The winners of this year’s People’s Choice Awards are revealed!
More than 2,500 people voted in the People’s Choice 2026 Awards – a hugely impressive amount of support for our region’s businesses! It just goes to show how our local cafes and pubs, attractions and hotels, retailers and restaurants, salons and services keep our area thriving and improve our lives in so many different ways. What means the world to each and every business? Feeling that love!
Of course, nothing is better than actually visiting these places, buying their wares and utilising their services. But businesses are clear that the very next best thing we can all do to support them is to leave that positive review, share that social media post or reel, recommend them to a friend – or cast that vote!
Competition was stiff across all 13 categories in this year’s People’s Choice Awards, but the results are now in. Turn the page for the big reveal!
1. Best Cafe
Winner: Fitzbillies
A fixture of the Cambridge streets since 1921, Fitzbillies’ reputation holds strong thanks to the cakes, buns, slices and sandwiches on display in the Trumpington Street, Bridge Street and King’s Parade cafe windows, tempting many a passerby alongside gift-worthy hampers, sharing boxes and memorable event catering.
Highly commended: Stir
2. Best Hotel or B&B
Winner: University Arms
With 189 luxury rooms and suites across four floors, views across Parker’s Piece and interiors that whisk you back in time to Edwardian elegance, while simultaneously providing every modern luxury and service, you chose University Arms as your winner in this competitive category.
Highly commended: Gonville Hotel
3. Best Wedding Supplier
Winner: Provenance
Many a magical moment has been created at Provenance in Whittlesford, where bespoke menus and flexible event spaces – including an open-sided barn, orchard, Airstream bar and traditional stretch tent – set amid acres of beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside help happy couples to achieve the wedding of their dreams.
Highly commended: The Old Hall Ely
4. Best Bar or Pub
Winner: Pint Shop
The perfect space, atmosphere, menus and drinks lists for group gatherings or solo moments – famed for its hearty Scotch egg with honey and mustard sauce, plus its selection of beers and ciders – Pint Shop has claimed the title of best bar or pub in the People’s Choice Awards for a second year running!
Highly commended: The Rupert Brooke
5. Best Restaurant
Winner: Provenance
Yes – we do have a double champion! Provenance has romped home for a second win, this time in the restaurant category, in recognition of the outstanding service and wood-fired, locally sourced seasonal British ingredients on offer at Brix + Mortar, the restaurant on its site in Whittlesford.
Highly commended: Kibou
6. Best Local Producer or Supplier
Winner: The Gog Farm Shop
A firm favourite among Cambridgeshire farm shops, The Gog has won you all over with its wide range of local and artisan ingredients and products, from meat and cheese to vegetables, chutney and bread – many of which are also served in breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes in its on-site cafe!
Highly commended: Cambridge Wine Merchants
7. Best Fashion Retailer
Winner: Grand Arcade
At the centre of your fashion universe is Grand Arcade – the retail hub in central Cambridge to which the biggest brands gravitate. There are around 50 premium and high-street stores over two floors – including fashion faves John Lewis & Partners, Phase Eight and Charles Tyrwhitt – making it a true one-stop shop.
Highly commended: Iris & Violet
8. Best Hair or Beauty Salon
Winner: Scruffs
Reigning supreme this year is Scruffs, which has proved itself ‘the home of hairdressing’. An independent, family-run business established in 1968 by Jon Chapman, today the 40-strong team is led by brothers Garry and Grant Chapman and offers cutting, styling, colouring, bridal and prom hair-ups and hair replacement.
Highly commended: House of Beauty
9. Best Health or Wellbeing Provider
Winner: The Glassworks
Cambridge residents’ first port of call when it comes to wellbeing? The Glassworks health club and spa in the heart of the city has got all bases covered, with state-of-the-art gym and spa facilities, a team of expert therapists offering Elemis spa treatments and personal trainers to tailor lifestyle programmes, plus an Aveda hair salon!
Highly commended: Cambridge Country Club
10. Best Home or Garden Retailer
Winner: Scotsdales
Steaming ahead of the competition in this category, Scotsdales is your home and garden champion. A family-run collection of Cambridge garden centres, it has a 50-year history of helping local residents create and nurture their home havens with its selection of outdoor and indoor plants, pet care, homeware and garden essentials.
Highly commended: Sew Knit Craft
11. Best Tourist Attraction
Winner: Cambridge University Botanic Garden
A true urban oasis that helps our wellbeing, our knowledge and our city’s reputation, the Cambridge University Botanic Garden has been welcoming visitors since its foundation in 1762. Today it holds a collection of more than 8,000 plant species from all over the world to facilitate teaching, research and enjoyment.
Highly commended: Wimpole Estate
12. Best Arts & Cultural Venue or Experience
Winner: Fitzwilliam Museum and Kettle’s Yard
What’s this? Joint winners? Yes – would you believe it – Kettle’s Yard and Fitzwilliam Museum received exactly the same number of votes in this year’s awards! And so, these two gems in Cambridge’s cultural crown share the accolade of best venue, thanks to their carefully curated, engaging exhibitions and collections of both art and object.
Highly commended: Cambridge Film Festival
13. Best Home or Legal Services
Winner: Tees Law
Founded in 1913, Tees Law now unites the traditional values of a family firm with a modern, national approach. The team’s first-class customer service and 360° legal and financial advice have earned it Legal 500 Top Tier rankings both this year and last – as well as the People’s Choice 2026 Award for best home or legal services.
Highly commended: Savills
The people have spoken!
Big congratulations to all of the winners and runners-up, and a huge thank you to everyone who voted – your support is so appreciated!