The Dining Room
Quick info
About The Dining Room
The Dining Room is an independently owned restaurant in Northampton, based inside the Charles Rennie Mackintosh House and Galleries on Derngate. A family team runs it, with the owner overseeing the kitchen and her daughter looking after front of house. The menu is short and limited. Afternoon tea brings sweet and savoury items with a selection of drinks, and its vegetarian and vegan options carry through to the rest of the menu. A private room hosts events such as a baby shower, which makes it a fit for groups. The restaurant closes throughout January, alongside the house.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingPaid street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsHas changing table(s) · High chairs
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention afternoon tea, vegetarian and vegan options, outdoor terrace and halloumi bowl.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention afternoon tea, vegetarian and vegan options, outdoor terrace and halloumi bowl.
Customer Review Summary
Afternoon tea draws the most mentions. Reviewers describe a spread of sweet and savoury items, freshly baked desserts, and vegetarian and vegan versions that were delicious. Close behind is lunch, where diners name a halloumi bowl, a coronation chicken sandwich with a little heat and fruit, and a toasted cheese scone. Another reviewer came for coffee and cake and stayed for lunch. Service is repeatedly described as friendly and attentive, and the terrace and light filled room draw praise too. Reviewers also raise trade-offs. The menu is short and limited at present under new management, and one regular found the afternoon tea portions reduced from an earlier visit, though the quality stayed outstanding. Another found the room a little stuffy because the windows cannot be opened. Several call the value good. One couple took leftovers home in a box after a two course anniversary afternoon tea, and a first-time visitor was surprised with a birthday cake and candle.
Customer Review Summary
Afternoon tea draws the most mentions. Reviewers describe a spread of sweet and savoury items, freshly baked desserts, and vegetarian and vegan versions that were delicious. Close behind is lunch, where diners name a halloumi bowl, a coronation chicken sandwich with a little heat and fruit, and a toasted cheese scone. Another reviewer came for coffee and cake and stayed for lunch. Service is repeatedly described as friendly and attentive, and the terrace and light filled room draw praise too. Reviewers also raise trade-offs. The menu is short and limited at present under new management, and one regular found the afternoon tea portions reduced from an earlier visit, though the quality stayed outstanding. Another found the room a little stuffy because the windows cannot be opened. Several call the value good. One couple took leftovers home in a box after a two course anniversary afternoon tea, and a first-time visitor was surprised with a birthday cake and candle.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Quite quiet but a great location with a nice position in the town. A limited menu currently but I think could develop over time. The food we had was delicious and well presented and served by a friendly and helpful team!”
- Google user
“Absolutely loved the Halloumi bowl. It was packed with flavours, the presentation was 👌🏾. I appreciated the menu’s choices, great options fresh and new which is lovely to experience food where the Chef is innovative, I’d definitely come back and bring friends with. The service was excellent, served with warmth and a smile which makes for a beautiful dinning experience. Wishing the new management all the success and growth, going by my meal on Sunday l have no doubt they’ll will achieve and accomplished their goal for feeling people with love”
- Google user
“Following a visit to 78 Derngate in Northampton we decided to have lunch at The Dining Room attached to the house. What a great place we found. Lovely short menu (providing less choice but great quality). Attentive staff and serene atmosphere. Highly recommended.”
- Google user
“Came into the dining room for an afternoon tea with my family. I left extremely impressed, our server was informative and attentive and the food was obviously all fresh. We have been before for afternoon tea and our server Billy explained that the restaurant was under new management so there may be some changes to the afternoon tea selection. Although the quantity of food was reduced since the last time we came, the quality was outstanding, definetly a good spot to come if you enjoy freshly baked desserts.”
- Google user
“What an absolute gem in the heart of Northampton. The location was amazing beautiful , intimate with outdoor terrace . The food was fantastic - Serious hats off to the chef . Beautiful and fresh ingredients with plenty of choice for veggie options . Amazing service from both ladies can’t wait to come back 🩷☀️”
Highlights
“Situated in the cultural quarter of Northampton , and based internally in the Charles Rennie Mackintosh House and Galleries -78 Derngate NN1 1UH. The Dining Room is independently owned and we are a family run business, Lorraine has been in the catering sector for over a decade, and overseas management from the kitchen, where you can always find her! And their daughter Amelie maintains front of house. Our aim is for you to visit and enjoy our newly decorated establishment and leave feeling happy and satisfied. We are a small venue , so advance booking is highly recommended . Please note we are closed throughout January, alongside the house .”
- Great coffee
- Great tea selection
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for solo dining
- Small plates
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Paid street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Vegan options
- Alcohol
- Cozy
- Coffee
- Free water refills
- Small plates
- Dining options· 4
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Catering
- Seating
- Family-friendly· 2
- Has changing table(s)
- High chairs
- Planning· 1
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 3
- Casual
- Historic
- Romantic
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Offerings· 2
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Highlights· 1
- Great tea selection
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
Location
Restaurants near The Dining Room
- The Sahara NN4.9740.1 miGood for kidsReservations
fufu with fish stew, the platter option, jollof rice
- Greek Bistro Northampton4.63110.2 mi
pork cooked perfectly, vegetarian platter, smart interior design
- The Smoke Pit4.52,0590.2 mi
meat platter, lord spencer burger, smoked hot dog
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Dining RoomOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.6213 | — | afternoon tea, vegetarian and vegan options, outdoor terrace |
| The Sahara NNGood for kids · Reservations | 4.974 | 0.1 mi | fufu with fish stew, the platter option, jollof rice |
| Greek Bistro Northampton | 4.6311 | 0.2 mi | pork cooked perfectly, vegetarian platter, smart interior design |
| The Smoke Pit | 4.52,059 | 0.2 mi | meat platter, lord spencer burger, smoked hot dog |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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