In my quest to find the best places in Chesterton, I recently rediscovered a pub I hadn’t visited in over a decade: The Green Dragon.

Located opposite Stourbridge Common on Water Street, this pub is a beautifully picturesque spot with a lovely outdoor seating area. The beauty, however, doesn’t end there. Claiming to be Cambridge’s oldest coach inn, the pub is a historic gem with original wooden beams, old fireplaces, and brickwork dating all the way back to the 16th century. A particularly quirky characteristic was a table and chairs set up inside an old fireplace. At 6’4″ and 17 stone, I was sceptical about whether I would fit, but I was able to take a seat and relax with plenty of space.

I was here, however, not here for the historic charm, but for their Lebanese cuisine, which has been on offer for a couple of years now. While the website and social media are a little out of date, the menu itself has recently been updated.

Hot and cold meze platters were on offer for £7 each, with deals of 3 for £20 or 5 for £30. The mains section had an abundance of exciting dishes, including skewers, Moroccan stews, and lamb chops. I also caught wind of Lebanese wraps, including shawarma and falafel. I couldn’t wait to get stuck in!

Hot Meze – 3 for £20

I opted for a selection of three hot meze starters: Grilled Sujuk, Sayadieh, and Batata Harra. I couldn’t help but think that saving £1 for purchasing 3 was a little stingy but at least they came out beautifully presented in a colourful ceramic bowl on a wooden tray.

The Sayadieh is made from pan-fried fish and served with horseradish crème fraîche and Lebanese rice. It was a colourful and light start to the meal with the fish itself being particularly delicate and juicy. The horseradish crème fraîche brought it to life with a subtle punch while also saving the dish from being too dry. The rice was a little inconsistent with its texture with small clumps of undercooked rice dotted throughout but the rest of the rice this evening was executed perfectly, so I put this down to an outlier.

I highly recommend trying the Grilled Sujuk. This spicy fermented beef sausage was served in large, succulent slices that were ideal for sharing. A lemony garnish added a slight zesty zing to the savoury dish and the beef had a intense flavour with an exciting hint of spice. Superb!

The Batata Harra was a worthy addition to the table. This popular Lebanese dish is made from chopped, sautéed potatoes served with coriander, chilli, peppers, and garlic sauce. The potatoes were soft with a crispy skin that was accompanied by a great fried flavour. While the portion might be a little small for the £7 price, the execution was flawless.

Lamb Chops

​I took a recommendation from the lovely chap serving me to try the lamb chops, and he couldn’t have been more helpful. He was warm, friendly, and took the time to talk me through the menu thoroughly. The lamb chops are a trio, char-grilled in a ‘signature seasoning blend’ and served with vermicelli rice, salad, and tahini sauce.

The chops were absolutely sublime. Each one was so tender and succulent it was a pleasure to sink my teeth into. Their signature blend added a great flavour and the unapologetically fatty pieces really made it pop. At £25, I would have ideally liked a fourth chop, as the amount of meat once off the bone wasn’t tremendous but ordering a starter with it makes for a good sized meal.

The accompanying salad was an unexpected star of the show. It tasted so fresh, with a lovely crunch from the diced onions and pomegranates. The rice combined with the tender lamb and fresh salad to create a gorgeous blend of texture and flavour.

A marvellous recommendation!

A great little find!

The Green Dragon is a genuine foodie find. Despite being in Cambridge, it is tucked away in a quiet and scenic location. With its beautiful historic architecture and beautiful Lebanese food, my experience felt like a true discovery. The service was absolutely excellent and the food was no different. The menu has a real variety, with lots of reasons to keep coming back. On my return, I think I will explore their Lebanese wrap menu some more. While the prices are a little higher than I would have liked, this didn’t stop it from being a unique and delightful dining experience – after all, you can’t put a price on finding a table in a fireplace!

Thanks for reading