This Is How The Night Starts...

The Plans That Actually Improve Your Week

There’s a difference between going out because it’s Friday and going out because it makes the week better.

Peterborough doesn’t overwhelm you with options. It rewards you when you choose well.

The right lunch resets your mood.

The right table turns into a second bottle.

The right pub makes February feel shorter.

This isn’t a list.

It’s the circuit.

And once you start noticing it, you stop saying:

“There’s nowhere decent.”

Let’s start where the day turns.

Breakfast Worth Getting Out Of Your PJs For - The Chalkboard — Where It’s Worth The Effort.

You can tell a lot about a place by how it treats breakfast.

The Chalkboard doesn’t rush it.

The full breakfasts arrive plated, not thrown together. Eggs hold their shape. Bacon actually has texture. Pancake stacks don’t collapse into syrup puddles.

It’s not about novelty here.

It’s about getting the basics right.

Regulars mention:

• Properly poached eggs that aren’t overcooked
• Avocado toast that isn’t skimpy
• Pancakes that feel indulgent without being heavy
• Coffee that doesn’t taste reheated

By 9:30am you’ll see:

• School-run groups reclaiming calm

• Freelancers parked with laptops

• Midweek catch-ups stretching longer than planned

It’s the difference between grabbing fuel and choosing to start well.

And in February, when mornings feel endless, that choice matters more.

Three Better Coffees

If you’re not committing to a full sit-down breakfast but still want something that feels deliberate, these are three solid options. 

1️⃣ Bewiched Coffee — Bridge Street

📍 25 Bridge Street, PE1 1EH

Right in the centre, which makes it dangerously convenient. Flat whites are consistent, the pastry counter rotates enough to keep things interesting, and there’s always that mix of “quick meeting” and “I’ll just stay another half hour.”

It’s a good reset stop when town feels rushed.

2️⃣ Nata & Papa — Midgate

📍 10 Midgate, PE1 1TN

If you want something slightly different from standard café fare, this is it.

Pastéis de nata come out warm with that crisp pastry edge and soft centre that makes you pause mid-conversation.

Coffee is strong enough to matter, not decorative.

Feels slightly continental without being pretentious.

3️⃣ The Green Backyard Café — Oundle Road

📍 Oundle Road, PE2 8AT

A slower pace. A bit more space. Less city-centre urgency.

It’s the kind of place you go when you don’t want background noise to just chill.

Coffee feels part of the setting rather than the main event.

Better at weekends. Better when you’re not in a rush.

Sometimes you don’t need a long brunch.

You just need coffee to relax and let your world slow down for a few minutes.

The Lunch People Text About - Fratelli Tavloa Calda — Rivergate

Fratelli closes at 6pm. So Don't Forget To Book In Advance

That tells you everything.

This isn’t an afterthought venue. It owns the middle of the day.

You smell the espresso before you even look at the menu sharp, properly Italian, the kind that wakes you up rather than blending into the background.

Then the pizza lands.

The nduja & rocket version gets talked about for a reason. Thin crust with just enough char. Heat that builds instead of overwhelming. Rocket cutting through so it never becomes heavy.

It’s balanced. Confident. Not overloaded.

The pistachio cannoli?

Crisp shell. Sweet filling without becoming sickly. Often gone by mid-afternoon.

The tiramisu doesn’t collapse into sugar. It holds its shape. Coffee-forward. Light enough to order after pizza without regret.

And that deli counter cheeses, cured meats, bottles you don’t see everywhere shifts the whole experience from “lunch stop” to “this feels like an escape.”

It leans Sicilian in tone simpler combinations, cleaner flavour, fewer unnecessary extras.

You book this when:

• You want to reset your week
• You want to look like you’ve got taste
• You want lunch that changes your afternoon

Nobody rushes here.

They order another coffee.

And stay. 

Other Good Tables - Also Worth Checkin Out For Lunch 

Not every lunch needs to follow the same script. If Fratelli’s full or you want a different energy, these are solid switches.

Argo Lounge — Bridge Street

📍 4–6 Bridge Street, PE1 1XA

Argo works because nobody feels awkward here.

Big menus mean nobody sits staring at one sad option.

The Lounge Breakfast is a favourite — chorizo, halloumi, eggs done properly. The buttermilk chicken burger actually crunches. Tapas plates land fast enough that you don’t lose momentum.

You’ll hear things like:

“Let’s just go to Argo — it’s easy.”

That’s not a lazy choice. That’s reliable.

It’s where:

• One person wants brunch
• One wants a burger
• One wants something lighter
• Nobody wants drama

It stretches comfortably from breaky time into “should we stay?”

Tap & Tandoor — Cathedral Square

📍 7–8 Cathedral Square, PE1 1XH

Yes, it’s strong at dinner.

But lunch here hits differently.

The butter chicken at midday feels indulgent but manageable creamy without becoming heavy.

 The lamb chops carry proper char from the tandoor. Garlic naan arrives soft enough to fold without cracking.

And if you’re sharing, small plates keep the table moving rather than everyone disappearing into their own bowl.

One local regular told us:

“It’s the only curry place I’d book at 1pm without needing a nap after.”

Spice without regret.

The Brewery Tap — Pub Lunch, But Not As You Expect

📍 Westgate PE1 2AA

You walk in expecting pie and chips.

Then you spot the Thai menu.

Green curry with actual heat.

Pad Thai that tastes like someone meant it.

Crisp starters that don’t hang around on the table for long.

Aromatic sauces that make you slow down instead of shovel.

Yes, you can order the traditional pub staples if you want them.

But most tables don’t.

They lean into the Thai side because that’s the surprise.

It works for lunch because it feels relaxed  wooden tables, natural light, no rush but the food has more personality than your standard midday pub stop.

You book it thinking “easy option.”

You leave thinking,

“Why don’t more places do this?”

That’s the difference.

Move The Meeting - Orton Hall Hotel — Afternoon Done Right

There’s a noticeable shift the moment you walk in.

The noise drops. The ceiling height changes the sound.

You’re not squeezed between tables. You’re not competing with milk frothers or bar music.

Orton Hall carries that slightly old-school hotel confidence wood detailing, wide corridors, seating that invites you to stay rather than perch.

Afternoon tea here isn’t decorative.

It arrives on proper tiered stands. Sandwiches cut evenly, crusts off, fillings balanced rather than overloaded.

Scones warm enough to split cleanly, served with clotted cream and jam that doesn’t feel rationed. Cakes are measured not oversized, not fussy.

Tea choice matters too.

Earl Grey, English Breakfast, fruit blends served properly, not dumped with a teabag and forgotten.

It works because it changes posture.

You sit differently.
You speak slightly slower.
You don’t check your phone as often.

It suits:

• Client conversations that need calm
• Birthday afternoons that feel grown-up
• Midweek catch-ups that deserve more than a café table
• “Let’s do something different” plans

One local business owner put it simply:

“People take you more seriously when you meet here.”

It’s not loud.
It’s not flashy.
It’s deliberate.

We’re Ranking This Next Week. Pick Your Side

When it’s cold, grey and you need proper comfort food in Peterborough, what are you actually booking?

No overthinking.

• Curry
• Pizza
• Sunday roast
• Burger & fries

You only get one. Eat in or takeaway doesn’t matter.

Reply with your choice.

Next Wednesday we publish the leaderboard and yes, we’ll start naming where people think the best version lives.

No fence-sitting.

This Starts As Just One Drink -Bijou — Bridge Street

Bijou isn’t accidental.

You don’t “end up” here.

You plan it.

It’s the place where the group chat moves from:

“Shall we just go somewhere?”
to
“Let’s just book Bijou.”

The lighting’s good. The music’s there but not overpowering. You can talk without leaning across the table and still feel like you’re properly out.

Cocktails are the headline act.

Espresso martinis with actual kick.

Pornstar martinis that come with the theatre.

Colourful signatures that look like you meant to order them.

But it’s not just drinks.

Sharing plates that feel like food, not filler.

Burgers that don’t feel like an afterthought.

Bottomless brunches that fill Saturdays faster than people expect.

It works because it builds.

You start with one.
You stay.
You order food.

Someone says, “We’re not going home yet.”

One regular summed it up:

“It feels like a proper night without needing to go full nightclub.”

 

That’s the difference.

It’s lively.

It’s put-together.

It feels intentional.

And when the girls’ night needs to feel worth the effort this is usually where it begins.

Six People. Zero Complaints - Tap & Tandoor — Cathedral Square

Tap & Tandoor solves a very specific problem for groups going out.

You’ve got six people in your group.

Two want cocktails.
One wants spice.
One says “not too heavy.”

Someone else is gluten-free.

Nobody wants awkward silence.

This is where the argument ends.

The menu is built for sharing without forcing it. Proper tandoor meats. Curries with actual depth. Paneer that holds flavour instead of fading into sauce.

The butter chicken gets ordered repeatedly for a reason creamy but not bland. The lamb chops come out charred at the edges, still tender. Garlic naan arrives soft enough to tear without effort.

It’s bold food without being intimidating.

And the drinks list matters.

Craft beers. Cocktails that hold their own next to the spice. Enough variety that nobody feels boxed in.

It works for:

• Birthday dinners
• “We need a catch-up” nights
• After-work meals that turn into a second round
• Girls’ dinners that don’t want to be too formal

One regular said:

“It’s the only place everyone agrees on.”

 

That’s power.

Because in Peterborough, agreement is half the battle.

This isn’t subtle.

It’s colourful.

It’s built for a table, not a solo plate.

And that’s why it keeps filling up.

Too Cold To Wander? Go Here. Charters Bar — Riverside (Winter Mood)

Charters Bar in February is simple.

You pick it.

You go in.

You stay there.

No walking between venues when it’s freezing. No pretending you’ll “just have one” somewhere else.

You grab a table early. Order properly. Settle In for the night.

Pints come quick. Big tables fill first especially if there’s rugby or football on.

Someone says they’re only out for an hour. They’re not. Not at Charter's is the law!

It works because nobody’s trying to impress anyone.

You can be loud. You can sit back. You can order food if you need it.

You don’t have to leave to go elsewhere to keep the night going.

One regular summed it up:

“If it’s cold, we just go Charters and don’t overthink it.”

 

That’s the right move.

Not fancy.

Not dramatic.

Just a proper pub night without the faff.

LATE NIGHT - Velvet Panache — Where The Night Still Has Legs

This isn’t the end of the night — it’s the next chapter.

You’ve might have had your food.

You’ve had the cocktails.Or a few bubbles or even pints

Someone says, “One more stop…”

You step inside Velvet Panache and the whole mood changes.

The bass is upfront.

The DJ’s in charge

The lighting cuts through the room.

People are already moving.

Weekends here are about letting go old school R&B, house, club classics, urban vibes mixed in with themed nights that keep it interesting.

You don’t stand awkwardly by the bar.

You get pulled onto the floor.

Birthday groups take over tables.

Hen nights cling onto the beat.

Friends who promised “just one more drink” are suddenly here until closing time.

It’s loud.

It’s vibrant.

It’s weekend energy.

Not subdued.

Not polite or refined

This is where you finish the night.

Maybe falling in to cab home after a night to remember.

If You’re Going Out, Add This.- New Theatre Peterborough — The Night You’ve Been Waiting For Weeks

Some nights you plan weeks ahead.

Tickets bought months ago.

Group chat counting down.

Outfits decided.

Calendar blocked.

You meet in the foyer. It’s loud in that excited way people scanning for seats, grabbing last-minute drinks, checking the time like it matters.

Then the lights drop.

And for the next two hours, that’s it.

No scrolling.
No drifting.
No background chatter.

Just the show you’ve been waiting weeks for.

March has a few of those moments lined up.

 The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical

3–7 March

Fast, bold, loud — and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard stepping into the mythical chaos as Mr D. Big personality. Big vocals. Not a quiet theatre night.

🎟 Book: https://newtheatre-peterborough.com/events/the-lightning-thief-the-percy-jackson-musical/

 Jason Donovan – Doin’ Fine Encore

13 March

After a 40,000-ticket 2025 run, he’s back. If you grew up on Neighbours or 90s pop, this is pure sing-along territory.

🎟 Book: https://newtheatre-peterborough.com/events/jason-donovan-doin-fine-25/

Copacabana Magic — Barry Manilow Tribute

14 March

Big chorus energy. Big nostalgia. The kind of show where half the audience is on their feet before the encore.

🎟 Book: https://newtheatre-peterborough.com/events/copacabana-magic-the-barry-manilow-tribute-show/

Boyzlife — Keith Duffy & Brian McFadden

19 March

Boyzone meets Westlife. You already know the words — even if you pretend you don’t.

🎟 Book: https://newtheatre-peterborough.com/events/boyzlife-featuring-keith-duffy-and-brian-mcfadden-support/

The Woman in Black

24–28 March

A proper theatre experience. Dark. Quiet. Tense. Over 8 million people have seen it — and you’ll understand why within minutes.

🎟 Book: https://newtheatre-peterborough.com/events/the-woman-in-black/

This isn’t “let’s just see what’s on last minute.”

This is:

“I’ve been waiting for this.”

Check availability.

Grab the tickets.

Block the night.

Because once it’s sold out, it’s gone.

WHAT’S ON IN MARCH - Your Next Plan Starts Here.

 Thursday 6 March — The 9075 + The Portland

📍 Met Lounge

Two indie outfits on one bill.

The 9075 bring the 1975-inspired, modern indie sound

https://the9075.com/

Alongside The Portland — alt-rock with proper live presence

https://www.portlandofficial.com/

Met Lounge works best when it’s live music — tight room, loud crowd, close to the stage.

If you like your guitars sharp and your vocals up front, this is your night.

Saturday 7 March — Velocity

📍 The Ostrich — 9:30pm

Local rock energy, proper volume, proper stage presence.

Velocity don’t do background music. It’s straight into it.

Expect classic rock covers and crowd movement by the second set.

https://www.facebook.com/Velocityrockband/

The Ostrich is compact enough that you feel it not watch it from afar.

Friday 20 March — Made in PE1 (Free Entry)

📍 The Crown Pub & Live Music Venue

749 Lincoln Road — 9pm

Debut 2026 Crown gig from Made in PE1 — three-piece Peterborough band covering 60s–90s pop, punk, ska and rock.

Expect:

The Jam

The Clash

Madness

The Beatles

Green Day

Bad Company

The Specials

Free admission.

No reserved seating.

Arrive early.

If you like your live music loud, local and unpretentious — this is it.

Thank You For The Music

📍 The Cresset

A full tribute celebration of ABBA’s biggest hits big vocals, big costumes, big crowd involvement.

This is sing-along territory.

If you know the words (you do), this one fills quickly.

🎟 Tickets:
https://www.cresset.co.uk/shows/thank-you-for-the-music/

🎬 NT Live: The Audience (Screening)

📍 Key Theatre

National Theatre Live screening — filmed theatre production shown on the big screen.

Different energy from a gig.

More sit-down, lean-in atmosphere.

Good alternative if you want culture without late night volume.

🎟 Tickets:

https://keytheatre-peterborough.com/events/nt-live-the-audience-screening/

Don’t Say There’s Nothing On

It’s not that nothing’s happening.

It’s that you haven’t picked yet.

Pizza that changes your afternoon.

Thai curry in a pub you didn’t expect.

Cocktails that turn into a second round.

Live bands. Tribute nights. Big sing-alongs.

Free-entry local debuts.

Peterborough isn’t short of options.

You just need to choose.

Next issue:

• The Takeaway That Wins Friday

• The Comfort Food Leaderboard (you’re voting)

• A Proper Date Night Circuit

• The Cocktail People Keep Reordering

• One Venue You’re Probably Overlooking

Forward this to the friend who always says,

“Whatever you fancy.”

Make the plan.

We’ll bring the next one soon.

Peterborough Taste Trail

Peterborough’s independent guide to eating, drinking and going out.

We feature venues, events and nights worth leaving the house for.

All listings accurate at time of publishing.

Own a venue or hosting something good?

Email: hello@peterboroughtastetrail.co.uk

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