The Great Fish-and-Chips Quest, Part 3: The Petersfield

Our fish-and-chips pilgrimage continues—and this time, it brought us to The Petersfield, a characterful pub tucked away on Sturton Street, about a 15-minute walk from Cambridge Riverside. It’s one of several in the area run by Young’s Brewery (you might recognise siblings like The Old Bicycle Shop, The Cambridge Brew House and The Waterman). As with its kin, The Petersfield blends the classic charm of a proper pub with a twist of quirk and quality.

First impressions: think traditional pub with a quirky edge (bottles in the ceiling being the clear standout). There’s a rustic terrace that’s perfect for long summer evenings, and an interior dining space that’s made for cosy winter suppers. Add a cocktail list worth exploring, a decent wine selection and a strong range of beer on tap, and you’ve got a spot that feels both casual and considered.

We stuck to our mission: two of us ordered the haddock and chips. The fish was well fried, the batter crisp without being greasy, and the chips were just the right portion—satisfying without tipping into food coma territory. The mushy peas were a little shy on salt, but the tartare sauce made up for it: generously chunky and essentially homemade. And curry sauce made an appearance that turned out to be surprisingly pleasant!

The other two in our group went off-piste with The Petersfield’s imaginative take on a Niçoise salad—made with trout instead of tuna. It was a welcome twist, featuring delicately battered scotch eggs in place of the usual boiled eggs. Lighter than expected, they came without the usual sausage-heavy wrapping and are, we’re told, a labour of love from the chef. Anchovies were present and correct (a Niçoise must), and the whole thing was perfectly dressed—not drowned.

Onion rings also made an appearance and are quickly becoming our secondary metric in this challenge, alongside the pea-o-meter. These were cider-battered, lightly crisped and piping hot: high marks all round.

Unable to resist, we finished with a sharing bowl of Eton Mess—a summery delight and perfect for the warm afternoon. Refreshing, nostalgic and large enough to share without feeling short-changed.

Service-wise, we were looked after by a front-of-house host who is as quirky as the décor. Despite a minor back-of-house spat (kitchen drama adds flavour, right?), he remained attentive and cheerful. It wasn’t busy when we visited, so walk-ins should be fine for a midweek lunch.

There’s one particular highlight that may well bring us back:  a surprisingly well-priced bottle of Veuve Clicquot. Pair that with one of their generous sharing platters (we’ve got our eyes on the seafood platter next time) and you’ve got a very good excuse for a return visit.

https://www.thepetersfield.co.uk/