There’s a wealth of gastronomic gems to tuck into in this small city. Cambridge Edition’s Miriam Balanescu rounds up her pick of the best restaurants in Cambridge – including how expensive or budget-friendly they are.
From cheap eats to fancier finds, there are almost too many restaurant options to choose from in Cambridge. Old and new, there are endlessly more eateries cropping up around this East Anglian city, from hallowed hotspot Midsummer House to new udon bar Kineya.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or somewhere to spend a special evening, we’ve got you sorted with this guide to the best restaurants in Cambridge.
We’ve also included a handy price scale throughout (£-££££, least to most expensive) to help you gauge which restaurants will fit the budget.
Parker’s Tavern
Where: Regent Street, Cambridge
Price: ££££
Overlooking the rolling green of Parker’s Piece, this all-day brasserie is a pivotal part of Cambridge’s culinary scene – and, drawing in head chef Tristan Welch’s pick of top ingredients gathered from the region’s fields and Fens, offers up a true taste of the city. Head here for dishes and delights steered by the seasons.
Find out more at parkerstavern.com
Midsummer House
Where: Midsummer Common, Cambridge
Price: ££££
The jewel in Cambridge’s gastronomic crown, this Michelin star-bedecked restaurant is one for a special occasion. Charting three decades, Daniel Clifford has long been at the helm of a cutting-edge menu that will stun your tastebuds, from slow-cooked salmon with white chocolate and caviar sauce to poached kumquat with buffalo yoghurt sorbet.
Find out more at midsummerhouse.co.uk
Fin Boys
Where: Mill Road, Petersfield, Cambridge
Price: ££££
If sustainable, fresh-delivered fish has you hook, line and sinker then look no further. This shop and restaurant celebrates all manner of shellfish and marine creatures farmed from British shores, tossed together with incredible ingredients for a taste that makes waves on impact.
Find out more at fin-boys.com
Garden House
Where: Granta Place, Mill Lane, Cambridge
Price: £££
For cooking out of the frying pan and straight into the fire, Garden House, a grill-focused food spot, serves up the verve of the season. Find delectable sharing plates and platters here, from butterflied seam bream and shellfish butter to grilled flat peach, burrata, honey and thyme. One of the best restaurants in Cambridge, it even offers a gourmet roast, including pork and prune terrine and Jerusalem artichoke soup.
Find out more at gardenhousecambridge.co.uk
Vanderlyle
Where: Mill Road, Petersfield, Cambridge
Price: ££££
The king of Mill Road’s restaurant offering, Vanderlyle’s impeccable dishes hinge on seasonal, locally supplied veg prised from Cambridge’s landscape, sometimes even foraged. Despite its competitive reservation system, it’s well worth booking in.
Find out more at vanderlyle-restaurant.com
Fancett’s
Where: Mill Road, Cambridge
Price: ££££
Fusing French fare with local ingredients, this charming bistro changes its menu daily to match its produce, making each meal a truly unique experience. Find flavourful plates such as hand-cut steak tartare, assiette of Provençal vegetables and steeped English strawberries with crème fraiche on the menu.
Find out more at fancetts.com
Yippee Noodle Bar
Where: King St, Cambridge
Price: £
Usually packed out with locals and visitors alike, hordes squeeze onto benches to chow down on tasty pan-Asian grub. Perfect for an after-work bite or a speedy lunch.
Find out more at yippeenoodlebar.co.uk
The Cambridge Chop House
Where: King’s Parade, Cambridge
Price: £££
One of the restaurants most associated with Cambridge, the Chop House is situated amidst the hustle and bustle of King’s Parade. Expect traditional British fare with wine straight from their trademark cellars.
Find out more at cambridgechophouse.co.uk
Limoncello offers a little slice of Italy right here in Cambridge – great for a spritz or two
Limoncello
Where: Mill Road, Cambridge
Price: ££
Doubling as a deli, this Italian spot, recently under new management, has a menu of delectable pasta, pizza and special dishes. It’s alfresco dining is especially popular in the summer months, boasting a cute outdoor garden which is great for sitting back with a spritz or two.
Find out more at limoncello.co.uk
Savour delicious Sicilian sourdough pizzas at Aromi on Bene’t Street
Aromi
Where: Bene’t Street, Cambridge
Price: ££
One of the city’s favourite eateries, the recently expanded Aromi on Bene’t Street serves up delicious sourdough pizza piping hot from the oven and stores a tantalising array of Sicilian treats behind the counter. Perfect if you’re looking for one of the best pizza restaurants in Cambridge.
Find out more at aromi.co.uk
Bedouin
Where: Mill Road, Cambridge
Price: ££
Bringing a sprinkle of North African spice to Cambridge, Bedouin’s banquet of tagines, grills and tangy treats is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser. Founded in 2011, it’s not just the food but the furnishings that this eatery is famous for, with an actual Bedouin tent and wall rugs transported from the Sahara strung from the restaurant’s walls.
Find out more at bedouin-cambridge.com
This tandem-themed eatery climbs the city’s cycling obsession to a new level – ideal for vegans and veggies
The Old Bicycle Shop
Where: Regent Street, Cambridge
Price: ££
Rising like a phoenix from the ashes of the so-named old bicycle shop – in fact, the supposed oldest bicycle shop in the country, Howes Cycles – this tandem-themed eatery climbs the city’s cycling obsession to a new level, with decoration pieced together from repurposed bicycle parts. Vegans and vegetarians will feel right at home here.
Find out more at oldbicycleshop.com
Enjoy gourmet burgers at Steak & Honour – without breaking the bank
Steak & Honour
Where: Mill Road, Cambridge
Price: £
Dispelling the myth that fast food can’t be gourmet, this burger joint is a culinary touchstone – and, for great grub, the prices don’t break the bank.
Find out more at steakandhonour.co.uk
Noodles Plus
Where: Mill Rd, Petersfield, Cambridge
Price: £
Among the city’s cheapest eats, despite the low cost, this humble noodle bar in no way disappoints. Noodles and dumplings are all homemade and winningly simple – though you may have to fight for a seat, as queues usually stretch down Mill Road.
Find out more on their Facebook Page
Bread & Meat
Where: Bene’t St, Cambridge
Price: £
Taking sandwiches to the next level, this little nook keeps things simple – with brilliant results. Choose from poutine, sandwiches, flavour-packed bowls and brownies.
Find out more at breadandmeat.co.uk
Tu Casa
Where: Mill Rd, Petersfield, Cambridge
Price: £
Usually a packed house, this tapas den on Mill Road is sure to spice up an evening – check out their croquetas and expertly selected wine menu.
Find out more at tucasatapas.co.uk
Yori Cambridge
Where: St Andrew’s Street, Cambridge
Price: £
A relatively new restaurant on the block, this franchise’s much-welcome arrival in town offers classic Korean dishes.
Find out more at yoriuk.com
Unapologetically messy, sticky plates of spare ribs and dirty fries – this BBQ food spot is not to miss.
Smokeworks
Where: Free School Lane, Cambridge
Price: £
If you’re a fan of BBQ flavours, Smokeworks should hit the spot. With their unapologetically messy, sticky plates of spare ribs and dirty fries, this food spot is not to miss.
Find out more at smokeworks.co.uk
The Olive Grove
Where: Regent Street, Cambridge
Price: ££
Transporting you to the blue bays of Elafonisos, this Mediterranean eatery has attracted national press attention – and for good reason.
Find out more at the-olive grove.co.uk
For all things curry in Cambridge, The Tiffin Truck pairs street food with cosy home-style lunches.
The Tiffin Truck
Where: Regent Street, Cambridge
Price: £
For those not already well-acquainted, The Tiffin Truck will soon be your port of call for all things curry in Cambridge, pairing street food with cosy home-style tiffin lunches.
Find out more at thetiffintruck.co.uk
Kineya Mugimaru
Where:
Price: £
If you’re looking for the best Japanese restaurants in Cambridge, this fairly new gastronomical addition to the scene is already one of our favourites. Straight from Japan, try unparalleled udon dishes, from the clean and fresh kake udon to the traditional cold noodles with ginger and sesame.
Find out more at ichimaruudon.com