Places to eat and drink

Our favourite places, from pubs and takeaways a few minutes' walk from your door to Ely's riverside and the Fenland pubs further north. Opening times change, so it's worth checking before you set off.

In Littleport

All within walking distance or a very short drive, so you can leave the car on the drive.

Nearest pub

The Crown

34 Main Street · a couple of minutes' walk

The Crown is the closest pub to The Studio, and there's been an inn on this corner since before 1700. It's a proper local, with a good range of beers, ales and spirits, a pool table and darts, and sport on several screens.

There's live music most weekends, plus quizzes and karaoke in the week. Every May they hold Crownfest, a small music festival and bike show that's a lot of fun.

Good for
A pint, live music, the match

Nepalese and Indian

The Plough and Harrow

61 Ely Road · about 15 minutes' walk

The Plough and Harrow has had a new lease of life as a Nepalese and Indian restaurant. Alongside the curries you'll find handmade momos, the Nepalese dumplings, and dishes from the grill. They do takeaway too, if you'd rather eat in front of the fire.

Good for
Momos, curry night, takeaway

Open
Tuesday to Sunday from 1pm

Book
01353 521676

Indian

Jomidar Mahal

13 Victoria Street · a short walk

Indian food on Victoria Street, a few minutes from The Studio. Eat in, or order from their website for collection or delivery and make the most of the big dining table.

Good for
A curry night in

Order
jomidarmahal.co.uk

Breakfast

Clare's Kitchen

Sharmans Garden Centre, Camel Road · on the edge of town

Our pick for breakfast. Clare's Kitchen is the café at Sharmans Garden Centre, serving home-cooked breakfasts all day, light lunches and homemade cakes, with roast dinners on Sundays. There's a gift shop to browse while you wait.

Good for
A full breakfast, Sunday roast

Fish and chips

The Codfather

Round the corner

Our favourite chippy in Littleport, and the first meal we had in the house the day we got the keys. The portions are enormous: one portion of chips does the four of us with leftovers. Order online, and by the time you've got your shoes on and walked round the corner it's just about ready.

Adam's order is cod, chips, mushy peas and curry sauce. Trust him on the curry sauce.

Good for
A chippy tea on your first night

Night in

Takeaways nearby

A few minutes' walk

If you'd rather stay in, Star Chef on Wellington Street and several other takeaways are a few minutes from The Studio, and many of them deliver. There are plates, cutlery and a big dining table waiting for you.

Good for
Tired travellers

In Ely

About 15 minutes by car, or one stop on the train. The pubs and restaurants cluster around Fore Hill, the cathedral and the riverside.

Riverside pub

The Cutter Inn

Annesdale, on the river

Classic British pub food with views of the river and the boats, plus plenty of outside tables. Dogs are very welcome, and there's even a menu for them.

Riverside

Riverside Bar and Kitchen

The Maltings, on the river

Known locally as RBK. A terrace looking over the water and locally sourced food, a lovely spot on a sunny afternoon.

Ely's oldest pub

The Royal Standard

Fore Hill

Dating back to the 15th century, with fresh seafood, steaks and pub classics, a long wine list and real ales.

British

The Old Fire Engine House

St Mary's Street, near the cathedral

A much-loved restaurant and art gallery in a Georgian house, with traditional British cooking and a beautiful garden.

Lunch and afternoon tea

The Almonry

In the cathedral precincts

A 13th-century building in the shadow of the cathedral, serving lunches and afternoon teas with views across the cathedral gardens.

Afternoon tea

Peacocks Tearoom

Waterside, near the river

A charming tearoom famous for its afternoon teas: sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and a huge choice of loose-leaf teas.

Breakfast and pub

The Minster Tavern

Almost opposite the cathedral

A cosy, traditional pub that does a hearty breakfast, with generous portions at good prices.

Traditional pub

The Prince Albert

Silver Street

A dog-friendly back-street pub with well-kept cask ales, a garden room and a pizza oven.

Micropub

The Drayman's Son

29a Fore Hill

A small, old-fashioned micropub with a great choice of real ales and local ciders. Plenty of locals call it the best pub in Ely.

Thai

Eat Thai

St Mary's Street

Authentic Thai food from a Thailand-born chef.

Indian

Indian Edge

Broad Street

A smart Indian restaurant close to the riverside.

Indian

Le Spice

Fore Hill

Friendly service and a menu of Indian favourites. Their chicken tikka masala has a big following.

Turkish

Ely Turkish Restaurant and Meze Bar

Fore Hill

Home-cooked Turkish dishes and meze to share. Try the moussaka or the lamb sarma beyti.

South American

Urban Fresh

Annesdale

South American flavours, a weekend bottomless brunch and a Sunday roast with a twist.

Downham Market and Denver

One stop north on the train, or around 15 minutes by car. A handsome old market town, with riverside pubs along the Great Ouse.

Riverside pub

The Jenyns Arms

Denver Sluice

A country pub on the banks of the Great Ouse, looking over the Denver Sluice, reopened in 2026 after years closed. Home-cooked food, Sunday roasts and a garden by the water, popular with walkers and boaters.

Photo: N Chadwick, CC BY-SA 2.0

Coaching inn

The Crown Hotel

Bridge Street, Downham Market

A 17th-century coaching inn in the middle of the old market town.

Photo: JThomas, CC BY-SA 2.0

Café and deli

The Pantry

Market Place, Downham Market

A continental-style café and deli on the market square, with local produce, good coffee and pastries.

Café

Dial House

Railway Road, Downham Market

A cosy country-style café for breakfast, lunch and Sunday roasts.

Mediterranean

The Cave Kitchen

Downham Market

A family-friendly wine bar and restaurant serving Mediterranean food.

Station café

Platform One

Downham Market station

Sandwiches, hot food and drinks right on the platform, handy if you're coming by train.

Something closed, or a new favourite opened? Let us know and we'll update this page. For concerts, shows and events, see what's on.

Come and stay

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