With a unique character and a treasure trove of independent businesses, there’s lots to discover in this corner of Cambridge
Covering a mile-long stretch that reaches from Parker’s Piece down to the edge of Romsey at Brooks Road, Mill Road seems to have a personality all of its own – one that can feel sharply distinct from the ‘gown’ side of Cambridge life that lies beyond Reality Checkpoint. Forever bustling with activity and home to plentiful shops, restaurants and well-loved local pubs, it has a proud sense of community, and unlike other parts of Cambridge that have succumbed to chain stores and large retail developments, it remains a bastion of small, independent business.
It’s one of the city’s most diverse and lively neighbourhoods, and it’s not just residents that find a particular joy in Mill Road life: the street’s business owners also revel in its unique spirit. “Mill Road, with all its quirks, is one of the best places to start or run a business,” says Joey, co-owner of Fratelli Hair salon. “It’s a vibrant area with a sense of community, and we’re fortunate to have everything we need right here, from local suppliers to supportive neighbours. This helps our business thrive; our customers appreciate coming here not just for our services, but for the overall experience that Mill Road offers. There’s something special about the energy and character of this place that keeps people coming back. It’s more than just a location; it’s a community hub, and we’re proud to be a part of it.”
A case in point is the beloved Winter Fair, traditionally taking place on the first Saturday of December each year. Founded in 2005 with the goal of celebrating and attracting visitors to the area, the event has since blossomed into one of the most popular calendar fixtures throughout the city – attracting around 10,000 punters every winter with stalls, live music and food from all over the world.
Eat & drink
There’s plenty of choice when it comes to dining and drinking around Mill Road. Start at Fin Boys, a sleek seafood restaurant run by local foodie legends Richard Stokes and Jay Scrimshaw. Described in a glowing review by The Guardian’s Jay Rayner as offering ‘inventive cookery and seriously good ingredients’, this excellent eatery serves up six-course set tasting menus on Fridays and Saturdays, featuring dishes like homemade prawn toast, crab risotto, and pan-fried seabass with yellow marmalade.
Another fine-dining stop-off is Fancett’s, a French bistro-style restaurant offering a fixed-price lunch and dinner. Recommended in both the Michelin Guide and The Good Food Guide, indulgence is the name of the game at this compact dining spot, where you can feast on hand-rolled parmesan gnocchi, strawberry soufflé and other decadent fare. Pre-warning: you’ll need to book in advance to secure a spot.
Another exceptional restaurant putting Mill Road on the culinary map is Vanderlyle, which serves up plant-based tasting menus and thoughtfully paired drinks in a stylish setting. Head chef Alex Rushmer – erstwhile Masterchef star – flexes his creativity in the open kitchen, delivering plate after plate of flavour-packed food that will delight both non-meat-eaters and devoted carnivores alike.
At the more casual end of the spectrum, Urban Larder on The Broadway remains a favourite for its toasties and cakes, while Tradizioni is the place for authentic Italian pasta and pizza. Hot Numbers Coffee Roasters on Gwydir Street – the OG branch of the Hot Numbers empire – is a true local institution, adored for its speciality coffee and luxurious brunch menu.
For cocktails, it has to be 196 – a cocktail bar responsible for many a brutal hangover for Mill Roaders. With just a handful of tables inside, tables and chairs frequently spill out onto the pavement outside, and it’s easy to see why the punters flock in once you’ve sampled the bartenders’ perfectly executed tipples. We would be remiss not to mention Mill Road’s healthy pub scene too; particular favourites are The Cambridge Blue – where you can expect a lively atmosphere and huge selection of beers from around the world – and The Kingston Arms, a friendly, much-loved watering hole where you can order in pizza from Scott’s All Day.
Speaking of Scott’s, this buzzy brunch and pizza joint became an instant hit with locals when it opened in 2019, and has only grown in popularity in the years since. Inspired by owner Scott’s travels across the pond, there’s an American influence on the menu – which offers pancakes, wings and irresistible ice cream sundaes. It’s most famous for its pizzas, though, with Scott himself recommending the award-winning pepperoni and hot honey Detroit – a pan pizza with a crispy, chewy, cheesy crust topped with mangalica from Culinaris over the road. For breakfast, he recommends The Lumberjack, an indulgent stack of pancakes with crispy bacon, a sausage patty from Mill Road Butchers, crispy potatoes, eggs and lashings of maple syrup. “Mill Road is such a collaborative community; the other restaurants are always keen to lend a hand, like with our recent Vanderlyle collaboration. The shops stock everything you might ever need,” he comments. We couldn’t agree more!
Shop about
Music lovers should make a beeline for Relevant Record Cafe, a retro record store stocking both new and pre-owned vinyls ranging from recent releases to rare collectors’ editions. There’s often live music in the cafe upstairs, and don’t miss the Record Store Day festivities each April, when you can enjoy bands, a great atmosphere and a chance to pick up covetable rare releases.
For an edible purchase, grab pastries and freshly baked bread from Eclipse Bakery, Italian deli delights from Limoncello, and all kinds of artisanal treats from Culinaris. For something completely unique, check out The Old Chemist Shop, which stocks an amazing range of vintage clothing, collectibles and homeware. From retro barware to one-of-a-kind pieces of jewellery and quirky period clothing, it’s fun to explore – plus, you can hire outfits for costume parties. Sometimes missed on the Mill Road trail, but well worth a visit, is Bacchanalia. This friendly wine merchant stocks a dizzying choice of vino, artisan spirits and beers from all over the world – not to mention cask-conditioned local draught beer which customers can enjoy straight from the tap.
Not to be missed at number 82 is one of our absolute favourite Mill Road shops: Small & Green – a treasure trove of houseplants, cacti and succulents, as well as beautiful pots to house them in. It’s run by Janet Fox, who worked as a professional gardener for over 20 years before opening the store three years ago. “We are a small business that, as an independent, wants to showcase and support other independent businesses,” she explains. “We sell pots for our houseplants often handmade in the UK by a variety of unique suppliers, including hand-thrown ceramic ones made nearby in Gamlingay. Our compost is mixed and supplied by a British company, and all of the cards we sell are made in the UK. We think this makes us stand out as a business with a purpose – not only to sell a selection of easy-care houseplants (most of which are grown locally in peat-free compost), but also use suppliers who can guarantee a low carbon footprint by not having to send their products overseas.” .
Sibling Success in new venture
Fratelli Hair, co-owned by brothers Joey and Luigi, has been a cornerstone of Mill Road since 2013. Passionately dedicated to helping clients look and feel their best, the team pride themselves on delivering an exceptional experience. Whether you’re after a simple cut or a complete transformation, you’re in safe hands. A recent offshoot for the business has been Hair Systems – a new venture specialising in non-surgical alternatives to hair transplants. Born out of Joey’s personal experience with hair loss, the service offers a high-quality, undetectable hair replacements to cover balding and thinning areas. “It was a challenge that significantly impacted my self-confidence and day-to-day life,” Joey admits. “The idea for this business took root during those moments when something as simple as walking to the shop on a windy day filled me with dread. Dancing, socialising, even trying to catch the eye of someone I liked all became anxiety-inducing activities due to my receding hairline.”
Launching Hair Systems was his way of addressing this problem, not just for himself, but for others experiencing similar struggles. “Hair loss can feel like losing a part of yourself, and it’s daunting to face the possibility of shaving your head one day. But in today’s world – where enhancements are widely accepted – I asked myself: ‘Why not offer a solution that can give people their hair back, or even a fuller head of hair?’” he continues.
“What makes Hair Systems unique is our personal understanding of hair loss and our commitment to helping others overcome it. We’re not just another hair salon; we’re a place where people regain something they’ve lost.”
Tzatziki
Run by friends Sukh and Nikos, Tzatziki began as a takeaway-only service and has grown a following through its kitchen takeover of Mill Road’s Royal Standard pub. The souvlaki is a speciality, but the feta meli – feta pies with delicate pastry and Greek truffle honey – are also a must-try. Don’t miss the loukoumades doughnut balls, filled with honey and cinnamon, Biscoff cream, Nutella or Bueno cream.
