The 16 best restaurants in Cambridge right now

What is it? Hands down the fanciest place to eat in Cambridge. 

Why go? Midsummer House is a two-Michelin-starred restaurant right by the River Cam. It’s famous enough to have its own Wiki page, and its head chef is Daniel Clifford. If you can afford to go, it serves insanely pretty portions of French-inspired food. Midsummer House is where you go when nothing but pure decadence will do (and if you get an invite, all the better).

Time Out tip: Can’t quite fork out £280 per head for the evening tasting menu? The lunch menu is half the price. 

Address: Midsummer House, Midsummer Common, Cambridge CB4 1HA

Opening hours: Wed-Sat noon-1.30pm, 6.30pm-8.30pm

Expect to pay: £105 per head without drinks

What is it? A tiny restaurant serving hand-made Chinese delicacies.

Why go? If you don’t mind cosying up with your fellow diners, this humble food joint serving – you guessed it – traditional snacks from China is indisputably one of the best places to grab lunch or dinner in the city (and it’s thankfully very easy on the wallet). Zhonghua Traditional Snacks is mostly famous for its dumplings but also have a mix of filled buns, noodles, and tasty puddings on the menu to choose from.

Time Out tip: Don’t skip dessert! (Who knew a glutinous rice ball could be so delicious.)

Address: Zhonghua Traditional Snacks, 13 Norfolk St, Cambridge CB1 2LD

Opening hours: Mon-Sun noon-9.30pm

Expect to pay: £12 per head without drinks

What is it? A Michelin-starred restaurant that’s perfect if you like your food served with a little drama.

Why go? Hidden behind the doors of a Victorian townhouse, don’t let Restaurant Twenty-Two's unassuming building fool you – this place plates up dainty mouthfuls of mindblowing flavour concoctions, from confit red pepper tacos to charcoal pastry crammed with juniper ketchup. Expect delicate pastries theatrically placed atop bowls full of pinecones, or a side of blackberries dipped in liquid nitrogen.

Time Out tip: If you’re on a budget, this restaurant’s chic younger sister Margaret’s – which is just as good but with a slightly smaller price tag – is right next door.

Address: Restaurant Twenty-Two, 22 Chesterton Rd, Cambridge CB4 3AX

Opening hours: Wed-Sat noon-1.30pm, 6.30pm-9pm; Sun noon-1.30pm

Expect to pay: £60 per head without drinks

What is it? A tiny Chinese restaurant which is an institution to rival the university itself – but without any of the pomp and circumstance.

Why go? If the around-the-clock queues out the door weren’t enough to vouch for the sheer excellence of Noodles Plus, try their famous xiao long bao and you’ll be utterly won over. But order anything off their relatively short menu and chances are you’ll be impressed. Their head chef cut his teeth in the food biz working at five-star restaurants in Shanghai, and it shows.

Address: Noodles Plus, 28A Mill Rd, Cambridge CB1 2AD

Opening hours: Tue-Sun noon-2.30pm, 5pm-9.30pm

Time Out tip: This humble noodle eatery doesn’t take reservations and is insanely popular, so, if you can, avoid going during peak meal times.

Expect to pay: £10 per head without drinks

What is it? Cambridge’s answer to London’s Dishoom.

Why go? Street food, curries and a healthy selection of lassis are on offer here, cooked up by the team from top Indian restaurant Navadhanya. The idea behind The Tiffin Truck is to bring the tiffin (a light meal that emerged in India as an alternative to the British afternoon tea) to Cambridge – you can even ask for your lunch packed up in a traditional stainless steel box, for a small deposit.

Time Out tip: If you’re of the mind that alcohol improves any drink, the cocktail menu here boasts a boozy mango lassi – and they have been known to host a happy hour.

Address: 22 Regent St, Cambridge CB2 1DB

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12pm-3pm, Sat-Sun 12pm-4pm

Expect to pay: £12.50 per head without drinks

What is it? Inventive British dishes served in what once was Britain’s oldest bike shop.

Why go? If the name wasn’t enough of a hint, there are themed bits and bobs around the place, like the chain cog candle holders, which are a very nice touch. While the prices at The Old Bicycle Shop aren’t cheap, this is a great option for vegetarians and vegans. Forget boring old bean burgers, you can get things like za’atar-crusted tofu kebabs and wild mushroom and miso ramen here. Come for brunch, lunch or dinner.

Time Out tip: Perfect for those of us who aren’t morning people, brunch is served here until 4pm every day except Sunday and is the best value for money in the city.

Address: 104 Regent St, Cambridge CB2 1DP

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 9am-10pm, Fri-Sat 9am-11pm, Sun 10am-9pm

Expect to pay: £20 per head without drinks

What is it? A posh Indian restaurant that comes Michelin-recommended.

Why go? Navadhanya is the very definition of a hidden gem, so don’t be put off by the not so beautiful surroundings – the beautiful grub more than makes up for it. Expect your papadi to be served in a fancy box on a bed of decorative rice and your pav baji (Indian brioche) to come with more than one type of butter.

Time Out tip: A chunk of the dishes can be scaled up into a main or shrunk down into a side, making the restaurant ideal for groups, as long as your companions are willing to share around.

Address: 70 Newmarket Rd, Cambridge CB5 8DZ

Opening hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-11pm

Expect to pay: £25 per head without drinks.

What is it? A gastropub that does classic British food with style and flair.

Why go? At Parker’s Tavern you can expect your cheddar to be spiced up a little (with cayenne straws). This place is perfect if you’re looking for something British that’s slightly fancier than a chip-shop pie. The dishes are presented with care and attention. We’re talking swirls of balsamic around the goat’s cheese and a coronation chicken salad that looks like a finely pruned shrub.

Time Out tip: Part of the historic University Arms Hotel (where Ai Weiwei is rumoured to live), the Parker’s Tavern is also a great place to grab yourself a cocktail, find a plush chair and just hang out.

Address: 52-42 Regent St, Cambridge CB2 1AD

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12pm-11pm, Sun 12pm-9pm

Expect to pay: £35 per head without drinks.

What is it? Fancy pub grub served in a Grade II-listed building that was once home to E.M. Forster.

Why go? Onion and pork bhaji scotch eggs, charcoal-grilled burgers and buttered kale are the sort of things you’ll find on the menu here, but the drinks are where the Pint Shop really shines. The gin menu alone is three pages long and the whisky and wine menus aren’t far off.

Time Out tip: Keep an eye out for The Pint Shop’s drinks board, which changes regularly and features breweries from all over the country.

Address: 10 Peas Hill, Cambridge CB2 3PN

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 11.30am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11.30am-12am, Sun 12pm-10.30pm

Expect to pay: £24 per head without drinks

What is it? A vibrant North African restaurant loved by students.

Why go? If you’ve got creaky hips, this might not be the best restaurant in Cambridge for you. A visual feast of bright fabrics, Bedouin seats its diners down low on cushion-covered carved wooden furniture. Its affordable menu features well-seasoned, succulent tagines for you to top off with Algerian desserts.

Time Out tip: Book well in advance as this is a popular spot, but if you’re turned away they’ll likely tell you that their other restaurant, Al Casbah, is down the road and has tables free.

Address: 98-100 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2BD

Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun 12-3pm & 5-10pm, Sat 12-10pm, closed Tue

Expect to pay: £22.50 per head without drinks.

What is it? A North African restaurant that mixes traditional and modern cuisine.

Why go? Cosy up at a candlelit table decorated with mosaic tiles and enjoy creamy hummus, some falafel or a tender lamb shoulder that falls apart when you nudge it. If you’re avoiding alcohol, Al Casbah is the ideal dinner location – because they don’t serve any. Instead, there’s a selection of fresh juices: apple, celery and parsley, anyone? Although the lamb is excellent, there are also plenty of veggie options including ingredients like artichokes, halloumi and stuffed peppers.

Time Out tip: Though their thing is very much grilled meat, there are excellent vegan and veggie options here too like cauliflower steak or tagine.

Address: 62 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2AS

Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun 12-3pm & 5-10.30 pm, Tue 5-10.30pm

Expect to pay: £20 per head without drinks.

What is it? The perfect punt-spotting pub for casual afternoon drinking.

Why go? No one spends any serious time in Cambridge without venturing down to the sinuous River Cam, either for a walk or a boat ride. Book a table at one of the most popular pubs in town, The Mill, for comfort food done the English pub way.

Time Out tip: If the weather’s looking good, you can venture out onto the site of the former mill itself with your pint in hand.

Address: 16 Chesterton Mill, Chesterton Rd, Cambridge, CB4 1ER

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 12pm–11pm, Fri–Sat 12pm–12am, Sun 12pm–10:30pm

Expect to pay: £17 per head without drinks.

What is it? A fairly swish deli-restaurant with one wall covered in plants. If you love classic Italian food, look no further.

Why go? Fancy some truffle shavings on al-dente tagliatelle or an antipasti board? Love a pizza that’s never quite circular, with lovely uneven charring? This is your place. When the weather's warm Limoncello feels just like Tuscany – especially if you make use of the flowery outdoor patio. Saluti to that!

Time Out tip: This place doubles up as a deli, so you can recreate your Italian fine dining experience at home.

Address: 212 Mill Rd, Cambridge CB1 3NF

Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm-10pm, closed Mon

Expect to pay: £23 per head without drinks

What is it? A snazzy restaurant and bar which is a great spot for an atmospheric pre-train meal.

Why go? The Tamburlaine is a hop, skip and jump from Cambridge’s main station. Prop yourself up on a velvet sofa and indulge in porcini mushroom arancini and apple gyoza while admiring the Victorian wallpaper.

Time Out tip: They don’t skimp on portion sizes here so go in on an empty stomach. You’ve been warned!

Address: 27-29 Station Rd, Cambridge CB1 2FB

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12pm-11pm, Sun 12pm-9pm

Expect to pay: £30 per head without drinks

What is it? Your best shout for American-style barbecue food.

Why go? Smokeworks has a no-bookings policy that’s perfect for rainy days when you get a sudden urge for something indulgent. The food is served on a large tray; the meat is glazed, the buns are brioche and the french fries are plentiful. It’s where to go for instant gratification, whether you desire a large salted caramel milkshake or a waiter to serve you every time you flick a switch on the wall (bizarrely, they offer a neon light-operated service).

Time Out tip: This all-American food spot has two different sites – one in town, for easy access to the best of the city, or one near the station for a speedy pre or post-train meal.

Address: 1-3 Station Road, Cambridge, CB1 2JB, and 2 Free School Ln, Cambridge CB2 3QA

Opening hours: Various

Expect to pay: £15 per head without drinks

What is it? Cosy, stylish and does a top Sunday roast.

Why go? The Petersfield serves food throughout the week, but it scores particularly highly for its Sunday lunch. There’s not a soggy spud in sight here, and the sticky toffee pudding could feed three (or, you know, just one). Wash it all down with a pint of still cider.

Time Out tip: Keep an eye out for their supper club once a month featuring food and wine from various regions around the world.

Address: 2 Sturton St, Cambridge CB1 2QA

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 12pm-11pm

Expect to pay: £23 per head without drinks