Casual Dining
For a casual bite, Cambridge city centre is teeming with options. A great place to start is Bene’t Street, a foodie hotspot that’s home to some of the city’s finest. Bread & Meat serves gourmet sandwiches made with sourdough bread and delicious roasted meats: the must-try is the roast porchetta, served with herby salsa verde, but the poutine, smothered in melty cheese and rich gravy, is well worth a look too. Other good laidback eateries include The Grafton’s Amelie, specialising in flam-kuche (a pizza-style dish with a super crispy base), and Espresso Library, which does a great line in brunches, lunches and speciality coffee.
Street Food Heroes
Cambridge is home to a genuinely exciting street food scene, with top chefs serving up everything from Sri Lankan curries to artisan pizza. The best way to taste your way around the cream of the food truck crop is at foodPark, which hosts regular lunchtime markets around the city. From Guerrilla Kitchen’s steamed bao to Steak & Honour’s Cambridge-famous burgers and Pimp My Fish’s twist on classic fish and chips – you’re sure to be impressed by the diversity of what’s on offer. Remember to save space for dessert at the Churros Bar or Sweet Ally Scoops.
The Best of the Restaurants
It’s tough to narrow down the huge choice of fantastic restaurants in Cambridge to a few top picks, but there are several standouts which deserve a mention. The Garden House at the Graduate hotel is headed up by acclaimed chef Adam Wood, and offers refined, seasonally-inspired small plates packed with local produce.
Mercado Central, meanwhile, transports your tastebuds to Spain with exquisite Galician seafood, Iberico pork, authentic tapas and perfectly prepared paella. Seafood lovers will be in heaven at Mill Road’s Fin Boys: a fish restaurant and butchery which serves sensational tasting menus and a brunch with a fishy twist.
Last but by no means least, Restaurant 22 is the jewel in Cambridge’s culinary crown, offering the holy trinity of exceptional food, wonderful service and a gorgeous setting in a Victorian townhouse – truly not to be missed, but you’ll need to be organised and book well in advance.
Vegan Variety
Those favouring a plant-based diet have more dining options than ever before here in Cambridge, from top-end fast food at Vegan Vice and Doppleganger, to v-friendly food and drinks at the Old Bicycle Shop. A recent addition, the Tipsy Vegan, has already created a huge buzz with its sumptuous small pates and sharing platters – all vegan – as well as its plant-based cocktails, created with homemade infusions and fermentations. The riverside location means it’s a great spot for people watching, too.
Sweet Treats
Got a sweet tooth? Mosey down All Saint’s Passage to Hill St – creators of luxury chocolates made with the finest ingredients – and then try Jack’s Gelato just next door. This renowned local ice cream shop also has a branch on Bene’t Street, but the All Saint’s Passage shop is where locals go to beat the queues. Whichever outpost you visit, you’re guaranteed a selection of innovative iced treats, with flavours including burnt sugar and salt gelato.
