The Elm Tree

The Elm Tree is one of my favourite pubs in Cambridge — a cosy spot with a fantastic selection of draught and bottled beers, especially from Belgium. It’s a great place to relax and discover something new. On my last visit, though, the service was a bit odd. One of the servers kept trying to take my glass before I’d finished, and was whisking away other people’s glasses at our table barely after the last sip was enjoyed. It made things feel a bit rushed, which was unusual for this otherwise welcoming pub. Still, the beer range and atmosphere make it well worth a visit.

A pub that is worth visiting when coming to Cambridge, because it offers the classic concept of a drinking establishment that is part of British culture. It is located in an urban residential area but the vibe it offers is a unique situation from a typical British drinking place. There is no food for sale, only drinks –whether containing alcohol such as beer, spirits or wine– or non-alcoholic drinks. This pub has had some positive reviews and when I visited it certainly was. A pleasant conversation with the bartender and the atmosphere typical of a British drinking establishment make for an unforgettable impression. The pub also serves a wide range of Belgian beers, beside British local and general ales. Greetings from Indonesia.

🎶🍺 Last week I visited this pub and it turned out to be such a great evening! The place itself has a really cozy, traditional English atmosphere — the kind of spot where you instantly feel comfortable and welcome. But the absolute highlight of the night was the live music. Rupert was singing, and honestly, I was blown away 😍. His voice is incredible, and the way he connects with the audience makes the whole performance even more special. Every song felt full of energy and emotion — it completely lifted the vibe of the room. I didn’t expect to enjoy it this much, but I left with a huge smile on my face. If you love live music in a friendly, authentic pub setting, this is the place to be. I’ll definitely be back for the next performance! 🙌🎤🍻

A classic British pub with great selection of beers. Don't be intimidated by the bar keep's size. He's a friendly giant :)

We had mead - one chilli and one traditional, quite good. The atmosphere is cosy and warm, very nice if you enjoy old, traditional pubs.

Best pub in Cambridge: great Belgian beer, fabulous eclectic decor, fantastic community feel, inclusive, love the no mobile phone rule. Small, but perfectly formed.

What am absolute gem of a pub. Stumbled upon this pub whilst wandering wearily. I came to Cambridge from London for the day, and having had a whole day of walking was looking for a little refreshment before getting the train home. I must admit, I did step in feeling it had a bit of a social club type of feel to it, but my fears were soon dissipated. All of the patrons were cheerful and smiley, Jenny the bartender was friendly and very helpful with suggesting a nice IPA for me. A huge choice of ales here and also a separate menu of Belgian beer if that is your fancy. I will definitely be dropping in here again next time I visit Cambridge. Meanwhile, I shall quietly weep that this is not my local.

I was fascinated by this place and I love it. The treatment was amazing, the guy was super nice to us, the people it is super kind, and seems to be like a big family. They have a huge variety of Belgian-style beers starting with delirium and finishing with lambic ones, so if you love Belgian beer this is the place for you. I really recommend you some Christmas beer 🍺, they are amazing 🤩🤩. We will definitely repeat the experience 🥰🤩. They have some events in August so don't miss them!

A very nice, cosy pub, off the beaten track, but a short hop from two other pubs - the Free Press (also recommended) and the Cricketer (sports TV). This is definitely not touristy Cambridge, which in one way is a pity, because it's much a nicer pub than many that tourists visit in the centre. The interior is very traditional - lots of dark wood - with a single long room. On a freezing winter's night, it was cosily warm, and the staff were very welcoming and helpful. Clientele seemed a very mixed bunch of locals and students and some (very polite and chatty) heavy-metal fans. A nice touch was the lack of piped music. The main draw is the choice of up to 10 real ales, with some really interesting choices, include a locally-produced ale if you want to keep your food miles down. Food is more limited, with the usual snacks, plus a platter (£5) of either mixed gourmet Swiss and Dutch cheeses, or cheese and sausages, both served with horseradish and pickles, but (oddly) not bread. Overall, a nice pub with a great beer choice.

When I worked for a company of text message experts that answered whatever question you had, we often had our own questions for ourselves. Q: "Which pub in Cambridge has outdoor seats that get the sun for the longest on a summer evening?" And what a wonderful question it was - taking in maps, local knowledge, astronomy and architectural planning to find the answer. No doubt you've already worked out that the winner is The Elm Tree, but for us it was a stunning surprise as it's the awesome town pub right opposite our text nerd headquarters. We were sitting on a pot of gold defined by the west-facing alleyway. But is 5 stars justified just for beer garden sunshine at 9pm? Not quite... but the Elm Tree is amazing on so many other fronts. A wide selection of Belgian beers with their glasses, superb local real ales, barrels of cider, pork scratchings made by the local butcher, jazz music and a library of books. Plus secret genius bar staff and a great sense of humour. Like the sign says... Great beers No Food Angry Barmen (i think they're joking)

My husband and I visited more than once during our stay in Cambridge because of friendly bartender who remembered us and was very knowledgeable about beer. (Plus, it was a convenient location to our lodging.) The pub had an impressive, varied selection of Belgians in bottles, and the bartender could recommend specifics based on my taste for sour Belgians. In addition, this is one of the few pubs to advertise an opportunity for flights (not just samples) called "Three for Thirds," three of our choice of what's on draft in cask-conditioned ales for 6 pence. We've been here when it just opens and it's a bit quiet with just a few friendly locals, as well as at night when the small space is packed but cozy. Keep in mind there isn't food, but you can get some at neighboring pubs.

This was my favourite spot in Cambridge! The list of beers on the menu was great! You could order a sample of three for about 6 pounds which was a great way to try some new beers. I loved the decor! Hats hung from the ceiling and all around we're quirky pictures and ornaments. Clearly a hang out for magicians - and I mean that in the best possible way!

Old school pub with a new school feel and an extensive selection of unique and quality cask ales. In other words, my dream pub.

This is a proper local pub. Some might argue it's a bit bric-a-brac but I like it and more important it has a huge selection of real Ales and Bitters.

Love this little spot with its quiet cozy location and decent selection of Belgian beers.

I have only drunk here. It's one of those places that has an almost cult following. Clearly frequented by social inept/inebriated undergrads. My drink was warm cider - it got me pissed. The service - was awful in a really funny way (perhaps this is due to the alcohol content of the cider)? It's one of those pubs, it's providing a social service. Not that i'm sure of what that service is.

Great pub. I think the students like this place. Amazinging good selection of real ales.Staff is brilliant.

Good selection of real ales and bottled Belgian beers. Check it out!!!

Staggering array of Belgium bieres! Warm, spacious setting and great decor (unopened beer bottles line the walls). Unfortunately no food services (yet?) or wireless, as someone mentioned to me. Lovely barmaiden and good tunes.

The single best pub I have ever found. Beats anything in London, Dublin, or elsewhere. Incredible history and atmosphere and a fantastic beer list. The crowd is certainly eclectic, but very friendly. I cannot wait to return here.

i spent a wonderful day in cambridge earlier in the month that culminated with early evening beers at the outside picnic tables. totally relaxing. great ending to a great day.

Great, and eccentric, local pub with a huge selection of Belgian beers. Staff are friendly and the atmosphere is informal. Very different to most other places you'll experience.

Our favorite place in Cambridge for getting Belgian beers and MEAD finally...:) Cool crowd and very clean bathrooms too. I wish we had this pub next door.

The elm tree is a great backstreet Cambridge boozer. They have everything a beer enthusiast would love. The Belgian beer can be a bit pricey but you don't have to buy them. The beer on tap in kept well and changes often. Staff is friendly and welcoming. The only bad part is that it's always Halloween in there. Could use some colour.

My experience is some good ale drafts, lots of bottled beers, knowledgable staff, fairly empty on a weekday, and outdoor seating (no special view, but fresh air :) I didn't realize they don't have food, so be aware! But great if you fancy a good beer and variety.

The Elm Tree is a must visit for any keen ale fan. It boasts 10 different real ales, something few other small pubs can match. However the pub has recently lost some of its enchanting atmosphere due to the customers takings on a more punk form and somewhat detracts from the once charming ambience. Despite this it is still worth popping a head round the door to see what you think.

Extensive selection of bottled Begian Beers makes for some interesting choices. Relaxed atmosphere.

ok so, i met 2 amazing people who work here and had a great night so obviously im going to give it 5 stars, atmosphere is great, knowledgeable staff, excellent burgers, great location slightly off the beaten path

Phenomenal beer selection; excellent British pub ambiance. The staff is friendly and will talk you through your beer preferences and help you sample beers until you find the right selection. I greatly regret not discovering this place until my last few days in the UK. I would have become a regular, even though this pub was not convenient either to my college or my department.

The sign outside says "Great beer - No food - Angry barstaff". Nothing's going to tell you better than that whether this place'll work for you. Works for me.