17 BEST Restaurants in Cambridge: My Top Food Spots (Local Guide) 2026

Food is always a key part of the itinerary when I travel. In fact, Mr Flip Flops Included’s first question about any place is ‘where can we go to eat?’. So, if you’re like me, for your trip to my home town you’ll want to know where are the best restaurants in Cambridge.

I’ve lived in Cambridge for over 30 years and eaten all over the city, from tiny independent food spots to Michelin guide restaurants. You can eat food from all around the world here, which feels very fitting for an international university city.

To help you find the best eateries in Cambridge, I’ve compiled my favourite places to eat that I return to time and again and the best restaurants in Cambridge that I recommend to anyone visiting.

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What are the best restaurants in Cambridge? Where I actually eat

I love eating out in Cambridge. There’s so much choice and, fortunately, amongst all the usual chain restaurants, Cambridge has a thriving independent restaurant and café scene. As a local, I try to support these independent Cambridge eateries as much as I can.

Food is also a big deal for Mr Flip Flops Included. So the restaurants in Cambridge are a significant part of our lives. That being said, he’s not so keen on fine dining (mainly due to the typically small portions).

So whilst most of this list is filled with my personal recommendations of places in Cambridge that I’ve eaten at, I’ve also included a few fine dining restaurants in Cambridge that I’ve not personally tried but which come highly recommended by others. I’ve covered a whole range of places, from the best breakfast spots, to the best restaurants for an evening meal, so that your whole day out in Cambridge can be full of good food.

Breakfast spots in Cambridge, UK

Click here to book the best activity in Cambridge, a beautiful punting trip on the River Cam

1. Hot Numbers Café

hot numbers cafe — Outside Hot Numbers on Trumpington Street

Address: 5/6 Gwydir Street and 4 Trumpington Street, Cambridge.
Price: £–££
What to try: Freshly roasted coffee, sourdough toast, sausage sandwich, pastries.
Menu

This independent café has two branches in Cambridge, testament to its popularity.

Grab a bite from the brunch menu, served until 3pm, at the Gwydir Street branch. Housed in an old red brick brewery building, enjoy taking a break in the aesthetically pleasing industrial-style interior.

2. Crêpeaffaire

crepeaffaire cafe exterior — Crêpeaffaire, Cambridge

Address: 66 Bridge Street, Cambridge.
Price: £–££
What to try: All of the crêpes.
Menu

If like me, one of the first things you want to do on your Cambridge itinerary, is to start the day with a decent pancake place, then look no further. Crêpes, crêpes and more crêpes are the order of the day here.

Located, opposite the Round Church, Crêpeaffaire steams up quickly, so it can be hard to actually see inside, but it’ll be worth venturing in, for all that lovely sweet stuff (or savoury, if you must).

3. Michaelhouse Café

michaelhouse cafe cambridge — Picturesque Michaelhouse Café

Address: St Michael’s Church, Trinity Street, Cambridge.
Price: £–££
What to try: Pastries, breakfast ciabattas, and loaded scrambled eggs.
Menu

You don’t need to be religious to revel in a trip to this quirky café inside a historic church. Light lunches, and delicious cakes might make you feel like you’re in heaven anyway. Head upstairs for great views of the stained glass.

4. The Copper Kettle

Address: 4 King’s Parade, Cambridge.
Price: ££
What to try: Moroccan chickpea casserole, full breakfast.
Menu

Have you truly visited Cambridge if you haven’t been to the Copper Kettle? A classic Cambridge café, that’s been here for decades. Good brunch options or go later and have one of the more filling full meals.

Generous portions, unbeatable views of King’s College, plus photos of the great and the good who’ve passed by adorning the walls. What’s not to like.

Best lunch spots in Cambridge

5. The Plough at Fen Ditton

Cambridge riverside track — Get the best riverside views from the Plough

Address: Green End, Fen Ditton, Cambridge.
Price: ££
What to try: Pub classics, Sunday roast.
Menu

Cambridge’s best riverside pub in my opinion. The views across the huge garden and river are made for relaxing. Grab a deck chair, order a Pimms and enjoy a long lunch.

For classic pub grub, go for one of the burgers, or try something a little different, with the butternut squash orzo. Situated out of the centre, the trip is worth it for the beautiful location alone.

6. The Olive Grove

the olive grove restaurant cambridge — Get great Greek food at the Olive Grove restaurant

Address: 100 Regent Street, Cambridge
Price: ££
What to try: Spanakopita, moussaka, baklava.
Menu

A friendly Greek restaurant, and one of my absolute favourites on this list of where to eat in Cambridge. Family-run, with generous portions and delicious Greek flavours.

This is a great restaurant to try if you’re looking for a special atmosphere but without too hefty a price tag.

7. Trockel, Ulmann and Freunde

Address: 13 Pembroke Street, Cambridge.
Price: £-££
What to try: Homemade soup with bread.

A small café but with big soup flavours. This place is simple, reasonably priced and very tasty.

Be prepared to share one of the bigger tables with others if it’s busy. The lovely, kind staff will make you feel like a regular in no time.

Try whatever soup is on the menu, it’s always delicious.

8. Little Petra

food at little petra — Delicious food at Little Petra

Address: 60 Hills Road, Cambridge.
Price: ££
What to try: Mixed mezze platters, yakhannah dajaaj.
Menu

An independent Jordanian restaurant with generous portions and authentic flavours. Try the yakhannah dajaaj for a delicious chicken and chickpea dish.

Fine dining and Michelin star restaurants in Cambridge UK

9. Fancett’s Bistro

plate of food at fancetts cambridge — Wonderful Fancett’s bistro

Address: 96a Mill Road, Cambridge.
Price: £££
What to try: French-inspired small plates.
Menu

Family-run with a warm welcome, known for refined French-style food and an intimate but unpretentious atmosphere.

food at fancetts restaurant cambridge — Try the soufflé at Fancett’s

This place gets booked up weeks in advance but it’s perfect for a special occasion. Try the three-course lunch menu for a more economical option and please, please, have the cheddar soufflé if it’s on the menu. It’s quite possibly the best thing I’ve ever eaten.

10. Midsummer House

midsummer house restaurant — Not one, but two Michelin stars for Midsummer House, Cambridge

Address: Midsummer Common, Cambridge.
Price: ££££
What to try: Tasting menus of seasonal British produce.
Menu

Widely known as Cambridge’s most famous restaurant, with two Michelin stars.

I’ve not had the privilege to visit, but those who have recommend it highly. Located on Midsummer Common, by the river, it’s the place to book for a very special occasion.

11. Restaurant 22

Address: 22 Chesterton Road, Cambridge.
Price: ££££
What to try: Modern tasting menu with wine pairings.
Menu

Another restaurant in Cambridge with a Michelin star. Consistently praised for its inventive menus. Set in an unassuming Victorian townhouse, they let the food do the talking here.

This place is regarded as one of the best fine dining experiences in Cambridge.

12. Vanderlyle

vanderlyle cambridge restaurant — If you can find the Barney’s sign, you’ve arrived at Vanderlyle

Address: 38 Mill Road, Cambridge.
Price: ££££
What to try: Seasonal, plant-led tasting menu.
Menu

Widely praised for its sustainability-focused approach and use of local produce.

Vanderlyle is so cool it doesn’t even really have a proper sign over the door. If you know you know (look for the faded ‘Barney’s sign and you’re in the right place). Distressed chic is the interior look here and it’s hard to find location is all part of the mysterious appeal. Book well in advance, tables are released on the first Tuesday of the month for the following month.

Honourable mentions for the best restaurants in Cambridge for evening meals

13. La Margherita

la margherita restaurant cambridge — The incredible La Margherita, not to be missed when in Cambridge

Address: 15 Magdalene Street, Cambridge.
Price: ££-£££
What to try: Classic Italian dishes and profiteroles with ice cream for dessert.
Menu

My favourite Italian restaurant in Cambridge. Family-run for years, welcoming, and consistently great food.

Come here just for the ice-cream filled chocolate profiteroles, topped with hot chocolate sauce, if nothing else.

14. Mercado Central

mercardo central cambridge restaurant — A taste of Spain in Cambridge, at Mercado Central

Address: 24 Green Street, Cambridge.
Price: £££
What to try: Acorn fed presa Iberica.
Menu

Mercardo Central does elegant Spanish food very well. Located on one of Cambridge’s loveliest streets, Green Street, start with the extra grande olives and finish off with the incredible Basque cheesecake. What you choose in between depends on whether you prefer meat or fish (a vegetarian option is also available).

Ask for a table upstairs for a quieter, more romantic ambience, downstairs is good fun but can get noisy.

15. The Maypole

maypole cambridge external seating area — Sit outside at the Maypole, if the weather allows

Address: Portugal Place, Cambridge
Price: ££
What to try: Italian-inspired plates, and craft beers.
Menu

Independent and lively, with a good beer selection. The food here is more than just pub grub, it’s delicious Italian and Mediterranean style dishes. My favourites, the arancini, are a whole meal in themselves.

The large outside space is a wonderful place to spend a few hours on a spring or summer evening. There are heaters so you can also brave it if you’re visiting Cambridge at Christmas.

16. Byron’s Bear

byrons bear pub exterior — Visit one of Cambridge’s newest pubs, Byron’s Bear

Address: 3 Thompsons Lane, Cambridge.
Price: ££
What to try: Pub classics, sausage roll served by the inch.
Menu

A recent addition to the Cambridge gastropub scene. Located right by the punting stations, Byron’s Bear is a perfect pre or post-punting choice. Make the most of the riverside views by sitting in the generous outdoor area.

I love the style of the interior here, with books, records and other ephemera making it a cosy winter choice. There’s even a record player where you can bring your own vinyl to spin.

Food includes some delicious nachos and a good selections of burgers.

17. The Eagle

Burnt names in the ceiling of the Eagle pub, Cambridge — The historic ceiling in the RAF bar at the back of the Eagle pub

Address: Bene’t Street, Cambridge
Price: ££
What to try: Traditional pub plates and cask ales.
Menu

One of Cambridge’s most historic pubs, where Watson and Crick announced their DNA discovery.

The back bar is also famous for the names of member of the Royal Air Force that are burnt into the ceiling.

My tips for where to eat in Cambridge

Book ahead for fine dining, especially weekends and in university term time.
Mill Road: a little outside the centre, this street is packed with restaurants from around the world. One standout is Bedouin, a North African restaurant with authentic flavours and a cosy setting.
Cambridge Market Square: great for affordable, casual food on the go. Street-food stalls here serve falafel wraps, curries, Venezuelan vegetarian arepas, and more. Ideal if you want quick food between sight seeing.
Museums: several have good cafés attached. The Fitzwilliam Museum serves seasonal salads, soup and cakes, and Kettle’s Yard offers light lunches in a tranquil setting. Perfect for combining food with culture.
Pair meals with sights: a riverside dinner works beautifully after punting.
Sunday roasts: in Cambridge, as in much of the UK, many pubs change their menu on Sundays to serve traditional Sunday roasts, usually roasted meat like pork or chicken, with vegetables and gravy. There’s often a vegetarian version too. It’s not my favourite type of dish, but if you want to try this UK tradition, head to one of the pubs I’ve mentioned above.

Wrap up: best restaurants in Cambridge

I’ve been eating out in Cambridge for over two decades, and in that time, I’ve sampled everything from cosy cafés to fine-dining restaurants.

What I love most is how much choice the city offers. Mill Road in particular is brilliant if you want the best selection of restaurants packed into one small stretch, with cuisines from all over the world.

Before you finalise your Cambridge itinerary, it’s worth thinking about how your meals fit into the flow of your day. A long brunch near the market square, for example, sets you up perfectly before a punt along the River Cam, while a late dinner gives you the chance to make the most of your day and soak up the city’s evening atmosphere.

When deciding what to do next, beyond eating, Cambridge has plenty more to offer. Browsing the best bookshops in Cambridge is an ideal afternoon activity, or trying some of these free things to do in Cambridge to help you save some money to splash on a meal out.

Click here to book a beautiful punting trip on the River Cam

More Cambridge resources

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17 BEST Restaurants in Cambridge: My Top Food Spots (Local Guide)

37 Things to Do in Cambridge for Free in 2026 (Local’s Guide)

Best Bookshops in Cambridge (By a Local Book Lover)

Best Hotels in Cambridge with a Pool

Brilliant Cambridge Day Trip Itinerary (1 Day Local Guide)

Cambridge at Christmas in 2026: My Local Guide

Cambridge Instagram Spots: Top 21 Locations Revealed By A Local

Cambridge Punting Prices: Cheapest and Best Tours

Grantchester Village: A Day Out From Cambridge

How to get to Cambridge from London

Is Cambridge Worth Visiting? My Local’s View 2026

Museums in Cambridge: 5 of the Best

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