Whether you're visiting for a day trip, weekend, or just looking for somewhere special for dinner, there are plenty of restaurants in Cambridge to choose from.
From Michelin-starred tasting menus and outstanding seafood restaurants to neighbourhood favourites on Mill Road, there's far more to restaurants in Cambridge than student cafés and historic pubs.
To help you decide where to eat, I've rounded up the best restaurants in Cambridge, including menu highlights, what each restaurant is best known for, and how far they are from Cambridge railway station.
Top tip: you travel to Cambridge by train, you can add a PlusBus ticket which gives you unlimited travel on local buses, unlocking more of the Cambridge area and making all of these restaurants easily accessible.
Read more: How to spend 48 hours in Cambridge
1. Midsummer House
Best for: Special occasions and Michelin-star dining
One of the UK's most celebrated restaurants, Midsummer House sits beside the River Cam and offers an ambitious tasting menu built around seasonal British ingredients. The experience is refined but unpretentious, making it a favourite for birthdays, anniversaries and memorable celebrations.
Menu highlights: Multi-course tasting menus, seasonal seafood, premium British produce.
Distance from Cambridge Station: 10 minutes by bus
2. Restaurant Twenty Two
Best for: Modern fine dining
This intimate restaurant has earned a reputation for its inventive tasting menus and carefully sourced ingredients. The food changes regularly with the seasons, giving returning diners something new each visit.
Menu highlights: Seasonal tasting menus, locally sourced meat and seafood, creative desserts.
Distance from Cambridge Station: 10 minutes by bus.
3. Dishoom Permit Room Cambridge
Best for: Indian-inspired comfort food
Dishoom's Cambridge outpost brings the brand's famous Bombay-inspired dishes to the heart of the city. It's a particularly good option if you're looking for somewhere lively that works equally well for lunch or dinner.
Menu highlights: Bacon naan rolls, black daal, house biryanis, curries and small plates.
Distance from Cambridge Station: 15 minutes by bus.
4. Fin Boys
Best for: Seafood lovers
Located near the station on Mill Road, Fin Boys is one of Cambridge's most talked-about restaurants. The menu focuses on sustainably sourced fish and seafood prepared with creativity and precision.
Menu highlights: Oysters, crudo, grilled fish and daily seafood specials.
Distance from Cambridge Station: 15-minute walk.
5. Fancett's
Best for: Date nights
A long-standing Cambridge favourite, Fancett's combines classic French techniques with modern British ingredients. The intimate dining room makes it particularly popular for date nights.
Menu highlights: Duck dishes, seasonal game, seafood starters and French desserts.
Distance from Cambridge Station: 10-minute walk.
6. Bedouin
Best for: Sharing plates and relaxed vibes
Bedouin has developed a loyal following thanks to its North African menu and colourful interior. The atmosphere is warm and informal, making it ideal for long, indulgent dinners with friends.
Menu highlights: Tagines, mezze platters, couscous dishes and grilled meats.
Distance from Cambridge Station: 10-minute walk.
7. Margaret's Cambridge
Best for: Contemporary British cooking
Margaret's is one of the most sought-after restaurants in Cambridge thanks to its ingredient-led menu and relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere. The restaurant champions seasonal British produce, with dishes designed around what's at its best at the time of year. Expect thoughtful cooking, generous flavours and a wine list that's been carefully selected to complement the changing menu.
Menu highlights: Seasonal sharing plates, British meat dishes and fresh seafood.
Distance from Cambridge Station: 20 minutes by bus.
8. North Star Restaurant
Best for: A stylish dinner near the city centre
Located on Trumpington Street, North Star offers a modern menu with global influences while remaining approachable and relaxed. Its central location makes it an easy choice after a day of sightseeing.
Menu highlights: Small plates, seasonal mains and creative cocktails.
Distance from Cambridge Station: 15 minutes by bus.
9. The Oak Bistro
Best for: Classic British dining
The Oak Bistro has been serving Cambridge diners for years and remains one of the most reliable restaurants in Cambridge. Expect seasonal British cooking in a welcoming setting close to the Botanic Garden.
Menu highlights: Steak, lamb, fresh fish and traditional British desserts.
Distance from Cambridge Station: 15-minute walk.
10. Bread & Meat
Best for: Casual lunches
Not every meal in Cambridge needs to be a tasting menu. Bread & Meat is a local institution thanks to its simple approach to high-quality sandwiches and roast meats. It has a relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff, and sandwiches which drip down your arm in the best possible way.
Menu highlights: Roast beef sandwiches, porchetta rolls and loaded fries.
Distance from Cambridge Station: 20 minutes by bus.
11. Hobbson's Restaurant Cambridge
Best for: Fish and chips in the city centre
If you're craving a classic British meal, Hobbson's is widely regarded as one of the best restaurants in Cambridge for sustainably sourced fish and chips. They also specialise in pies, from steak and spitfire ale to to cheese and onion and even butter chicken.
Menu highlights: Fish and chips, pies, seafood platters and traditional British favourites.
Distance from Cambridge Station: 20 minutes by bus.
12. Prana Indian Restaurant
Best for: Indian fine dining near the station
Located on Mill Road, Prana combines traditional Indian flavours with a more refined dining experience. Its location close to Cambridge station makes it a convenient option for visitors arriving by train.
Menu highlights: Butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, lamb shank and extensive vegetarian options.
Distance from Cambridge Station: 10-minute walk.
13. Stazione Restaurant
Best for: Italian dining in the city centre
Stazione remains a popular choice for visitors looking for dependable Italian cooking in a central location. The extensive menu covers everything from freshly prepared pasta dishes and stone-baked pizzas to seafood, steaks and classic Mediterranean favourites, making it an easy crowd-pleaser for families and groups.
Menu highlights: Fresh pasta, risotto, seafood specials and Mediterranean classics.
Distance from Cambridge Station: 15 minutes by bus.
Which restaurant in Cambridge is best?
If you're looking for a truly memorable meal, Midsummer House and Restaurant Twenty Two sit at the top of Cambridge's dining scene. For seafood, Fin Boys is hard to beat. If you're arriving by train and want somewhere within easy walking distance of Cambridge Station, Fin Boys, Prana, Fancett's and Bedouin are all excellent choices.
The good news is that many of Cambridge's best restaurants are reachable on foot from the station, making the city an easy destination for a food-focused day trip by train.
