With such a rich history, it comes as no surprise that Cambridge is home to an abundance of incredible places to eat. Whether you fancy a sumptuous steak spot with gorgeous views, Indian fine dining or Michelin-starred tasting menus, we've rounded up the very best Cambridge restaurants that need to be on your bucket list.
Scott's All Day is a friendly neighbourhood eatery in the city centre, serving an all-day menu of Italian-American eats. Whether you're heading down for bottomless brunch or Neapolitan pizzas and indulgent pasta dishes, you can expect locally sourced ingredients washed down with beer from the nearby Calverley's Brewery. You can expect high quality cooking here as well, as they were honoured at the prestigious Pizza and Pasta Awards in 2023.
Wild Thyme at The Clubhouse has quickly established itself as one of the best restaurants in Cambridge thanks to its commitment to fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the heart of Cambridgeshire. The thoughtfully designed menu offers a variety of dishes that balance simplicity and flavour, ensuring there's something for every palate throughout the day.
The restaurant pairs its food excellence with a well-stocked wine list and elegant cocktails, creating a well-rounded dining experience. With the option to dine indoors or enjoy al fresco seating in the summer, Wild Thyme delivers a relaxed yet refined atmosphere that keeps you coming back for more.
Cambridge restaurants with a view? The Cambridge Chophouse is an iconic eatery nestled in the heart of the city, where you can catch a glimpse of the historic King's College Chapel from the floor-to-ceiling windows. But that's not all this place is good for – that's for sure. With contemporary British menu, this joint is famed for its stunning steaks (which are all locally sourced and dry-aged for at least 28 days). Set yourself up either on the main floor, which boasts luxurious red leather seats mixed with period features, or for a more intimate affair? Head to the atmospheric cellar, illuminated by flickering candlelight. Sink your teeth into a juicy ribeye (£34.50) or go the extra mile with a slab of A5 Japanese wagyu (£65). Though steak isn't for everyone, in which case you'll also find a pie of the day, pan-fried sea trout and a heavenly Sunday roast.
Before Pizza Pilgrims was born, founders James & Thom packed their bags and flew to Italy to learn all they could about the art of making pizza, which led to them creating one of the most well-known pizza brands in the UK today. Pizza Pilgrims slow-proves their dough, which is freshly made every day, resulting in a thick, chewy Neapolitan crust. They also use the very best Italian ingredients to ensure quality, showstopping pizzas, like the Smokey Aubergine Parm, topped with char-grilled aubergines, tomato, smoked mozzarella, basil and a sprinkling of parmesan breadcrumbs – bellissimo.
Found on the ground floor of Eddington's Turking Locke hotel, The Astronomer is a sauve dining destination, where royal blue velvet seating is matched with gorgeous oak partitions (which double as plant pots) and industrial-pipe ceilings. The light and spacious eatery puts a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients, bringing dishes such as miso-glazed cod loin plus a chickpea and sweet potato tagine to the fore. And, perfect for laid-back Sundays with friends or family, the roast menu boasts striploin of beef, pork belly, chicken supreme, stone bass, harissa grilled aubergine and steak pie.
Nazar Turkish Kitchen & Bar brings a slice of Anatolia to Cambridge, with a menu full of smoky grills, vibrant meze and freshly baked breads. The open kitchen adds theatre to your meal, while the warm, modern interiors make it ideal for everything from casual lunches to celebratory dinners.
Expect generous portions, bold flavours and a welcoming atmosphere.
A popular Thai restaurant located right in the heart of the city, Giggling Squid is a great choice for couples and groups alike. There are plush leather booths to dine in, surrounded by golden birdcage decorations, as well as plenty of gorgeous floral decor throughout the venue.
There are a wide variety of Thai dishes to enjoy, both classic and modern, ranging from salt and pepper squid to chargrilled pork skewers and vegetable green curry. Plus, there are plenty of delicious cocktails on the cards too.
As the sign inside suggests, Smokeworks Station Road is all about beer, Bourbon and BBQ. Make your way over to the laid-back competitive darts bar to tuck into towering burgers (such as the Mexicana for £13.50, made with an Aberdeen Angus beef patty, chilli con carne, sour cream, guacamole, Monterey Jack and jalapenos) or larger-than-life chunks of slow-cooked beef brisket paired with creamy mash, BBQ gravy and buttered green veg (£22.50). Simply looking for a few light nibbles in between throws? You can also just dig into wings, hot dogs and fries.
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A classic Young's pub, aptly named The Station Tavern (due to its proximity to the railway), this buzzing bar is a stylish place to eat with friends and family. Pitch up in either the cosy dining room (featuring comfy burnt orange banquettes) or the sun-soaked alfresco terrace to satisfy your cravings for gorgeous gastro grub. Kickstart with breaded cod cheeks with curried aioli (£9.50) before diving into mains like pan-roasted trout with Jerusalem artichokes, girolle mushrooms and sorrel cream (£20). And, of course, what's a classic pub lunch without an indulgent sticky toffee pudding (£8.50)? Which in this instance comes with honeycomb ice cream.
Located in the centre of Cambridge, Smokeworks Free School Lane serves mouthwatering BBQ dishes that have earned a spot among the top 10 barbecue restaurants in the UK. Specialising in slow-cooked meats, like tender ribs and pulled pork, smoked to perfection in US-imported smokers and kiln-dried oak, the restaurant offers a hearty meal with a variety of beverages, from craft beers to rich bourbons. The menu also includes options for gluten-free diners, making it a go-to for anyone craving a flavoursome barbecue feast.
Lookin' to eat well on your cheat day? There's no better place than Byron Cambridge to indulge in all your burger cravings. Sink your teeth into the Dirty Byron, filled with beef dripping mayo, relish, and pickled red onions, or opt for the BBQ Chicken with buttermilk fried chicken, bacon, smoked cheddar cheese, and ranch. And for the sides? Their mac 'n' cheese and hot honey wings always hit the sweet spot.
Escape the city buzz and head to Bamboo Sky, a countryside hideaway that's redefining dining near Cambridge. Tucked away in the charming village of Bourn, this dreamy restaurant mixes fragrant Thai flavours with serious style.
Think curries, colourful cocktails, and cosy dinners under the stars. Whether you're here for a laid-back lunch or a special night out, it's all about slowing down, sipping something botanical, and soaking up those fairy-lit garden vibes.
In a beautiful Grade II listed building, Market House is one of the few independent spots in the heart of Cambridge city centre. Spread across five floors, it serves up a mix and match of a la carte dishes and Asian sharers.
We're talking everything from stuffed guinea fowl leg and grilled octopus tentacle to pan-fried dumplings and Korean fried chicken. Here on a Sunday? Take your pick of epic roasts, all served up with seasonal trimmings.
Since opening their first outpost in Bristol over 50 years ago, Browns Brasserie & Bar has found a home in some of the UK's most iconic cities, including our very own Cambridge. You'll find this location nestled in a historic 19th-century building, which has now been converted into a gorgeous, bright and airy restaurant, complete with round velvet booths, brasserie-style chairs and warm lighting. Perfect for date nights, snazzy lunches with friends and family meals, the menu champions sophisticated British cuisine. Though the asparagus and butternut curry (17.50) is a mighty fine choice, you can't help but lust over the mint-crusted roast rack of lamb (£24.95) elevated with black garlic and potato terrine.
Starting life as a bike shop in the 1800s (where Charles Darwin is rumoured to once have made a two-wheeled purchase), The Old Bicycle Shop has transformed the space; the pub and restaurant maintains a retro-industrial vibe, with stripped-back floors and white-washed walls, with the addition of casual tables and chairs, ones that look like they've been nabbed straight out of a charity shop – very trendy, we must say. As for the food, it's gained acclaim for its fresh, locally sourced produce and sustainable practices, resulting in droolworthy brunch, lunch and dinner menus. Our favourite dish? It has to be the overnight braised lamb shoulder kebabs (£21), complemented with aioli, crunchy slaw and pomegranate seeds.
Once a historic mill, this modern brasserie still retains many of its original features, including the actual watermill which is walled off like an exhibition piece. Aside that, MillWorks also showcases old bare-brick walls, though mixed with stylish parquet floors and leather seats (and we can't not mention the beaut views of Mill Pond too, which you can also enjoy on the gorgeous waterside terrace). It's all about fresh, locally sourced food here, with meat and fish fired up in their charcoal oven. Top dishes include roasted sea trout (£24) with olive oil mashed potatoes and arrabiata sauce, as well as a wholesome lamb shank pot pie (£24.75) accompanied by mash, seasonal greens and gravy.
Flaunting a Michelin star under its belt, Restaurant Twenty-Two is an unmissable eatery owned by power couple Sam Carter and Alex Olivier. The Victorian townhouse is incredibly cosy, with wooden floorboards, stained glass windows and muted tones – it's clean and precise, similar to the menu of contemporary British fare. Like most fine dining establishments, this joint's set menus changes frequently with the seasons; however, you can expect divine dishes such as Cornish monkfish with pumpkin yuzu and ginger, as well as Yorkshire wagyu short rib accompanied by peppercorn, onion and miso.
After Cambridge restaurants for lunch? Get yourself down to Market Passage, where Butch Annie's is slinging out some of the city's very best burgers. Inspired by New York, the hip, underground hangout features quirky graffiti on the walls and red leather stools surrounding the long bar for those who fancy a pre-dinner drink. The locally sourced, award-winning organic beef (which is dry-aged for 30 days) is pounded together to make thick, juicy patties or seared beautifully as a succulent steak, though there are also lots of chicken and vegetarian options too. In true dive bar style, there's of course a fantastic lineup of Bourbons, IPAs and funky cocktails to pair with your meal.
De Luca Cucina and Bar is one of the most talked-about Italian restaurants in the city, offering a laid-back space for date nights, family meals and post-shopping lunches on Regent Street. The dining room is made up of trendy red leather seating and bare-brick walls lined with European vino, though there's also a snazzy rooftop terrace, perfect for when the weather picks up, and a cool Piano Bar where you can enjoy live music and cocktails. But on the food menu, you'll find a fantastic range of Italian favourites, including melanzane parmigiana, artisan pizza and so much more.
If you're on the hunt for Michelin star restaurants in Cambridge, Midsummer House is a no-brainer. Boasting two coveted stars under its belt, with chef patron Daniel Clifford and head chef Mark Abbot at the kitchen's helm, it promises a fine dining experience from start to finish. Get ready for a regularly changing menu of culinary mastery, where luxury, seasonal ingredients are used to create tasting menus renowned for their daring flavour combinations, such as slow-cooked salmon with white chocolate and caviar. So, what are you waiting for? Grab a seat at the gorgeous Victorian venue, which overlooks Midsummer Common and the River Cam, for an unparalleled meal.
Though you may not realise at first, The Cricketers, a city centre pub, is home to one of the very best Thai restaurants in town: Luk Thai. Settle into the rattan seating and soak up the bustling boozer vibes then dive into gorgeous Thai cuisine, like masaman lamb shank or pineapple fried rice.
Multi-award-winning hotspot Navadhanya is ensuring that your cravings for Indian fine dining is more than satisfied. With a kitchen filled with fantastic chefs who've worked in Michelin-starred restaurants, the city centre venue champions contemporary Indian cooking using seasonal, sustainable produce. For special occasions, we highly recommend the seven-course tasting menu, showcasing mattra scallops, malai chicken and iced sorbet, although the a la carte is mighty fine too (make sure to try the tandoori rabbit).
Flaunting gorgeous decor which includes indoor blossom trees, Asian-inspired artwork and plush floral booth seating, KIBOU is an authentic Japanese restaurant situated in a stunning Grade II-listed building. As for the menu, expect everything from handmade spiced pork gyozas to A5 Grade Japanese wagyu and mouthwatering sushi platters to share.
