Whether you’re looking for a leisurely lunch in a quiet café or a taste of decadence over candlelight, Cambridge promises a deliciously full menu. From local markets to Michelin star restaurants, all tastes are well and truly catered for in this ancient city.
If you’re ready to fuel your appetite, keep on reading for our dedicated guide to great places to eat in Cambridge, all within easy reach of our Gonville Hotel on Parker’s Piece.
Image Credit: Gonville Kitchen
For a night of wining and dining, uncover some of Cambridge’s top restaurants. Scattered around the city, each one offers the perfect opportunity to don your glad rags and treat yourself to some of the finest cuisine in the city.
Just remember to book in advance to avoid missing out.
One of the best restaurants in Cambridge, our very own Gonville Kitchen takes pride of place in the heart of the city.
Savour an aperitif at The Long Bar before heading over to your table to peruse the selection of sharing plates and traditional signature dishes. When you book a table with us, you’ll be treated to curated dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, complemented by a handpicked wine list; each dish is a refined fusion of flavour.
In its third decade, Daniel Clifford’s riverside restaurant, Midsummer House, offers a beautiful location in which to enjoy contemporary British cuisine.
Bestowed with two Michelin stars, it’s not only one of the best places to eat in Cambridge but beyond as well. Book well in advance and look forward to sampling its expertly prepared tasting menus, updated and evolved with the seasons.
Distance from Gonville (on foot): 22 Minutes
Address: Midsummer House, Midsummer Common, Cambridge CB4 1HA
The Michelin-starred Restaurant Twenty-Two sits within a striking Victorian townhouse on Chesterton Road.
With its intimate atmosphere and heavenly menu of modern cuisine, this is a wonderful choice for lavish lunches and cosy date nights. You can book a table for both lunch and dinner.
Distance from Gonville (on foot): 26 Minutes
Address: Restaurant Twenty Two, 22 Chesterton Rd, Cambridge CB4 3AX
With seasonality and provenance at the fore, Vanderlyle on Mill Road is the place to go for the finest farm-to-fork fare. Recommended by the Michelin Guide, its industrial chic interiors are softened by mood lighting and a welcoming ambience.
Make a reservation and anticipate fresh, well-balanced flavours from its vegetarian menu, with favourites such as tempura oyster mushroom and rhubarb sorbet.
Distance from Gonville (on foot): 8 Minutes
Address: 38 Mill Rd, Petersfield, Cambridge CB1 2AD
Image Credit: Rafeeq Hassan
The perfect pitstops for brunches and afternoon pick-me-ups, Cambridge is home to a huge array of cafés and culinary hubs. All perfectly placed within reach of its museums, colleges and attractions, they each boast their own unique character and a wealth of foodie temptations.
Established in 1920, Fitzbillies is a quintessential Cambridge institution. Best-known for its famous “sticky, sweet, and memorable” Chelsea buns, this is a must-visit for anyone visiting or revisiting the city.
What’s more, with three branches across the city, you won’t ever have to walk too far before finding one of these inviting cafés and the array of sweet and savoury treats within.
Closest branch to Gonville (on foot): 15 Minutes
Address: Fitzbillies, 51-53 Trumpington St, Cambridge CB2 1RG
Can’t start your morning without a hot coffee? Or simply enjoy perking up your day with an aromatic blend? Bould Brothers Coffee is the place for you. Founded by brothers, Max and Alex Bould, Bould Brothers Coffee celebrates all things artisan – from the quality of the bean to the artistry of the brew.
Visit one of their two coffee shops on either Regent Street or Round Church Street to pick up a cup of goodness.
Closest branch to Gonville (on foot): 3 Minutes to Regent Street
Address: Bould Brothers Coffee, 88 Regent St, Cambridge CB2 1DP
To continue your pursuit of the finest coffee around, make your way over to Hot Numbers Coffee. Home of the self-professed best speciality coffee in the city, their coffee is roasted onsite in small batches and promises a unique flavour and smooth drinking experience. Head over to either Gwydir Street or Trumpington Street for brunch, art, live music and, of course, coffee.
Distance from Gonville (on foot): 8 Minutes
Closest Branch Address: Hot Numbers Coffee, 4 Trumpington St, Cambridge CB2 1QA
One of the best places to eat in Cambridge for all things Sicilian, Aromi brings flavoursome, nostalgic and feel-good tastes to the heart of the city. Wend your way over to one of their hubs (1 Bene’t Street, 30 Fitzroy Street, and 3 Peas Hill) and anticipate authentic recipes and mouthwatering tastes, from sourdough pizza, herb-infused focaccia, cheesy arancini, and creamy gelato. Remember, this is not Italian – it’s Sicilian!
Closest branch to Gonville (on foot): 12 Minutes
Address: Aromi Caffe and Gelateria, 30 Fitzroy St, Cambridge CB1 1EW
Image Credit: nensuria
When it comes to places to eat in Cambridge, it’s not just restaurants and cafés that tempt food-lovers. Popping up all over the city are both well-established and specialist markets selling everything from local produce to international street food.
Found on Market Hill, Market Square Market is one of the longest-running markets in Cambridge. Open every day from 10am to 4pm throughout the year, except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day, this beloved market is well-known for its stalls brimming with fresh ingredients, artisan produce, street food, plants, books, and more.
Distance from Gonville (on foot): 14 Minutes
Address: Cambridge Market Square, Market Hill, Cambridge CB1 0SS
For something a little different, turn your attention to foodPark. An independent collective, foodPark brings together some of the best Cambridge-based street food chefs and traders at pop-up events throughout the year. Taking place at lunchtime markets at various places throughout Cambridge, its events can often be enjoyed at locations such as Cambridge Science Park, West Square, and Station Square.
For current addresses and distances from Gonville, please visit the foodPark website.
Image Credit: Gonville Kitchen
Right in the city centre, The Gonville Hotel couldn’t be better placed for making the most of Cambridge’s culinary scene. Whether you’re joining us for afternoon tea, a weekend of wining and dining, or enjoying a heavenly base for gourmet exploration, you are sure to enjoy an unforgettable stay.
Turn your epicurean adventure into a relaxing stay at our hotel in Cambridge. Allowing you to fully embrace the experience, our stunning rooms are a short walk from the city’s restaurants and bars and promise all the comfort and relaxation for a memorable stay. Book now or contact us to find out more.
This short itinerary includes everything from the city’s famous colleges and museums to experiencing a traditional punting experience. And, not forgetting a few key stops for an enjoyable lunch.
Whether you visit in the crisp calm of winter, the bloom of spring, the long days of summer, or the rich colours of autumn, Cambridge has an abundance of beautiful green spaces to explore.
From medieval market squares and cobbled independent streets to grand covered shopping centres and artisan craft stalls, the city offers one of the most rewarding retail experiences in the region, all within easy reach of Gonville Hotel.
You don’t need a big budget to enjoy culture in Cambridge. In fact, many of the city’s finest attractions are free to enjoy. With museums, galleries and collections packed together with architectural marvels, quaint market streets and stunning riverside pathways, there’s so much to explore for free.
Join us as we explore some of the most famous people from Cambridge, and discover the places around the city where you can still trace their footsteps. How many will you recognise?
This historic city has quietly shaped the modern world. Walk through medieval courtyards where brilliant minds once studied, and discover how a Roman settlement along the River Cam became the birthplace of breakthroughs that still define our lives today.
A city full of majestic architecture and cultural delights, Cambridge is famous for its world-renowned university — but there are plenty of other reasons to visit this vibrant city.
For anyone planning a trip to Cambridge for the first time, there are a few things that should be included in your itinerary. The iconic King’s College, The Bridge of Sighs, The Eagle Pub and of course, Cambridge’s scenic views and sunset.
Cambridge is known for its cobbled streets and its famous university - but there are plenty of places to see in Cambridge beyond the prestigious academic hub too. You can find them on the doorstep of the Gonville Hotel, allowing you to plan your visit from our centrally located hotel. In this guide, we will help you discover some of the best places to see in Cambridge, with a little something for everyone.