The service and ambiance here are perfect. Not much selection for vegetarians or vegans. Since I do occasionally eat fish I had the sea bass. Beautiful presentation, delicate filet. Since I needed the chorizo removed it was a bit flat though. I would go back but I think I'd do the Vegan Wellington (Sundays only) or the fish and chips. The ambiance is well worth it. Overlooks the river. read more

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The location of this restaurant is fantastic. However, the food was entirely mediocre. Me and three other people at my table got fish and chips and we all agreed that while it wasn't bad, we've certainly had much better fish and chips around the area. I probably wouldn't go here again. read more

Best fish and chips! And good service. We came in on a whim, visiting a cousin who attends Cambridge from the states. So glad we did! read more

The Anchor - Fish and chips - Pubs Near Me - Cambridge, CAM

Best fish and chips I had in England. Seriously. So. Good. I felt the prices were a bit high, but it is a pretty central place with a great view. It can get pretty crowded and that is a bit overwhelming - especially if you want to enjoy the outdoors - but it's definitely worth coming to. Also, I heard their mac is amazing and not too heavy on your tummy! I hope to come back someday... #IloveyouCambridge read more

The Anchor - Fish and chips with a view! - Pubs Near Me - Cambridge, CAM

I remember traveling to Cambridge to visit the historical area while stationed in the U.K. during my military days and we had a blast at the Anchor Pub each time. This place was always hopping with locals and they always made you feel welcomed. From what I remember this place had two levels, a street level and a lower level, which is common in England. The lower level was off a river which was cool. I will see if I can find an old picture to add, and this was before cell phones and selfies. Lol!! We plan to go back. read more

I went to the Anchor Bar to pay homage to Syd Barret, who went here a bunch as a kid with his buddies to watch jazz after school. He and his buddies, after a few reincarnations under Syd's leadership became Pink Floyd, who wouldn't have formed if it weren't for Syd, but couldn't go on with Syd and wound up parting ways with him due his schizophrenia made worse by his LSD use. There are some pictures/paintings in the basement of this 3 story bar that pay tribute to Syd. Lots of pink Floyd fans come and basque in the basement which has become sort of a memorial to him. One can sit for a while in the place where this insane genius came of age. Those pictures, along with a cool framed write up about Syd, how he got his name and formed Pink Floyd are the best things about the pub. Today the pub sits in tourist central. The outdoor seating area looks over the punt rentals. The Hop-on-hop-off sight seeing bus has its first and last stop here. And there is a variety of cheap souvenirs being pedaled outside. After spending the afternoon here, I am still not sure how this place works. I think you order food and drinks at the bar and tell them what table number you're sitting at. The numbers are written in white plaques on the tables. Then when the food is ready, the bar tenders bring it to you. This is all well and good, but if this place has such an unconventional way of ordering food, it seems like there should be some instructions posted up somewhere. Or maybe the bartenders or someone could tell you the process instead of waiting around for a waitress or trying to figure it out yourself. When I finally did go to the bar and ask if there was a waitress, the bar tender just asked if I wanted to order food. She seamed incredibly beat down and put out that I even asked. When I said yes, she pointed to a paper fastened to a clip board with the day's food on it. RUDE! Just to get out of this awkward and uncomfortable situation, I just ordered the first thing that jumped out at me. I got the rare roast beef sandwich with cheddar. I had a feeling this might take a while, so I ordered a Pims. This is a hard cider drink popular in the UK. The bartender started by filling my glass with some fruit that she dredged out of the bottom of the container the Pims was in and dumped it in my glass, then filled it up with a little Pims for £5.80. Gross. It took 30 minutes for the food to come out. When it did come out, it was a plate of soggy, wilted lettuce with some kind of sweet salad dressing on it, an open faced roast beef sandwich with chopped onions, mushrooms and and a slice of melted Swiss cheese on top of it. (yes it was supposed to be cheddar) Small bits of hard McDonald's style french fries came with it also. Ok- I came here to pay homage to Syd Barret. And that, I did. But even Syd, with his biggest buzz, wouldn't be coming back here for the food or the service. The only reason my review has a second star is because of the Syd Barret connection. read more

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Been to this pub a handful of times when I was on a travel-study program in Cambridge Summer 2011. The pub grub is very good and the selection of beers is okay. The service is okay as well. 2 stars get knocked off because the place gets crowded with douchers; also, I think they need to turn down the thermostat in the place because it feels unnecessarily warm in there sometimes. Oh yeah, fish 'n' chips were delicious! read more

I booked The Anchor for my graduation dinner, and sadly, I was not satisfied. They asked me to send a pre-order as I was bringing a large group of people. I sent it a couple of days in advance also pointing out that we will want to start the evening by an aperitif. When we arrived, not only did they start serving us the starter before an aperitif, but they also did not know what an aperitif was and they did not have a single of the sherrys advertised in their wine list. They managed to serve us the starter according to my pre-order, but later they forgot to serve two of the sides and they messed the dessert choices as well. The table at which we were seated was arranged so that half of my family had a nice view to the river, and the second half had a nice view to the noisy kitchen with two sweaty cooks. The food was not the best in my life, but I enjoyed it. read more

Was in the UK on military orders and took advantage of the opportunity to go to The Anchor when I was given a pass to Cambridge. Being a fan of Pink Floyd, I had to check out where Sid Barrett hung out. Lady behind the bar asked my friends and I if we were Americans and we were treated well and received great customer service. I ordered fish & chips, presentation was appetizing and tasted good. I don't ever think I'll have another opportunity to visit Cambridge again but if I do, I'll be stopping by this place again. read more

The Anchor - Pubs Near Me - Cambridge, CAM

Don't go here if you have any place you need to be, or if you care about the quality of the food you eat. I was visiting a friend who studies in Cambridge. We went to the Anchor for traditional pub food, a questionable goal. I knew I had to be out of there within an hour so I could make my train. Ordering took a while, and the prices were obnoxiously high for what it was. We sat and waited for 20 minutes, and finally asked how long it would be. A very rude server told us that our food would be out right away. Another 20 minutes. The server was just chatting with the people at the table next to us, so we asked her again. She said it's coming right out. We waited again. Now she was serving people at a different table. At last, the food came, right? Wrong, some of it came. One of my friends didn't get anything and had to sit there another five minutes. Add to this ludicrous experience the fact that it's only pub food. I ordered a steak, and despite the fact that it was priced like a steak it was actually a very thin slice of beef cured like ham. If you're British this is probably not news. read more

Just went there for food and beer but told that the kitchen was closed due to renovation. I have no idea when the kitchen will re-open. I have had feed at the Anchor before and it was not bad for a pub, and the people working there was very friendly. The location is great but during the summer months, this place turns in to a zoo since there is a pontoon service just in front of the place. read more

The Anchor is beautifully located on the banks of the river Cam and opposite the lovely Queen's College. It's very popular in the summer with people getting dinks here before hiring a punt or just sitting by the river and watching other people making fools of themselves by pushing their friends along the river using a stick and often falling in, much to the delight of everyone watching. Inside it is quite higgledy piggledy with several open plan levels from the basement wchich goes straight out to the riverbank up to the top floor which is accessible from the alley behind the pub. It is an old building and as such has a lot of charm, with big fires in the fireplaces during the winter. You can also minor celebrity spot I've seen Rory Mcgrath and Spencer from big brother (remember him?) here. The food is ok, as is the selection of drink and all is reasonably priced, but the real hook is the great location. I also have a particular fondness for The Anchor as it was the only place I've ever won a pub quiz. Wizard. read more

We enjoyed a lunch out on the patio (in November!) after touring Cambridge. The staff was friendly and attentive. Also, the Pink Floyd connection is cool. The fish and chips were phenomenal! We also had soup and a great "Super Food Salad." What made this place especially fun is watching the amateurs attempt to punt on the river! I think the Anchor would also be a cozy spot in the winter. read more

The layout of the pub isn't that great since it felt really cramped, but the food was surprisingly good! The fish and chips (fresh fish and nicely fried potatoes), the duck spring roll (fantastic dipping sauce), and the Yorkshire pudding wrap (good horseradish sauce) were all delicious. I'd recommend staying away from the crab cakes and the samosas though... (Brown's v.s. The Anchor -- Yorkshire pudding match: I also tried the Yorkshire pudding at Brown's, and while Brown's had better Yorkshire pudding, the meat was tough and chewy. The beef in the Anchor's Yorkshire pudding was much more tender and juicy, but the Yorkshire pudding was a little bit denser and the edge crusty. The horseradish sauce and gravy combination made up for the imperfections in the Anchor's Yorkshire pudding though. Verdict: The Anchor wins!) read more

The best here is the superior view to the punting tourists near Queens College, when sitting outside at the sunny Anchors river pier. Varied menu but mostly not cheap. The meals we were not to complain about. A touristy spot, its not easy to get a free table. read more

A Cambridge standard, the Anchor is beautifully situated at Mill Pond, overlooking the punting station and two bridges. It is quite popular in the summer and its terrace usually very busy. While being a good option for larger groups I can not really recommend it for anything other than its fantastic location and nice interior. The beer is quite pricey and the selection dominated by the usual deep chilled australian fizzy beers. The food is lower quality pub food for medium prices and generally not recommendable. Still the location makes up for a lot, so still three stars. Verdict: a pricey Cambridge favorite, more renowned for its setting and scenic beauty than for its food and drinks. read more

The Anchor works well in summer or in the winter. Whilst the sun blazes its greatest benefit is an outside decking area that hangs over the river Cam so you can drink right next to the water and watch people attempting to punt, an added piece of entertainment if you find your companion dull. In the winter, two fires provide hearty warmth to snuggle round and there are various comfortable chairs to be appropriately drawn up next to the fire. Just be quick to nab one of these prime seats. Price wise it is ok, not a bargain, but everywhere in central Cambridge is pricey. Its one downside is its food. Although I have actually eaten there quite a lot the food is often uninspiring and just not that tasty. Go for a beer by the fire or a pimms by the river. Eat later read more

The Anchor pub has an enviable position next to the river to watch people making fools of themselves on punts - and because of that position, the outside space is nearly always full! If you're lucky to get a seat there, grab a Pimms and watch the world go by, But the inside space is pretty good, situated over three floors with both dining and drinking space, although it is quite touristy. The food is lovely. I always end up having the same thing - the chicken with cheese, bacon and barbeque sauce, yummy! It's of a reasonable price - don't expect haute cuisine, but it's very tasty. The drinks prices aren't bad either. read more

LOVELY. To use the vernacular, a combination of a picturesque setting, and excellent food. First found this place while on business in Cambridge. Nice setting, good libations, and the food was good. Went back with my family and made it a point to return. If you want a place to try the classic British dishes with a little updating THIS IS A PLACE TO GO. F&C, shepards pie, steak and kidney, all the best encountered after many experiences. With a geat view of the Cam to boot! If in Cambridge do drop in. read more

The Anchor is a glorious exception to the general rule that food quality is inversely proportional to view. Situated as it is overlooking the Cam with a view of Darwin College island and of the punts passing by and featuring as it does a spectacular outdoor riverside patio, the Anchor should by rights have terrible grub. Moreover, it's owned by pub conglomerate Greene King, whose generic flagship pubs (The Granta, the Bath House, the Baron of Beef) are nothing to write home about. The Anchor, though, is what Greene King calls (I gather) a "destination pub." Its management has a lot more freedom designing the menu, decorating the establishment, and determining the tap selection than do the people who run set-menu establishments like The Granta. As it happens, the Anchor boasts the best food I've had at a Cambridge pub not named "The Punter." I confess I haven't tried the food at some of the excellent free houses (and at other GK destination pubs like the Free Press) in the Grafton and Mill Road areas. Still, I've never had a less-than-good meal at The Anchor. The "Sizzling Fajitas," for instance, aren't authentic Tex-Mex (then again, neither is the fare at Nanna Mexico; this is England), but they're served as hot as the name makes one hope, and they're tasty to boot. The food isn't outrageously cheap (~£8-11 for a main), but it's definitely one cut cheaper than the Punter (and offers more seating). You can also get a surprisingly good coffee. The drink situation is less stellar. Ciders are limited to Aspall (solid) on tap and Magners and Kopperberg (yuck!) in bottles. Ales include the standard Greene Kings plus the occasional interesting guest tap. Lagers, stouts, and cold ales are typical of British pubs (Stella, Becks, Guinness, Fosters). Leffe is available in bottles but not on tap. Still, The Anchor is relatively inexpensive and has good food and a great view. Moreover, the place is spacious and (save perhaps on Friday and Saturday nights) relatively quiet. A good place to grab a bite and a pint and have a chat. read more

I first walked through the doors of The Anchor when I was 17 and I've made it a point to hit this pub every time I return to Cambridge. It is situated on three floors right along The Cam right in downtown. The sofas and chairs near the main entry way feel like a cosy living room especially when it's chilly and there's a fire going. A great place to chill with friends. The downstairs level gives you access to the bar and out glass doors is the outside seating along The Cam where you can watch the punters go by while enjoying a few pints. This is a particularly great way to spend an afternoon soaking up the atmosphere and having some drinks. The service is good, not overly friendly but not rude by any means. The main reason you'll want to go here is for the atmosphere and the location. The hours fly by when you're here. On my last visit I arrived around 1:30pm to meet a friend for lunch and a drink. I finally got out after the sun had gone down. This place in not to be missed when you're in Cambridge. read more

Long wait. Nasty Smokehouse burger. Nice management. Cold food due to long wait. Water was good though.

I come here for the history, the food is okay too. Nice to be situated near the river and the punts.

Great location on the river and good beer. The service was awful and the food was mediocre. Waited an hour for a burger and chicken sandwich. Both were missing advertised Ingredients. When we brought it up to the waiter he didn't care and walked away. If you come here have a drink and nothing more. read more

Remarkably decent and friendly for such a touristy pub. Decent selection of drinks and acres of seating. Never tried the food but I once had a cupcake one of the barmen had baked for charity and it was lovely! read more

Great that it's on the water and I like the way the places has levels, but they make a terrible pimms and lemonade which is what I want to drink when out on the patio watching punters read more

Their food used to be delicious and innovative. At this point, it's boring. Standard steaks and a small selection of dishes, all quite pricey for what it is. It's generally a very atmospheric pub though with a notable heritage. Open mic nights on Friday are always fun. read more

I like the anchor, if i was bringing anyone who hadn't visited cambridge before, i'd take them here for a drink as its a classic cambridge pub, and in a lovely setting near the river too. Great pub, nice decor and good service. Good selection of beers and wine, lovely food and a great place to kick back with friends. read more

The anchor! Classic Cambridge pub. In the winter this place is like the womb and in the summer you can sit outside and watch people who can't punt embark on their unfortunate journeys. It's not cheap, but don't worry you can play "Who wants to be a Millionaire" on their machine in the hope of covering your drinking costs. read more

Overlooking the Cam at the Mill pond, this pub/restaurant has an excellent position. It used to be excellent for Sunday Roast, at very good value, but it seems to be less good value now. Still, it offers a good choice of roasts on a Sunday, and a good bar menu too. It also has a good variety of real ales. read more

The greatest aspect of the Anchor is it's prime location by the punts, within eye's view of the old colleges and the mathematical bridge. Here's the bad part---it certainly hails from the english pub-chain where the signs and menu indicate that it is absolutely un-original and bland in terms of food quality. There are several of these pubs scattered throughout town--they all have chalk billboards with the same specials and handwriting, and they ALL have the SAME menu. The yorkshire pudding wrap tasted like a leathery wrap with some bits of dry roast inside. Apologies for this mildly harsh review of the food--but that's what happens when the food is not locally prepared, but rather a commercial product of some larger pub-corporation. The Anchor's nice spot along the river however, is still fantastic and makes for a great people-watching spot where groups of middle-aged men dressed in drag like to frequent. This almost makes up for the blase food. almost... ;-) read more

This is a great place to have lunch - especially enjoyed by the tourists and workers of Cambridge. Take a punt out and then stop by for some lunch. Home-cooked food with a small ground floor terrace overlooking people out on punts. There are several levels to this pub, but it still holds a Cambridge traditional pub feel to it. read more

Had a good meal here on our day trip from London. Got a great spot sitting in the window overlooking the river. Fun to watch the people punting. We had the ploughman's lunch. It did seem to take quite a while for the food to come out, but the servers were friendly and helpful. read more

Been here many times, always great. College crowd (duh!) but friendly and low-key. Great selection of ales and ciders. Menu was sufficiently varied for a pub. Service was great and a great view of the Cam and the punting boats. Live jazz was playing in the foyer but not intrusive. Highly recommended. read more

Went there in July 2013. Relatively expensive poor quality lunch prepared without care, e.g starter sitting in a pond of balsamic vinegar, veggies rock hard, cold and unseasoned. When I asked for properly cooked veg, the rest of my lunch was cold by the time they came back AND they were as hard as ever. Service was slow in general. The staff looked unhappy. Serves me right for going to a place out of nostalgia that almost exclusively caters to a passing tourist trade. Shocking nonetheless. I wouldn't risk it if I were you. read more