In Search of Cambridge’s Best Fish-and-Chips – Part 2: Byron’s Bear

Our neighbourhood culinary quest continues! In the second instalment of our mission to find the best fish and chips in Cambridge, we were pointed in the direction of Byron’s Bear, a newly refurbished pub perched on the edge of Jesus Green, right by the punt stations. Most will remember this spot as an Italian restaurant, but it’s had a change of management and a facelift.

The new owners promise “Great beer, proper food and stunning views over Jesus Green”. That tagline largely holds true. Byron’s Bear offers a warm welcome in a large space that nods to traditional pub style. There’s plenty of seating, and we were charmed by the nice nook we landed in, complete with a book swap, vinyl records and a quirky turntable that plays 45s at the right speed but runs 33s comically slowly!

Outside, a takeaway hatch on the boardwalk serves everything from morning coffee to evening cocktails, and on Fridays from 5pm, you can pick up their fish and chips to go, but don’t dawdle – it’s “while stocks last”.

As it turned out, we ordered the same food as at our first stop at The Free Press: fish and chips and ham, egg and chips. Here's the rundown.

Fish and chips

The fish itself (haddock, not cod) was good – crispy batter, flaky interior – but the chips were straight from the freezer, lacking the homemade touch we loved at The Free Press. The mushy peas were a real letdown (1/10 on our pea-o-meter) and the tartare sauce came straight from a jar.

Ham, egg and chips

The ham was a slice of gammon this time, flavourful but overcooked, making it dry and tough. Thankfully there was a nice juicy slice of grilled pineapple to counter that. A single fried egg (not two) topped it off – not bad, but it didn’t have that delightful crisp edge we’d previously enjoyed.

We’re giving the food a solid six out of ten. It’s standard pub fare – dependable but not dazzling.

Byron’s Bear does better on the drinks front. A rotating cast of local craft ales is a real highlight, and the barman was enthusiastic and knowledgeable, happily offering tasters. The wine list won’t win awards, but it’s competent and drinkable.

Byron’s Bear is already drawing a crowd, particularly on evenings and weekends. They operate on walk-ins rather than bookings (unless you’re a group of 10+ or are planning a special event), so mid-week or early evening is a better bet.

The verdict? It’s a great spot to catch up with friends over a pint, with its roomy layout, relaxed atmosphere and attractive location. But when it comes to fish and chips, the bar set by The Free Press remains unchallenged. The search continues…