The Watermill, Newnham Rd, Cambridge CB3 9EY

About This Pub

Ah, MillWorks in Cambridge – what a lovely spot it is! Picture this: you're sitting by the old millpond on the Granta River, with that charming restored mill wheel adding a real touch of history to the scene. From what I've gathered from the buzz around it, folks absolutely love the food here; it's all about fresh, local ingredients, with highlights like their fish and meat dishes cooked to perfection on a charcoal oven, and don't even get me started on those Sunday roasts that sound like a proper treat. The service comes across as genuinely warm and attentive, with servers who know how to keep things light-hearted and enjoyable, making every visit feel special. It's versatile too, whether you're popping in for a quick lunch after a walk or hosting a bigger gathering – they've got rooms for up to 120 people, which is brilliant for parties. On the flip side, it does get pretty lively at times, so if you're seeking a peaceful corner for a deep chat, you might find it a tad overwhelming. And let's not forget, parking can be a short stroll away, which isn't ideal if you're carrying bags or the weather's playing up. All in all, it's a place that delivers on the good times, with that 4.4 rating speaking volumes about the smiles it brings – I'd say it's well worth a visit for anyone looking for a bit of that Cambridge charm mixed with great grub.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • The location is absolutely stunning, right by the river with a view of the old millpond – it's perfect for a relaxing meal or a special occasion.
  • The food is top-notch, with fresh, local ingredients and standout dishes like succulent steaks, fresh fish, and those delicious Sunday roasts that everyone raves about.
  • Service is warm and professional; servers are friendly and add a bit of fun to the experience, making you feel right at home.
  • It's got a vibrant, modern vibe with that restored mill wheel as a centrepiece, which gives it a unique charm and makes it great for groups or casual get-togethers.
  • Prices are moderate, offering good value for the quality, especially for a spot in Cambridge that's better than the usual chain options.
Cons
  • It can get quite bustling, especially on weekends, which might make it feel a bit crowded if you're after a quiet pint or intimate chat.
  • Parking isn't the easiest – you'll need to walk a few minutes from nearby streets or a car park, which could be a minor hassle after a long day.
  • The hours vary a touch, closing earlier on Sundays, so it's worth checking if you're planning a late evening out.

Contact Information

The Watermill, Newnham Rd, Cambridge CB3 9EY
+441223367507
Brasserie
Open Now

Opening Hours

Monday (Today)11:30 - 21:00
Tuesday11:30 - 21:00
Wednesday11:30 - 21:00
Thursday11:30 - 21:00
Friday11:30 - 21:30
Saturday11:00 - 21:30
Sunday11:00 - 19:00

Location

Recent Reviews

Went here to celebrate my mum's birthday and we had the best time. Our server was incredible and very funny (I think his name was Nick but not 100% sure). We had the lamb roast and it was honestly delicious. Lovely desserts too and an all round good experience. We will definitely be returning to try the other options on the menu. Lovely setting too by the river in Cambridge.
ER
Emma Rieley
A unique dining experience in a stunning location. The pub is on the canal at the edge of a park and has a large wooden mill wheel still in operation. The food is gastropub / restaurant level quality and frankly delicious. Looking forward to returning for a Sunday roast, or dinner a Rather than just lunch.
PI
Petrut I
Dining Club Meal Friday 25 April 2025 The Father and Daughter hosted this Dining Club Meal, as they had eaten here before, and my sister and myself came here for the first time, we knew where the venue was. When we arrived, (we were late, and it was my fault) we saw our hosts already seated, and waiting for the guests to arrive, we looked at the Drinks Menu, and ordered our drinks, three ginger beers, for the Father, my sister and myself, and a Diet Coke for the Daughter, and afterwards we ordered our Starters. My sister, myself, and the Daughter had buttermilk Crispy Squid with confit garlic and lemon mayo, and the Father had Mint and Pea Soup. For the Mains my sister, myself, and the Daughter had lemon sole with new potatoes, seasonal greens, and caviar lemon butter sauce, and the Father had roasted lamb rump, with pea puree, dauphinoise potatoes, spring greens, leeks and peas, with more drinks, three bottles of ginger beer, for myself and the Father, and two glasses of Alcohol free Guiness for my sister and the Daughter. For the Dessert, I had two scoops of Vanilla Ice Cream, and my sister, and the Daughter had Apple and Rhubarb Crumble in a Yorkshire Pudding with ginger ice cream, and the Father had Passion fruit Tart, with mango gel and prosecco sorbet. Both the food and the service were very good, I have to mention the waitress Eleonora from Argentina, and the waiter Alec, and we would come back here again, recommended.
SM
Samuel Miller
Great gastro pub by the River Cam serving food and drink. Friendly waiters and good menu with bustling atmosphere on weekend. Not too pricey and better than chain equivalents nearby. Booking recommended. The water wheel inside keeps things going.
MR
M&C Reynolds
Couldn't have had a better experience. We've been in UK for almost a year and this is possibly the first meal out where the price, portions, taste, atmosphere, service, and presentation would prompt me to figure that they could have charged more for what we had. We came for lunch on a Saturday. My wife had the beetroot salad which was certifiably amazing! The slight honey in the dressing sent the mix of flavors over the top. The feta was not overpowering and added a cream-dimension with the fibrous and earthy salad leaf. The small chopped beetroot was wonderful as was the couscous on the bottom of the bowl. Size of portion was spot on. I had the Millworks Grazer plate which was similarly spot on portion. The pork was flavorful with a small portion of pickled cabbage below that added a tart-to-the-sweeter glaze on the pork. Fat-to-meat ratio on the pork was quite nice as well. The plate had a stack of buttermilk covered calamari. The breaded-to-meat coverage was not-too-thick such to allow a fried crunch and then squishy texture of the actual squid flesh. The buttermilk coverage added a dimension over the basic-breaded and fried calamari. The calamari was drizzled with a sauce which I can't remember but was lovely. Also on the plate were some stuffed red peppers which were nicely placed on the plate and true to form with the other things were tasty and prepped with clear-care for flavor. The salad on the Grazer plate had large, lovely green olives, shrubbery-type lettuce leaf that allows breadth and depth of flavor, and a few sliced grape tomatoes. Each plate we had provided a wonderful medley of flavors that pleased and left us knowing we will return for a dinner soon. Rarely have I contemplated I would pay more than is charged for a plate. And, for the plates we had comparative to the flavor and portions, I would have paid more (and I'm stingy and frugal). We also decided to have a dessert which we rarely do. The dessert was very pricey (£18) and was titled Rapture Rupture. This thing was giant (seemingly too much for 2 people). My wife only ate 1/4 of it and I was not willing to walk away without finishing it. I'm usually a sole-fan of dark chocolate and coffee ice creams. This had a mix of flavors and textures and blended well enough that I wanted to finish it as opposed to barely getting it done. All in all probably the best experience with food I've had here in UK.
MJ
Mayer Jeppson

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