Queen of Cups

What’s the vibe?

When people talk about Glastonbury, it’s usually in reference to the internationally renowned local music festival or its major league status on the druidic scene. They probably aren’t talking about the Somerset town as a food destination. But Queen of Cups might change all of that. With chef Ayesha Kalaji in charge, this Michelin Bib Gourmand-recommended gastropub opened in 2021 and has been quietly wowing locals ever since. Set inside a 17th century coaching inn off the town’s main drag of crystal shops and incense emporiums, there’s a small nod to Glastonbury’s hippy heritage in the restaurant’s tarot card-referencing name, but that’s where the woo-woo ends. The innovative menu is the product of Ayesha’s Welsh-Jordanian heritage, meaning Middle Eastern flavours peppered with Welsh touches – such as laverbread falafels – all made with local Somerset and West Country produce. 

What should I order?

Let’s talk some more about those falafels. Dark and crunchy on the outside, gloriously green on the inside and with some perky fronds of lime-pickled fennel on the top, they’re a must-order, hot and oily in the best possible way. This being Glastonbury, the menu is extremely vegetarian and vegan-friendly, but there is a decent amount of meat and fish available. You can order the silky hummus with crispy chilli and sweetly spiced date confiture with or without a dollop of creamy apricot and harissa hogget. Puffs of Moroccan-style frena bread come hot and pillowy and brushed with oil and salt. Dip it into smokey and sweet pomegranate baba ganoush decorated with lemongrass-pickled onions. Everything is beautifully presented to the point of being bejewelled; there are rose petals here, pomegranate seeds there, and lemon balm leaves everywhere. Some dishes look so pretty that it feels like sacrilege to eat them. The ornate Tunisian-style brik au truite is a feat of engineering, with chalkstream trout sitting in delicate, lacy brik pastry, which must be destroyed in order to reveal the perfectly runny egg and fat juicy olives inside. The fresh pistachios, mellow green shatta and dill labneh it is perched on are a revelation. If you eat meat and the chicken hearts marinated in lavender molasses are on the specials board, order them. If you don’t, then the grilled Palestinian Nabulsi cheese atop a bed of Persian black lime honey and covered with crunchy and tangy preserved lemon skin is unmissable – it’s where cheeseboard meets dessert. For actual dessert, the innovative aubergine and cardamom ice cream sounds wild, but is sublime. 

What are the prices like?

Sizeable dips are £8.50, while sharing dishes range from £4.50 all the way up to £28.50, with the falafel plate at £9.50, the grilled Nabulsi cheese at £11.50 and the Brik au Truite at £25.50. The chicken heart skewer was a steal at £4.50. Desserts range from £7.95 to £12.50. If you’re very hungry, then go for the ‘Queen Feast’, which is £41 per person for a serious selection of the restaurant’s best dishes. The vegan version is £36, for a minimum of two sharing.

What’s nearby?

You’re right in the middle of Glastonbury, so there’s a world of esoteric shopping just steps away. A walk up the Tor is a must, as is a sip of water from the ancient and holy Chalice Well. There’s also the historic ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, the supposed burial place of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere (well, that’s what some monks said in 1191 after digging up their alleged bones).