The best cheap eats
Eating out in Cambridge
You’ve hit the right page to find out where to go for a cheap bite to eat in Cambridge!
Curated by Gerla, the founder of the award-winning Cambridge Food Tour, you can find here a list of excellent places to eat in Cambridge where you don’t have to break the bank!
For orientation purposes, we have added the walking distance from Kings College. ( average walking speed)
Are you visiting Cambridge soon or a local who would like to explore Cambridge? Here is our guide with the top 10 things to do, where to stay, eat, drink and What’s On in Cambridge.
BEST DEALS FOR PUB FOOD IN CAMBRIDGE
The Free Press Pub
7 Prospect Row, CB1 1DU
15 min from Kings College
- Cosy Pub
- dogs welcome
- local hangout
No deals – Good Pub food
The Green Dragon Pub
5 Water St, CB4 1NZ
30 min from Kings College
- Cosy Pub
- dogs welcome
- local hangout
Turkish food & Street Food
The Corner House Pub
231 Newmarket Rd, CB5 8JE
25 min from Kings College
- Cosy Pub
- dogs welcome
- local hangout
Regular deals
The Maypole Pub
20A Portugal Pl, CB5 8AF
10 min from Kings College
- Cosy Pub
- dogs welcome
- local hangout
Burgers, Pizza & Italian Food
The Punter Pub
Pound Hill – CB3 OAE
10 min from Kings College
- Cosy Pub
- dogs welcome
- local hangout
Weekday lunch £ 5 p.p.
The Petersfield Pub
Sturton Street – CB1 2QA
20 min from Kings college
- Cosy Pub
- dogs welcome
- local hangout
2 courses for £ 18 from 5-7 pm
The Pint Shop
Peas Hill – CB2 3PN
2 min from Kings College
- Craft Beer Pub
- Covered beer garden
- local hangout
No deals – Go for Bar food
The Mill Pub
Mill Lane – CB2 1RX
10 min from Kings College
- Cosy Pub
- dogs welcome
- local hangout
No deals – Go for Bar food
BEST DEALS FOR ASIAN FOOD IN CAMBRIDGE
Zhongua
Norfolk Street – CB1 2LD
15 min from Kings College
- Tiny restaurant
- Basic interior
- Authentic Chinese
All dumplings home made
Noodles Plus
Mill Road – CB1 2AD
15 min from Kings College
- Tiny restaurant
- Basic interior
- Shanghai style food
Tip: Try the Xiao Long Bao!
Cafe Oriental
Burleigh Street – CB1 1DG
10 min from Kings College
- Medium sized cafe
- English fry-ups
- Handmade dumplings
Tip: Fried stuffed dumplings!
Yippee Noodle Bar
King Street – CB1 1LH
8 min from Kings College
- Large restaurant
- Seating on long tables
- Noodles and dumplings
Open in the evenings too.
BEST DEALS FOR ITALIAN FOOD IN CAMBRIDGE
Aromi
3 locations in city centre
5 or 10 min from Kings College
- very popular with locals
- pizzas & pastries
- anti pasta boards
Peas Hill and Grafton Centre
Maurizio
44 Mill Rd, CB1 2AS
20 min from Kings College
- very popular with locals
- pizzas & mains
- excellent wine list
Tip: Try their Tiramisu
Signorellis Deli
Burleigh Street – CB1 1DG
10 min from Kings College
- pizzas, pasta & pastries
- Deli
- open till late
Aperitivo from 5 – 7 pm!
Charlies Coffee Company
Burleigh Street – CB1 1DJ
10 min from Kings College
- pizzas and pastries
- child friendly
- local & student hangout
Lunchtime hatch next door
Calverley’s at the Museum
Riverside, CB5 8HN
30 min from Kings College
- bar & covered terrace
- pizzas
- popular with locals
Excellent pizzas
De Luca Cucina & Bar
Regent Street – CB2 1AW
15 min from Kings College
- restaurant & cocktail bar
- two floors
- piano bar open till late
Rapido lunch £ 10 p.p.
Tradizione
Mill Road – CB1 3AH
20 min from Kings College
- tiny restaurant
- closed between 2-5 pm
- BYO alcohol
Tip: Try their sharing boards!
Stazione restaurant
Petty Curry – CB2 3NJ
2 min from Kings College
- restaurant in the cellar
- heated terrace
- popular with visitors
Lunchtime deals
The Maypole
20A Portugal Pl, CB5 8AF
10 min from Kings College
- Cosy Pub
- dogs welcome
- local hangout
Burgers, Pizza & Italian Food
La Margaritha
15 Magdalene St, CB3 0AF
10 min from Kings College
- pizzas & mains
- historic centre
- large restaurant
Family owned
Limoncello
Mill Road – CB1 3AH
20 min from Kings College
- restaurant & deli
- covered terrace
- local hangout
Tip: Try their sharing boards!
Butch Annie’s
23 Market Passage, CB2 3PA
5 min from Kings College
- Detroit deep pan pizza
- burgers & pizza
- Large restaurant
The Detroit pizza is cheesy!
BEST CAFES FOR A BITE TO EAT IN CAMBRIDGE
Urban Larder
Mill Road – CB1 3AH
30 min from Kings College
- small cafe
- dogs welcome
- local & student hangout
Tip: Try their toasties
Scott’s All Day
Mill Rd – CB1 2AZ
30 min from Kings College
- urban cafe
- dogs welcome
- local & student hangout
Breakfast, lunch and cakes
The Garden Kitchen
Mill Road – CB1 2AS
25 min from Kings College
- tiny cafe
- Botanical Gardens also
- open from 7 am
Breakfast, lunch and cakes
Hot Numbers
Trumpington Rd & Gwydir Str.
5 or 15 min from Kings College
- funky (music) cafes
- local coffee roasters
- local hangout
Breakfast, lunch and cakes
Bould Brothers
Round Church Str – CB5 8 AD
5 or 15 min from Kings College
- local hangout
- two locations
- dog friendly
Also in Regent Street
Bridges
Bridge Street – CB2 1UF
5 min from Kings College
- small cafe
- delicious fresh juices
- lunch & hot food
Tip: Tasty Asian food!
The Edge Cafe
Mill Road – CB1 3DF
30 min from Kings College
- community cafe
- not open on Sunday
- local hangout
Breakfast, lunch and cakes
Norfolk Street Bakery
Norfolk Street & Station Road
15 min from Kings College
- Portuguese Bakery
- not open on Sunday
- Breakfast, lunch & cakes
Tip: Try their Pastel del Natte
The Locker Cafe
King Street – CB1 1LN
10 min from Kings College
- Art cafe
- dogs welcome
- local hang out
Two floors and outside area
Espresso Library
East Road – CB1 1BG
15 min from Kings College
- funky cycle Cafe
- dogs welcome
- local hangout
Check out their events
Novi Cambridge
Regent Street – CB1 1DB
10 min from Kings College
- Modern cuisine
- Cocktail bar open till late
- local hangout
Check out their Brunch menu
Cafe Foy
2 Quayside, CB5 8AB
10 min from Kings College
- Casual cafe
- Oyster Lab pop up
- local hangout
Tip: Try their Rueben!
BEST DEALS FOR BEER GARDEN FOOD IN CAMBRIDGE
Calverley’s Brewery
Hooper Street – CB4 2NZ
30 min from Kings College
- funky Craft brewery
- pizzas from Scott’s
- local hangout
Excellent Craft beer!
The OtherSyde
Riverside, CB5 8HN
30 min from Kings College
- bar & covered terrace
- pizzas
- popular with locals
Excellent pizzas
The Pint Shop
Peas Hill – CB2 3PN
2 min from Kings College
- Craft Beer Pub
- Covered beer garden
- local hangout
No deals – Go for Bar food
Thirsty Cambridge
46 Chesterton Rd – CB4 1EN
20 min from Kings College
- craft beer & wine
- rotating street food
- local hangout
Quirky beer garden
The Green Dragon
5 Water St, CB4 1NZ
30 min from Kings College
- Cosy Pub
- dogs welcome
- local hangout
Turkish & Street Food
The Waterman
32 Chesterton Road – CB4 3AX
20 min from Kings College
- Cosy Pub
- dogs welcome
- local hangout
Tip: Check out their events
The Petersfield
2 Sturton Street – CB1 2QA
30 min from Kings College
- Cosy Pub
- dogs welcome
- local hangout
Tip: Check out their events
The Maypole
20A Portugal Pl, CB5 8AF
10 min from Kings College
- Cosy Pub
- dogs welcome
- local hangout
Burgers, Pizza & Italian Food
BEST DEALS FOR FOOD AT WINE BARS
Thirsty Chesterton
46 Chesterton Rd – CB4 1EN
20 min from Kings College
- craft beer & wine
- rotating street food
- local hangout
Quirky beer garden
Maurizio
44 Mill Rd – CB1 2AS
20 min from Kings College
- very popular with locals
- pizzas & mains
- excellent wine list
Tip: Try their Tiramisu
CWM Cherry Hinton
Cherry Hinton Road – CB1 7|BX
30 min from Kings College
- Wine Merchant
- Sharing boards
- local hangout
Check out their flight of wine
CWM Bridge Street
Bridge Street – CB2 1UJ
5 min from Kings College
- Central Cambridge
- Sharing boards
- wine merchant
Check out their flight of wine
BEST DEALS FOR STREET FOOD AT THE LOCAL MARKET
Arepas Station
Local market on Market hill
1 min from Kings College
- Venezuelan bun
- gluten-free
- Sat & Sun
It’s delicious!
Mediterranean Falafel
Local market on Market hill
1 min from Kings College
- Mediterranean
- rotating places
- made on the spot
Best Falafels ever!
Hallouman
Local market on Market hill
1 min from Kings College
- Tacos & Halloumi
- Halloumi burgers
- opposite the church
Tip: Try the tacos
The Mac Daddy
Local market on Market hill
1 min from Kings College
- Mac & Cheese
- also vegan
- opposite the church
Freshly prepared!
Cambridge Be Waffle
Local market on Market hill
1 min from Kings College
- Belgium Waffles
- Not Sunday
- Delicious toppings
Opposite M&S
Cardoso’s kitchen
Local market on Market hill
1 min from Kings College
- Goan Indian cuisine
- his mum is the chef
- rotating places
Not too spicy!
Neidas
Local market on Market hill
1 min from Kings College
- Brazilian food
- also shop
- cakes and hot food
Excellent Pastel del Natte!
Posh Azuma
Local market on Market hill
1 min from Kings College
- Malaysian cuisine
- Japanese cuisine
- cash only
Authentic cuisine
BEST DEALS FOR WORLD CUISINE IN CAMBRIDGE
Al Casbah
Mill Road – CB1 2AS
25 min from Kings College
- North African cuisine
- street food
- open grill
Lunch deal available
Carlos BBQ & Take away
Mill Road – CB1 2AS
20 min from Kings college
- Turkish food
- quick service
- local hangout
No frill restaurant
Bibimbap
Mill Road – CB1 2AS
20 min from Kings College
- Korean food
- closed 3 – 5 pm
- local hangout
Only Bibimbap place in Camb
Bedouin
Mill Road – CB1 2DB
20 min from Kings College
- North African cuisine
- meze & Tagines
- local hangout
Dine in a Bedouin tent!
Little Petra
Mill Road – CB1 2BD
20 min from Kings
- Jordan cuisine
- mezzes & pastry
- local hangout
Daily offers.
Nanna Mexico
Petty Curry & Regent Street
2 and 10 min from Kings
- Mexican food
- build your own
- local hangout
Try the breakfast Burrito!
Gardenia ( Gardies)
Rose Cresent – CB2 3LL
1 min from Kings College
- Greek food
- local institution
- local & student hangout
After clubbing, open till 5 am!
Tzazkiki
Mill Rd – CB1 3NL
20 min from Kings
- Greek cuisine
- Great beer garden
- local hangout
Excellent Greek food
Bread & Meat
Bene’t street– CB2 3QN
1 min from Kings College
- slow cooked meat
- also vegetarian & vegan
- best sarnies in town
Check out their specials!
SmokeWorks
Two locations
1 and 20 min from Kings
- American style meat
- vegetarian options
- try fried Mac&Cheese
Free School lane & Station Rd
Yim Wah Express
Regent Street – CB2 1EG
10 min from Kings College
- local institution
- also Peking duck
- a local Chinese favourite
Quick and authentic
The Sea Tree
Mill Road – CB1 3AH
20 min from Kings College
- award-winning
- also fresh fish
- local hangout
Best fish and chips in town!
Food & Drinks
Where to find the best independent cafes, shops, bars and restaurants in Cambridge? We have mapped it out for you on our handy guide for Cambridge’s Michelin Restaurants, best local Street Food, restaurants and pubs in the Arts Quarter and places to grab a coffee or something stronger.
FOOD EVENTS NOT TO BE MISSED IN CAMBRIDGE
A MUST DO FOR A FOODIE
Food Walking Tours
CAMBRIDGE ON A PLATE
Imagine strolling through Cambridge in the bright sunlight past colleges which sparkle in the sun, wandering through quaint passages set around the historic Market Place, and enjoying the stunning scenery as you enjoy the delicious food in one of the oldest university towns in England.
Sounds this like your kind of thing? Explore Cambridge through the eyes of a foodie on one of the Food Walking Tours of the Cambridge Food Tour. You’ll have lots to eat, washed down with a drink and have fun with fellow foodies. And, of course, it is one of the best ways to explore Cambridge. Not just for tourists and visitors, it is just as much fun and interesting for locals. Delicious Magazine UK even called Cambridge, a city peppered with international cuisine’.
FOOD FESTIVAL
Eat Cambridge
THE FOOD FESTIVAL OF CAMBRIDGE
Eat Cambridge is an annual food and drink festival showcasing Cambridgeshire’s delicious independent food scene. Taking place for two weeks every May, the festival was founded in 2013 by three local food lovers and is organised and run entirely by volunteers.
Every year, Eat Cambridge’s Main Event, and two-week fringe event programme feature the best, newest, and most exciting independent food and drink in the area. Hopefully Eat Cambridge will be returning soo to the the streets of Cambridge and we’ll be able to celebrate the local food scene again.
With so many food temptations, it’s almost a no-brainer that Cambridge is the place for a foodie to head off for a short break!
PRE-CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA
Mill Road Winter Fair
THE EVENT NOT TO BE MISSED
Every year on the first Saturday of December, the most cosmopolitan street of Cambridge, Mill Road, is closed off to traffic. The street is lined with food stalls during the Mill Road Winter Fair. You can watch parades and shop on the Christmas market for fresh produce for Christmas.
It’s the perfect event to start the celebrations of the festive season. For the last few years, this fantastic event didn’t take place due to the pandemic. Let’s hope it will return to Mill Road in 2022. In the meantime, head over to Mill Road for local and international produce for cocktails and craft beer and a bite to eat at one of the excellent local indies.
STREET FOOD
foodPark Night Market
THE BEST STREET FOOD
foodPark NIGHT MARKET is Cambridge’s original and best street food night market. They create outside street food parties in cool Cambridge venues and their evening extravaganzas feature some of the best street food vans in Cambridge available, with pop-up bars, live music and DJs on the side. All under one roof, with undercover seating, tables, and festoon lights a-plenty. foodPark NIGHT MARKET has a huge local following, and we recommend booking your entry tickets in advance for foodPark NIGHT MARKET. Hopefully, it will be returning to Cambridge again in 2022.
In the meantime, get your street food fix at the local street food markets dotted around Cambridge using our handy Cambridge Street food map.