The Old Spring

Another day, another pub lunch in Cambridge. After our eating binge though we opted for lighter English (is that a word) fare at The Old Spring. Didn’t realize the pub lunches were so popular around the holidays. We managed to snag the last table for three. First a round of pints (Rockin’ Rudolph ale for me, cider for the rest of the table). Then a pastrami sandwich for me and smoked mackerel/​chorizo/​chickpea salad with beetroot syrup for hubby. The pastrami sandwich wasn’t anything special. Supermarket sliced bread, nice pastrami. The salad was good though difficult to eat with the chickpeas and chorizo pieces (have you ever tried to balance those on the back of a fork?). The light lunch was ruined when we saw they had gooseberry apple crumble with vanilla cream for dessert. Yum yum. Although they didn’t give us nearly enough vanilla cream for the size of the crumble. Being American we nicely asked for another mini-​pitcher. The crumble was definitely big enough for two. Our friend ordered one just for herself but couldn’t finish it. Unfortunately the pub didn’t have any containers for her to take with her. Bummer.

Wenn man an ein Pub denkt, dann kommt einem sicherlich nicht sofort das Ambiente, was das Old Spring ausstrahlt in den Sinn. Es kommt einem eher vor wie ein gehobenes Lokal. Ein absoluter Geheimtip, wohin sich Touris nicht so leicht verirren, weil es sich nicht in der Innenstadt befindet. Nichtsdestotrotz ist eine vorherige Reservierung sinnvoll, da der Laden nicht selten komplett voll ausgebucht ist. Ein großer Parkplatz befindet sich direkt vor der Tür (für Cambridge nicht unbedingt selbstverständlich ;)). Vom Ambiente her sehr gediegen und sauber. Es paßt nicht bei einem Pub von gehoben zu sprechen, aber das kommt einem am ehesten in den Sinn, aber zugleich sehr gemütlich. Beispielsweise gibt es eine kleine Sofasitzecke vor einem offenen Kamin die Kleidung riecht danach richtig gemütlich, Ebenso große Holztische für Gruppen und kleine Sitzecken. Das gleiche gilt für das Essen und die Getränke, alte traditionelle Gerichte neu und fein interpretiert. Nein, gewöhnliches Pubessen ist das hier nicht. ;) Ein Beispiel: Sehr gerne serviert wird Sausages and Mash (Würstchen auf Kartoffelmus). Hier hatte ich Merguez auf Selleriekartoffelstampf mit einer unglaublich guten Soße und als Schicht dazwischen noch Haggis. Und es war nett angerichtet und köstlich! Tip: Sich nicht gleich als Touri outen, indem man auf eine Tischbestellung wartet. Denn obwohl hier eigentlich nichts nach Pub aussieht, ist es eins und es wird am Tresen bestellt und auch sofort bezahlt. ;) PS: Ich habe mal die Markierung auf der Karte richtig gesetzt, denn dank der alten, wirklich falschen Markierung hatten wir uns ganz schön verlaufen. ;)

Tucked in the corner of a residential neighborhood and within a minute’s walk to the river Cam, the Old Spring is one of Cambridge’s best kept secrets. The atmosphere is wonderfully cozy and sociable. Most importantly, the food is of excellent quality and taste. Service can be semi-​slow during busy times, but it’s worth the wait.

A great place to relax with friends or family — you could happily take the grandparents here for a nice Sunday pub lunch but you could also meet friends for a chilled night out — there are a range of age-​groups at any given time. Lovely in winter if you grab a spot in front of either of the 2 open fires, and good in summer with large outdoor tables. Friendly staff who seem to pride themselves on getting to know regulars. The food is good pub food with a mix of English and international dishes and a lot of specials, although some are more successful than others. A good selection of beers and ales on tap, with many that you’d expect and a few guest ales. I just wish they would be a little more adventurous with their wine list or have some guest wines occasionally.

— Last call!
— What do you mean last call? I just arrived! Oh wait… I’ve been here for 5 hours drinking… I guess I’ll just stumble home then.
I liked the ales. They have a greater choice on tap than the Boat House. The service is also friendlier even if yesterday was pretty busy with a holiday party.
However I still have not seen any pool table or dart board which was disappointing. All in all a very good experience but I will try to go back when it is not as busy.

This is a wonderful atmosphere and place to meet with friends and have a lovely meal. A little bit out of the town, but that’s what is so appealing. The food is well cooked and presented. Worth a check out when you are next in Cambridge.

Used to be my local when i worked nearby, lovely place, great service and the food is alot better than most places in the area. The burgers are great as is the goats cheese salad and the chicken ceaser salad. All resonably priced and good sized portions. Good choice of drinks and the décor inside the pub is cosy and inviting. Would recommend this place.

This is the best pub I have been to and it is arguably the best in Cambridge; I am confident to say that, as I have been to a number of them. The first positive point I am going to give this pub is the location, not far from city centre and the river cam, makes this pub an all rounder. Quiet and relaxing yet bustling with people from all walks of life, mostly just sitting around enjoying a glass of fine Ale. The halogen light in front of the point is one of its noticeable features and it makes the conservatory bright and well lit.
A couple of the tables where I was sitting were empty; I guess it is because we got there at quite a late time of 10.30pm. It was fun just sitting down, sipping your drink and watch people chat around you using all sorts of hand demo to emphasize their point.
I got a very unusual style drink, it was a mixture that was not really mixed together if you get my gist, and it just fascinated me halfway through the night. I am not the one to remain fascinated, so I was quick to mix my drink, mmmm that’s better.
They offer one of the most unusual pub foods I have seen, a little too exquisite to call a pub grub. The all time favourite is home made burger served in ciabatta with tzatziki and salad; the foods are stylishly presented, which adds classiness to the food.
Assessing the toilets of places I go for a drink or meal is a favourite pastime, weird? Yes I know, well it gives me an idea of the hygiene consciousness of the place and especially if I eat there. This restaurant deserve a five star from me in that department, if gorgeous can be used to describe a toilet, then it was. It was airy and well lit, had multicoloured tiles with a full-​length mirror, which was one of the many mirrors. It also had an interesting portrait of grape fruit on a vine, I am not sure if that is appropriate for a toilet, but it fitted well.
The have a large beer garden behind the pub, depending on which way you go in. This will make a great place for families in summer; at least they have heaters to keep it warm in winter. They also have disable access, which I thought was very considerate.
The only reason this restaurant is not getting my five-​star rating is the attitude of the waiter. I know they might have had a long day and want to go home, but there are nicer ways to go about things. However, this is definitely the pub to impress your friends.
Verdict: Great food and atmosphere, fair service