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Best restaurants in Cambridge

The stunning city of Cambridge plays host to a surprising number of excellent restaurants spanning a variety of cuisines, which means there’s a great food experience to be had for everyone. Whether you’re a hardworking student, a local looking for your next favourite Cambridge restaurant, or a tourist with an enthusiasm for punting on the River Cam, this list will have you sorted for when the hunger pangs kick in, and you need to fuel up on some scrumptious food. We’ve scoured the area for the best restaurants in Cambridge, so all you have to do is pick one below, and be guaranteed a gastronomic feast.

Updated on 08 August 2024

Found yourself in Cambridge without anywhere to dine? Fear not, as our list of the best restaurants in Cambridge features plenty of hidden and highly rated gems for you to choose from. We’ve got elegant Michelin-star fine dining French restaurants all the way through to barbecue hotspots and authentic family-run Italian eateries. The possibilities for food in Cambridge will get your taste buds tingling.

Home to the prestigious University of Cambridge, historical museums, Silicon Fen, and more, the beautiful city also encompasses a plethora of amazing food offerings. No matter if you’re in the mood for some fresh Flammekueche topped with gooey Gruyere and sliced onion, or a delectable gluten-free lasagne, there’s a Cambridge restaurant waiting to invite you in.

In between all the punting down the River Cam, jaunts to the Fitzwilliam Museum, and green stretches of walking around the stunning Botanic Gardens, you’ll be able to find a smashing menu at one of these fine venues. Cambridge is fast becoming a foodie hotspot with a national reputation - there are some fantastic places to try here, with a myriad of cuisines on offer. The restaurants are spread all over the city, from the inner centre to the outskirts, so no one is missing out on the foodie action.

Keep on reading down below to see our top rated recommendations for the best restaurants in Cambridge.

The Cambridge Chop House

The Cambridge Chop House

1 Kings Parade, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 1SJ

With a wonderful view of King’s College Chapel, this restaurant serves a modest menu of British classics, with a clear focus on their steaks, although they've also got every other cut of meat you can think of. On Sundays, expect a traditional roast with all the trimmings.

£30 - £49
British
The Oak Bistro

The Oak Bistro

6, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 1EG

The Oak Bistro is a charming eatery that has been transformed from a wine bar into a bistro-style restaurant with a romantic courtyard. The continental food is rich and hearty; think beef Wellington with lashings of red wine jus and gooey chocolate fondant for dessert.

£30 - £49
Modern European
Six Panoramic Restaurant Cambridge

Six Panoramic Restaurant Cambridge

6th Floor, The Varsity Hotel, Thompson's Lane, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB5 8AQ

If it's gorgeous views of Cambridge you're looking for, Six at the Varsity Hotel is just the place. This gastropub-inspired restaurant and afternoon tea spot offers panoramic windows allowing you to see right across the city, and the crowd-pleasing food lives up to the amazing setting.

£30 - £49
British
Bars
Afternoon tea
The Olive Grove Cambridge

The Olive Grove Cambridge

100 Regent Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 1DP

The Olive Grove is a wonderful mid-range Greek restaurant where you can find a smorgasbord of Mediterranean flavours, including peinirli pizza, moussaka, tasty mixed grills, and more. For a different experience at this elegant eatery, go for the three-course set menu for special occasions, which contains such delights as smoked haddock croquettes and baklava to finish.

Under £30
Greek
The Tickell Arms

The Tickell Arms

1 North Road, Whittlesford, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB22 4NZ

The Tickell Arms may be a short drive out of Cambridge, in neighbouring village Whittlesford, but its idyllic location overlooking a large pond and expansive food menu make it worth a visit. Don't leave without trying the whole fish of the day, offered at market price.

£30 - £49
Modern European
The Rupert Brooke

The Rupert Brooke

2 Broadway, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 9NQ

This lovely British brasserie is an excellent choice for spoiling yourself with a delicious menu of locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients. Come on a Sunday for a traditional roast made even more special with a contemporary twist on the classics: we challenge you to resist the roast rare beef sirloin.
£30 - £49
British
The River Bar Steakhouse & Grill

The River Bar Steakhouse & Grill

Quayside, Cambridge, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB5 8AQ

This archetypal meat joint ticks all the boxes for what you want out of a steakhouse, with their hearty 28 day dry aged beef steaks of all sizes and cuts, and the option to surf and turf it, with a creamy lobster mac 'n' cheese.
Steak
The Pint Shop Cambridge

The Pint Shop Cambridge

10 Peas Hill, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3PN

Predominantly a place to go to try an everchanging selection of wide-ranging beers, The Pint Shop is also well worth a visit just to try the food as well. Its twists on British pub grub include treats such as pork bhaji Scotch eggs.

£30 - £49
Pubs
Vanderlyle

Vanderlyle

38-40 Mill Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB1 2AD

Putting people at the forefront, this small restaurant works in partnership with local farmers and growers to ensure ethically grown produce is at the heart of its plant-led menu. With only four sittings a week, to ensure workers can maintain a good work-life balance, this is one you’ll want to get booked. 

£50 - £79
Vegetarian
SquareMeal UK Top 100
The Packhorse Inn

The Packhorse Inn

Bridge Street, Moulton, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 8SP

A short drive away from Cambridge, between Newmarket and Bury St. Edmunds, the Packhorse Inn is nevertheless worth the drive. A recent renovation has seriously elevated the food offering at this former pub, and we recommend the Suffolk chicken supreme in tarragon broth, while leaving room for the pineapple and rum tarte tatin.

£50 - £79
Gastropub
Navadhanya

Navadhanya

70 Newmarket Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB5 8DZ

Highly ranked in the Cambridge area, this Indian restaurant serves amazing sub-continental food, including a luxurious seven-course tasting menu, curated by head chef Kamaladasan Bathrasalam who trained at Michelin-starred London restaurant Tamarind. The former pub takes inspiration from all over India and turns it into a fine dining experience geared for a contemporary setting.

£50 - £79
Indian
The Alex

The Alex

Gwydir Street, Cambridge, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB1 2LL

Hankering for a good burger? Head to The Alex for a great selection, whether you’re in the mood for the veggie, a smoky Cajun, or the Brex In featuring chorizo, blue cheese, and an onion marmalade. The atmosphere is friendly, the vibe is gastropub, and the food is delicious.

Burgers
The Old Bicycle Shop

The Old Bicycle Shop

104 Regent Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 1DP

Check out this quirky, antique decorated restaurant, set within Britain’s oldest bike shop. The food is European and Middle Eastern-inspired, with a particular focus on vegetarian and vegan dishes - enjoy summer minestrone soup with cannellini beans and sun blush tomato pesto, or marinated halloumi, avocado, roasted beetroot and bulgur wheat salad.

£30 - £49
Modern European
Butch Annie

Butch Annie's

23 Market Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3PA

Declared by many as being home to Cambridge's best burger, Butch Annie's is a great option if you're wanting something delicous but inexpensive. Its burgers come stacked with a huge variety of different toppings, and you can also have a cocktail on the side. 

Under £30
North American
Burgers
Midsummer House

Midsummer House

Midsummer Common, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB4 1HA

Midsummer House, overlooking the stunning river Cam, is the only two Michelin-starred restaurant in Cambridge, expertly run by chef-owner Daniel Clifford for well over 20 years. Midsummer House serves a constant stream of delicious dishes that evolve with the seasons - try the tasting menu for a real treat.

Over £80
British
Two Michelin stars
Il Piccolo Mondo

Il Piccolo Mondo

85 High Street, Bottisham,, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB25 9BA

This restaurant was converted from a school hall into the vibrant, stunning trattoria it is today, serving a multitude of fresh, homemade pasta dishes. The homely restaurant also features a wonderful list of Italian wines to pair with the gorogonzola gnocchetti or fettucine al ragu.

£30 - £49
Italian
Restaurant 22

Restaurant 22

22 Chesterton Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB4 3AX

This restaurant is a delightful approach to modern British food, with chef patron Sam Carter sourcing local produce for a weekly changing menu of seasonal ingredients with a fine-dining flair, and a wonderful wine list to boot. Tasting menus are available for the whole table to share.

Over £80
Modern European
One Michelin star
La Raza

La Raza

4 - 6 Rose Crescent, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3LL

La Raza is a tapas haven with a seemingly endless selection of small plates packed full of big Spanish flavours. Enjoy some pan fried scallops, baked figs with goat’s cheese, smoky charcuterie meats, sweet potato and caramelised onion tortillas, or roasted Moroccan spiced beetroot with pear & sherry
vinegar dressing - among many other enticing dishes!

Under £30
Spanish
Bars
Amelie Cambridge

Amelie Cambridge

The Grafton Centre, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB1 1PS

Amelie is a small eatery dedicated to the niche flammkuche – a thin dough seasoned with a base of crème fraiche and fresh ingredients such as slow cooked lamb shoulder marinated in Moroccan spices. The flatbread options range from veggie delights to hearty, meaty affairs.
Under £30
French
The Anchor - Cambridge

The Anchor - Cambridge

Silver Street, Newnham, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire,

The long-established Anchor is a modern take on pub dining with a focus on high quality ingredients. The idyllic multi-level restaurant is situated on the riverside, offering attractive views as you feast on dishes such as hot smoked salmon with pomme anna potatoes, chicken Kyiv, or a vegan cheeseburger.

Gastropub
De Luca

De Luca

83 Regent Street, Cambridge, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 1AW

Heralded as one of the best Italian eateries in Cambridge, this restaurant delivers on quality, without always relying on the same old crowd-pleasers. The menu is conservative, which is a good thing because it means that each dish is well-thought out and carefully prepared by the kitchen.

£30 - £49
Italian
Red Lion - Grantchester

Red Lion - Grantchester

33 High Street, Grantchester, Cambridgeshire, CB3 9NF

It may be a fair stroll out of the town centre, but the Red Lion in Grantchester is definitely worth the detour. Serving hearty British dishes, you can expect everything from big old roasts and home-made pies, to sticky toffee pudding and apple crumble.

£30 - £49
Pubs
British
Smokeworks

Smokeworks

2 Free School Lane, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3QA

This barbecue joint is also about slow cooked, tender meats dripping in sweet, sticky sauces. Smokeworks goes all out, dishing up generous platters of glazed ribs and wings with all the sides, in a lavish affair that will satisfy all your meat cravings.

£30 - £49
Barbecue
Stem + Glory King Street

Stem + Glory King Street

13 King street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB1 1LH

Stem + Glory boasts a menu of wholesome plant-based food that doesn’t compromise on health or taste, with their linguine pepperoncino e pomodore offering a rich, well-rounded burst of flavour. You don’t have to be vegan to enjoy this.
£30 - £49
Vegan

Consider yourself a food connoisseur? Why not check out our list of the UK's Top 100 restaurants.

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