Marmalade & Jam is a cosy, independent family-run cafe tucked away on High Street in Ely. It is a place I walk past often but have struggled to get into thanks to its small size and immense popularity. Today, while on the hunt for a quick lunch, luck was on my side and I managed to snag a table with the family.

From the moment you walk in, it feels a bit like stepping straight into someone’s quirky living room. The walls are covered in a chaotic, wonderful mix of pictures including everything from framed photos of Gordon Ramsay and David Bowie to local art, animal prints, and funny slogans. It gives the place a warm, very human personality that feels distinctly local. They even sell arts, crafts, and coffee from local suppliers. The ladies working here are also absolutely lovely and take the time to chat despite being rushed off their feet. That personal touch makes it easy to see why so many locals adopt Marmalade & Jam as their go-to regular spot.

Kids Menu

If you are visiting with children, you will be pleased to know that there is a dedicated kids’ menu. It includes a charming “spot the animals” game where they have to hunt for hidden creatures amongst the crazy wall decorations. It sounds incredibly simple, but it was effective enough to keep my boy occupied long enough while waiting for our food to arrive.

Milkshake

We ordered a strawberry milkshake complete with cream and sprinkles. While making it, the staff had a bit of leftover milkshake in the blender. Rather than tipping it down the sink, they poured it into a second glass and gave it to us at no extra charge. A class touch indeed, though if you think that meant I got to try any, you would be seriously mistaken!

Ploughman’s Lunch

I haven’t had a proper ploughman’s lunch in years, so I couldn’t resist when I saw it sitting right at the top of the menu. At Marmalade & Jam, their Lunch Platter comes stacked with lean ham, French brie, Stilton, mature cheddar, diced apple, homemade coleslaw, red onion chutney, a pickled onion, and half a warm baguette with butter.

The plate really hit the spot. The ham was proper thick-cut, butcher-quality stuff, and the trio of cheeses gave a brilliant mix of smooth, sharp, and punchy flavours that worked so well with the freshly baked warm baguette. I was given a choice of extra sauces including Branston pickle or a chilli jam. I opted for the chilli jam, which was absolutely beautiful, even if I found it just a little mild for my personal taste. Megan opted for the Meat Free Plate, which swaps out the lean ham for a generous portion of their delicious homemade hummus. She thoroughly enjoyed it and said she would happily order it again.

Coffee in a mug

Another reason why Marmalade & Jam feels so homely isn’t just down to the warm hospitality and quirky interior, but the little details. For instance, the hot drinks are served in proper household mugs rather than sterile glass cups or generic crockery.

Marmalade & Jam is a lovely, warm spot that is distinctly Ely through and through. Sitting right in the heart of the city, it serves up cracking food backed by genuine, heartfelt hospitality and proper character. While high streets across the country are increasingly dominated by predictable corporate chains, having a small, passionate family-run spot in Ely doing simple things exceptionally well is a massive breath of fresh air and a real credit to the city.

This is the exact sort of place I can see tourists lapping up for that authentic, quirky English charm, while local regulars know it as a dependable refuge for a proper lunch and a slice of cake. Its intimate size makes it a bit of a scramble to get a table during peak hours, but when you do manage to snag a seat, it feels like a genuine win. If you find yourself ambling down Ely High Street with a rumbling stomach, do yourself a favour and pop in.

Thanks for reading!