
Quick info
About The Punter
The Punter is a gastropub on Pound Hill in Cambridge, set in an old coaching inn where a converted Barn wraps around a courtyard. Inside, a separate bar area and an annex sit alongside the main room. The kitchen pairs pub staples with a regularly changing menu of more adventurous dishes. Fish and chips are made from scratch, and beef bourguignon and duck confit appear as mains. Vegetarian choices include a beetroot burger and a goat cheese, beetroot and walnut salad. Sunday roast is chicken only. A selection of ales is poured at the bar, and the team brings food to the table, which is not typical of a pub. Dogs are welcome.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree street parking · Paid parking lot · Paid street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom, seating
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention beef bourguignon, fish and chips, beef burger and duck confit.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention beef bourguignon, fish and chips, beef burger and duck confit.
Customer Review Summary
Friendly staff and quick table service come up most, with one diner contrasting it with standing three deep at the bar. Among dishes, the duck confit and beef bourguignon are called fantastic, and the beetroot burger, butternut squash and a goat cheese, beetroot and walnut salad also draw praise. One reviewer liked the beef burger's proper salad and decent chips. The malbec is described as smooth and velvety, and the raspberry gin as delightful. The barn and beer garden are called quiet, cosy and peaceful. Opinion splits on the fish and chips: one reviewer praises it highly, while another found it not a wow, though the batter and chips were made from scratch. The same reviewer thought the bourguignon too salty and felt the service charge and higher prices made it more restaurant than pub. Others mention a burger cooked a touch too well done and a hideous horseradish. One reviewer says only a chicken Sunday roast is offered and felt staff were reluctant to explain it.
Customer Review Summary
Friendly staff and quick table service come up most, with one diner contrasting it with standing three deep at the bar. Among dishes, the duck confit and beef bourguignon are called fantastic, and the beetroot burger, butternut squash and a goat cheese, beetroot and walnut salad also draw praise. One reviewer liked the beef burger's proper salad and decent chips. The malbec is described as smooth and velvety, and the raspberry gin as delightful. The barn and beer garden are called quiet, cosy and peaceful. Opinion splits on the fish and chips: one reviewer praises it highly, while another found it not a wow, though the batter and chips were made from scratch. The same reviewer thought the bourguignon too salty and felt the service charge and higher prices made it more restaurant than pub. Others mention a burger cooked a touch too well done and a hideous horseradish. One reviewer says only a chicken Sunday roast is offered and felt staff were reluctant to explain it.
Featured reviews
- Foodie Le Pig
“The fish and chips was amazing and probably the best I’ve had in Cambridge.”
- Andrew Baigent
“The Punter has a great atmosphere. The inside area is cosy (mind your head in some places), and the annex is airy and light. Food is excellent, they cater extremely well for dietary requirements and also have a good selection of vegetarian meals. The service was just right - we were served quickly and efficiently by super friendly staff.”
- Shelly Deegan
“Fabulous Lunch ( except for Horse Radish! Hideous - my husband pointed out it was listed on the menu - but I was too giddy to notice!) Beetroot Burger yummy - would have been enhanced by the gorgeous pickle my husband had on his Cauliflower main. The staff were SO smiley & friendly it was so chilled & welcoming. All topped off by the Lovely Lewis who waited on our table with good grace and humour in equal measure- - our friends were visiting from Glasgow & we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The malbeck was So smooth & velvety - the Raspberry Gin delightful & the coffee Fab. Thank You.🤩”
- Dan Power
“Lovely food and friendly service here! I had the butternut squash with lots of tasty nuts and things, and also enjoyed some of the goat cheese beetroot and walnut salad. The pub has a lovely interior and a fun selection of ales too”
- Russell Reed
“Nice little pub with a surprisingly peaceful beer garden hidden away from the noise of the city centre. Service was excellent and, unusally for a pub, they offer table service, which makes a change from standing three deep at the bar hoping to catch someone's eye.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“The Punter is a cheerfully baggy pub that has a certain scrappy authenticity. Now in our tenth year we've been lucky enough to have organically grown a fabulous crowd of customers - from postgrads and dog lovers to arty, beardy types and determined regulars who'll make the journey from the other side of the river for their favourite dish at their favourite table. We take food seriously and have built a reputation for good quality, unpretentious pub staples mixed in to a regularly changing menu that makes way for more lush, adventurous dishes. The pub, an old coaching inn, occupies a generous corner spot, encompassing a separate bar area and converted Barn wrapped around a quirky courtyard.”
- Great beer selection
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Free street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Beer
- Coffee
- Food
- Offerings· 7
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Food at bar
- Hard liquor
- Quick bite
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Parking· 2
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
- Dining options· 6
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Trendy
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
- Highlights· 3
- Great beer selection
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Crowd· 3
- College students
- Groups
- Tourists
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Planning· 1
- Dinner reservations recommended
Location
Bars near The Punter
- The Castle Inn4.39240.1 mi£20–30ReservationsOutdoor seatingWi-Fi
black rock grill steak, castle burger, real ale selection
- The Architect4.51,1960.1 mi£20–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
gluten free fish and chips, choice of batter flavours, scotch egg
- Pickerel4.59470.1 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
properly poured guinness, outdoor seating, fish and chips
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The PunterReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.41,507 | — | £20–30 | beef bourguignon, fish and chips, beef burger |
| The Castle InnReservations · Outdoor seating · Wi-Fi | 4.3924 | 0.1 mi | £20–30 | black rock grill steak, castle burger, real ale selection |
| The ArchitectReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.51,196 | 0.1 mi | £20–30 | gluten free fish and chips, choice of batter flavours, scotch egg |
| PickerelReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.5947 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | properly poured guinness, outdoor seating, fish and chips |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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