The Anna's 'Cambridge Like A Local' Guide
Food Scene
Don't let the exterior put you off, this is a banging local Chinese take away. Quick walk to collect is almost always quicker than waiting for delivery.
Golden Wok
191 Histon RdDon't let the exterior put you off, this is a banging local Chinese take away. Quick walk to collect is almost always quicker than waiting for delivery.
The closest coffee and sandwich shop. Also does traditional English breakfast and hearty soups.
8 locals recommend
Coffee Tree Cambridge
184A Histon RdThe closest coffee and sandwich shop. Also does traditional English breakfast and hearty soups.
Dominos
113 Histon RdPizza just a walk through the park is dangerous!
A Cambridge locals' fave and a lovely independent. Great coffee and a really nice relaxed atmosphere, this is a super brunch spot. Bakery next door.
58 locals recommend
Stir
253 Chesterton RdA Cambridge locals' fave and a lovely independent. Great coffee and a really nice relaxed atmosphere, this is a super brunch spot. Bakery next door.
Great coffee and bustling Jazz-infused atmmosphere. Expect some queues at this popular joint.
12 locals recommend
Hot Numbers Coffee Trumpington Street
4 Trumpington StGreat coffee and bustling Jazz-infused atmmosphere. Expect some queues at this popular joint.
Okay, this is simple SUBLIME. You can't go wrong. If you don't leave with a Cruffin (passionfruit my fave filling), you'll regret it.
The Cambridge Oven
44 Hills RdOkay, this is simple SUBLIME. You can't go wrong. If you don't leave with a Cruffin (passionfruit my fave filling), you'll regret it.
One of our all-time-favourite local pubs (indepndent) and with the cutest little courtyard. Dog friendly. Great food. Locals' haunt.
Look out for mid-week bargain-priced hot lunches.
NB: Despite the name, it doesn't have a river view, but it's just round corner from Magdeline Bridge.
34 locals recommend
The Punter
3 Pound HillOne of our all-time-favourite local pubs (indepndent) and with the cutest little courtyard. Dog friendly. Great food. Locals' haunt.
Look out for mid-week bargain-priced hot lunches.
NB: Despite the name, it doesn't have a river view, but it's just round corner from Magdeline Bridge.
Sensational gelato in fancy flavours. There is another Jack's Gelato beside The Eagle (famous DNA pub) in Cambridge, but this newer outpost gets smaller queues.
Jack's Gelato
7 All Saints PassageSensational gelato in fancy flavours. There is another Jack's Gelato beside The Eagle (famous DNA pub) in Cambridge, but this newer outpost gets smaller queues.
Very cute and tiny indie coffee shop with a fantastic flat white. Expect to queue out the door - but it's worth it. The sarnies have always been a dissapointment, so grab a takeaway coffee and mooch.
12 locals recommend
Bould Brothers Coffee
16 Round Church StVery cute and tiny indie coffee shop with a fantastic flat white. Expect to queue out the door - but it's worth it. The sarnies have always been a dissapointment, so grab a takeaway coffee and mooch.
Very wide array of ales and more, Pint Shop is a little pricey but good for a snack and drink in the bar downstairs, or try to reserve a table upsstairs for formal dining.
35 locals recommend
Pint Shop
10 Peas HillVery wide array of ales and more, Pint Shop is a little pricey but good for a snack and drink in the bar downstairs, or try to reserve a table upsstairs for formal dining.
Head into the Varsity Hotel, past reception and to the lift. Head up, up and away...to the ROOF TERRACE.
Phenomenal views and the best place to be on a sunny day (though no shade so need sunscreen or, when breezy, a warm layer). Drinks are expensive, so grab one for the view before heading down to the (cheaper) brasserie called SIX, the floor below. The fare is pretty standard but still nice views.
8 locals recommend
Six
24 Thompsons LnHead into the Varsity Hotel, past reception and to the lift. Head up, up and away...to the ROOF TERRACE.
Phenomenal views and the best place to be on a sunny day (though no shade so need sunscreen or, when breezy, a warm layer). Drinks are expensive, so grab one for the view before heading down to the (cheaper) brasserie called SIX, the floor below. The fare is pretty standard but still nice views.
Fine Dining at it's very best, with stellar service and in relaxed atmosphere. Set in a Cambridge townhouse, if you manage to reserve a table (often months in advance) you're in for a treat. They do sometimes have late cancellations, so worth calling to see if you can nab a place for lunch or, our favourite, the evening tasting menu.
19 locals recommend
Restaurant Twenty Two
22 Chesterton RdFine Dining at it's very best, with stellar service and in relaxed atmosphere. Set in a Cambridge townhouse, if you manage to reserve a table (often months in advance) you're in for a treat. They do sometimes have late cancellations, so worth calling to see if you can nab a place for lunch or, our favourite, the evening tasting menu.
Essentials
ALDI
Histon RoadCheap grocery store close by. 2 minutes by bike or a 10 minute walk.
Sainsbury's
Brooks RoadSupermarket within a brief walk from the house.
More expensive, but better range than Aldi for a small shop. Newspapers, fresh bread and a good wine selection.
16 locals recommend
Co-op Food - Milton Road
129 Milton RdMore expensive, but better range than Aldi for a small shop. Newspapers, fresh bread and a good wine selection.
Shopping
An impressive shopping centre - housing high-end big brands, including a large John Lewis - in the heart of the city.
62 locals recommend
The Grand Arcade
Saint Andrew's StreetAn impressive shopping centre - housing high-end big brands, including a large John Lewis - in the heart of the city.
Entertainment & Activities
This is a lovely little enclosed park between Richmond Road and Histon Road which is a nice cut through on the way to the shops.
Histon Road Recreation Ground
This is a lovely little enclosed park between Richmond Road and Histon Road which is a nice cut through on the way to the shops.
Large bar with late license and tiny fringe theatre upstairs. The theatre quality is high and shows tend towards the camp. Tip: Avoid the food - there are better options nearby.
Town and Gown
8 Market PassageLarge bar with late license and tiny fringe theatre upstairs. The theatre quality is high and shows tend towards the camp. Tip: Avoid the food - there are better options nearby.
Live events space with a wide array of entertainment programmed. Check listings: https://www.cambridgelive.org.uk/cornex
56 locals recommend
Cambridge Corn Exchange
2 Wheeler StLive events space with a wide array of entertainment programmed. Check listings: https://www.cambridgelive.org.uk/cornex
Visit the oldest playhouse in the country, right here in Cambridge. Part of the University, you can catch quality student performances for around £10!
https://www.adctheatre.com/
22 locals recommend
ADC Theatre
Park StreetVisit the oldest playhouse in the country, right here in Cambridge. Part of the University, you can catch quality student performances for around £10!
https://www.adctheatre.com/
Cambridge's Arts film hotspot and part of the Picturehouse chain. Head upstairs to the side of The Regal (a weatherspoons pub downstairs) and be transported; modest bar/snacks and three well-kept comfortable cinemas showing the latest in quality film.
69 locals recommend
Arts Picturehouse
38-39 St Andrew's StCambridge's Arts film hotspot and part of the Picturehouse chain. Head upstairs to the side of The Regal (a weatherspoons pub downstairs) and be transported; modest bar/snacks and three well-kept comfortable cinemas showing the latest in quality film.
It's not pretty and it's pretty mainstream BUT the Cambridge Vue Cinema does boast very comfy reclining armchair seating as standard in every one of its stats-of-the-art EIGHT cinema screens. Perfect to catch that blockbuster on a rainy day.
55 locals recommend
Vue Cinema Cambridge
Grafton CentreIt's not pretty and it's pretty mainstream BUT the Cambridge Vue Cinema does boast very comfy reclining armchair seating as standard in every one of its stats-of-the-art EIGHT cinema screens. Perfect to catch that blockbuster on a rainy day.
An impressive museum that hosts globally renowned exhibition alongside prestigious home collections. The building itself is worth the visit (especially if you go through the original entrance doors and look up at the domed ceiling).
https://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/
235 locals recommend
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Trumpington StreetAn impressive museum that hosts globally renowned exhibition alongside prestigious home collections. The building itself is worth the visit (especially if you go through the original entrance doors and look up at the domed ceiling).
https://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/
Drinks & Nightlife
Get the last of the summer sun here. Great selection of wine.
28 locals recommend
Cambridge Wine Merchants
32 Bridge StGet the last of the summer sun here. Great selection of wine.
Carpenters Arms
184-186 Victoria RdVery good Sunday Lunch here.
Good pub food, lots of beers to choose from and a great place to sit in the sun and watch the inexperienced punters punt for the first time on the river. Priceless entertainment for free.
11 locals recommend
The Mill
14 Mill LnGood pub food, lots of beers to choose from and a great place to sit in the sun and watch the inexperienced punters punt for the first time on the river. Priceless entertainment for free.
A top pub down the quaint side streets of the Mill Road areas of the city.
7 locals recommend
The Petersfield
2 Sturton StA top pub down the quaint side streets of the Mill Road areas of the city.
Everything Else
Enjoy an outside swim in the central Jesus Green Lido. Run by the council, it's very affordable...but watch those temperatures (it can be v chilly).
95 locals recommend
Jesus Green
Jesus GreenEnjoy an outside swim in the central Jesus Green Lido. Run by the council, it's very affordable...but watch those temperatures (it can be v chilly).
Open-air eco Spa on your doorstep. Open air bistro, wood-fired, red cedar hot tubs and authentic Finnish barrel saunas.
https://www.paus.life/
6 locals recommend
PAUS.
Toft RoadOpen-air eco Spa on your doorstep. Open air bistro, wood-fired, red cedar hot tubs and authentic Finnish barrel saunas.
https://www.paus.life/
Neighbourhoods
If you have time, a trip to Grantchester Meadows for a stroll and a visit to the quaint village is a must. Home to Byron and Bloomsbury set's wild swimming, it is an eeasy bike ride out from the city, along Newnham and follow cycle path through meadows.
DO visit:
- The Blue Boy pub and (small) beer garden
- The Orchard Tea Rooms
- Grantchester Meadows (mind cowpats!)
- The Cambridge Gin Distillery
- The Red Lion pub and beer garden
40 locals recommend
Grantchester
If you have time, a trip to Grantchester Meadows for a stroll and a visit to the quaint village is a must. Home to Byron and Bloomsbury set's wild swimming, it is an eeasy bike ride out from the city, along Newnham and follow cycle path through meadows.
DO visit:
- The Blue Boy pub and (small) beer garden
- The Orchard Tea Rooms
- Grantchester Meadows (mind cowpats!)
- The Cambridge Gin Distillery
- The Red Lion pub and beer garden