Boathouse

You'll find this sprawling Chef & Brewer spot right on the edge of Thorpe Meadows, where the River Nene does its thing and the views actually justify the slightly inflated prices. The terrace here is genuinely lovely when the weather plays ball, and unlike some riverside pubs that phone it in, the kitchen takes things seriously enough to make the trek from the city centre worthwhile. The menu's that reliable pub-plus formula – think elevated fish and chips alongside proper Sunday roasts that don't disappoint. Yes, it's part of a chain, but the location does the heavy lifting and the staff seem to give a toss. Fair warning though: weekend lunches get properly rammed with families, so either embrace the chaos or stick to weekday visits when you can actually hear yourself think.