The Orator

Housed within the storied Cambridge Union Society, The Orator brings traditional British dining to a Victorian Gothic setting in the heart of the city centre.

High ceilings, period detailing, and swathes of natural light set a relaxed brasserie mood, while a beautiful garden terrace invites unhurried lunches and golden-hour suppers.

The kitchen champions locally sourced ingredients and modern technique, delivering plates that balance British comfort with polished, continental accents. Think burrata with cantaloupe melon, prosciutto ham, and a bright pomegranate lift, or beetroot-cured gravlax with pickled cucumber, horseradish, and fennel pollen cream on sourdough.

Larger plates feature pan-seared duck breast with passionfruit sauce, roasted sweet potatoes, and tenderstem broccoli, or a grilled plaice fillet glossed in brown butter and parsley with sautéed green beans, La Ratte potatoes, and crisp capers.

To finish, a chocolate-hazelnut and praline torte with Chantilly cream and toasted almonds, or a matcha and white chocolate cake with coconut sorbet, keeps things elegant without sacrificing indulgence.

Alongside these, an inventive drinks list underscores the easygoing pace, while a light lunch menu runs the gamut from classics such as a chicken Caesar sandwich on toasted focaccia with Cantabrian anchovies.

With all profits supporting an educational charity, it's dining with a sense of purpose. Book in, settle back, and let good taste do the talking.