Ely’s booming food scene is no longer a secret. This charming, historic city is famed for its breathtaking cathedral but is quickly transforming into a genuinely exciting foodie destination in its own right.
Forget any old notions of Ely being a quiet and sleepy location; it now boasts some of the best restaurants in Cambridgeshire, rivalling and even surpassing those found in larger towns (or dare I say it, Cambridge, in some examples? 🤫). For anyone planning a visit, experiencing Ely’s fantastic food and drink scene should be as high a priority on your itinerary as the cathedral itself.
As a local, I have scoured every corner of this vibrant city and I am excited to share my personal, hand-picked (and entirely subjective) recommendations.
The Old Fire Engine House
The term “hidden gem” is often overused, but it genuinely applies to The Old Fire Engine House. You could easily walk past this restaurant a dozen times without realising it is there. Tucked away in a beautiful historic building right outside the cathedral, it offers wholesome British home cooking that perfectly complements the idyllic scenery of Ely’s historic charm.
Try: Helping yourself to seconds (at no extra charge!)
Urban Fresh
For South American-inspired tapas and a refreshing riverside beer, look no further than Urban Fresh. It is the perfect spot to unwind with a delicious meal while soaking in the beautiful views.
Try: The Sticky Pork Belly
Le Spice
A long-standing Ely institution, Le Spice continues to delight locals with its contemporary Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine, offering a quality that stands proudly alongside other top Indian restaurants in Cambridge and beyond.
Try: The lamb shank
Amelie’s @ Ben’s Yard
Located just a stone’s throw from Ely in the village of Stuntney, Amelie’s is one of my favourite restaurants in the entire county. This award-winning spot is famous for its Flammekueche, but also offers an incredible Sunday Roast experience and exciting vegetarian options.
Try: their signature flammekueche flatbread.
Sushi & Salad
Even after traversing the length and breadth of Japan, I have struggled to find a sushi spot in Cambridgeshire that captivates me quite like Sushi & Salad. Their sushi is simply exquisite and they also offer a fantastic selection of other traditional Japanese dishes. It is a wonderfully cosy and intimate restaurant, with an inviting, living-room-esque atmosphere, which provides a genuinely authentic touch down the historic High Street Passage.
Try: Don’t forget to try from their selection of Japanese wine and beer.
Peacocks Tea Room
Consistently ranked among England’s top afternoon tea experiences, Peacocks offers a sumptuous array of teas, cakes, and sandwiches, all served alongside the Great River Ouse. If you want to embrace the British way of doing things, then this is it!
Try: A cuppa from their selection of 70 different tea options!
Grain Culture
A mere two-minute walk from Ely Cathedral leads you to Grain Culture, a brilliant find for local produce. Stock up on everything from artisan cheeses, wine, and craft beers to intriguing condiments and products, but be sure to save room for their truly outstanding bakery. Their baked goods are so good, in fact, that their famously sturdy buns are the go-to choice for many local restaurants and food vans, ensuring even the most loaded burger stays perfectly intact!
Try: The Sticky Bun
Griddle Bar & Meathouse
Ely finally boasts a fantastic new steak joint with the The Griddle Bar & Meathouse. They proudly serve up everything a meat-lover could desire, from hearty bacon butties and towering burgers to perfectly charcoal-grilled steaks. Beyond the main grill, you will also discover a tempting tapas menu and a selection of local craft beers on tap.
What more would you possibly want?
Try: T-Bone steak cooked on their charcoal grill
Toms Cakes
I absolutely adore Tom’s Cakes – so much so that I even wrote a love letter to them back in 2023! Seriously, these are some of the best cakes you’ll find anywhere in the county and it is located right on the High Street. The cafe has a cult-like following with people travelling miles just to visit.
Go, now – you’ll thank me later!
Try: The cream filled choux bun (pictured above)
Bengal Brunch
Taking over the former Sylhet Restaurant on Market Street, Bengal Brunch offers a truly unique spin on the classic brunch, infusing it with vibrant Indian and Bangladeshi flavours. My wife and I return here more than any other spot in the city, drawn in by its wonderfully relaxed vibes, great value, and friendly service.
Try: The best Pani Puri in Cambridgeshire and their desi breakfast is a must!
The Orangey Restaurant @ The Old Hall
A mere five-minute drive from Ely rewards you with a superb fine-dining experience overlooking the iconic Cathedral. Indulge in a seasonal menu paired with an exceptional wine list, then complete your visit with a leisurely stroll through their beautifully manicured English gardens. Ideal for special occasions.
Try: Confit Duck
Ely Market
Located on the Ely square, Ely Market is quickly growing a reputation for being a real foodie hotspot. This is mostly thanks to the wide array of food vans offering exciting and innovative dishes that are sure to impress even the most seasoned culinary enthusiast.
The variety is magnified during the Foodie Friday events, hosted on the last Friday of every month, for an extra special afternoon full of buzzing activity, live music, seating areas, and even more food vans!
Food vans to expect
• Manna Seoul (Korean corn dogs)
• Tibet Flavour (Tibetan dumplings)
• The Cheese & Pie Man (the ruiner of diets)
• Al Chile (Mexican street food)
• Uncle Paul’s (Greek)
• Alban Home Foods (Albanian Bakery)
Fancy a few drinks?
Though Ely may not be synonymous with wild nightlife, it certainly delivers for anyone seeking a quality drink, offering a great selection of pubs and bars. Having personally visited every single one in town (purely for the sake of research, honest!), I have shared with you my top picks for a refreshing pi(n)t stop or after dinner night cap.
Drayman’s Son
Draymond Sons is perfectly positioned on Fore Hill between the Ely’s market and the picturesque river. Here, you can kick back and explore a diverse, ever-changing array of beers, with many brewed in-house by their own Three Blind Mice brewery. With a pint in hand, a board game on the table, and the charmingly eclectic decor surrounding you, it is an experience that truly encapsulates the quirky culture of our city.
Try: A pint of the local favourite – Juice Rocket
The Poets House
While Ely boasts its share of historic charm and traditional pubs, The Poets House offers a distinctly sophisticated and contemporary alternative. Step into this elegant setting and explore their impressive selection of spirits. During my most recent visit, I was delighted to find my favourite, Pilsner Urquell, available on tap – a rare treat of a classic imported Czech beer that’s increasingly hard to come by.
Cheers!
Try: An Old Fashioned cocktail
3@3
When the summer sun is blazing, there’s truly no better spot in Ely than the garden at 3@3. Imagine settling back with a refreshing drink from their six constantly rotating taps, always offering an exciting mix of IPAs, stouts, and lagers. You are guaranteed to discover something new and interesting with every visit.
Try: Whatever catches your fancy from their list of ever changing beers on tap
The Yard
For Ely’s most distinctive and dynamic experience, look no further than The Yard. This innovative space defies convention, reimagining shipping containers as a vibrant collection of bespoke bars, coffee houses, and diverse eateries. Whether the sun is shining or not, you will find plenty to enjoy, from an excellent selection of draft beverages to a dedicated indoor play area, making it a perfect spot for everyone, including families.
Try: Pheasant Plucker cider (just be careful how you pronounce it after a few glasses 🫣)
Griddle Bar & Meathouse
What, again? The Griddle Bar & Meathouse now boasts three unique and exclusive craft beers on draft, unavailable anywhere else in the city. And for the perfect escape, their brand-new courtyard area offers an ideal spot for a relaxing couple of drinks.
Try: Snigglers Hat IPA (lovingly named after a common historic Ely job where Snigglers would hunt for eels with their bare hands).
The Cutter Inn
You would be hard-pressed to find a more captivating spot in Ely than The Cutters Inn, boasting unparalleled views of the majestic River Great Ouse. Settle in with a refreshing pint from the local brewery and let the world drift by as you soak in the historic charm of this quintessential pub.
Pure bliss!
Try: Sitting by the river on a hot summer’s day
Thanks for reading and I hope this list serves you well during your travels.
Have you visited Ely? If so, did you discover something I have missed? Get in touch with me here with your suggestions. The list is still ongoing and will be frequently updated.
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