The Tuning Fork in Rugby

Really nice food and very friendly staff

I came before for a coffee and avocado on toast here and it was pretty decent but I came for a birthday treat for Sunday lunch today and it was a whole different story. I'm vegetarian so I ordered the meatless Sunday lunch (wrongly) expecting some protein replacement, leaving me hungry again shortly afterwards fulfilling the old school vegetarian stereotype. When the food came it looked like it had been kept on hold for way too long before being re-heated. The parsnips were fibrous and inedible, the potatoes lacked any freshness and the veggie gravy was gelatinous (not literally) and weak sauce. The greens were OK but definitely not seasoned. As someone who has worked in hospitality I understand how the occasional off day happens but 16 quid is a bit rich for some luke-warm stale vegetables in my book. Ill stick to coffee and cake in future. The place needs soundproofing also as it felt like eating in a school cafeteria as I couldn't decern the music or hear my companions speak very well at all, even at 60% capacity.

Came here with my family who had traveled 90 miles to houlton, was hoping for a nice relaxing drink in the courtyard, with either food from the tuning fork, or the adjoining Paddle, we entered the tuning fork to enquire where we should order drinks and food from, and the manager told us next door (the paddle) is best, as they were dead and all the staff were outside on their break. We moved the parasol from our table as it was blocking the sun and the view from each other, then the staff from the tuning fork who where outside with the customers on their break continued to sarcastically tell the manager of how much of an issue this was, then continued to talk about a mundane thing as moving an umbrella for a good 10 minutes, whilst sitting next to us. I don’t know whether ego had taken over, and they thought (all 6 of them, chefs and waitresses) were more entitled to be here, rather than us, paying customers who live 1 minute away, but either way, all of us part of the Houlton Community will be recommending that we spend our hard earned money at somewhere good, where they know the value of customer service. Spoke to the manager and he said it wasn’t a problem as long as I put it back. Again, it was laid on table to be put back, I’ve been a General Manager of Pubs and Restaurants, my team would go out of their way to make guests feel accommodated, neither did the sarcastic chefs and front of house team, nor the Manager. And the food is overpriced. Go somewhere good. Paddle is decent though, go next door.

Lovely food, amazing full English.

We sat outside and had coffee and a piece of Bakewell tart. Very good cake and my other half enjoyed the Lebanese pour-over coffee. Coffee 5*. Service was slow but they were busy. Dogs are allowed outside only

We’ve been regular visitors to The Tuning Fork in Rugby for years and have always loved the quality of the food, the atmosphere, and the friendly service. It’s been our go-to spot, especially on Fridays – we’d often head in without even checking the menu, knowing there’d always be something exciting and different to try. Lately though, we’ve noticed a shift. The menu has become much more set and predictable, focusing heavily on burgers and steaks. While the food is still great, we really miss the variety and creativity that made each visit feel like a new experience. That surprise element was a big part of what kept us coming back so often. We haven’t stopped going – and we don’t plan to – but we do find ourselves visiting less frequently now. We’re really hoping to see a return to the diverse and ever-changing menu that made The Tuning Fork stand out from the rest. A few specials or rotating dishes would make a world of difference. Still a brilliant spot – just missing a bit of the spark it once had.

Great food and great location I would be more than happy to go back there

Sunday Brunch on Mothers Day, table for 5. Precooked. Visiting relatives who live in the area. Visited here previously, never disappointed. Good selection of food & drink for all occasions. Staff are welcoming, polite and helpful. Would highly recommend and will return

Started off with a very quick address from the welcome desk & very prompt table selection. Staff were efficient in giving us the lunch menu and the specials menu. Ordering very quick but long enough to make a good decision, food was 5 star taste, appearance & quality - all exceptional. All staff were keeping an eye, ensuring we got the most out of our food and the atmosphere was splendid. The deserts list is exceptional and very diverse, catering for everyone's needs and wants. Gary was a perfect manager, spending time with every customer to ensure the experience was above and beyond. Food wise; I ordered a fillet steak - medium to well and it was perfect, juicy, tender, succulent, the perfect steak. It came with thrice cooked big chips and they were perfect, right amount of crispy and soft potato inside. For dessert I had the lovely blackberry and vanilla cheese cake, sweet, fruity and different to what I've experienced before, and a cheeky vanilla milkshake absolutely bursting with flavour. My lovely wife ordered a vegan burger, she explained it to be delicious, moist and just a mouth-watering delight, for desert she had pistachio and chocolate mousse cake that she described as a heavenly, smooth chocolate mousse, perfectly balanced pistachio cake finished off with a delightful almond latte. Sublime!

Taken our family to the Tuning Fork tonight. The food was amazing. The staff are so friendly and knowledgeable about the food. I would say it’s the best place in Rugby to eat.

Gosh, it certainly makes a big difference to the atmosphere of a restaurant with different staf. I wrote a review a few weeks ago as our experience was exceptional and we were given a warm welcome. There was a lady on the door welcoming guests in who was charming and well organised. She seemed to be in charge. We also had a wonderful waitress. Both of them were sadly absent on or last visit. At the start it was quite, as we arrived early, then it got very busy which may excuse to a degree to the stress of the staff. We were shown to the table but not to feel welcome and left to it. And left. I waved to a chap and asked for drinks after about 15 minutes of sitting, commenting that we had been forgotten. We waited another lengthy time then I waved again and said or drinks had not come. He said he will check if the order came through the machine. In past days the order would be taken and drink served. More technical now with machines! The music thundered, so much so myself and guest were practically shouting at each other. I tried to get the attention of a waitress to order more drinks who told me that she would return when she had finished an order. We did not see her again. The food came, fish goujons. Not the best of meals. The highlight was the delicious home made tartare sauce. It was difficult to get the attention of staff. An idea would be to give each table a fishing rod to hook them as they run by. We came as we enjoyed the restaurant so much last time but will not return in a hurry now.

There is no evening menu on the website. Upon arrival the lowest priced main appeared to be a burger, which at £25 is overpriced. My £37 steak was served ‘warm’ so disappointing. The service was ok but our bill for 2 courses averaged almost £50 each and it all felt a very underwhelming experience.

The most perfect full English breakfast. High quality ingredients stand out on the plate. Ample portions, I couldn't finish it to be honest.

Had a half an hour wait for a coffee and cold drink, when we were the one of the first half dozen people to walk in at the start of the day. Poor service. There were 4 waiting staff stood around, who all appeared thoroughly miserable at having to be at work on a Saturday morning. The general aura was that we were somehow an inconvenience with our custom. Having said this, the coffee was good and the food that arrived for other people appeared really well cooked and presented.

I’ve been to the tuning fork a few times now for breakfast and everytime I go I just come out deflated. The food is always really nice, and the staff are friendly. However, the service is very slow and everything just took forever to come out. A waiter had forgotten about some drinks we ordered and he did apologise, but for the price you pay it wasn’t really good enough. We had to ask for our bill three times before someone remembered. Everytime we’ve had coffee here the beans are burnt and gives an awful after taste. Their v60 coffee filtered is lovely but whatever is coming out of the machine isn’t nice. Previous to this, we have ordered a takeaway cake and coffee, we waited 30 minutes. To me this just isn’t justifiable 😅 Sorry TF, but we won’t be coming back again.

A lovely place to eat. Would have been five stars for service if they had waited for everyone to finish eating before coming to take plates away.

My family and I had brunch and the food was absolutely amazing however the service was not as good as the food on the overall I would recommend this place and it was really nice and the atmosphere was good too.

My friends and I were meeting in Rugby for a couple of days last weekend and this took my fancy for a place to have breakfast. It was easy to drive to and park. I had reserved outside seating, and upon arrival we had a very friendly greeting and taken to our table in the sun. All three of us ordered the full English breakfast and two of us had the strawberry milkshake and one the cappuccino. The sausage, black pudding, homemade baked beans, homemade butter (I assume), bacon, toast, large portobello mushrooms were excellent and we all thought the drinks were delicious. We even had extra milkshake as there was mixture left. I highly recommend this restaurant.

I had to leave my car behind and was looking for a place to crash and do some work while I waited, so I was recommended The Tuning Fork. It had a great atmosphere, and the staff initially said it was fine for me to stay a few hours. I ordered a delicious matcha latte and planned to get food later. However, just as I was about to order lunch, a waitress asked me to leave, explaining that tables were only reserved for 1.5 hours. While I understood since it was getting busy, it felt abrupt given our earlier conversation. I didn’t try the food, but it looked great. It's a nice place, but clearer seating policies upfront would’ve made the experience feel more reasonable.

Rugby seems to be graduating on the food front as there are some exciting new eateries. Even with the challenge of locals who love their pies, bought in Lassagne, fish & chips, bangers and mash and the dreaded carvery. I had lunch with a dear friend yesterday. What a fantastic venue. Good for disability parking. I had a crutch and hobble! Great decor and vibe. We were greeted by a charming lady, beautifully dressed. (My partner admired her blouse) At the table a bouncy waitress, who is a HUGE asset, approached us with menus and wine list, explaining the specials. What I like here is that the menu is so very different from the norm in this area, freshly cooked and all home made dishes. There was also a chap serving who my friend commented on how nice he smelt. You can't take her anywhere! The kitchen brigade are spot on. I had an amazing breast of juicy chicken, pan fried in breadcrumbs, with a slightly hot sauce drizzled over, accompanied by delicious crispy sweet potato chips and a fabulous Caesar slaw. My partner had a beautiful Mac and cheese with crumbed deep fried brussel sprouts scattered over which sounds yuck yet was a sensational pairing. Well done Chef. Great flavour and textures. Unfortunately there is a cabinet with stunning homemade cakes which is far too tempting. We indulged and not dissapointed on tasting at home. I would highly recommend The Tuning Fork to diners. They also serve superb Eggs Benedict at breakfast which I have enjoyed before and one can book parties and birthdays here. The ambience was great, not being rushed out, fabulous staff who were friendly, professional and fun. Superb food. Thank you all.

Surprisingly great roast dinner!

Great restaurant - beautiful place with absolutely delicious food and very nice staff. I love it ♥️

The food was good but pricey ( so this is 3 stars for this combination). Service was okish , they served our food relatively quick but clearly our waitresses didn't really want to be there serving people and it was obvious.

Food was was very nice, but it took over an hour and a half to come out. Service was polite, but left a lot to be desired (long wait times, having to hail a waiter, nibbles coming out with the main course). If only the service and atmosphere matched the food it would warrant the price.

Lovely venue, great food and even better service. We were a big group who went for Sunday lunch. Most had Sunday roast but I went for the venison stew which was fantastic. We were all very full so decided to share desserts which was a wise move as the dessert portions were very generous! Everyone really enjoyed the food and the staff were friendly and attentive. I look forward to going back next time I’m in the area.

Id like to comment on our server/host Theo. We can’t fault his hospitality, he presented himself well, and was extremely polite and attentive throughout. The food was top quality as always. I’ve not felt the need to write a review before now but the service today was impeccable.. thank you.

Had a great roast here, It's quite small so recommend reserverung a table.

It's very cold there. Had to keep my coat on .not great

Always great breakfasts. And the beans are to die for

Really cute independent café. Great menu and wonderful cakes on offer. Always had a nice time visiting. Family friendly, will be a regular visitor.

Delicious food and friendly service.

Food is brilliant however very pricey and is trying to be high end when it doesn’t need to be. Needs to cater better for people who want to use it for what it really should be a local cafe! Shame there’s no other options in Houlton!

Fab eatery. Totally worth a detour from M1. So good we did it twice. I even had steak, and I'm so fussy, but it was fab. Do try it if you enjoy good eating. Sorry, all the steak disappeared so fast! 😎

Had a wonderful lunch here, we ordered Grilled Chicken and a side of fries , Veg Burrito with side salad, Toast Two Way & Olive Side, Choc. Truffle Slice and a Honey Caramel Cake along with a couple of Capuccinos. Everything was splendid, service was impeccable and atmosphere was very comfortable. Special mention for the very warm and hospitable Head Hostess and friendly serving staff. All in all we had a 10/10 experience and would like to visit again to try other dishes from the menu. It’s a great find indeed 😁🏆

We came for Christmas day this year and it was fabulous 👌 the food was amazing like normal and the staff were incredible thank you once again!

Great service Lovely staff Huge serving of cake that we couldnt finish :D

Disappointing service, food is good but, for the price, it is not worth what you pay. The cakes are delicious, but the atmosphere is generally uninviting if you only wish to have coffee and cake compared to if you are there for a meal. I want to like this place but the slow service and high cost keep letting it down.

A Sunday Lunch. Lovely food and a wonderful waitress who was attentive and helpful. Service was a little slow but it was very busy. Mixture of couples, families and older and younger people. With food, drinks and coffee change out of £150 for four of us. Highly recommend and we will visit again soon

Always consistently delivers on food quality, amazing staff and atmosphere. Been loyally coming here for 10 years 😊

A FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE This place is tucked in a fast growing area of Houlton, just outside of Rugby. Almost an Unassuming place until you walk in, you are greeted by not by Staff but a FAMILY and at the elm there’s GARY! The staff buzz around constantly and you get the feeling of really being in a home with lots of brothers and sisters making sure everything is going fin! Then you come to the Food! Oh Yes! Now we’re talking is of very high standards by any definition, and from the INVISIBLES, from the kitchen to the front I can only use the term of: IMPECCABLE! From a very nice and appetising menu to the SUNDAY ROAST everything comes to you satisfying all your taste buds from your eyes to your belly! With a very reasonable price the TUNING FORK is a place to visit and keep in your diary for future visits, oh and don’t forget to book early to avoid lengthy waits because is becoming very popular by way of voice. A true treasure trove for the FOOD LOVERS! ENJOY!

Had sunday lunch today and was impressed with the portion size staff were friendly and attentive, Place was very busy so pleased we had booked ahead

Always, enjoy going to the Tuning Fork. Food very good ,staff friendly and helpful

I had breakfast here got the first time and it was fantastic. Great quality food and lovely coffee. Highly recommend a visit here 🤗

As always a great experience today. It's so hard to choose what to have..but all 4 of us had a really lovely meal, especially the choc and rum torte with Vietnamese coffee for dessert.

Very nice ambience! Enjoyed the meal and the coffee ☕

Just had a lovely meal here and will definitely visit again and hopefully next time they will have my gin martini as well. Thanks to all the staff.

We called in for a sausage sandwich which I couldn't see on the menu, once the staff had finished their conversation they became most attentive. We thoroughly enjoyed our sandwich which was embellished with a fried egg . My latte was first class and my colleague enjoyed his pot of tea. We will definitely call in again next time we are in Rugby.

Had Saturday brunch here. Good food selection including vegan. Full English and Eggs Benedict both excellent. Cakes looked lovely but we were too full to try any. Friendly staff. Obviously popular with almost all tables occupied.

Amazing place . Would recommend to anyone

Friendly service. Quick food service. Very tasty.

Flawless! The pizza there is a-mazing! I love the vibes, the staff are so nice and helpful, and the brunch is superb! (went for my b-day) edit: I went there a while ago, just found the name again!

Fantastic place to eat. Food was great. Service was great and the food reasonably priced. A nice Saturday morning treat!

The food and service was very good at this restaurant! Cosy atmosphere and good choice of dishes with portion size just right. The only thing that would improve the menu would be the addition of more choice for desserts

Price vs Quality is questionable. Price is a bit high for the portion size and area

A very decent sized gluten free menu, delicious food, well presented, and lovely atmosphere. Suitable for coeliac's - staff were aware of risks and importance of cross-contamination.

Tucked away in the Dollman Farm buildings, The Tuning Fork is a hidden gem that strikes all the right chords for coffee lovers and foodies alike. From the moment you step in, you’re greeted by a cozy, laid-back atmosphere that’s both modern and welcoming. The decor is a perfect blend of industrial chic and artistic flair, a subtle nod to its name. It’s the kind of place where time slows down, ideal for escaping the daily rush. The coffee here is fantastic —crafted with precision and care. Whether you’re a fan of a strong espresso or a velvety cappuccino. But what makes this spot stand out is its creative menu. The food selection is equally impressive, tasty and beautifully presented but don’t miss the chiller cabinet with all of the amazing cakes! The Tuning Fork also has a fantastic sense of community. The staff are friendly, passionate, and quick to offer recommendations if you’re not sure what to try.

Super lovely local place , nice ambience. Very friendly staff with excellent customer service skills.

Would not recommend for vegetarian or vegan food. Choice is limited and sometimes out of stock and even when they have it, not tasty at all. I had the Lentil fritters. Their cakes are nice.

We only popped in for a coffee but the cakes looked amazing. Lovely atmosphere. Clean and comfortable. Took a while to get our order taken but drinks arrived promptly.

Served by Becky who was so lovely, friendly and took care of every little need and made you feel special 👍🏽 Food very nice, tasty and well spiced 🌶️Thai green curry with rice 🔥 delicious 👌🏽 and spicy🔥 I liked the hot chocolate which wasn't too sweet👌🏽

Served by Becky who was so lovely, friendly and took care of every little need and made you feel special 👍🏽 Food very nice, tasty and well spiced 🌶️Thai green curry with rice 🔥 delicious 👌🏽 and spicy🔥 I liked the hot chocolate which wasn't too sweet👌🏽

It's one of the best of best in Houlton.

It's one of the best of best in Houlton.

Had Sunday dinner here. Found a large hair in amongst the Coliflower cheese. Had to leave my food. A male staff member saw me removing the hair and came over and saw the hair and simply said aww " I'll take that off, your bill. " No apology, nothing. We won't be eating there again.

Delicious, continuously brilliant food and service.

The restaurant serves seasonal menu relying on locally sourced products- this means the food is fresh and delicious. An excellent breakfast experience. The porridge and smashed avocado are highly recommended!

My wife and I have had several very good breakfasts here so decided to go for a treat last night and have the 2 course set menu, the food was absolutely delicious, we pre booked and as a result got a free bottle of wine! This is only for August apparently but could / should be kept as a permanent offer? Shout out to our server Liam - friendly and efficient is a hard task to master but he nailed it. Brilliant night and looking forward to going back. Thanks.

Eat in, and they also have an outdoor area. The staff were friendly and attentive. All meals arrived together so we could all enjoy our food together.

Amazing breakfast this morning at The Tuning fork, honestly so so tasty! 5 stars amazing

Very friendly, wonderful service. Went for Sunday lunch with 99-year-old mum (in wheelchair) and family. Nothing was too much bother. Food absolutely delicious 👍. Special mention of Liam who went the extra mile to make our lunch memorable 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟. Highly recommended.

The food is absolutely delicious, but is quite expensive

As regular customers of the tuning fork, let me tell you, this place is the real deal. The Tuning Fork has become my go-to spot, and I couldn’t be happier to be a regular customer here. Every visit is a delightful experience, thanks to the consistently delicious food and the warm, welcoming atmosphere. The menu at The Tuning Fork offers a variety of dishes that are always flavourful and cooked to a high quality. However, one of the standout aspects of The Tuning Fork is the lovely staff. From the moment I walk in, I’m greeted with friendly and attentive service. The team here truly makes you feel at home, and their genuine care for the customers is evident in every interaction. Liam is accommodating and a real credit to the place. See you next week :)

I'll change this review to five stars when they add freshly-baked croissants to the breakfast menu. 🙂

This place is fabulous. Food is great as are the drinks. Had porridge absolutely gorgeous. Staff are very helpful and friendly. Especially one of the chaps need to get his name next time I go.

We love going here for brunch as well as dinner, the food is always amazing and the service is always good. The presentation is always great and the food is just as tasty as it looks! Highly recommended to all!

A wonderful restaurant, great food - so tasty well cooked and very different ingredients, lovely ambiance, love the ethics of this restaurant. My friend and I had a lovely evening.

Slow service, overpriced food and the restaurant always smells musky.

We went here as a couple last Saturday night, been many times before. Didn’t disappoint both for food and service.

Lovely looking restaurant, very busy for a Tuesday lunchtime. Food was genuinely delicious. But the service was painfully slow. They lost money from us as we decided to skip drinks and dessert faced with another huge wait.

My ratings: Food - 9 out of 10 Surroundings - 9 out of 10 Service - 1 out of 10 Owner/manager was clearly not pleased with so many people turning up today, I felt unwelcoming vibes from him, it was all just a bit too much to ask I guess… We sat for half an hour waiting to order, then half an hour to get our coffees and water. We seriously contemplated going to Co-op next door to get some take out coffee and drinks. Waited just as long for table to be cleared after finishing eating or for anyone offer us deserts, but no luck. Went to the bar but everyone was too busy to acknowledge us, so we approached a manager and put our order through that way. Looking around, most people were waiting and waiting to be served, the restaurant was full and there was just not enough staff. Could not fault service by waitresses - it is not their fault that the place is severely understaffed and mismanaged. Food and coffee was delicious though, the place itself is also very cosy and has ample and well maintained outdoor seating place. I sincerely hope the place sorts out their priorities and develop their management and staffing levels so that customers feel welcome and not an inconvenience. 🙏 Another option to consider - just get people order at the bar and stop pretending that you offer ‘table service’. Sorry, it is just sad to see potentially great place locally not caring to get basic things right. 🙁

Lovely service, polite and attentive and the food was excellent 👌

* Rude staff * Bad service * Overpriced food Making something pricey doesn't make it good. I dont get why people hype this place up so much. Sadly houlton doesn't have a Greggs (yet).

Lovely breakfast with excellent service with smile from Louise 😊

Had a really enjoyable evening from the moment we walked in to the moment we left.. we had a lovely friendly welcome, the most delicious meal in a relaxed atmosphere. Was surprised to see a couple of negative reviews.. It can only be a five star from me! Would highly recommend! Hope to be back soon!

Lovely place to done at. Everything was delicious. Loved the atmosphere and the staff had great customer service. TYSM 😊

Avoid at all costs. Owner Elaine, is unprofessional. Service poor. Food overpriced. This restaurant has gone downhill. I certainly will not be recommending to any of my family or friends

Had Saturday lunch here and found everything 5 star! Varied menu including interesting vegetarian options, excellent service, delicious hot food and good coffee. The salad was especially tasty and you can’t often say that about a salad! Would recommend without hesitation but you’ll probably need to book in advance. We will be back!

Breakfast today and it was that good we didn't need to add ANY seasoning to the food, Avo on toast, Eggs Benedict and Eggs Royal....16 year old daughter loved it.....

We had an amazing lunch and thoroughly recommend the delicious bang bang cauliflower and Japanese chicken. Thank you all at the Tuning Fork. Book ahead, especially at the weekend. Nice outside area when it is warm enough.

Lovely well cooked food and excellent service.

We had a fab experience at the Tuning Fork. The staff were very friendly, the food was tasty and the cake we had was an absolute show stopper! Fully recommend

Couldn't have been better for a lunch rendezvous, also has EV charging points you can use while sampling the fair.

Personally I wouldn’t recommend going here, other better places around (also cheaper). We were not told when booking it was a set 2/3 course menu to choose from and not the whole menu even after paying a deposit per person. It’s another of those pay a lot get no food deals. £35 for a set 2 course menu without a drink sounds a bit on the pricier side to being with but look at the size of the courses. The food was alright in terms of flavour but it wasn’t anything worth talking about. Went to spoons after for some proper food as we left hungrier than when we arrived. Pictured is the Salmon beetroot starter and Lamb main. They were even stingy with the gravy for the lamb.

Absolutely amazing food! Easy on the stomach especially when on a diet!

Good food and friendly atmosphere

Never had a bad experience at the Tuning fork. The food is exceptional quality, great size portions and a range of more unusual offerings, caters for vegetarians really well! Love the breakfast ranges and the bang bang cauliflower is amazing! It is on the pricier side, but with great quality, friendly staff, fabulous customer service I'd highly recommend it. It does get busy, so recommend booking!

Best Sunday roast ever and their cakes are divine! Love that they do seasonal menus and source produce locally. Looking forward to the summer to enjoy their outdoor seating.

Great food, but I think the burgers should come with chips or a reduced price add on (like the falafel).

Lovely breakfast, recommend the eggs Royale!

What a lovely place with excellent food and good friendly service. Parking is relatively easy too. Give it a try .