Best Restaurants in Cambridge: Where to Eat and Drink in Cambridge

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A selection of tapas dishes on a tabletop

Best restaurants in Cambridge

Mercado Central – best dinner spot in Cambridge

Channel a Spanish getaway in the heart of Cambridge at Mercado Central, where the team transform local British produce into dishes inspired by traditional Spanish markets and flavours. The perfect croquettes (crisp on the outside, melting in the middle) with a puddle of aioli are not to be missed to start with, alongside unique rosemary manchego cheese. The short mains menu is generous and varied – the Iberico pork was a highlight. Wash it all down with a glass of sangria or take a recommendation from the impressive wine list, then finish your meal with a traditional almond tart. The intimate, cosy setting, set over two floors of a Cambridge townhouse, makes this a great date night or special occasion spot. mercadocentral.co.uk

Mercado_Central_Cambridge_Patricia_Niven

Stir Bakery – best bakery in Cambridge

A stop off at Stir Bakery is the best way to start a busy day in Cambridge. The diminutive bakery, tucked away on Green Street in the heart of the city, displays freshly baked loaves (handy if you are self-catering), cakes and pastries, and serves up speciality coffee. Choosing a breakfast pastry will be a struggle – our highlights were a supremely light and fluffy cinnamon knot, and a deliciously squishy pain au raisin with a drizzle of icing. A select range of freshly baked brownies and biscuits (we were tempted by a bag of chewy amaretti) provide a snack for later in the day. Perch on the window bench inside or take your coffee and pastries to go and find a spot to people-watch. yourstir.co.uk

Bread & Meat – best sandwiches in Cambridge

These are no ordinary sandwiches. Independent small eatery Bread & Meat (just round the corner from Kings College) has been serving up cracking, generously loaded sandwiches for over 10 years. Everything is cooked onsite and you can choose between a ciabatta, poutine or bowl, served on rustic metal trays in a buzzy atmosphere. Our favourites are the giant warm ciabatta sandwiches, with a side portion of poutine for the best of both worlds. Take your pick of sandwich fillings from herby porchetta or juicy honey soy chicken to interpretation of Philly cheese steak or roast beef with roasted garlic aioli. There are also veggie options and a weekly special. breadandmeat.co.uk

Novi – best brunch in Cambridge

For a fun weekend brunch with a group, buzzy all-day Novi is worth a visit. The varied menu has the classics covered, with scrambled eggs and avocado toast, along with global-inspired dishes such as red pepper and harissa shakshuka or 'nduja Turkish eggs. There's a dedicated waffle menu, with sweet and savoury toppings including smoked salmon, fried chicken or hazelnut granola. Our breakfast burrito was hearty with a decent hit of spice, and a side portion of herby roast potatoes was generous. There's a bottomless brunch option of £39pp for bottomless prosecco, beer or mimosas alongside any brunch dish. novicambridge.co.uk

Bould Brothers – best speciality coffee spot in Cambridge

Describing themselves as 'serious about quality', Bould Brothers is a spot for the coffee connoisseur. There are two branches in the city – one near the station and Downing College, and one nearer the city centre and St John's college – so regardless of where you explore, good coffee shouldn't be too far away. Coffee is carefully sourced; pick up a bag of their seasonal house coffee beans to take home. bouldbrotherscoffee.co.uk

Jack’s Gelato – best gelato in Cambridge

This sleek gelato parlour serves a range of inventive flavours, all made by hand in small batches in the downstairs kitchen. Ingredients are carefully considered, whether that's the coffee beans sourced from Essex-based The Coffee Officina or the Pump Street chocolate used in the stracciatella flavour.

Come rain or shine there’s usually a queue down the street, but it’s worth joining. The menu changes daily but if they’re in stock, make the most of your cone with some hazelnut brittle, sweet-salty treacle or refreshing alphonso mango sorbet. You can also expect white peach, Greek yogurt and elderflower sorbet throughout the year. In the winter, the mince pie flavour is a highlight, while in the summer months, you’ll find the cool Cambridge crowd enjoying scoops of rhubarb and rose sorbetti from the parlour’s tricycle, which travels around the city. If you’re really peckish (or can’t visit on a regular basis), buy a tub of your favourite flavour to store in the freezer. jacksgelato.com

Cones topped with hazelnut brittle and salted treacle gelato at Jack's Gelato in Cambridge

Aromi – best café in Cambridge

Aromi occupies a sprawling corner of Bene't Street, located opposite the Corn Exchange, for a handy stop off before a gig or comedy show. Pick up pasta, slices of pizza or Sicilian cannoli to take away, or sit in for their unique rectangular pizzas in the restaurant. The Sicilian sourdough bases come fresh from the oven with authentic chewy crusts and leopard-spotted char. Whole pizzas are good value, starting at £6.90 for a simple marinara. Don't miss the ragu-filled arancini to start. aromi.co.uk

Cambridge Wine Merchants – best wine spot in Cambridge

This stylish wine bar has a huge collection of wines, beers, spirits and whiskies – browse the shelves to find something new, take recommendations from the in-house experts or pick a glass from the wine bar menu. You might just find a new favourite bottle to take home. Find a table inside among the shelves packed with interesting bottles during winter, and in summer nab one of the sought-after outdoor tables to watch the world go by. cambridgewine.com

Cambridge Wine Merchants Bridge Street Store 2 copy

The Cambridge Chop House – best Sunday roast with a view in Cambridge

You'll undoubtedly walk past the Cambridge Chop House as you explore the city, with its prime central location opposite King's College and next to the famous Corpus Clock. Inside, there's an unexpectedly large basement downstairs with booths tucked into brick arches, but try and book a table upstairs in the window for a meal with a view. As the name would suggest, the menu is heaven for meat lovers – from steaks and chops to slow-braised pig cheeks, grilled venison haunch and hearty pies of the day. On Sunday it's all about the roasts, with generous portions piled high with fluffy Yorkshire puddings and lashings of rich gravy. Kick off with the deep-fried brie bites to share – crunchy on the outside, melting in the middle with a punch of caramelised onion mayo. A special mention for the mocktails too – both a homemade lemonade and the apple and elderflower fizz were winners. cambridgechophouse.co.uk

Varsity Hotel – best rooftop bar in Cambridge

Escape from the hustle and bustle of the city on a sunny day and head up to the Varsity Hotel Rooftop Terrace for a cocktail. There may be a queue to get in, but it moves quickly, as the rooftop is large with plenty of tables. The compact cocktail menu covers the classics – fans of a sweeter drink will enjoy the Vodka Blush made with Absolut Vodka, vanilla, lemonade, lemon juice, cranberry juice and fresh raspberries. The crowd is varied, from graduates celebrating in gowns to hen groups and couples, all admiring the view over the Cambridge spires. In a famously flat part of the country, it's a unique perspective six floors up. thevarsityhotel.co.uk/the-terrace

Hot Numbers Coffee Roasters – best coffee in Cambridge

Named after the record store that once traded on the adjacent street, Hot Numbers Coffee Roasters is a must for caffeine lovers. The menu is split into two sections: black coffees or espressos with milk. Choose between filter, pour-over or nitro cold brew (great in the summer months).

All the coffee is single-origin and roasted in nearby Stapleford, with beans from Costa Rica, Ethiopia or El Salvador, which can also be bought to take away.

Hot Numbers has two locations, but we especially like the Gwydir Street branch, an airy space with large warehouse windows, communal wooden benches lit by dangling filament bulbs and a peppering of pot plants. In the morning students sit tapping away on laptops and catching up over brunch (avocado on fluffy cornbread, punchy chilli with burnt lime and sweet shredded carrot…) while in the evenings you can sit and sip to a background of live jazz. hotnumberscoffee.co.uk

Avocado and poached egg on cornbread on Hot Numbers Coffee Roasters Cambridge

Stem & Glory – best vegan food in Cambridge

For some of the best plant-based food in Cambridge, detour down a residential street to Stem & Glory. The bright space, dotted with white tables and plants, is as fresh as the food on offer. For something hearty, order the Keralan curry with roast cauliflower, in a rich tomato and coconut sauce.

Small sharing plates are spot on, from a warm salad of golden beets and charred baby gem with a sweet orange and mint dressing to smoky aubergine with fragrant quinoa tabbouleh.

Desserts are not to be missed either: order a slice of the raw blueberry and banana cheesecake, packed with nuts and dates, or a slice of blood orange cake, generously soaked in maple syrup and topped with toasted pumpkin seeds and creamy soy yogurt.

Book ahead for lunch on a Sunday when the restaurant buzzes with families tucking into the kitchen’s signature hazelnut and mushroom nut roast, served with maple-roast parsnips and spiced red cabbage. stemandglory.uk

Fitzbillies – best Cambridge icon

Fitzbillies is a Cambridge institution, loved by students and locals alike. The original café, on Trumpington Street, has been around since 1920, and dark wood-panelled walls and window displays of tiered cakes add to its historic feel.

If you fancy somewhere with a fresher vibe, head to buzzing Bridge Street and grab a seat on the high stools in its window, while the whirr of a coffee machine and the chatter of families rumbles gently in the background.

Be prepared to queue on a weekend, but it’s worth it for the signature Chelsea buns, gently spiced and bursting with currants and sticky sugar syrup. For something different, enjoy the blueberry cheesecake bun with cream cheese icing. If you can, stay for a brunch of sourdough toast with poached eggs, or a grilled cheese sandwich. If not, order a sausage roll or a sticky bun to take down to the river with you. fitzbillies.com

Parker’s Tavern – best for British classics in Cambridge

Parker’s Tavern is a British brasserie that’s part of the University Arms hotel. Chef Tristan Welch is at the helm and, after three years working in Mustique (and prior to that Le Gavroche and Glenapp Castle), he returned to his home town, creating a menu that celebrates East Anglian produce. Expect homely classics, such as fishcakes and potted shrimp, alongside pies and roast meats.

Start with silkily-smooth truffled duck egg on toast, laced with truffle-mushroom mayo and sherry vinegar, or the lightly spiced coronation chicken, served with sweet chunks of grilled apricot, nuggets of almonds and crisp butter lettuce. Mains are hearty, from tender duck served with creamed potato and bitter spinach to roast suckling pig with crisp crackling and smoky braised fennel. For those with a sweet tooth, the Duke of Cambridge Tart is a must. It's a reinvention of a historic pudding, with a treacly spiced marmalade filling on a buttery pastry base, served with a generous dollop of clotted cream. parkerstavern.com

The dining room at the University Arms hotel. Red leather seats hug the pale grey washed walls which have Cambridge-inspired artwork hanging on them

Midsummer – best fine dining in Cambridge

If you’re looking for Michelin-starred dining, book a table at Midsummer House. The two-starred restaurant is a classy spot, with conservatory tables laid with crisp white cloths and vases of dainty flowers.

Choose between the à la carte menu or an eight-course tasting menu (a lighter lunch menu is also available midweek). Dishes focus on British produce, from braised Cornish turbot with clams and gnocchi to Cumbrian lamb served with heritage tomatoes. The killer dish? Scallop, truffle and apple. It's been on the menu since the restaurant opened, and it’s easy to see why: made with Bramley and Blenheim Orange apples grown in the restaurant’s kitchen garden, it’s fresher than a college quad in Fresher's Week. midsummerhouse.co.uk

Roasted Sea Scallop Celeriac and Truffle Puree at Midsummer House

Credit: Tim Green

Steak & Honour – best burgers in Cambridge

Plastic trays, communal and counter seating, and a queue out of the door – not necessarily hallmarks of a must-visit restaurant, but Steak & Honour is greater than the sum of its parts.

A short menu above the bijou open kitchen on the ground floor displays this three-storey restaurant’s speciality for all to see: burgers. Chef-owners Leo Riethoff and David Underwood met while working at Michelin-starred Alimentum in the city, before joining forces in Steak & Honour mark I, a vintage Citroën van. Another van – and several years and many burgers later – the duo have laid roots on Wheeler Street in the city centre.

The ‘classic’ proves that a well-made burger is hard to beat. A soft and not-too-sweet brioche bun from local Dovecote Bakery hugs a simple patty of ground beef (nothing else) from Riverside Beef, whose cows graze on pastures and water meadows of Cambridgeshire and the surrounding counties. It’s served pink, is the kind of juicy that will risk dribbles down the chin with every bite, and is exceptionally well seasoned.

Don’t skip the sides, either – they are yet another reminder that there’s a supremely talented pair of chefs behind the grill. Three-cheese mac & cheese is good enough to fight over. steakandhonour.co.uk

Best hotels in Cambridge

The Varsity Hotel

The Varsity Hotel has plenty to offer for a special stay in Cambridge. Situated in the heart of the city (close to Jesus and St John's colleges), this boutique hotel has 48 colourful rooms with unique artwork and design for a cosy base. For an extra-memorable stay, book a Senior Fellows Kings Room and enjoy floor-to-ceiling windows, a four-poster bed and huge bathrooms with underfloor heating and freestanding bathtubs or giant walk-in showers with Elemis toiletries. Breakfast is served in the Six Brasserie on the sixth floor, so you can start your day with views of the city, or return later in the day for afternoon tea with warm scones and classic finger sandwiches.

During your stay, head to the Glassworks gym and spa for a massage, facial or dip in the whirlpool hot tub overlooking the river, and finish your day upstairs on the Rooftop Terrace for a cocktail at sunset.

Doubles from £222; check availability at booking.com or thevarsityhotel.co.uk

University Arms

Originally opened as a hotel in 1834, the University Arms has undergone an £80m transformation by architect John Simpson and the interior designer every hotelier wants to work with, Martin Brudnizki – adding a glamorous new facelift to its elegant, historic bone structure.

The white stone building, with its striking Corinthian-style pillars and grand entrance, sits on Cambridge’s lush Parker’s Piece (an open green). Parquet flooring, Cambridge Blue walls and locally inspired artwork gives it a fresh but quintessentially Edwardian English vibe, and the dapperly dressed concierge swiftly appears to greet you good day.

There are 192 bedrooms, split into cosy, classic, superior and suite categories. Each one is thoughtfully equipped with city guides and access to free bicycle hire. Read our full review of the University Arms.

Doubles from £169; check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com

A large bedroom with pale blue walls, mustard yellow curtains and a blue armchair in the corner. There is a double bed and a book case with books and flowers on it

The Regent

If you'd like the option for flexible self-catering, The Regent aparthotel offers a basic blend of hotel and self-catering style across 22 rooms. It's conveniently located on the road towards Cambridge station so would make a good base for short or business stays.

Classic rooms have a mini fridge and coffee machine, but all other room types have a compact kitchenette with an oven, basic equipment and dining table should you want to stay in. The large beds are comfy, and the complimentary toiletries and walk-in rainfall showers add a more luxury feel to the overall minimalist vibe. In the morning there's a grab-and-go continental breakfast downstairs, but you're also situated close to Novi (see above) for a more decadent brunch.

Doubles from £182; check availability at booking.com or theregentcambridge.com