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Original poster

Central Cambridge good eating pub?

24 replies

ChoccyJules · 27/08/2017 14:48

As the title says, we'd love to be able to cycle somewhere either in town or on the Southern edge, for a relaxed but nice meal. Babysitters don't come along very often!
Has anyone been anywhere recently which they would recommend?
Thanks

OP posts:

PiratePanda · 27/08/2017 15:50

Depends on whether you also want atmosphere or an outlook with your food :-)

Not pubs, but we really like the Chop House chain - No. 1 King's Parade, the St John's Chop House, and now the mill house on the Newnham Road mill pond, opposite the Granta, that used to be Bella Italia and before that Sweeney Todd's.

Again, not a pub, but the Oak Bistro on the corner of Lensfield and Hills Road is a secret gem. Excellent food and service.

If you fancy quite a bit of a cycle along the south side of the river, The Plough at Fen Ditton has good food and lovely riverside seating.

If you're not that fussed about atmosphere/outlook, the food at the Kingston Arms on Kingston Street is generally good and inexpensive, though the service is patchy.

Conversely, if you are happy to put up with chain food, the Granta on the mill pond, and the Anchor both have lovely green views.

WhichJob · 27/08/2017 21:54

Another vote for St John's Chophouse - we had a lovely meal there. The Pint Shop is good too.

WhichJob · 27/08/2017 21:55

I have heard good things about The Old Bicycle Shop too but I haven't been.

NameChange30 · 27/08/2017 22:22

The Anchor never used to be nice but it had a refurb and went all gastropub. Can't really beat the location as if you sit outside or by the window you get a view of the river and punts. Food is good.

Degustibusnonestdisputandem1 · 27/08/2017 22:23

Another vote for chop house - excellent food.

NameChange30 · 28/08/2017 06:02

There is also the Pint Shop which has a restaurant section and the food is very good. Nice cocktails too if I remember rightly. No outside seating though.

drayton · 28/08/2017 10:26

The whole Cambs Cuisine (Chop House owners) chain/brand is great. Also in town of theirs are the Smokeworks and Millworks, both are great. If you get a window table at Millworks you can see the river, which is lovely.

drayton · 28/08/2017 10:28

Or if you'd rather have a bit of a cycle followed by tea and cake or a ploughman's lunch, the Orchard tea rooms at Grantchester are lovely, deckchairs in the orchard and very close to the river for a nice stroll after.

WhichJob · 28/08/2017 11:59

The Orchard Tearooms has gone massively down hill (IMO) since it was taken over. Look at Trip Advisor reviews. It is such a shame as it is a beautiful spot but it is now trading on its historical reputation and location rather than actually being good food.

EmmaCB1 · 28/08/2017 13:19

The Petersfield is a pub with good food, on Sturton Street off Mill Road. It opened relatively recently I think (or could be ages ago...we don't get babysitters very often either!).

Original poster

ChoccyJules · 28/08/2017 15:55

Will have to work through this list whenever we get chance, thanks! We went to The Emperor for tapas. Unfortunately it wasn't as good as last time we went but we had a good night and a long, cool walk home

OP posts:

Original poster

ChoccyJules · 28/08/2017 15:56

Oh look at that, Local no longer changes our names. Ah well.

OP posts:

UsedToBeAPaxmanFan · 28/08/2017 16:42

La Mimosa is nice and on the river, so good views.

I recently went to the Petersfield on a friends recommendation and had a fab meal.

drayton · 28/08/2017 20:08

Oh, I didn't know that, which. The setting is worth quite a lot if all you're asking for is tea, at least. I have never had "real" food there in any case, but always enjoyed cake! When did it change hands?

WhichJob · 28/08/2017 20:16

I'm not sure, a year or so ago. The coffee is push button machine coffee too so it would definitely have to be a pot of tea for me. You might be ok for tea and cake but I heard from friends that it is very disorganised and the staff were rude and so I looked it up on TripAdvisor and quite a few reviews say the same thing which is a shame. It won't harm them though as the location and history will keep drawing in the crowds.

Original poster

ChoccyJules · 28/08/2017 20:32

Yeah, I saw those reviews when we had visitors a while ago and we decided not to go. Sad as it was always one of the must-do's.

OP posts:

WhichJob · 28/08/2017 20:57

It is, we now go for a drink at one of the pubs instead and then walk to Newnham.

PiratePanda · 29/08/2017 08:43

I wouldn't especially recommend the food at the Petersfield, which is one of our locals. It's a nice pub, nicely decorated with a warm atmosphere, and I like having a glass of wine in the outdoor terrace area.

But the food is just not all that. It's not bad, just disappointing for the hype - it's commercial catering company gastropub food, not always carefully prepared. And it would be way too expensive for the pub's location, even if it were fabulous.

NameChange30 · 29/08/2017 10:30

This thread has made me want to try Millworks, thanks!

Someone mentioned the Old Bicycle Shop. I've been a couple of times - it's ok. Kind of hipster/pretentious which wouldn't bother me too much but the service is bad (we had a really rude waiter once). The food is good but doesn't make up for bad service I don't think. And it's overpriced if I remember rightly (like most places in Cambridge but especially the hipster ones! The Espresso Library is another overpriced place with bicycles hanging on the walls!)

NameChange30 · 29/08/2017 10:31

Also, we weren't impressed by the Orchard last time we went - didn't know it had changed hands; that would explain it.

I'd still go for scones or cake, but will avoid for lunch! The pubs on Grantchester are pretty good.

WhichJob · 29/08/2017 10:49

NameChange, we have brunch at Millworks from time to time and it is lovely and the coffee is from Hot Numbers too

Good to know about The Old Bicycle Shop, it looks nice when I have been passing by.

PiratePanda · 29/08/2017 12:20

@NameChange30 - Interestingly, the Old Bicycle Shop is owned by the same people as the Petersfield. Overpriced and overhyped for what is actually on offer seems to be a bit of a theme.

How I wish Cambs Cuisine had taken over the Backstreet Bistro...

PiratePanda · 29/08/2017 12:26

And the Espresso Library has the worst service (and the stupidest decor) of all cafes and restaurants that have cropped up in the centre in the last five years or so, IME. They are well meaning, and the food is tasty if overpriced but I once waited so long to be served when I was at the head of the queue that I decided not to get a hot drink because I thought it would take too long. And recently they've been broadcasting the tour de france non-stop too loudly to hear any but the shoutiest conversations.

Nice outlook on a rainy day though.

NameChange30 · 29/08/2017 12:31

Yeah I stopped going after the food took forever and was cold when it arrived. Seriously overpriced (and I'm used to Cambridge prices!)

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