★★ |
Alimentum |
Alimentium Ltd 152-154 Hills Road CAMBRIDGE CB2 8PB |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 413000 |
Expensive, Modern European. Its one Michelin star1, three AA rosettes2 and listing in The Good Food Guide 20133 all suggest that Alimentium is the second-best restaurant in Cambridge. Chef/patron Mark Poynton was formerly the head chef at Midsummer House. ‘Sleek, stylish restaurant with a spacious cocktail bar and a striking red and black dining room with bold feature walls’1, ‘high-impact food’3, ‘chirpy, helpful and unobtrusive staff’3 but a ‘“terrible” city-fringe location’4. Surprisingly, in December 2012 it received a food hygiene rating of just two stars out of five. |
Auntie’s Tea Shop |
Aunties Tea Shop Ltd 1 St. Marys Passage CAMBRIDGE CB2 3PQ |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 315641 |
Tea Room. ‘Traditional cream teas and cakes on fancy plates, plus light lunches’5. | |
Bill’s |
Bill’s 34-35 Green Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 3JX |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 329638 |
‘Outpost of what’s fast becoming a nationwide chain, a newcomer tipped for food that’s “really good, by Cambridge standards”, it’s ideal for “a relaxed coffee and a sandwich”, but the more substantial evening offer also has its fans’4. | |
Bistro du Vin, Hotel du Vin |
Hotel Du Vin 15-19 Trumpington Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 1QA |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 084473 64253 |
French. Housed in an ex-university owned eighteenth century building, ‘classic dishes presented in a modern style, with French undertones’1. ‘Relaxed, buzzy ambience’1 with ‘indifferent and disorganised service’4. | |
Browns Bar & Brasserie |
Browns Restaurant 23 Trumpington Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 1QA |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 461655 |
British/Continental. ‘Browns, part of a posh burger/steak/pasta chain, has wicker chairs, high ceilings, fans and conservatory-style airiness that create a genteel atmosphere. It’s also a good place for breakfast, brunch, and afternoon tea. Outdoor seating is available’6. | |
Cafe Naz |
Cafe Naz 45 Castle Street CAMBRIDGE CB3 0AH |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 363666 |
Curry restaurant. According to the 2013 Cobra Good Curry Guide7, the best curry restaurant in Cambridgeshire, among the top three in East Anglia and among their Top 100 in Britain. ‘One of the very successful restaurants in the bright, well-run chain. It is in our A-LIST as Nominated Best Bangladeshi and Winner Best Chef Award’7. | |
★ |
The Cambridge Chop House |
Cambridge Chop House Ltd 1 Kings Parade CAMBRIDGE CB2 1SJ |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 359506 |
Traditional British. A highly popular relaxed bistro-style restaurant with wooden floors and giant windows overlooking King’s Parade serving classic, meat-heavy English cuisine. |
Charlie Chan |
Charlie Chans 14 Regent Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 1DB |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 359336 |
‘Fresh high-quality ingredients and careful preparation go into the finest Chinese food in the region, with all the classic dishes such as crispy Peking duck plus excellent lunchtime dim sum. There’s live dinner jazz downstairs at weekends’8. | |
Clowns |
Clowns Cafe 54 King Street CAMBRIDGE CB1 1LN |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 355711 |
Cafe, Cheap. Run by a friendly Italian family and decked out with pictures of clowns. ‘Great for a cooked breakfast’9, ‘wonderful coffee’5 and ‘their pasta dishes come especially recommended’8. | |
Cocum |
Cocum 71 Castle Street CAMBRIDGE CB3 0AH |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 312569 |
Curry restaurant. ‘Good Keralan food plus they do formula curries as well’7. | |
★ |
Cotto |
Cotto 185 East Road CAMBRIDGE CB1 1BG |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 302010 |
Modern European, Expensive. ‘By day, a café serving homemade pastries, platters and snacks. By night, a restaurant with large illuminated canvases and a weekly set menu of well-prepared, classically based dishes that showcase excellent ingredients. Very personally run’1. |
d’Arry’s Cookhouse and Wine Shop |
d’Arry’s Wine Shop 2-4 King Street CAMBRIDGE CB1 1LN |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 505015 |
‘A rather up-and-down year for reports on this gastropub behind Christ’s College; it’s tipped to get back on top form, though, following the recent return of the original chef!’4. | |
Dojo Noodle Bar |
Dojo Noodle Bar 1-2 Millers Yard Mill Lane CAMBRIDGE CB2 1RQ |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 363471 |
Asian, Cheap. ‘Favoured by students from Queens’ and noodle lovers in general, this brisk spot serves generous portions of Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese and Malaysian noodle and rice dishes within a compact, bright interior’9. | |
Eraina Taverna |
Eraina Taverna 2 Free School Lane CAMBRIDGE CB2 3QA |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 368786 |
‘Packed taverna, which satisfies the hungry hordes with huge platefuls of stews and grills, as well as pizzas, curries and a whole host of other menu madness. Try to avoid getting stuck in the basement, though at weekends (when you’ll probably have to queue) you’ll be lucky to get a seat anywhere’.10 | |
Fair Shares Café |
Emmanuel United Reformed Church Trumpington Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 1QY |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 351174 |
British. ‘This cafe is highly recommended by locals for its wholesome homemade lunches. Fair trade products are used wherever possible, and the cafe is run in a non-profit partnership with the church (where it’s located) and Mencap volunteers’6. | |
★ |
Fitzbillies |
Fitzbillies 51-52 Trumpington Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 1RG |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 352500 |
Bakery/Cafe/Modern British, Cheap. This famous (and recently resurrected) cake shop/café/restaurant is a much-beloved institution, acclaimed for its sticky Chelsea buns sold since 1922. The dinner menu (Friday and Saturday only) includes British and Mediterranean cuisine. |
The Gardenia |
Gardenia Take Away 2 Rose Crescent CAMBRIDGE CB2 3LL |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 356354 |
Greek, Cheap. This legendary Greek fast food joint, known as Gardies, is responsible for the late-night nutrition of a significant proportion of the student population9. Those in the know can eat in by going upstairs to a secret dining room. | |
The Golden Curry |
Golden Curry 111-113 Mill Road CAMBRIDGE CB1 2AZ |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 329432 |
Curry restaurant. | |
★ |
Graffiti Restaurant, Hotel Felix |
Hotel Felix Huntingdon Road Girton CAMBRIDGE CB3 0LX |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 277977 |
Modern British. Out in Girton, two miles north west of the centre of Cambridge. ‘Dark wood furnished restaurant hung with contemporary art. Cosy fire for colder months and south facing terrace the perfect spot in summer. Interesting modern menu with Mediterranean twists.’1 |
Hakka Chinese Restaurant |
Hakka Chinese Restaurant 24 Milton Road CAMBRIDGE CB4 1JY |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 568988 |
Chinese. ‘Chef Daniel’s mother has taught him the secrets of Hakka cooking and once you’ve tasted his signature salt and chilli chicken, you’ll be inclined to give her a hug and a kiss. The menu is extensive but the sizzling dishes stand out. Service can be slow on busy nights.’9 | |
India House |
India House 31 Newnham Road CAMBRIDGE CB3 9EY |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 461661 |
Curry restaurant. | |
Jamie’s Italian |
Jamie’s Italian The Old Library Wheeler Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 3QB |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 654094 |
Italian. TV chef Jamie Oliver’s beautifully-housed chain-outlet creates a lively atmosphere in its two dining rooms. The antipasti arrives on the signature wooden planks and the mains are simple, filling, unpretentious dishes9. | |
Kohinoor Tandoori Restaurant |
Kohinoor Tandoori Restaurant 74 Mill Road CAMBRIDGE CB1 2AS |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 566476 |
Curry restaurant. ‘Used by generations of dons and students.’7 | |
Loch Fyne |
Loch Fyne Restaurant 37 Trumpington Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 1QY |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 362433 |
‘This conveniently-located but “cramped” branch of the national fish-chain remains one of the city-centre’s most popular destinations; even fans, though, can sometimes find it rather “dull”!’4. | |
Michaelhouse Café |
St. Michaels Church Centre Trinity Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 1SU |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 309147 |
Cafe, Cheap. An arty modern café in an attractively renovated medieval church that sells good-quality café food10 (homemade mains prepared daily from local ingredients8). Gravestones in the gents. | |
★★★★ |
Midsummer House |
Midsummer House Midsummer Common CAMBRIDGE CB4 1HA |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 369299 |
Very expensive, Modern British. The only restaurant in East Anglia with two (or more) Michelin stars1, the only restaurant in East Anglia with four (or more) AA rosettes2 and according to The Good Food Guide 20133, the 18th best restaurant in the UK, housed in a Victorian villa in a walled garden. Set 3, 7 or 10 course menus to be chosen by the whole table. ‘Daniel Clifford’s entrancing Victorian villa pitched between Midsummer Common and the river Cam is an absolute joy’3, ‘a stunning, world-class restaurant’10, ‘visually impressive, carefully crafted dishes use a range of modern techniques, and flavours are clear and pronounced1’. Formal, attentive service. |
The Oak Bistro |
The Oak Bistro 6 Lensfield Road CAMBRIDGE CB2 1EG |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 323361 |
Modern British. ‘This great local favourite serves up simple, classic dishes with modern flair, such as tuna nicoise salad and slow-roasted lamb. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, the decor minimalist and there’s even a hidden walled garden for alfresco dining. Reservations are essential even for lunch due to its size and popularity.’9 Set lunch menus offer excellent value and there’s a lovely courtyard for summer dining.8 | |
Pipasha Restaurant |
Pipasha Restaurant 529C Newmarket Road CAMBRIDGE CB5 8PA |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 577786 |
Curry restaurant. Manager Abdul Hye’s 60-seater in two rooms. | |
Rainbow Café |
Rainbow Vegetarian Bistro 9A Kings Parade CAMBRIDGE CB2 1SJ |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 321551 |
Cheap, Vegetarian/Vegan. Cramped but very agreeable vegetarian restaurant10 in a basement setting whose vegetarian cuisine, much of it gluten- and nut-free, is acclaimed by students and gourmets alike8. The signature dish is Spinach lasagne. | |
Restaurant 17 |
De Vere University Arms Hotel Ltd Regent Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 1AD |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 0871 2224689 |
‘Highly regarded’6. | |
★ |
Restaurant 22 |
Restaurant 22 22 Chesterton Road CAMBRIDGE CB4 3AX |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 351880 |
Modern European. A converted Victorian townhouse with a distinctive small dining room decorated in rich colours with tasty, good value French-influenced dishes1. “It really does feel like eating in someone’s front room”4. Formal service1. |
The Rice Boat |
The Rice Boat 37 Newnham Road CAMBRIDGE CB3 9EY |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 302800 |
Curry restaurant. ‘Identical to Cocum’s Kerelan menu above and similar prices, but no formula curries’.7 | |
The Sea Tree |
The Sea Tree 13-14 The Broadway CAMBRIDGE CB1 3AH |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 414349 |
Cheap. ‘“Going from strength to strength”, a three-year-old chippy, off Mill Road, tipped for its “lovely fresh fish”, and “friendly” service too’4. | |
The St. John’s Chop House |
St John’s Chop House 21-24 Northampton Street CAMBRIDGE CB3 0AD |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 353110 |
Traditional British. Sister restaurant to St John’s Chop House, with the same menu, but arguably smarter8 and superior4; serves hearty traditional fare. | |
Stickybeaks |
Stickybeaks 42 Hobson Street CAMBRIDGE CB1 1NL |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 359397 |
Cafe, Cheap. ‘Sip creamy hot chocolate, nibble on a wide array of cakes or tuck into some imaginative salads (couscous with pomegranate, puy lentils with goat’s cheese) and sausage rolls with unusual chutney at this popular new cafe’9. | |
Taj Tandoori |
Taj Tandoori 64 Cherry Hinton Road CAMBRIDGE CB1 7AA |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 248063 |
Curry restaurant. | |
Thanh Binh Vietnamese Restaurant |
Thanh Binh Vietnamese Restaurant 17 Magdalene Street CAMBRIDGE CB3 0AF |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 362456 |
Vietnamese. ‘Cambridge’s only Vietnamese restaurant has some wonderfully flavourful dishes on the menu—from the sublime pork balls to beef pho (spicy noodle soup) and fish steamed in lemongrass. Dinner on weekends requires a reservation and can feel a bit rushed, but it’s perfect for lunch’9. | |
Trockel, Ulmann & Freunde |
Trockel Ulmann & Freunde 13 Pembroke Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 3QY |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 460923 |
Cafe, Cheap. ‘A very small, cosy place. You perch on high stools as in a chemistry lab, but worth it for good coffee, excellent soup (which seems to be mainly vegetarian) and fresh bread’5. | |
The Varsity Restaurant |
Varsity Restaurant 35 St. Andrews Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 3AR |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 356060 |
‘This place has been doing reliable, interesting, fair-priced Cypriot food for more than 50 years’5. | |
Yippee Noodle Bar |
Noodle Bar 7-9 King Street CAMBRIDGE CB1 1LH |
⍓ map 💻 website ☎ 01223 518111 |
Chinese. ‘You’ll find informal canteen dining here, but there’s a sense of style, too. The food is fast and fresh, with a choice of noodles or rice dishes. It is very popular with local young people, and good for vegetarians.’6 |
[1] Michelin Maps and Guides. Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2013. Watford: Michelin Travel Publications; 2012.
[2] Turvil A, editor. AA Restaurant Guide 2013. Twentieth ed. Basingstoke: AA Publishing; 2012.
[3] Carter E, editor. The Good Food Guide 2013. London: Which?; 2012.
[4] Harden R, Harden P, editors. Harden’s UK Restaurant Survey 2013. London: Harden’s; 2012.
[5] Vay BL. Ben le Vay’s Eccentric Cambridge: A Practical Guide. 2nd ed. Bradt Travel Guides (Eccentric Guides). Chalfont St Peter: Bradt Travel Guides; 2011.
[6] Dalton N, Stone D. Frommer’s England & Best of Wales. Twenty-second ed. Chichester: Wiley; 2012.
[7] Chapman P. 2013 Cobra Good Curry Guide. Eleventh ed. Haslemere: The Curry Club; 2012.
[8] Stewart J. Cambridge. Thomas Cook Pocket Guides. Peterborough: Thomas Cook Publishing; 2010.
[9] Else D, Berry O, Davenport F, Duca MD, Dixon B, Harper D, et al. England. Seventh ed. Footscray: Lonely Planet Publications; 2013.
[10] Andrews R, Brown J, Lee P, Humphreys R. The Rough Guide to England. Ninth ed. London: Rough Guides; 2011.