Ben's Yard review: Why you should visit new Ely restaurant

Immediately after stepping through the doors, the sheer size of the building is striking. 

Tall ceilings give off a deceptively industrial effect but, cleverly, you barely need to look up once inside as there’s so much going on around you.

The most eye-popping feature is the restaurant's bold decor, which is made up of a mix of floral and tropical rainforest-style printed wallpaper. 

Inside Ben's Yard Restaurant at Ely (Image: Ben Jolley)

With faux foliage, grandma chic lampshades and velvet chairs adding to the luxurious atmsophere, whoever designed the interior clearly has a great eye and needs a job on BBC series 'Design Masters.

Similarly, the green panelling in various shades - from pastel to olive - presents a perfect colour palette which compliments the large olive tree which sits in the centre of the building – a real statement feature. 

The spacious yet cosy layout adds to the restaurant's light and airy atmosphere too, especially as large by-fold doors lead to a drinks-only outdoor seating area which continues the homely feel thanks to its rattan furniture.

Reporter Ben Jolley at Ben's Yard restaurant in Ely (Image: Ben Jolley)

The striking wallpaper at Ben's Yard Restaurant in Ely (Image: Ben Jolley)

Anyway, onto the food... 

Each course is well-presented and of a good size; particularly the prawn and mango salad which is larger than your average starter – a generous prawn to salad ratio and well worth the £9 price tag. 

Similarly, the mains are filling (but not too much) and just as tasty; the pork belly falls apart and the creamy mash is delicious, while the burger comes with grilled watermelon on the side (a surprising yet welcome accompaniment). 

The desserts, as the waitress teases, all look like works of art. The puddings are mostly fruit-orientated, so perhaps a chocolate-based option could make for a good addition.

The haddock starter at Ben's Yard Restaurant in Ely (Image: Ben Jolley)

The prawn and mango salad at Ben's Yard Restaurant in Ely (Image: Ben Jolley)

It's also worth noting that the restaurant's menu also caters for all dietary requirements thanks to its range of gluten-free and vegan options.

The drinks menu, meanwhile, offers a variety of alcoholic beverages (including beers, ciders, wines and, our personal recommendation, the strawberry gin mojito) as well as non-alcoholic cocktails. 

Despite being on the pricey side (£9 for a dessert is particularly steep and more what you'd expect to pay in London), Ben's Yard's restaurant is nonethless worth experiencing if you're looking for somewhere to celebrate a special occasion. 

The burger at Ben's Yard Restaurant in Ely (Image: Ben Jolley)

The pork belly at Ben's Yard Restaurant in Ely (Image: Ben Jolley)

Disclosure: The Ely Standard's meal was complimentary.

Have you visited Ben's Yard and its restaurant? What did you think? Email ben.jolley@newsquest.co.uk

The crème brulee at Ben's Yard Restaurant in Ely (Image: Ben Jolley)

The crumble at Ben's Yard Restaurant in Ely (Image: Ben Jolley)