New owners have transformed the former Alexandra Arms in the heart of residential Cambridge. Now called The Alex, it’s an enterprise with all the hallmarks of a modern gastropub, including squirrel-cage bulbs hanging low over the bar, quirky wallpaper and, of course, a strapline: ‘Burgers-Brews-Banter’. On the food front it delivers a short menu of burgers (including pulled pork and chilli, and chicken and blue cheese), and salads such as Caesar or winter root vegetable. There are plenty of smiles from both cheerful bar staff and the regular drinkers – drawn by the local ales from Greene King. A twinkly-lit semi-decked outdoor area provides refuge for smokers in winter and sun for diners in summer. No longer just for those who can navigate the backstreets, The Alex has put itself firmly on the Cambridge foodie map by hosting well-attended one-off music and street-food events.