At the unloved end of Cambridge’s vibrant Mill Road lies a new gastropub aimed at well-heeled locals – but The Royal Standard is worthy of a wider audience. Fortunately, its ‘Belgian’ theme is delivered with a light touch, so as well as craft ales, this free house offers an impressive array of gins and a menu that ventures beyond moules frites (which are, admittedly, the highlight, served with a choice of six different sauces). There’s a particularly strong line in hearty pub grub, with the likes of steak and kidney pudding, fish pie and the popular house burger. Generous portions, fair pricing, and a cosy atmosphere make the pub a popular venue both at weekends and on weekdays. Standards here, if not Royal, are certainly better than average – which shouldn’t be a surprise, as the chef is ex-Backstreet Bistro and the owners are veterans of the long-established The Cambridge Blue.