Queen of Cups

This 17th century coaching inn has been lovingly converted into a gastropub offering a taste of the Middle East while reflecting the heritage of its location.

The name itself originates from the art of Tarot Card reading, paying homage to the mystical nature of Glastonbury, while the character symbolises feminine energy, emotional connection and compassion, all of which form the heart of the pub operation.

Kalaji herself is a classically French-trained chef, brought up in Anglesey but of Jordanian Heritage. She studied at SOAS in London before going onto to train at Leiths School of Food and Wine.

Having trained as a butcher at the acclaimed west London butchery Parson's Nose, she took her first kitchen job at the Palomar in Rupert Street, London, and Bubala in Soho, before moving to work at Sosban & the Old Butchers, a Michelin-starred restaurant back in Anglesey.

Her food journey was shaped by spending summers with grandma in Jordan, and her studies at SOAS ignited her passion for Middle Eastern Cuisine.

She founded the Queen of Cups in 2021 after moving to Glastonbury and subsequent appearances on Masterchef The Professionals helped to raise the profile of both Kalaji and the pub.

Visitors to the venue can expect a range of colourful and delicious dishes, including Lavendar braised lamb, sorrel yoghurt, grilled plums and giant cous cous, as well as Laverbread falafel, sumac, lime fennel, tahini.

The pub has quickly built a name for itself for putting a Middle Eastern spin on traditional dishes, with the standout being Shish Barak, dumpling served in yoghurt, made with pork, wild garlic and chanterelles.