely pace

Took friends to the bar as enjoyed my last visit. Lovely welcome from the lady on reception. Cocktails very enjoyable as was the wine. Great seating and lighting and comfortable bar area. Very relaxing. I understand this establishment has been taken over since my last visit. On previous visit had complimentary snacks delivered to the table, missed this.

We were eating near by, so thought we would go for a drink before hand. As we went in the main door we were pounced on by the staff, and we said we only wanted a drink. We went into the bar, plenty of seats and the staff said wait here and we will see if we have room, well no tables had reserved on and they did not see at all interested in us as we were only drinking. So we turned around never to go back in there again.

Disappointing visit last Saturday. Cocktails very sub-par. Have emailed the Hotel to complain. Such a shame. Never before have I had a flavoured Martini topped up with a soft drink!

Having been to this gorgeous venue right near Ely cathedral for afternoon tea a couple of times, I went recently to a cocktail making session.As always the staff made us very welcome and we were greeted with a glass of bubbles. We got to learn about the history of cocktails and how to make them, with hands on involvement for those who wanted a go. We weren't rushed and got to sit in comfort in the stunningly decorated lounge. We also had scrummy food to keep us going. All in all an excellent experience.

visited for a couple of drinks two weeks ago, exceptionally slow service, went to the bar twice to ask for someone to come and take our drinks order as we were informed bar staff could not take order !we waited 20 mins for our drinks order to be taken and then a further 15 mins for drinks to arrive, such a shame as bar area is really lovely and great vibes, but service really lets this bar down.We have visited this bar on several occasions and are always amazed at how slow the service is.

My mother and I recently enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea at the Poets House. The reservation was made via email and the responses were extremely prompt. The staff were very accommodating and made adjustments to the menu to suit our needs. I would definitely recommend a visit here, the staff, service and surroundings were extremely enjoyable and I would not hesitate in visiting here again.

The food has gotten mixed reviews over the past few years; however, I have always had fantastic dining experiences here. The drinks are pricey but the atmosphere and quality of the drinks are superb. Having heard about the unique copper baths in the hotel rooms, I asked if I could have a peek at one. The staff were pleased to show me around and gave me a personal tour of the rooms. It was apparent that they take pride in the details and isn't that exactly what you would hope for when staying away from home? It is really nice to have such a lovely hotel in a city that is so rich in history.

This is a clean and comfortable bar with a wide-range of drinks available. The barman was warm and welcoming as he served nibbles and drinks.

During our stay in the hotel we grabbed a light dinner here - the lager was Pilsner Urquell, the almost-toffee lager from Czech turf; Mrs Harris had a ginger ale. Food was superb for me: a chicken caesar with marinated anchovies, all round nice - maybe a touch more dressing would have been good but otherwise really great. Mrs Harris had the crayfish-Marie Rose sandwich with skinny fries, again I'd have liked more Rose but she was happy enough.Waiter was good and nice, but not super-knowledgeable (perhaps news). Not a big deal.We noticed the sofa we were on had a stained bolster which wasn't a great touch, could do with a clean, but only took the gloss off an otherwise fine light meal.

This hotel is pure class, rooms beautiful,bar / lounge area beautiful, breakfast was gorgeous, staff very helpfull & proffesional, the whole experience was wonderful, it is expensive but worth it in my opinion,,, The town of Ely is lovely, lots of pubs places to eat & lots of shops, it's a lovely town, with a beautiful cathedral which our room over looked, I would like to mention the barman that was on duty last night, I think his name was Richard, he looked like rowan Atkinson, he was a lovely man & made our drink at the bar more enjoyable, I would defiantly go back to this hotel & have no hesitation in recommending it,,,,

Met some friends for lunch last Friday, there was only one other table dining. We booked on line through open table which is always very easy and we were seated promptly in the dining room. I'm not sure if it's a set menu every day but there were three dishes to chose from for each course. Christmas option also for starter, lunch and dinner. Service was good but as expected with only two tables in the restaurant! Started was salmon roulades and main was cod with a tomato bean accompaniment. Salmon was lovely and flavours complimented beautifully, however the cod was average and the bean combination had little flavour. Dessert I chose a pear and almond tart, pears were hard and the sorbet was tasteless. We have eaten here many times before and always been really pleased. We would go back for drinks as the decor and wine list is lovely but think there are better places to eat locally.

Just book in to experience the excellence of all this Hotel has to offer. It was a just a surprise how still im 2015 the standards of the this Hotelier have kept you in touch of those helsiun bygone days of years gone by

Superb lunch at this great hotel could not fault it a great lounge to relax in before you go in for lunch service second to none and great food.

It was sad to hear the the Hotel is struggling but after staying there I can understand why, the rooms are on the expensive side and the staff are not as professional as we expected but still a great place to stay if you can get a good deal.

Very nice place for tea or a casual supper. Friendly staff. I stayed at the Poets House and The Study was very convenient. Good food!

the bar is a great place, very informal or formal whatever you choose...staff are excellent as are the cocktails

Lovely location, very much needed in Ely. However recent change in bar staff is a mistake.The staff huffing and puffing when ordering a drink is not what is expected from this classy established. I do think it would be nice too if there were a few mock tail options for non drinkers.

We dropped in here for a drink on two occasions when staying for two nights at Poets House recently. We had a cocktail in the garden before dining elsewhere, and then returned to the bar for a drink on the second evening.The place itself is nice enough, but the service was not overly good, especially on the second visit. If you are going to charge prices that are on the high side, then this should be matched by top quality service.Maybe next time?

Fabulous boutique hotel in great location- opposite the cathedral.Front bedrooms have the view. Packed with technology - and huge copper bath. All is luxury and care and attention to detail. Breakfast a liitle disappointing - but easy to overlook. A lovely garden/ courtyard for evening drinks and morning coffee. Not expensive for the lavish care and luxury.

Lovely environment in a little yards just off the main street near the cathedral. The sandwiches we had were lovely but at £40 for three drinks and two sandwiches it did seem a bit on the expensive side.

Amazing location, with faultless table service, what a really nice place to visit, drinks were really good and atmosphere was low key for a nice way to end an evening out.

Very comfortablle but a great atmosphere for small or larger groups. Afternoon tea looked good and a good bar menu.

A wonderful atmosphere and would return again but one star down because of the price unfortunately .... I usually go there for a quiet drink with the missus after the little one has gone to bed.

We ate in the study, as the formal dining room is closed during the week at lunchtime (except on Fridays). The service was prompt and attentive, while the food was fresh and nicely presented. The decor was not to my taste (it neither complements the building nor the historic city of Ely), but that's merely an observation rather than a criticism. The only criticism I do have is that I struggled to eat from a plate balanced on my lap. I would return, but only when the dining room is open.

We had our lunch here, just before Christmas. We were pleased with our choices, very good Vegetarian Rogan Josh, fish pie etc. The service was very good and the atmosphere in the bar was good. Only criticisms were the dishes we ate our food from. We like to sit in the bar in a less formal area and in comfortable seats, but although the food looks nice it's difficult to eat from a slate balanced on your knee, It would be easier to eat from plates. Also, it would be good to have another vegetarian choice on the menu, then I would have given a 5. When the Poets House, first opened there were more choices for vegetarians.

Came to bar on 2/1/15Amazing , the guys there really know there stuff and are full of recommendations for cocktails as well as the history behind them, easily the best spirit collection in the area and service tip top, Vio , Jody and Dan and the rest of the crew are the boys to see if you need a cocktail!

A wonderful bar with a beautiful atmosphere, invigorating and relaxing, looked after exceptionally well by attentive staff and my word can they make a mojito. If you desire a cocktail whilst in Ely head to Poets!

We have eaten in the hotels restaurant (The Dining Room) and had a fantastic meal with great service. So we thought we'd try an afternoon tea. This is served in The Study (the relaxing bar area). All the meat sandwiches were swapped for vegetarian alternatives which were tasty with plenty of filling. The variety of cakes were good and the scones were yummy. Again the service was great. We had a lovely relaxing Sunday afternoon and will be definitely be back for both a meal in the restaurant and another delicious afternoon tea.

I have had tea here on two occasions and each time it was lovely. The staff are very attentive and the decor is attractive. We had sandwiches, cakes and scones and all of it was delicious. The presentation was excellent to with the jam and cream in pretty little dishes. The portions are very generous indeed.For those for whom It is important there is a disabled loo and although there is on street parking nearby we were allowed to park in the courtyard of the Hotel.

We popped in here for a light lunch. Service was good although the waiter had only been working there for a week. We ordered burgers but they were tasteless, buns were hard, tomato was soft and lettuce wasn't fresh. There are better places to eat in Ely I'm sure!

We had heard about this place and passed it so many times curiosity got the better of us so we paid a visit. I am list for words but this was a truly amazing experience. My only grumble is I have not been before! Do not pass here go in you will not be disappointed.

Food and service simply wonderful. We are staying here on our next visit! Nothing to dislike. So good we adopted it as our place to eat.

The Poet's House is a stylish hotel on the edge of Ely, close to the Cromwell's House Museum. Parking is close-by. The Study is an oasis of calm. It is spacious enough to allow a wheelchair to be manoeuvred easily. We had Afternoon Tea. The sandwiches and cakes were freshly prepared and were delicious. The scones were warm and more-ish with jam & cream! The staff could not have been more helpful. We will be returning for an evening meal soon.

My sister lives very near Ely and has been here many times and as it was my partners birthday so we decided to dine here. The restaurant over looks the magnificent Ely Cathederal which is a delight in itself. The restaurant is in the grounds of a hotel. The restaurant had a large table dining and a table of two near to us but overall very quiet so why did our starter take so long to arrive. The waitress did apologise but gave no explanation. The food was superb and the waiting staff were very attentive but I would probably not go again as I wonder how well the service would be had they been busy.

I have been here several times now for different occasions (cocktails, lunch and afternoon tea) and I struggle to fault the place. The team that work in The Study are so friendly and I cannot fault them particularly Dan who works behind the bar and makes excellent cocktails. The steak sandwiches are beautiful particularly when accompanied by the truffle chips which are the best I've ever had! The afternoon tea also rivals that of any I've had in London hotels or elsewhere and they are very generously sized and perfectly priced! The prices for drinks is worth it for the experience here.

Have been here a couple of times recently and really like it. I would much rather have a drink here than go to a pub if out with a friend though it's a little pricey. Only thing I'm not keen on is that some of the chairs are more for appearance than comfortable seating but it all looks good. The bar staff know their stuff and I can personally recommend the Fruit Cup Champagne Cocktail which was great.

Service is excellent, from the moment you go through the door you are made to feel special. This is not a place to visit once a week but for special occasions. Drink prices are a bit steep, as is the food. But the food is 10 out of 10.

As we are moving to Ely we thought we would give the Study a try for a spot of lunch.Welcome was cold and uninviting. Sat down to be told we could not sit in the seats we had chosen as it was booked at 1.30. It was 12.00 Midday.Due to the feeling of being 'not welcome' we decided sod it lets go and splendour money elsewhere.We will not be back.To the management. Stop trying to be a pretentious bar/restaurant. Please make sure that guests feel welcome. Otherwise they will talk with their feet and take their money and business elsewhere.

I arrived from business meetings in London and wished to treat myself to late lunch or afternoon tea while reflecting on work before returning directly home. I always tell friends overseas proudly that the tiny little city that I live in has a boutique hotel and a massive cathedral! Had evening drinks at Poet's House last year (summer) and it felt quite pleasant. This time, a year later, I entered and gently asked the lady at the desk whether there is still time for afternoon tea; in a rather (I suspect unintentionally) authoritative and unfriendly manner she explained that afternoon tea must be booked 24 hours in advance! She seemed inexperienced and probably thought that's how one should behave in this kind of 'establishment'...she should read mine and the other reviews for the 5* Langham Chicago in terms of hospitality.From a business perspective, this seems faintly ludicrous but hilarious. Nevertheless, I walked into the bar area (on reflection possibly due to the absence of music) it felt like walking into a home for the elderly...the two ladies in separate seats looked nearly frozen - unmoving. Nil point for ambience - they should take some tips from the Ely-based wonderful Toppings Bookshop.The staff seemed surprised that I wanted menus...none were willingly offered until I asked...they then obligingly tried to offer me cream tea...I suspect as compensation for the absence of afternoon tea...I dislike cream tea!I couldn't find anything on the food menu that I wanted and, asked if they had a dessert menu...they don't. But they offered me a cocktail menu...A friendly waitress (originally from London) redeemed the service aspects...I subtly mentioned to her about the afternoon tea menus at the Tate Modern!I left quite quickly and didn't spend a penny! A wasted opportunity for a hotel which could position itself as a 'destination'...for Cambridgeshire and perhaps even the wider region.

I don't mind paying for good food and service, but on this visit I didn't really get good food.I took a friend out for a lunchtime treat, we only wanted drinks and a light snack. As always the ambience and the service were good enough (although the room was cold with the door wide open on a decidedly fresh early summers day). We had three baby burgers, which were not very hot, the buns were dry, and they had barely any relish, which made them quite bland. A bowl of tempura cod cheeks, which were served hot, had no accompanying dressing or dip served with them, not even a lemon wedge. I asked right away for some tartare sauce, which helped, but it was some time coming .... which meant all the food was getting colder by the minute. The coffee was also barely warm enough. There was a choice of two "sweet" items, neither of which appealed, though the cakes on another customers cream tea looked delicious, it would be nice if customers could choose from those as well (maybe a plate of three different mini cakes).It's really not a pleasure going out for lunch if you have to complain every five minutes, especially as it was my friends' first visit here, which is why I didn't make an issue at the time. The place was fairly quiet, with nearly as many staff as customers, so I really cannot understand the issue regarding serving hot food in the bar area. This happened last time I ate here too, and has made me wary of another visit. This is such a shame, as the food here can be sublime at its best, especially in the restaurant, but consistency is needed so as a customer you know what to expect.

Brilliant tasty cocktails, but do think ahead and book a seat - there is no standing at the bar, as full waiter service.

We popped in for coffee as it looked very nice. Inside is decorated to a high standard and the staff were professional at all times. Two drinks cost £5 which was pretty standard for those items. The menu looked very pricey, so we decided to eat elsewhere, but the Dining Room looked the business.

My wife and I stopped in here on my birthday for a light lunch. We were the only people there, so were a little disappointed with the attentiveness of the service (forgetting part of the drinks order). That said, it is a nice place to be and the food was good (albeit somewhat overpriced)!!

Price is not the issue here, eaten and stayed in more expensive places and far far better. Surroundings are nice but nothing too special these days so the rest needs to be exceptional for the prices,which it's not! The food was small on portion and really disappointing on taste, service good but slow for drinks etc. Dessert, well mine was as you would expect but my partners had been arted up! What is the point of presenting food in such a way that it neither looks as you think and then flavours suffer. If image and visuals are your thing, fine. But if your a foody you can do far better else were for much less.

Friendly staff - good selection of snacks and light meals, set in an interesting modern architectural extension to the Poets House hotel building.

I visited Poets yesterday with my friend and her daughter, as we thought a little treat before Christmas. We ordered a bottle of wine - £32....not exactly cheap. We were sat just inside the door on a comfy sofa which had a horrible smell of fish, not just one cushion, the whole sofa smelt horrible. Totally overpriced and to be honest a bit cheap looking

I visited the poets house for my birthday with my sister and mother for afternoon tea. The venue is lovely and the staff were lovely too but the food was poor. £46 pound for overcooked scones, sickly sweet cakes and bog standard sandwiches I will sadly not be returning again, and I left feeling ripped off.

We were out with out three children 9 and twins of 7 and wanted somewhere nice to eat, we normally go to the Bedford Lodge in Newmarket which is truly amazing and had been told about Poets House. We went into the bar where we were pointed literally to a table by a man in the entrance. We walked to the table sat down and the table was dirty with left over food from the previous occupants, this is where we should have walked out. There was no children's menu so they had to order off the adult menu so we asked for the pickles, salad etc. to be placed on the side of their plates. When the food came up the steak sandwich had everything piled into it, not on the side as ordered, complaints from the children straight away, with the waitress in clear view I scrapped all the rubbish from the bread to leave just the steak, during our dinner our son went to ask for some more ketchup. probably to drown the taste of the awful chips, the three people behind the bar completely ignored him. The food was awful, the service was worse and they were rude, perhaps they should have a sign on the door "NO CHILDREN". I would like to add that my children's manners are very good, they do not run around, shout or make a scene when we eat out and people normally comment on their impeccable behaviour.