The Duke of Cambridge — Restaurant in Waverley

Not an accessible pub.

My partner and I came here for dinner last night, and the food is absolutely deserving of 5 stars - I had the celeriac roast, and he had the plant-based burger. Both meals were delicious.

The reason for the 2 star rating overall is due to our overall experience yesterday.

We arrived with our baby in a buggy, circled the pub and couldn’t find a step-free way in. A helpful member of staff appeared and said we had to enter through a door at the front (which actually appeared to be a fire door). There was a customer sat at a table there (which, in truth, shouldn’t be located there as it’s a fire hazard) who had been asked to stand so the door could be opened for us - we apologised, thanked her and the staff member and then were shown to our table.

When it came to leaving, we asked our waiter whether we needed to leave via the same door. He vaguely said “Yeah that’s your best bet” and then left us to get on with it? Another couple were then at at the table in front of the door - I had to apologise and explain that we’d been advised to use that door. They seemed confused, but the gentleman kindly stood up and opened the door for us. It was actually so narrow that he ended up standing outside in the cold (there was nowhere else for him to go) and helping me get the buggy out as well while my partner followed - all the while other customers were watching the debacle.

I apologised to him and thanked him profusely, but left feeling embarrassed and dishevelled - it’s lucky we’re a couple with a buggy and not wheelchair users, as I’ve no idea how that situation would have been dealt with.

Ultimately there shouldn’t be anything blocking the fire escape, and I’d expect the space to be accessible in this day and age.

The food was delightful but our overall experience was spoiled.

Edit: having now read through some of the other reviews I can see that this accessibility issue is an ongoing one, having affected wheelchair users, those with walking aids, and now us - parents of a small baby in a buggy. Not sure when management will start to take this issue seriously and make the...

I looked for a new place that does a decent roast; my wife and I chose this pub but faced severe service issues. While we could see that it was busy, we didn’t expect an hour's wait for our roasts. Our order got lost, leading me to intervene at the bar and ask where our food was. The meals arrived swiftly after, literally 60 seconds, a little too quick and were cold, indicating they’d likely been overlooked and potentially left on the pass for some time.

Despite this, the chef deserves praise for the nicely flavoured food, near-perfect roast potatoes, and decent-sized carrots and parsnips, albeit cold (I'm sure it was hot when it was plated).

Service suffered from a lack of direction and coordination, with staff appearing disorganised, lacking apparent teamwork and poor leadership, and communicating poorly, or not at all, as they ran around in their own little bubbles save for two girls who seemed to be working well together and working in a methodical manner and communicating very well. This was exacerbated by a blonde (sorry, I don't know names) staff member at the kitchen entrance adjusting her hair and jewellery, distracting another already busy colleague, all in direct view of at least four waiting customers, and getting in the way of the bar staff, kitchen staff, and restaurant staff as this seemed to be a main junction between the three.

This oversight negatively affected our experience despite the efforts of some obviously hardworking staff members. The atmosphere was great, but the staff's stress could be felt, and was noticeable, no doubt from the busy period, with them often having to excuse themselves to customers as they rushed past, almost making me not want to ask anything in case I made things worse for them. The disorganisation and the food's delayed and cold arrival marred what could have been a delightful meal, leaving us with a disappointing impression.

The search goes on for a nice place to...

My visit to the Duke of Cambridge left me with mixed feelings, as the atmosphere was undeniably pleasant, complemented by a good selection of food and drinks. The restaurant exuded a welcoming vibe, making it an appealing spot for various occasions.

However, the dining experience was somewhat marred by the service, which unfortunately fell short of expectations. Despite the agreeable ambiance, I found myself having to get up repeatedly to seek attention from the staff. This aspect left me somewhat disappointed, especially considering my regular visits to the establishment. While I typically refrain from negative comments, I felt compelled to express this concern in the hope that it contributes to the improvement of the service quality.

On a positive note, the desserts at the Duke of Cambridge were a delightful surprise. The flavors were rich, and the presentation was appealing, showcasing a culinary expertise that added a positive note to the overall dining experience.

Another highlight was the availability of good parking space, making it convenient for patrons to visit without the hassle of searching for parking.

In summary, the Duke of Cambridge offers a nice atmosphere and a commendable array of food and drinks. The desserts are a definite standout, and the ample parking is a practical advantage. However, the service issue I encountered is a notable concern that, if addressed, could elevate the dining experience to match the positive aspects the establishment has to offer. I share this feedback with the intention of contributing to the ongoing improvement of the Duke of Cambridge, a place I frequent and hope to see thrive...