The Punter is a cheerfully baggy drinking and eating place that has a certain scrappy authenticity. Now in our 14th year we’ve been lucky enough to hang on to a really great crowd of customers and have encouraged some properly nice shiny new ones along the way. We don’t advertise because it always seems a bit pricey and we much prefer a trip to a garden centre or junk shop to spend any scraps of cash on flora and fauna and ‘old crap’ (as my partner refers to my collection of well, old crap actually) Our place is lived in and loved, with a revolving door for staff, their siblings and friends, which we hope provides a jolly and homely kind of atmosphere. 

 Our food is well intentioned and freshly made. It’s unpretentious fare but hearty and moreish. The kitchen team have been with us for years and though they are still unable to hang out their own cloths to dry, they’re really pretty good at everything else. The building is an old coaching inn and consequently is a bit higgledy-piggledy but that does mean that the space offers up favourite nooks and not so favourite low ceilings to smash your bonce into. If you’re nervous of cranial damage then the Barn would be a better spot with its vast vaulted ceiling. As mentioned, we love a bit of planting and so much novice attention is lavished on our courtyard. It’s pretty lovely on a summer’s afternoon. 

We’re only two minutes from the Quayside and five from the centre of town but you will  have to decide to walk here. If you do then be sure to pop in to check out our neighbours at Kettles Yard and the Museum Of Cambridge. And if you’re looking for a café then the best in town is Foy on Quayside. Outside of town it’s Flock Cafe at Burwash Manor Barns. Another great foodie pub is The Free Press on the other side of the river.