The Whisky Cafe receives Award of Excellence for Restaurant and Bar of the Year for 2025

In any industry there are always organisations that stand out from their peers and set the standards that others in their field have to aspire to achieve. Based in St Ives in Cambridgeshire, The Whisky Cafe is an organisation that certainly meets this criteria leading as one of the region’s leading bar and restaurants. They have made quite a name for themselves in the year since they first opened, establishing a well deserved reputation as one of the rising stars of their sector and if the last year is any barometer of what the future holds then there are many successful chapters yet to be written in the The Whisky Cafe story.

The reputation they have is fully justified and is now beginning to earn them more tangible forms of recognition. In the Prestige Awards they were given the impressive accolade of being named New Restaurant of the Year. The award was well deserved and has further cemented their reputation as one of the absolute leaders in their field. Following on from that success we are delighted to announce that The Whisky Cafe are the latest recipients of one of our Awards of Excellence being named our Restaurant and Bar of the Year for 2025.

Recognising Innovation

With our awards we think it’s important to recognise organisations that are bringing something new and innovative to their marketplace. They don’t necessarily have to be the biggest but they have to be someone that is trying to offer something different to what is already out there and above all they must offer a great product or service. We feel that The Whisky Cafe ticks all the boxes and are worthy winners of our award. The awards are clearly no accident and will come as no surprise to anybody that has been lucky enough to visit The Whisky Cafe. In this edition we will try and give you an insight into what they do and the success that they’ve enjoyed.

There are many factors but first and foremost they are good at what they do with the entire team sharing the same steadfast determination to maintain the high standards that have become such a trademark.

Who Are The Whisky Café?

So who exactly are The Whisky Cafe and what is it that they do? They are a vibrant and modern bar and restaurant that opened in November 2024 on the site of what was formerly the Robin Hood Pub. It’s very much a family business with the new owner Samuel Purchas overseeing an extensive refurbishment and modernisation. The building now has a first-floor restaurant and champagne bar, The Oak Room, which is a private dining facility, the Garden Room, which is a spot for lunches, a groundfloor cocktail bar and a newly-opened Distillery Room for wine tasting, master classes and other experiences.While the contemporary surroundings adds to the unique experience of visiting The Whisky Club it is the globally inspired menu providing a modern take on classic dishes along with their extensive range of drinks that really sets it apart.

A Bold and Playful Menu

The menu invites you to explore bold flavours with a relaxed, untraditional twist—think small plates for sharing, large plates for indulging, and the freedom to eat how you like. Each dish is crafted with fresh, local produce and a playful foodie spirit. If food is your thing then a visit to The Whisky Cafe is an absolute must.Their range of drinks is where global inspiration meets local character. From signature whisky cocktails to unexpected craft creations, their drinks menu is curated to surprise and delight. Whether you’re into bold sips or something smooth and slow, there’s always something worth discovering. It’s not just about what’s in the glass—it’s the experience that comes with it and at The Whisky Cafe they never cut corners or compromise on the quality of the service that they have been able to provide with such remarkable consistency in their determination to make the experience as memorable as possible.

A Bright Future Ahead

Having set such a high bar in their first year in business the challenge they face in the future as their reputation grows and their popularity increases further will be to maintain the high standards that have seen them enjoy so much success. Given their track record we think it’s something that they will achieve and that The Whisky Cafe is a name you’ll be hearing much more of in the years to come.