Evenings by the Fire at Provenance
Evening service at Provenance isn’t merely an extension of lunch hours, it’s when the restaurant truly comes alive. As daylight fades, the brick‑built hearth glows brighter, the kitchen fires are stoked and the dining room fills with the scent of smoke, herbs and slow‑roasted meats. Here’s how the evening schedule works and why it’s worth making the trip after dark.
When the Fires Burn Brightest
Provenance’s kitchen pauses after lunch to prep fresh ingredients and tend the wood‑fired hearth, then reopens for dinner on select nights. Thursday, Friday and Saturday are the key evenings, with service running from 18:00 until 21:00 for the kitchen and a little later in the dining room (up to 22:00 on Thursdays and 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays). Sundays offer a leisurely afternoon that stretches into early evening.
These later hours are designed so guests can relax into their meal. There’s no rushing to turn tables; instead, you’re encouraged to savour each course, linger over a glass of wine and let conversation unfold around the fire.
A Feast of Smoke and Season
What makes Provenance special at night is the way it celebrates local produce over flame. Co‑founders Kate Holden and Greg Proud built their permanent restaurant around a wood‑fired hearth, keeping menus simple but vibrant with seasonal ingredients. The chefs cook with open flame, and charcoal, adding wood as a final ingredient to imbue dishes with deep, smoky flavour. Whether you choose prime cuts of meat, freshly landed fish or vegetarian plates, the evening menu is designed to showcase the best of the season with a hint of smoke.
Provenance’s ingredients are chosen with intention. The team works closely with farms and producers across Cambridgeshire and the surrounding counties, ensuring the food reflects the landscape and seasons. Vegetables arrive fresh from local growers, meats are selected from regional farms that take pride in responsible husbandry, and fruit is often gathered just a few miles down the road. This closeness to the source means the menu changes naturally with the time of year, not as a trend, but as a way of honouring what tastes best in the moment.
Dinner is the ideal time to experience Provenance’s nose‑to‑tail ethos. Their Whole Beast Feast events, held on select evenings, use every part of an animal. Past feasts have included lamb belly skewers, deep‑fried shoulder lasagne and chargrilled legs; upcoming events promise deer celebrations, featuring multiple courses prepared over coals.
Reasons to Go After Dark
Atmosphere: The open‑plan kitchen allows you to watch flames dance and chefs work with fire. Hanging plants and natural wood create a cosy, sophisticated setting, while long, sturdy tables encourage sharing and conversation.
Local Flavours: The bar pours draft beers from nearby BrewBoard brewery and non‑alcoholic drinks from Cambridge Juice Company. Wines and spirits are carefully chosen to complement smoky dishes.
Events and Community: Evenings are when Provenance hosts its most memorable events, from Whole Beast Feasts and silent‑disco parties to seasonal celebrations like the Orchard Feast and Oktoberfest collaborations. These gatherings bring together food lovers, local producers and live entertainment.
Unhurried Service: With later closing times, you’re free to enjoy multiple courses at a leisurely pace. Friendly staff ensure you’re well looked after, making it a perfect setting for date nights, celebrations or simply unwinding after a long week.
Plan Your Visit
If you’re looking for an evening that feels considered, welcoming and full of flavour, book a table during Provenance’s dinner service. Thursday through Saturday are when the wood-fired cooking shines at its most expressive, while Sundays offer a slower, more relaxed way to round off the week with good food and good company. And if you’re in the mood for something memorable, keep an eye out for the Whole Beast Feasts and seasonal celebration nights, they tend to fill quickly.
Provenance has grown from a travelling kitchen to a restaurant rooted deeply in its surroundings, working closely with local farmers, growers and makers. At night, the glow of the hearth, the rhythm of the kitchen and the atmosphere in the dining room all come together. Whether it’s the draw of open-fire cooking, the joy of sharing dishes at the table or simply the comfort of being well-looked after, an evening at Provenance lingers long after the plates are cleared.
