Ely Riverside
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Ely Riverside

3.9
·1k reviews·, United Kingdom

A scenic stretch along the River Great Ouse, offering picturesque views, charming tearooms, and the vibrant Maltings entertainment venue.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere

CrowdLow
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Ely Riverside

Ely Riverside

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere

CrowdLow

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A scenic stretch along the River Great Ouse, offering picturesque views, charming tearooms, and the vibrant Maltings entertainment venue.

3.9
(1k reviews)

"Beautiful location at riverside for beautiful view."

Vertical photo
TIP

🚶‍♀️ Riverside Walks

Enjoy scenic strolls along the river. Great for photos and a breath of fresh air. :camerawithflash:

🍽️ Dining Research

Check hygiene ratings and recent reviews before dining. Some spots are pricey with mixed food quality. :moneywithwings:

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

3.9 · 1,079 reviews

Type

Restaurant

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Riverside Views

Riverside Views

Along the River Great Ouse

Enjoy picturesque scenes of boats and the tranquil river. Perfect for a leisurely stroll or a relaxing afternoon.

The Maltings

The Maltings

Ely Riverside

A vibrant venue hosting live music, theatre, and diverse events. Check their schedule for unique entertainment.

Peacocks Tearooms

Peacocks Tearooms

Ely Riverside

Savor a traditional cream tea with stunning river views. Dogs are welcome, making it a charming stop.

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Planning Your Visit

Timing is Everything

Ely Riverside can get busy, especially during peak times and events. Consider visiting on weekdays or during off-peak hours for a more relaxed experience. Check local listings for events at The Maltings, as these can draw larger crowds.

Dining Decisions

While Ely Riverside offers dining options, reviews suggest varying experiences. Some praise the carvery and buffet, while others cite high prices and hygiene concerns for certain establishments. Research specific venues beforehand.

Best Times

When
Weekday afternoons
Why
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Crowd
Low
When
Event evenings
Why
Lively atmosphere, unique entertainment
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Partners in crime😘 #fishandchips #riversidefishbar #fyp #twins #backupdancer
@riverside.fishbar
13.9K likes • 105.2K views

🚶‍♀️ Riverside Walks

Enjoy scenic strolls along the river. Great for photos and a breath of fresh air. :camerawithflash:

🍽️ Dining Research

Check hygiene ratings and recent reviews before dining. Some spots are pricey with mixed food quality. :moneywithwings:

Bank Holiday weekend is coming, rain ☔️ or shine ☀️ this is the perfect place to spend it! 🙌🏼 #elyriverside
thecutterinn_ely
22 likes • 693 views
ELY! Together we rocked the foundations of The Maltings, Ely riverside! A packed theatre on a Thursday night! Thank you so much for making it a fantastic night and we could not have wished for a more wonderful audience! 🩶🤘⚡️ Till the next time..... keep it RETRO! 🙌 #rebelyell #billyidol #theretrorockshow #theatre #tour #kerryodowd
the_retro_rock_show_
38 likes • 611 views

🎭 Event Listings

The Maltings hosts diverse events like drag bingo and live music. Book tickets in advance! 🎟️

🐶 Dog-Friendly Spots

Peacocks Tearooms welcomes dogs, perfect for a break with your furry friend. 🐕

Dahlings, the line up is now confirmed. Ms Amber Guity’s Drag Bingo Show at The Maltings, Ely riverside, on November 15th will feature boylesque from CJ Cabaret and Lord Ant B will be laying down some “phat beats”!for you to boogie too! BOOK NOW! From the link in the bio or here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/ely/the-maltings-ely/ms-amber-guitys-drag-bingo-show-over-18s-only/2025-11-15/2...
msamberguity
1 likes • 132 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🚶‍♀️ Riverside Walks

Enjoy scenic strolls along the river. Great for photos and a breath of fresh air. :camerawithflash:

🍽️ Dining Research

Check hygiene ratings and recent reviews before dining. Some spots are pricey with mixed food quality. :moneywithwings:

🎭 Event Listings

The Maltings hosts diverse events like drag bingo and live music. Book tickets in advance! 🎟️

🐶 Dog-Friendly Spots

Peacocks Tearooms welcomes dogs, perfect for a break with your furry friend. 🐕

What Travellers Say

3.9
(1k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Ely Riverside is praised for its beautiful river views and pleasant atmosphere, making it ideal for walks and relaxation. The Maltings venue hosts a variety of engaging events. However, dining experiences can be inconsistent, with some visitors finding prices high and raising concerns about food quality and hygiene in certain establishments.

"Had a lovely Sunday carvery roast.
I met with 5 other friends, for one of the lady’s birthdays.
The food was tasty and generous. The Yorkshire puddings immense. You are almost 3 large slices of the meats on offer. I had 1 gammon, 1 Turkey and 1 beef.
We had pre booked and were given a round table by the window overlooking the river. So we felt very happy."

Rosalyn Johnson

"We had a lovely afternoon with family and friends after our wedding. The bar provided us with a buffet for 30 guests. Everyone commented how lovely the food was! The staff were great and a great location. My only slight complaint would be the time it took for plates and glasses to be collected but it was a busy Saturday. Thanks for great afternoon."

Sarah Daniels

"The Riverside Bar and Kitchen is expensive for what it is and has a 3 hygiene rating and I have a system when eating out somewhere, it's as follows:

1-2 - Avoid at all costs
3 - play it safe (no meat or seafoods)
4 - meat but no seafood
5 - order anything I want

I always check for the rating site because not every restaurant displays their correct rating. At the time of this review Riverside displays a 2 year old 5.

Food - So as mentioned they have a 3 so I played it safe, ordered a margarita pizza and Cajun fries and honestly it was fine, the pizza was cheesy and the chips had a solid flavour. My partner went for chunky chips however and they tasted like old oil. The restaurant however is most known as a carvery. My mother in law and her partner opted for this. It looked fine but there's no chance I'd trust a hot hold in a 3 rated restaurant, they had a small range of veg which looked kind of grey but they seemed happy with it. It was also expensive, the chips where over £5 each and my pizza was £12, I'd pay that if the food was worth it but it really wasn't, I resent paying what I did my experience.

Service - It wasn't great, they were a bit absent, both me and my partner had to wander around aimlessly looking for the toilet, which isn't signposted, as the staff just stared instead of offering directions. They tried to clear the table while my mother in law was still eating and I had to flag them down more than once. They left the dead glasses and menus until after we left as well. They did box up the pizza I couldn't finish which was a nice touch.

Atmosphere - it's pretty, it's a glass box overlooking the canal and if you just want a drink I'd recommend coming down, just don't bother eating there. All level access but the airlock toilet doors would make access hard to the toilets so bear that in mind, they were also a bit hrubby. Disabled parking is available close by but it is a small walk maybe 3 minutes to an able bodied person."

Ash Grey (Eating_Out_Norwich)

What People Like

Beautiful riverside views
Pleasant walking paths
Lively events at The Maltings

What People Dislike

Expensive dining options
Inconsistent food quality
Hygiene concerns at some venues

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Ely Riverside is accessible by car, with parking available nearby. It's also a pleasant walk from Ely city center. Public transport options include local bus routes that stop close to the riverside area. Instagram

Yes, there is parking available near Ely Riverside. Disabled parking is also located close by, though it's a short walk to the main areas. Reddit

Absolutely! Ely city center is within walking distance of Ely Riverside, offering a scenic route along the river. Instagram

Local bus services operate in Ely and have stops near the riverside, making it accessible via public transport. Check local timetables for specific routes. Instagram

The riverside area is generally accessible, with level access in many parts. However, some toilet doors might be narrow, posing a challenge for wheelchair users. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Ely Riverside itself is a public area and doesn't require tickets. However, events held at venues like The Maltings will have specific ticket requirements.,Instagram Instagram

Tickets for events at The Maltings, Ely Riverside, can often be booked online through their website or ticketing partners. Links are usually provided in event announcements. Instagram

No, enjoying a walk or simply relaxing by Ely Riverside is free of charge. It's a public space for everyone to enjoy. Instagram

Ely Riverside is accessible at all times as it's an outdoor public space. Specific venues like The Maltings or restaurants will have their own operating hours. Instagram

Availability for on-the-day tickets can vary depending on the event and venue. It's always best to check with The Maltings or the event organizer for their specific policies. Instagram

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Ely Riverside features several dining establishments, including The Riverside Bar and Kitchen, known for its carvery, and Peacocks Tearooms for cream teas.,Instagram Reddit

Reviews indicate that some dining options, like The Riverside Bar and Kitchen, can be expensive for the quality and portion sizes offered. Reddit

While specific menus vary, many riverside eateries offer a range of options. It's advisable to check individual restaurant menus or inquire directly about vegetarian and vegan choices. Reddit

Yes, there are bars and pubs along Ely Riverside where you can enjoy a drink with river views. The Riverside Bar and Kitchen is one such option. Reddit

Some establishments, like The Riverside Bar and Kitchen, have received mixed hygiene ratings. It's recommended to check the latest ratings before dining. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The entire riverside offers beautiful scenery. Capture boats on the River Great Ouse, the architecture of The Maltings, and the charming tearooms.,Instagram Instagram

The west-facing views along the river can be stunning at sunset, offering warm light and picturesque reflections on the water. Instagram

Photography policies for events at The Maltings can vary. It's best to check the specific event guidelines or ask venue staff. Instagram

A versatile lens like a 24-70mm is great for capturing both wide river scenes and details. A tripod can be useful for low-light or long exposures. :camerawithflash:

Generally, casual photography for personal use is permitted. However, commercial photography or filming may require permission. Always be mindful of others. Instagram

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