The newest place to eat on the block, The Yard, has made quite the impression on the Ely locals, offering street food, coffee shops, a bar and more
When coffee enthusiast Bruce Garside started roasting beans in his garage, he couldn’t have anticipated how far his hobby would take him. He and his wife Susanne began selling the beans at local markets and food festivals, winning fans across the region, before investing in the ‘coffee rig’ – a two-storey speciality coffee trailer with rooftop seating, which became a stalwart at Ely Market. During Covid-19, the couple went on to open The Bagel Bar, also in Ely, which buoyed them on to their latest launch: The Yard. Opening to a rapturous reception last month, The Yard is a street food haven with a children’s play area, coffee shop, restaurant, bar and fairy-lit outdoor seating area.
The food, produced by celebrated chef Josh Held and his young team, is delivered out of shipping containers, known as ‘The Backyard Kitchens’. The fare ranges from hot dogs and gourmet burgers with homemade sauces to a great variety of vegan and veggie options, including an ‘innocent kebab’ and filled bao. The coffee container sells top-notch java made by Silver Oak Coffee, alongside treats from the dessert container. The Yard Arms is the bar area, offering sharing carafes of wine, jugs of beer and a creative collection of cocktails.
A short walk from Ely train station with free car parking, check out @theyard_ely on Instagram for more info.
