Huntingdon’s food scene is as diverse as it is delicious. We’ve gathered a few of our favourite places to eat in town, which range from authentic Chinese, Malaysian and Thai restaurants right the way through to a classic English countryside pub with a proclivity for using only the finest local produce. There are also some excellent daytime options if you find yourself feeling hungry while exploring Huntingdon.
Places to eat in Huntingdon
Restaurants
We’ll get started with one of the best-loved places to eat in all of Huntingdon, Barney’s Plaice. It’s a fish and chip shop on the corner of the High Street and St Mary’s Street, directly opposite the church. It’s a brilliant chippy with big portions, low prices and delicious fish. There’s a small seating area, but you’re probably better off eating them on the go.
Make your way across the river to Godmanchester for our next recommendation. Cinta is a Chinese and Malaysian restaurant on Post Street with properly authentic cuisine and plenty of excellent options for vegans, too. We’d go as far as saying it has to be one of the best Chinese restaurants in Cambridgeshire. Ask the staff for their recommendations and enjoy.
The Abbot’s Elm is a hidden gem of a country inn with a beautiful restaurant in the nearby village of Abbots Ripton. It’s less than a 15-minute drive from our Huntingdon hotel and well worth hunting down if you want to enjoy an evening of excellent dining. Don’t be fooled by the appearance; this is a big step above pub grub; the produce and game come from the local de Ramsey estate and its tenant farmers, and everything is cooked to perfection. The drinks selection is also exceptional with more than 60 wines available, and the pub is the exclusive importer of Bierre Madam, which is brewed in Chablis and was awarded the title of ‘Best French Beer’ at the World Beer Awards.
It’s nowhere near as artisan, but the Hartford Mill is another immensely popular pub for a bite to eat during your time in Huntingdon. It’s a Greene King Brewery pub and carvery where the prices are low and the service is fast, but the views overlooking the marina are excellent. It’s so popular a pub that you’re probably going to have to book to avoid disappointment. The carvery is most popular, with three choices of meats slow roasted for up to 14 hours; delicious. Obviously, it’s a pub so you can wash it down with whatever you like.
One last spot worth shouting about is Original Thai on Huntingdon High Street. It’s a lovely little Thai restaurant with a mixed menu of authentic dishes and everyone’s favourites. The service is always excellent, and the location can’t be beaten for convenience. We recommend asking the staff for their favourites and trying something new.
Barney’s Plaice
Farm shop
Cafés
Johnsons of Old Hurst is a much-loved local farm shop in nearby Old Hurst, just off the A141. As well as being able to purchase some of the finest produce in the area, you can also pay a visit to the cafe restaurant where you can get steaks cooked exactly to your liking and a delectable menu of marvellous homemade eats. Plus, how’s this for a curveball, the farm has a family of exotic animals for you to see, including crocodiles.
Two doors down from Barney’s Plaice, you’ll find Alex’s Cafe Restaurant serving its legion of locals with arguably the best daytime eats in all of Cambridgeshire. Hand-cut chips, majestic moussaka, colossal club sandwiches and top-class tagines – you’ll find them all rubbing shoulders with one another in an excellent menu that’ll have you umm-ing and ahh-ing as to what to try.
Other honourable mentions go to Hill Ephesus for authentic Turkish eats, the best kebabs outside of London and bags full of character on Market Hill and Pinnies in Godmanchester for the best teas, breakfasts and cakes in the area.