Top Cultural Restaurants in Cambridge

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In a city as diverse as Cambridge, it seems only natural that one is spoiled for choice when it comes to food. Boasting everything from elegant restaurants to fresh artsy venues and local, family-run eateries, Cambridge has something for everyone’s tastes. From student eats to extravagant meals, these ten cultural restaurants represent a handpicked selection of venues that stand for the best of Cambridge eating.

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Michaelhouse Café

 

As you walk the cobbled streets of Cambridge, admiring the spires of Gonville and Caius, you may miss this tucked-away gem. This transformed church sits just off the busy street and is a real delight to find. The menus at Michaelhouse Café change daily, so you can be sure that you will never have the same experience twice. With the ethos of making simple food perfectly, the meals are fresh, tasty and reasonably priced. The menus feature mouth-watering cooked breakfasts, as well as delicious lunches which regularly boast a selection of the café’s famous quiches and casseroles. Aside from the food, which is undeniably lovely, the Michaelhouse Café is wonderful for its venue. If you can grab one of the upstairs sofas, it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a tea and scone with its airy, open feel and interesting collection of books and paintings.

The Eagle

The Eagle sits at the heart of the centre of town, and is one of the oldest inns in Cambridge, dating back to the early 14th century. Notorious for being the place where Watson and Crick announced to the world they had discovered ‘the secret of life’, that is DNA, there is certainly more than meets the eye. Look up and you will see the infamous RAF ceiling which has the signatures of RAF pilots from all over the world who returned from the Second World War and signed their names on the ceiling using only cigarette lighters, candle smoke and lipstick. Serving traditional pub grub (the sausage and mash is gorgeous, and the burgers are packed full and stacked high) and cask ales, this pub has a real British homely feel. In the summer you can sit outside in the courtyard-style outside eating area and watch the hustle and bustle of Cambridge go by.

Don Pasquale

Probably the most perfectly situated restaurant in Cambridge, Don Pasquale resides on the edges of the market square. As one of the city’s most admired and long-standing establishments, it is often considered by residents and students alike to be the best Italian restaurant in town. Family-run, the food quality here is always impeccable. With generous portion sizes and freshly made pizza dough, guests are guaranteed to leave feeling comfortably full – but wanting to come back for more. Because it is so popular, it can often get busy at lunchtimes and weekends, so it is worth ringing in advance to guarantee your place. The prices are incredibly reasonable for the standard of food, and really, what could be better than sitting outside in the market with a proper cup of Italian coffee?

The Rainbow Café

Unique in Cambridge for serving only complete vegetarian food and specialising in vegan and gluten-free food, The Rainbow Café has established itself as one of the city’s best-loved vegetarian and alternative restaurants. Independent and with refreshing originality, this is the one-stop-shop for brightening your mood. Fully approved by the vegetarian society, everything is freshly made daily with natural ingredients free from colourings, additives or flavourings. The famous homemade soups are both filling and healthy. Guests can eat with a good conscience here as the wines, beers and ciders are vegan and ecologically produced, all eggs are free-range, and the food is perfectly organic.

Stickybeaks

As an independent café, Stickybeaks has got a bit of a reputation in the city for providing delicious, picture-perfect food that looks as if it has jumped right out of a recipe book. A hive of making and baking, the kitchen is open-plan and certainly has a feel of crisp summer about it. The café has got a worn and lived-in look to it, and is always busy and buzzing – especially on Sundays when brunch is served. But what really gets people talking are the cakes: the chunky gooeyness of the rocky road and the nostalgic taste of the oat strudel slice demonstrate why this modern, minimalist café is renowned for its sweet treats. Served alongside a big cup of tea, this is a perfect stop for a break from shopping. If you are looking for something more substantial, then look no further than the lunch menu. Although it changes daily, you may see beef bourguignon, smoked mackerel and pea frittata, a puy lentil lasagne or a leeks and cream cheese salmon en croute.

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From the Culture Trip 

 
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