Planning your next trip to Cambridge? Top tip: don’t forget to add specific must-visit food stops into your itinerary alongside your trips and attractions.
This little extra thought before visiting Cambridge will reduce the stress of searching for a place to eat when you are on-the-go (never fun), plus pre-planning and pre-booking where you eat is a great way ensure you don’t miss out on experiencing the very best food Cambridge has to offer.
With the aim of discovering the best foodie gems in the city, I visited a whole host of eateries on my recent trip to Cambridge. Whether it’s fine dining for two, vegan eats, or lunch with a view – Cambridge is a mecca for foodies of all types.
There are lots of great options, but here are the top five must-visit eateries I would recommend you add to your itinerary right now that will tick all your travel boxes.
Save this handy list for a quick guide to which are the best places to eat in Cambridge, in the right locations near to the action, all of which are sure to add just that bit more flavour to any break.
Fine Dining Foodie Heaven – Trinity Restaurant
Offering delightful contemporary cuisine, the food is the star here and is an absolute delight! You can tell each dish is created with passion, creativity and an eye for detail.
My husband and I began with the Garlic Focaccia with selection of dipping oils and vinegar, to start we had the Poached Hake with scallop dressing, chorizo and baba ghanoush, and the beetroot and gin cured trout. Followed by a delightful Sea Trout with crushed potatoes, beurre blanc and caviar (a personal favourite) and Red Bream Fish Schnitzel with pistachio and Padron pepper emulsion, and dresses potatoes for our main course. All exquisitely presented and with great service from the staff.
The restaurant works on a ‘Limited Time Availability’ menu, so the options are ever-changing and always feel fresh and creative.
This is a relaxed, contemporary stop offering English seafood and meat dishes plus cocktails and wines – book it purely for the quality of the food but it’s no doubt that the location is a massive bonus; it is located right in the heart of the tourist attractions of Cambridge on beautiful Trinity street, opposite the Great Gate of the college of the same name. Perfect to head straight to after a day of sight-seeing, essential when visiting Cambridge.
Location: Trinity, 15 Trinity Street Cambridge CB2 1TB
http://www.trinitycambridge.co.uk/
Best For Lunch With A View – Millworks
A great option for a relaxed lunchtime dine overlooking the old Millpond on the Granta River. A modern, vibrant restaurant, the location is THE reason you need to visit Millworks; located in one of the most beautiful areas of Cambridge, with seats available outside, right on the river. It is a social spot where you can relax, unwind and enjoy what we found to be great hospitality and fresh, local food.
There is an emphasis on fish and meat cooked in their charcoal oven, but we opted for the tasty small plates and feasts to share with crisp white wine. We tried the Millworks Grazing Plate (featuring pulled pork scrumpet, pea arancini, smoked mackerel, Caesar salad, homemade focaccia, olives and dips) which was delicious and a great option for dining in the sun. There was more food than we needed for two of us and it was extremely tasty – great value at only £10.00 per person.
They also offer a ‘Punt Tour & 3 Courses’ menu for £58.00 per person, available daily 11.30am – 5pm which we didn’t try but looks like a great option to combine activities.
Location: The Watermill, Newnham Road, Cambridge CB3 9EY
Best for Romantic Evening Meal For Two – Tamburlaine
For romantic dining in Cambridge, head to Tamburlaine located within Clayton Hotel Cambridge. Don’t dismiss this restaurant as just a hotel restaurant however, as it offers so much more. This is one of the best options for evening dining in town, with gorgeous décor and filled with fine Cambridge flavours.
I recommend arriving a little early for your meal to make the most of their glamorous circular cocktail bar – it looks stunning and serves a wide selection of craft beers, classic cocktails and elegant wines; it is a very gatsby-esque way to start the evening.
The menu itself is filled with tasty, seasonal dishes featuring locally sourced fresh ingredients. I opted for the Herb and Lemon Roasted Fillet of Salmon with baby potatoes, broccoli, lemon and dill crème fraiche. My partner had the Braised Feather Blade of Beef with creamed potatoes, cabbage and kale and red wine jus. Both dishes were well cooked and really tasty. For dessert, we shared the Vanilla Bean Cheesecake with berry compote and granola crumbs and Sticky Toffee Pudding with vanilla ice cream and honeycomb. The service was attentive and the surroundings exuded relaxed, romantic vibes that make this a great choice of restaurant for date night.
It’s also handily located for Cambridge Rail Station so why not book this as one of the first restaurants you try when you arrive for convenience but with added luxury.
Location: Clayton Hotel Cambridge, 27-29 Station Rd, Cambridge CB1 2FB
https://www.claytonhotelcambridge.com/dining/
Best For Vegans – The Tipsy Vegan
Not just for vegans! The Tipsy Vegan is a great stop for anyone who likes classic comfort foods, paired with inventive cocktails in quirky pub-like quarters.
Their menu features a wide selection of small plates and boards designed with sharing in mind for a fun casual dining experience.
On the recommendation of our server, we went for the Sharer for Two (£15) to start, which includes Sourdough, Grilled Pita, House Chorizo, Olives, Oil and Balsamic Glaze, Marinated Antipasti, Mushroom Carpaccio, Rocket and Tomato Salad, Whipped Feta, Basil Pesto Tostadas (Pineapple Glazed Tofu, Lettuce, Pickled Onions, Sour Cream, Crispy Corn Tacos). Very filling and a great selection with more than we could eat!
We also tried their famous cocktails, opting for the Passionfruit and Vanilla Mimosa and the Spiced Rum Julep. Fun (and useful) fact: all their spirits are also vegan (plus gluten- free, organic and non-GMO) – great work from Tipsy Vegan for that.
I found the great service and relaxed atmosphere really helped elevate this from your usual casual dining experience into a much more interesting and social event.
Book it as your after-punt dinner stop after punting on the River Cam with www.scudamores.com – the restaurant is located right next door.
Location: 6-8 Quayside, Cambridge CB5 8AB
https://thetipsyvegan.co.uk/cambridge/
Best For Quirky and Filling Lunch Time Eats – Bread & Meat
Finally, if you’re out and about all day and need a choice for great artisan grub on-the-go, make sure you head to Bread & Meat on Bene’t Street.
This independent Cambridge eatery is fast becoming famous for their gourmet sandwiches, roast meats, poutine and home cooked food – and for good reason.
I tried ‘The Cuban’ – slow roast marinade pork, smoked ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard and a citrus and oregano mojo sauce on sourdough bread (also available as a bowl too) whilst the other half sampled the Philly Cheese Steak Poutine. Paired with freshly squeezed lemonade, it was all delicious!
I tasted both options and oh my, they were full of flavour and taste. They are very filling – but you’ll want to eat it all – so best to have a light breakfast to save room for this lunch-time delight when visiting Cambridge!
Location: 4 Bene’t St, Cambridge CB2 3QN
https://www.breadandmeat.co.uk/
Bon appetite!
Review and food images by Victoria Reddington @vic_reddington
some images supplied
