Mill Road

Explore Mill Road with our handy guide

Cambridge’s best-kept secret!

Mill Road is the most vibrant and cosmopolitan street of Cambridge. It’s lined with quirky restaurants, cafes, bars, independent and spice shops. This quirky part of Cambridge is where the locals like to do their daily shops, sip cocktails and a bite to eat at one of the excellent restaurants. Mill Road is often referred to by residents as ‘The Mile’.

We thought it was about time to map out this hidden part of Cambridge. So why not head over to Mill Road this Bank Holiday weekend and explore Mill Road?

top restaurants in cambridge

Walk the Mile

Once upon a time, Mill Road was a quiet country lane leading to the southeast out of the city of Cambridge, named after the windmill that stood at what is now the corner of Covent Garden. It’s now a bustling street lined with international spice shops and restaurants. Here are our favourites.

mill road

Winter Fair 

Mill Road Winter Fair is one of our favourite events. Held on the first Saturday of December, it’s a celebration of the community. Bringing together local businesses and organisations, musicians, artists and dancers. The main event is food and drink. What is there not to like?

Dinky Doors

Life in Cambridge has become so much more fun since two local artists decided to go on a mission to save the world! You might wonder how these cute Dinky Doors could achieve this? In their own words, ‘dinky things, discovered unexpectedly, can deliver dollops of delight.’ 

Cemetery

One of our favourite open green spaces in Cambridge. This Victorian Cemetery is used by local residents to walk their dogs, relax and meet up with friends. You might find this a usual area to do this, but we can assure you that as soon as you set foot here, you fall in love with Mill Road Cemetery.

cb travel guide fin boys

A Fish Butchery on Mill Road. The Fin Boys, aka Jay Scrimshaw and Richard Stokes, have created a unique fish concept. Fresh fish, Oyster bar and tasting menu. 

cb travel guide spice gate

Specialising in Eastern Mediterranean and Indian food. Spice Gate mainly stocks mainly dry food but has a good selection of vegetables and Halal meat too.

cb travel guide arjuna

Arjuna Whole Foods started in 1970 and source their products Suma and Essential, Stir bakery, Fitzbillies, Paul’s Soyfoods, Wildcountry and Waterland organics and Prospects trust.

cb travel guide tu casa

This lovely Spanish independent tapas restaurant is a must visit. It has an extensive tapas menu, delicious wine, excellent Sherry and beer, all imported from Spain.

cb travel guide vanderlyle

Masterchef Alex Rushmer’s unique restaurant works directly with farmers, growers and producers to create seasonal ingredient-led plant-based menus.

coffee shops

This eclectic corner house coffee house serves an excellent cup of freshly ground coffee. Daily choice out of 5 blends, a good selection of Paninis and cakes.

cb travel guide amnesty book shop

This bookshop is a real treasure trove! It’s run by Amnesty International UK to raise money to help to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.

cb travel guide spring restaurant

This tiny Chinese restaurant on Mill Road is specialising in Cantonese cuisine and hot pots. With the windows often steamed up, it’s easy to miss. 

cb travel guide the hive

This lovely antique shop tucked away in Gwydir Street is filled to the brim with antiques and collectables. Check out the Hive, and whilst you’re there, have a cup of coffee at Hot Numbers.

cb travel guide Noodles plus

Home to one of the best Shanghai Xiao Long Bao around. Noodles + is a delightful eatery and serves up excellent Asian food.

CB Travel Guide Tom's cakes

Small batch seasonal hand-made biscuits. Tom makes his products from scratch using only natural ingredients locally sourced ingredients. 

cb travel guide maurizio

Relax and taste the real Italy. It’s all about passion at Maurizio. Excellent wines,  delicious homestyle food, sharing platters and pizza.

cb travel guide ocean supermarket

Asian Ocean Supermarket offering a good selection of Asian products, including dry goods, spices, a selection of vegetables and frozen food. 

cb travel guide modigliano

Artisan coffee shop offering Italian specialities. All their pastries, cakes and desserts are freshly made every day by one of Modigliani chefs.

cb travel guide al casbah

Al Casbah specialises in marinated grilled meats and fish, boasting an extensive meze bar and a handful of tagines and couscous dishes.

cb travel guide carlos

Carlos is one of Mill Road’s iconic restaurants. This understated restaurant serves delicious fresh, halal Turkish cuisine. 

new openings

You’ll be surprised about the wide range this tiny deli Culinaris stocks.  Products from all over Europe, including a fine range of vegetables

CB Travel Guide Bacchanalia

This wine god not only has a fine range of wines but specialises in craft beer too. Bacchanalia Wine Merchants has also a shop on Victoria Road.

cb travel guide mediterranean

This unique restaurant feels like being in the Sahara desert. It serves North African cuisine in the most unique setting, an original Bedouin tent. 

cb travel guide little petra

A small family-run Jordanian restaurant serving traditional cuisine. Little Petra’s food is made for sharing, just like back at home in Jordan.

cb travel guide Mill Road Butchers

Independent free-range butcher based at the heart of this quirky road. Mill Road Butchers stock a fine range of fresh meat and cooked products.

cb travel guide al amin

This shop is a true melting pot of cuisine and culture. Al Amin stocks sustainable ethically sourced products from all over the world. 

cb travel guide cho mee

Cho Mee Supermarket offers a huge range of Asian products from China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and other Asian cuisines.

CB travel guide flower project

This eco-friendly independent florist cycles bouquets and plants around Cambridge. The Flower Project sources most of its products locally. 

CB Travel Guide eclipse

Eclipse Artisan Bakery by Dulcedo is famous for its sourdough bread and fine Haute Patisserie. Take away coffee and sandwich also available.

CB Travel Guide whole food shop

Harvest Cambridge offers a wide selection of local and organically sourced products from all over the world. Offers take away coffee too.

CB travel guide Bar 196

Cocktail Bar 196  is one of the best-kept secrets away from the crowds serving cocktails and small plates in their tiny bar and on the kerb.

coffee shops

Relevant Record Cafe

In the cool and vibrant cafe Relevant Record, you can have a bite to eat and in their basement, you can browse an eclectic range of pre-owned vinyl.

cb travel guide hilarys

The only greengrocer in Cambridge you can find on Mill Road. Hilary’s is at the heart of the community supplying the finest fruit and vegetable produce.

cb travel guide tradizione

Informal Italian restaurant that loves to prepare food as their grandmothers taught them. Tradizoni serves authentic, simple and tasty cuisine. 

CB Travel Guide Vinopolis

Independent boutique wine shop just off Mill Road. Vinopolis offers a wide selection of non-screw top European wines, specialising in Georgian wine.

CB Travel guide Scotts

Scott’s All Day is a popular local hang out, using bread from their own bakery, sourdough pizza toppings from local shops and Calverley’s beer.

cb travel guide royal standard

Only Free-House on Mill Road, featuring 6 Ales, 8 Draught Belgian Beers and 35+ Bottled Belgian Beers. Greek Food served by Tzatziki.

cb travel guide Old chemist

This cool and quirky shop is filled to the brim with Vintage in Vogue, stamps and magazines and curious and quirky period clothing, accessories, furniture. 

cb travel black cat cafe

This Australian/New Zealand style cafe has been a local icon since the opening in 2005. It specialises in a variety of coffee, teas, smoothies,  handmade cakes and savoury food.

cb travel guide Halikarnas

One of the new kids on the block in Mill Road. Hilkarnas opened its doors in December 2020 and specialises in Mediterranean Mezes, fresh fish and sandwiches. ( and burgers!)

cb travel guide kingston arms

From the bustling food market in Tel Aviv, Moaz is now serving at the Kingston Arms. Hummus, wine, oysters and dishes from Tel Aviv. 

cb travel guide calverley

Calverley’s brews a changing range of beers inspired by the world’s exciting and diverse beer styles. Their Tap Room is open 3 days per week.

cb travel guide cambridge blues

Cambridge’s Real Ale institution! Along with a wide range of Belgium craft beers, gins and one of the largest whisky collections in Cambridge

cb travel guide prana

The award-winning restaurant Prana Restaurant offers modern and traditional cuisine along with excellent wines and elegant surroundings.

cb travel guide seoul plaza

Oriental food specialist on Mill Road offering a wide range of Korean, Japanese and Thai food and products including fresh products to Sushi.

Truffle Tagliatella at Limoncello

One of the iconic restaurants and delis on Mill Road, stocking a fine selection of Italian delicatessen and wines. Lovely place for Alfresco dining. 

fancetts

Fancett’s

The newest edition to Mill Road is a small French-influenced bistro just before the bridge coming from the city centre. The setting of Fancett’s is relaxed, personal and intimate, with seasonal menus based on the best available produce. waffles. What is there not to like! 

our tip – join a local pop up

choose from a mouth-watering selection of specially curated feasts 

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