Whittakers Bar and Restaurant in South Kesteven

We booked a table at Whittakers after a recommendation to celebrate our 1st Wedding Anniversary. It was an amazing experience from start to finish. The restaurant is lovely and the food was absolutely fantastic. We were even lucky to meet the chef, Felix, who came out to wish us a happy anniversary. His cooking is simply spectacular! We cannot wait to visit again in the near future, don't hesitate to book and experience the lovely restaurant and the fantastic cooking by a great chef! Well done! Charlie & Kath Chamberlain.

Second visit this year, and i really like it, service is excellent, food delicious, lot of choice, all that little bit different, we shall return next month

Visited here on a very busy Friday night. There were 2 tables of 10 people celebrating birthdays, this never impacted on the service, but made it very noisy and we did struggle to talk to our friends. Food was good. Chicken liver parfait to start was tasty with plenty bread. I had the mahi mahi main course, very tasty well cooked. Good selection of wines. We had a drink in the bar afterwards and it felt like an oasis of calm after a very noisy restaurant.

The food was excellent, the atmosphere was buzzing and the service was great. Every dish was very good, as soon i see other dishes being sent to other tables i knew there was a proper chef in the kitchen. Downside was mixing Peroni and red wine so it felt like somebody was hitting the back of my eyeballs with a hot poker the next day but that’s on me. We will definitely return.

Excellent food. High quality throughout. Really enjoyed our meal at Whittakers. Throughly recommend to anyone in the Long Bennington area!

Amazing place 5stars all the time. The food and service is the best. The Sunday lunch is incredible. You have to book to see for yourself.

We visited Whitakers restaurant last Thursday to celebrate my wife’s birthday. Unfortunately we were disappointed with the whole experience. As soon as we arrived 7pm, we were eventually greeted at the bar by an older lady who didn’t know how to smile and didn’t even ask if we had a booking? When we received our drinks we were asked to either take a seat in the bar or go straight through into the restaurant. We chose to sit in the bar and look through the menu. As soon as we sat down in the window at the bar table and stools we were asked to move, as they were being kept for locals who have a regular meet? So we moved, despite us leaving at around 8.45, no “locals” had sat in the chairs we were moved from.?? Then the younger waitress came out to take our order, she was very nice and professional. I had to send my pint of Timothy tailors back because it was flat, no issue apart from the next one wasn’t much better. We ordered food and the starters that came out suspiciously fast, then the main course came out just as quick! I had cod cheeks which were ok, but they came out with some non tasting green sauce? Should have been Thai inspired but it wasn’t. The rest of the food was ok, just ok, I had the smallest lamb shank I’ve ever seen with dry mash and a teaspoon of gravy. Which is a shame because we expected much more, particularly taking into account the price, expensive pub grub, I don’t mind paying £10 starters and £30 main course if it’s good, and I think you are made more welcome if you are a local. We won’t be back unfortunately.

We are so lucky to have Whittakers on our doorstep and I’m writing this review because I’m very guilty of taking it for granted. The food last night was outstanding and without doubt should have an award or two by now! Not only did it all taste amazingly good it was equally beautifully presented. Hats off to Debbie, Sue, Penny, Marina, Adam, Terry, Will and anyone I may have omitted (apologies!), the food, service, bar and ambiance are all fabulous. Keep doing what you’re doing - we love it!

First visit for me but a super find. Service was great and the food delicious. Lots of restaurants around but very impressed.

This was a great find as we were becoming fed up with the mediocre offerings of other restaurants in the area. The evening was a delight from beginning to end, food was excellent and the service was outstanding, which was refreshing in itself. We will certainly recommend to all our friends.

What an absolute gem of a restaurant. Lovely atmosphere, great service and delicious food! The stone bass was divine couldn’t recommend it enough. We sat in the bar area and still felt we were in the restaurant. Couldn’t recommend this place enough 5 stars all round.

We were looking for an early evening meal no booking was made prior to the meal. It was our first visit to Whittakers but it won't be the last. We were offered a table very swiftly in the restaurant. We ordered drinks at the bar by very friendly staff and told to take a seat in the bar until our table was prepared. A lovely waitress took us into the restaurant and told us to take any table for 2 so we sat in the window. It was spotlessly clean, comfortable and contemporary decorated. It had a very relaxed atmosphere. The main was presented beautifully, hot and delicious. My sweet was devine and so tasty. Thank you for a wonderful meal, we will definitely be back.

We had our wedding reception here on Friday with 35 guests. The food was superb and the service was really good. All our guests commented on how good the food was. Thanks for a brilliant time Debs and staff

We were travelling on A1 and came across this wonderful restaurant Great staff and food .The halibut my husband had was worthy of master chef

Elegant, spacious wine bar. Very friendly, welcoming staff and great service. I had the most beautiful, individual steak and ale pie. This was served with a jug of gravy, buttery mash and a lovely selection of seasonal veg. The veg were beautifully cooked to retain both colour & texture. I then followed with the most delicious dessert I have ever had. Honeycomb parfait served with pistachio brittle and boozy cherries. It was sublime.

Food was superbly cooked and full of flavour. This was really a little gem of a restaurant perfect for a couples date night and for the portion sizes and quality of food was very reasonable. Would absolutely recommend

I took my friend to Whittakers for the first time on her birthday. I pre-notified them of her dietary needs. On arrival, we were greeted by name, then offered 2 different printed menus, hers tailored to suit her diet. Seeing fish and chips on my menu, she said she fancied that. Undaunted, the chef mixed a special batter for her, so that she could have a gluten-free variant, which she greatly enjoyed. We were similarly well looked after throughout. My unrestricted sweet of Biscoff cheesecake was delicious. We both thoroughly recommend Whittakers.

Absolutely Fantastic Lunch enjoyed today Couldn’t fault the Presentation and Service with the Food also exceptional Wonderful venue which we feel continues to deliver and exceptional experience Credit to Eveyone there

This was our 4th visit over the last couple of years (we are not local) and it was another excellent experience - great food, great service and reasonably priced. This is not a “posh” destination….which is why I like it - it’s good food, served “without fuss” in a nice environment. My partner and I had the same starter - soft shelled crab and it was DELICIOUS!! - we are planning a bigger family get together soon and will definitely be returning.

We treated a couple of friends to a meal out at this Restaurant which is quite local to us. The food and service were exemplary and the flavors......WOW! Taste and presentation were superb and the service was warm, friendly and super efficient. Whilst not being the cheapest restaurant in the area, it is certainly worth every penny. Would highly recommend this place to anyone wishing to have a memorable night out.

Me and my dad went for lunch here when I was visiting from Scotland. The food was lush, plenty of flavour!!! The menu has something for all tastes - I'm diabetic and there was still loads of choice for me without altering any ingredients to suit my diet. The restaurant was cosy and modern. If I lived in Long Bennington I would be twice the size I am now from eating there all the time.

Lovely staff and amazing food. I love a nice Sunday dinner and have tried many places in and around Newark but nothing compares to Whittakers. It is simply the best. Could not recommend enough. Also very well priced for such amazing food and service.

I've always loved Whittaker's and recommend it to everyone. I went there last night for the first time in about 12 months. I was surprised to find we were the only diner's it's usually fully booked when I've been before. However, one look at the menu explained all - gone were the offer of 3 courses and 2 courses etc. Starters and desserts were around £8 each. Main courses from £14 upwards. The service was great, the food was as tasty as ever, but it comes at a price. My friend and I skipped on the starters and though we were tempted by the dessert menu at £8 each we decided against and just had a coffee.

What a Wonderful Experience No problem booking which for us was short notice They accommodated us with no challenge They Staff were extremely welcoming and very attentive The meal was the Hi-light which for us ticked every box There were many choices for each course and so we ended up having all 3 available Everything cooked and presented to a High Standard When leaving we felt we were unable to leave without giving a Tip which was well rewarded Thanks Again to All at Whitaker’s Mr & Mrs Graham

It was our ruby wedding anniversary in March & as we were unable to celebrate with family/friends my husband arranged for a takeaway meal from Whittakers. When Debbie heard what the occasion was she asked the chef to come up with a special menu for us. The resulting meal was fabulous, 3 courses of delicious vegetarian food and incredibly good value for money too. Thanks Debbie, your chef & staff too, for helping us celebrate.

My family’s first time of having a Sunday lunch from Whittakers’s was absolutely delicious, plenty of vegetables, everything was very tasty

Because we were unable to travel to London for Christmas we hadn't made provision for Christmas Dinner. Whittaker's saved the day and we organized a Christmas Dinner takeaway. Phew, what a meal. I know most people overeat at Christmas but we couldn't finish it!! A fabulous selection and beautifully cooked. We have had their takeaways and during "normal times" we eat at the restaurant fairly regularly so it's nice to see them carrying on against the hardship.Thank you and we look forward to more takeaways and eating in the restaurant when life is back to normal.

Absolutely poor restaurant . Food was cold and undercooked . I do not expect this at any restaurant especially when its this expensive . When we complained to management,they didn't want to know!they blamed it on being understaffed. Will not be visiting again. Your best of getting a kebab.

We regularly go to Whittaker’s on Sundays for their amazing Sunday lunch. As being a family of four with two small children, they are always very accommodating and nothing is too much trouble. The food is always of high standard. Lockdown takeaways have been of an equally high standard. We can’t recommend them highly enough.

Rounded off an enjoyable weekend with a superb Sunday lunch with all the trimmings, lashings of gravy and a treacle sponge pudding with custard for afters. Cannot be beaten.

I love this place! The warm, slick ambiance. the staff that always have a smile, and the food that is always fresh and decadent. The chef is outstanding at his craft. Can’t wait to come back!

Absolutely shocking food . Would rather go mcdonalds to be honest . Shocking prices. Owners are also brain dead 🤣🤣

Took 3 girlfrinds Friday lunch to celebrate my 60th 2 starters turned up, the other 2 some minutes later. Managed to get the steaks wrong and chips turned up under cooked. It's not as if they were busy and rushed off their feet! Was not even offered a wine list, but this may be their new policy. Very disappointed

Brilliant food and service as always and very happy with the social distancing and sanitising processes in clear evidence. Great to see this local restaurant back in business and would highly recommend!

I love Whittakers, it's the perfect place for a get together with a small group of friends - and it always feels like a treat. The food is fantastic as is the service. I thoroughly recommend it.

Why have I not been before, especially as it's so close to me! Absolutely gorgeous, food and decor, and service was top notch. We shall return asap. Thank you

We had read and heard good reports about this place so decided to pay a visit. Clean but quiet clinical , no atmosphere really. Pleasant and friendly floor staff who were polite and helpful. Our coats were taken and we were shown to the bar . There were other guests at tables and 5 other people sat at the bar. The barman was rubbish. For the amount of people sat at the bar he was not aware of what was happening on the customer side. There was no acknowledgement, no engagement, no chat , no smile we waited and waited to the point at where I was about to walk ...please correct me if I am wrong..I am sure its the barman who asks if we would like a drink not the other way around .This is a village restaurant not a high street pub.It took a waitress to come through from the restaurant and offer and get us a drink . Well done and thank you nice lady it wasn’t like the barman was busy as he was washing glasses . We made our choices from the menu and were shown to our table. Menu choices were quite limited. Both had steaks. Mrs has the blue cheese potato gratin which was very undercooked and drowned in blue cheese. Steaks were ok . Steak with two choices of potato and roasted cherry tomatoes... that’s it . Hardly inspiring. My crumble was ok for desert but the custard was like thick milk . Mrs had chocolate torte which she nearly bent her spoon on . ???? Soz will not be back any time soon.... shame because the waiting staff were very attentive and friendly.

We had not visited Whittaker’s for many years, having found it less than satisfactory when it first opened. We have just been back for a birthday celebration and were amazed! The staff were excellent, attentive and well trained. The food was wonderful, decent portions, interesting and tasty and great value. Thoroughly deserving 5* now, we will be back! Thank you for the Birthday dessert surprise.

We celebrated a 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends there was 18 of Us fantastic service fantastic food a fantastic and I would recommend this place to everybody

My only regret is that I live close by and haven’t visited before. Whittaker’s is a modern and contemporary restaurant and bar which offers excellent quality food and service whilst offering excellent value for money. We had the 3 course menu for £20 which was delicious and very generous. Provided they keep this standard up then I will be a regular customer going forwards and can highly recommend.

Been a couple of times for the lunchtime specials.Limited Menu, but as expected. Never busy, and personally don’t think it has a lot of atmosphere.Less than 15 pounds for a two course lunch with a hot drink. Typically alcohol was a wee bit pricey.

Visited on a Wednesday evening and although pretty busy service was efficient and friendly. Both starters and mains excellent (didn’t have room left for desserts) and good value. If lived locally would visit again!

We had dinner and breakfast here whilst staying in the area.The burgers were perfect and the "mind eraser" cocktail was delicious.The staff very chatty and friendly.Their coffee was one of the best we have had on our road trip.Breakfast was freshly cooked and was just what we needed before visiting Mt Rainer.Highly recommended

We stop on the way home St Albans to Cottingham and are impressed every time by the choice and quality of the meals. Very good value for money.

Meal with friends at this lovely restaurant food was really first class fresh and extremely tasty. All the staff are very friendly and very welcoming a very enjoyable evening look forward to going back again sometime soon

I had a terrific lunch at this charming neighbourhood restaurant. The welcome was warm & service friendly & efficient throughout. It’s quite an intimate space, modern, fresh & absolutely immaculate. And food was absolutely superb - really accomplished, flavoursome & well presented. Excellent value too. Bravo.

Booked a family meal to celebrate my daughters masters' celebration. hadn't been here before, but we were not disappointed. The food was excellent! Well presented and very tasty, with some unusual twists on classics. Staff were pleasant, and sought to accommodate our needs. This was also good value, with three courses for £20. The trade off is that the menu is not vast, but there was plenty choice for us.

Had Sunday lunch with my family (all adults). Excellent food and service. Good atmosphere. Will return!

Taken here by friends who had been here just once before. Layout was very nice with a pleasant bar area to enjoy a pre dinner drink. Once in the main restaurant there was plenty of room between the tables allowing a more relaxed feel. Staff were all excellent. We all had different meals and every one was enjoyed. I can recommend this restaurant and will certainly visit it again.

Had a lovely 3 course meal, friendly and helpful staff,not to expensive either, will definitely visit again..😀

Had lunch here recently with six friends. Food really \good, service excellent. Ambiance just right.

My wife took me for an evening meal on a Tuesday night. There was a good choice on the menu. Three courses for about £18 a head. Thai soup to start with - very delicious. I had fish and chips for main course, my wife had oriental pork steak. Both excellent. Puddings also good. Two rounds of drinks with the food came to £56.

We stopped to eat on our way from Yorkshire to Peterborough. Easy to park. Excellent service, excellent food and a great ambience. Very fairly priced. I would highly recommend Whittlesey.

Easy parking, welcoming staff and very efficient service. House wine excellant and food was very good (except one starter). Only slight issue was the noise in the main dining area - wooden floors & blank walls tend to exaggerate it. Good value for what we had.

We've lived in the area for over 10 years and never eaten at Whittakers so I booked a table with friends. What a wonderful meal, I can't believe we haven't dined here before.

Lovely smart,modern restaurant/bar. Food is really good and well presented.Good choice on the menu. Lovely surprise at the end of our meal when my Father-in-law was presented with a small cake with a candle on the top,and Happy Birthday piped round the edge of the plate.

Haven’t been here for a while. No good reason but we were invited to a private party which meant the restaurant was full.

Excellent food and service. Early Bird Menu is exceptional value for money and offers a very wide choice. This is our favourite place to eat in Long Bennington

Enjoyed every moment of our visit to Whittaker’s yesterday for Sunday lunch.

I booked Whittaker’s for a celebratory meal with my family (10 of us). The staff couldn’t have been more attentive; everyone in our party enjoyed every course they ordered. So, all in all it was a lovely evening and I can’t wait to go again!

The food was quite expensive for what it was, we have had almost the same meals for quite a lot less money.

We went to Whittaker’s for our company Christmas meal. Due to the number of people, they closed doors to other public. I am not from the area, and very happy to say that this place is amazing, staff friendly and efficient, food came out hot, quickly and tasted great. Portion sizes were substantial. Plenty of choice for drinks. I will definitely recommend.

we went for sunday lunch, we have not been since last year.meals still good and service.best to book, to make sure of table.nice sweets.drinks, good, staff very good also. we will be back soon.

Sunday lunch for two - sounds routine? Well excellence is routine with Debbie and her team. Succulent mussels and Goats cheese soufllé to start with followed by traditional lamb or beef in our case - don't forget to fill the Yorkshire with gravy. Your mouth is watering, well be warned, book well in advance, it was fully booked when we were there!

My sister booked a table for lunch time. Had a good meal with family, you had a choice of lunch time specials, ie.fish/chips or pie of the day, or from the menu. Two of us had the pie of the day the other two had chicken and venison. All very nice at a fair price. Would go again.

Four of us had a meal here on Saturday night, choosing from the a la carte menu. The left side of the building is a pub, with a popular large bar and a few tables. I didn’t see it, but I think there is a bar food menu available here. The right side of the building is a restaurant, with reasonably spaced tables.

We had a lovely meal with exceptional service. The décor tastefully modern with a great atmosphere. There is something for every body on the menu from a snack to an a la carte meal. and a good selection of drinks.

We ate at this restaurant recently with friends and although we have dined here many times previously this is the first time that I have been compelled to make the effort to leave a review.

Welcoming staff, interesting dinner menu, well prepared. Dinning room lacked atmosphere but staff attentive and food was good.

Popped for Sunday lunch with my husband and toddler and ended up spending a long relaxing afternoon there. The staff were all so accommodating and looked after us all, particularly the smallest member of our party! The food was lovely and perfectly presented (the baked eggs and chorizo was so good! And my little one loved the whitebait) and I particularly enjoyed the blood orange gin! A perfect Sunday afternoon!

Birthday lunch - 7ish couples all arrive for Sunday lunch. We were all dealt with efficiently and served quickly. They staff were attentive & relaxed about when we sat at our table etc. The food was excellent, everyone I think had a good meal and again the service was attentive but not intrusive. The restaurant is contemporary and tastefully decorated. The only thing I'd say is sometimes it can be a little lacking in atmosphere but it didn't bother us.

A great range of quality drinks, with attentive service, and wonderful food. We went for our wedding anniversary and we were not disappointed. Nice modern interior that fells bright and comfortable.

Eaten here quite a few times, food and service always very good, decor of restaurant is nice too. Prices are reasonable too.

Met friends there for a summer catch up. Set menu, excellent variety and friendly staff. All meals presented well. Tasted excellent. Will be meeting there more often.

My whole meal was well presented and beautifully cooked, what more can one ask ! Efficient, friendly service and not outrageously expensive. A very pleasant evening out enjoyed by me and my 2 companions.

Excellent lunch from the daily menu. Good quality food at a reasonable price. Good choices, excellent service in a lovely restaurant.

I try and make this a weekly treat as the lunch menu is so delicious (and evening menu too but we have children and commitments in the evening) it really is the highlight of the week. The staff are so friendly, the pie dish is different each week and comes with beautiful fat home made chips and seasonal vegetables and is out of this world, you also get a pudding included in the price for less then ten pounds! The ambience and atmosphere is lovely and it is so clean and staff very welcoming. Thank you for accommodating me and my baby. We have been coming since she was a couple of weeks most weeks!

Husband and I had a lovely meal from the squid starter and perfectly cooked steak ( I am fussy) the breaded tandoori chicken and lamb daube also my husband is an international chef and highly impressed all staff welcoming and attentive we will definitely be returning and recommending.

Had the pleasure of dining here again last week with 18 friends and everyone had a very enjoyable meal. We picked the set menu which offered a great choice with the option of 2 or 3 courses. I opted for the cheese souffle, slow cooked rib of beef and stem ginger creme brulee and could not fault anything. From the presentation to the taste all 5*.

Could not fault my evening. I had 3 courses and all were excellent. Staff are brilliant and food delicious.

I've had a mixed experience at Whittakers. Two good and now two awful. This last visit will be my last visit. I ate off the a la carte and had lamb two ways. As it turned out the two ways were - still bleating with loads of raw unrendered white fat (disgusting) and dry over cooked stewed haunch. It came with vicroy carrots which turned out to mean unprepared impelled undercooked whole carrots and lots of them. Top it off with a watery tasteless 'jus' and there you have it - roughly 22 quids worth of inedible food. My husband had the lamb from the early bird. Same dry overcooked haunch and carrots but served with herb mash that was so overworked the starch had turned into glue. Yuk. Safe to say we won't be going back.

Having dined here when the restaurant was refurbished, we decided to come and have look at there lunch time offering.

After some unfortunate glitches the staff managed the situation with professionalism second to none. They were kind caring and thoughtful thank you. The food was superb and beautifully presented. Will defiantly be returning.

What a great restaurant and bar

First meal at Whittakers and went for the 3 course meal at £16.95 and all the courses were absolutely first class!! Really generous portions very well cooked.Service first class with very friendly staff. Totally recommend it to anyone Fantastic evening meal Well done Debbie

Ambiente elegante e piuttosto raffinato. Personale cordiale. Buona scelta di vini internazionali (bevuto un ottimo Malbec argentino). Cibo eccellente sia nel giusto che nella presentazione.

Whittakers serves gourmet food, priced sensibly. The early evening set menu is particularly good value, no more expensive than the average "pub grub" food.

Really good evening, very welcoming on arrival - staff were really good all night! Food was excellent and would highly recommend it...

We went for a early Saturday night dinner with our little girl, the staff were extremely accommodating stating she could have smaller versions of the main courses on the menu. The food was absolutely delicious, service was very attentive and worth every penny!!!! My husband and I shared the dessert platter and it was amazing - highly recommended!

Had a lovely celebratory meal, 3 courses, all excellent! Smoked haddock fish cakes with poached egg and hollandaise for both me and my girlfriend, followed by the duo of lamb, which was perfectly cooked, and included a canon of lamb, and a lamb & mint mini hot pot; whilst my girlfriend had a ribeye steak, which was also excellent. To finish we shared the dessert sharing board, which included a chocolate fondant, black currant sorbet, cheesecake, Baileys crème brûlée and a couple of other treats! All in all a lovely meal, which was helped by helpful but not overbearing service, a very enjoyable meal out.

We had dinner on Friday evening which was excellent. The food was delicious and the staff were attentive without being intrusive and with half price cocktails it couldn't get any better!

Sunday lunch at Whittakers was a lovely experience. The food was excellent, the staff friendly, and the atmosphere relaxed, We will certainly be eating there again, and highly recommend it to all.

This place is such a find. The food is delicious, well presented and such good value. The service is friendly and the decor modern and welcoming. I’ve been a couple of times now and the menu is different each time. Can’t wait to go back again!

Booked a table of 9 and couldnt fault the food or service in any way. We had a variety of starters and mains which everyone said were very nice. The roasts were well cooked and portions very large! Great value for money and would definitely recommend to anyone!

Friendly service, perfectly cooked food and great choices. The lunch time menu is very good value, this was our third visit - it's going to be a regular venue!

My wife and I visited Whittakers for a late (2pm) Sunday lunch. We had booked which I’d advise anyone else to do as it was pretty busy. We had starters and mains which were both delicious. The sirloin of beef was superb - rare, as requested, and there was a fabulous range of vegetables together with a huge Yorkshire Pudding. Neither of us had room for desserts but from what we saw on other tables they all looked good too. So, in summary, excellent food at reasonable prices and spot-on friendly service - we will definitely be back as soon as possible.

The quality of the food here is fantastic, there are lunch and early bird deals that are exceptional value. I really can’t recommend the place enough.

The food was nice, and different location, it was nice, could of been WOW but it wasnt. Nothing wrong with the place, decent enough, just expected a bit more

Excellent food service and atmosphere with 10 friends great night thanks to all the staff

Went for the first time but certainly not our last with my wife, brother in law and his wife. Lovely welcome, had drinks in the bar/lounge area while made our decisions on our meal. A good selection of drinks incluuding a number of Gins. The Rhubarb gin with dry ginger was lovely.