
Smokeworks
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Quick info
About Smokeworks
Smokeworks is a barbecue restaurant in Cambridge at 2 Free School Ln, where the ribs and pulled meats are smoked in its own smokery. The kitchen works with US-imported smokers and British kiln-dried oak. The menu runs from baby back ribs and rib platters to pulled pork, with a platter for one and a 2-person platter for sharing. A vege bun gives meat-free diners a main of their own. Each table has a red switch for calling staff. A private dining room is set aside for groups, and dogs are welcome. The kitchen also offers a range of gluten-free options.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingPaid parking lot · Parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · Has changing table(s) · High chairs
- DietaryVegetarian options
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention ribs, wings, mac and cheese and platter.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention ribs, wings, mac and cheese and platter.
Customer Review Summary
Ribs and wings draw the most praise, with reviewers calling the wings perfect and the ribs brilliant, and platters for one or two coming up repeatedly for their large portions. Close behind are the pulled pork, the mac and cheese bowl, a vanilla shake and a peach beer. Vegetarian diners singled out the veggie chips, though they found the salad too sweet and the sweet potato firm and watery. Staff are described as welcoming, with a clear explanation of the menu, and the red attention switch gets several mentions as a cool touch. The main complaints concern the meat and the pace. A couple of reviewers found the ribs chewy towards the end or a bit dried, one reported a long wait to be seated and get food, and another found the shop smelled unpleasant. One table was told the mac and cheese had run out just as they went to order. One reviewer who needed an allergy catered for said it was no problem.
Customer Review Summary
Ribs and wings draw the most praise, with reviewers calling the wings perfect and the ribs brilliant, and platters for one or two coming up repeatedly for their large portions. Close behind are the pulled pork, the mac and cheese bowl, a vanilla shake and a peach beer. Vegetarian diners singled out the veggie chips, though they found the salad too sweet and the sweet potato firm and watery. Staff are described as welcoming, with a clear explanation of the menu, and the red attention switch gets several mentions as a cool touch. The main complaints concern the meat and the pace. A couple of reviewers found the ribs chewy towards the end or a bit dried, one reported a long wait to be seated and get food, and another found the shop smelled unpleasant. One table was told the mac and cheese had run out just as they went to order. One reviewer who needed an allergy catered for said it was no problem.
Featured reviews
- leong hee lim
“We ordered the 2-persons platter which was more than enough food for 3 paxs. Good value. The wings were great though the ribs were a bit dried.”
- Aneta Stachnik
“Delicious food, very large portions. It was no problem to feed an allergy🥰😍I'll be back😁”
- Richie
“Came in yesterday (19/05) with my partner for dinner preemptively celebrating our anniversary. First time either of us had ever been and best believe we shall be back. Incredible decor, amazing service our server (never caught their name :( very tall lady) was absolutely amazing explaining everything to us, extremely polite and helpful. Food was incredible, bit on the expensive side BUT the portions and food quality fully justify the price. Genuinely one of the best in Cambs by far.”
- Sa
“I tried their most popular tiramisu today — it was really nice, not too sweet and quite enjoyable. I’d order it again. However, there was an unpleasant smell in the shop that made it a bit uncomfortable to stay.”
- Désirée
“Long wait to be seated, order and also get food. Cool service button system though! The vege works chips were amazing (could have used more haloumi), best I have ever had. Flaours balanced well and complimented beautifully! Vege bun was good (patty bit overcooked on the outside but great tatste). Cauliflower wings & onion rings were ok. The salad was a real let down. Very sweet dressing, sweet potatoe was quite firm and watery on the outside. Chickpeas were nice though. Unfortunately they just ran out of mac & cheese as we went to order, so didn't get to try.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“SmokeWorks Free School Lane is a BBQ restaurant in the centre of Cambridge. The restaurant smokes its ribs and pulled meats in their own Cambridge smokery using US imported smokers and British kiln dried oak. It's paired with beer, bourbon and milkshakes. With its 'slow cooked. fast.' concept and nifty service switches, the restaurant is the perfect place to stop off for a quick lunch when visiting Cambridge. Voted one of the top 10 barbecue restaurants in the UK, SmokeWorks has also been recognised as one of the best restaurants in Cambridge for burgers (signature smoked and pulled pork shoulder or beef brisket in a brioche bun.) The restaurant offers plenty of options for gluten-free diners.”
- Great beer selection
- Great dessert
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Popular for solo dining
- Happy hour drinks
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Paid parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed outside
Show more amenities
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Family-friendly
- Vegetarian options
- Bar onsite
- Offerings· 12
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Free water refills
- Happy hour drinks
- Hard liquor
- Late-night food
- Private dining room
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Wine
- Service options· 2
- Delivery
- Onsite services
- Dining options· 5
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Highlights· 2
- Great beer selection
- Great dessert
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Cozy
- Facilities· 2
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
- Crowd· 3
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Parking· 1
- Parking
- Family-friendly· 4
- Good for kids
- Has changing table(s)
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Location
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