Looking for the best restaurants in Falmouth? You’ll find them here…

From salt-weathered warehouses turned tasting menu destinations to craft beer bars serving day-boat catches, Falmouth is quietly cultivating Cornwall’s most intriguing food scene. 

While this maritime town has long charmed visitors with its deep-water harbour and Georgian townhouses, it’s the new wave of ambitious young chefs and restaurateurs who are transforming those historic spaces into something unexpected: a dining destination that manages to feel both deeply Cornish and distinctly contemporary. Here, you’re as likely to find ancient grain sourdough and natural wines as you are traditional fish and chips – though you’ll find those too, seasoned by the sea breeze and a decent back story.

While Rick Stein’s Padstow and Nathan Outlaw’s Port Isaac (footnote: they don’t actually own these towns – just exert something of an influence) might grab the headlines, this historic maritime town is fast catching up, with national reviews and little red books adding to the town’s culinary stature in recent years.

From harbourside fine dining to hidden neighbourhood gems, here’s our pick of the best restaurants in Falmouth.

Culture, Custom House Quay

Ideal for nature-inspired tasting menus that tell Cornwall’s story through food…

In a transformed quayside warehouse, Culture isn’t just pushing the boundaries of Falmouth’s dining scene – it’s rewriting the rules of sustainable fine dining in Cornwall. Having earned the town’s first Michelin Green Star just last year, Cape Town-born chef Hylton Espey and wife Petronella have created something truly special here: a restaurant where the ingredients quite literally dictate the menu, not the other way around.

The evening’s Journey Menu reads like gently jarring poetry – each of its seven courses named after its inspiration. ‘Footes Farm’ celebrates the restaurant’s connection to exceptional local poultry: pasture-raised chickens that roam freely among field herbs before making way for Dexter cattle. Espey’s zero-waste approach transforms these remarkably well-developed birds (their substantial legs and thighs a testament to their natural upbringing) into a nourishing, nostalgic triumph, paired with locally foraged mushrooms and Pasha’s Patch onions. When this course arrives, the entire dining room fills with the comforting scent of perfectly roasted chicken and the satisfied sighs of the punters.

Similarly, ‘Carrick Roads’ pays homage to the local waters with a dish born from a family beach excursion: Falmouth native oysters from Sailors Creek are elevated with smoked aioli, pickled Alexander, and seaweed scraps. The layered textures and flavors echo Espey’s creative process – inspired by spontaneously foraging Pacific oysters and cooking them over driftwood fires with wild greens. It’s this kind of deeply personal, place-based cooking that sets Culture apart.

The cooking style defies easy categorisation – while Espey’s South African heritage occasionally peeks through, it’s Cornwall’s seasonal rhythms that truly drive the menu. At £80 per person, it’s an investment in an evening of genuine culinary theatre that doesn’t actually feel too painful on the wallet. Those seeking a gentler introduction might prefer lunch service, where a five-course Discovery Menu offers similar philosophy at £52 – something of a steal for cooking at this level.

The commitment to sustainability here goes beyond buzzwords. Vegetables arrive caked in soil without plastic packaging, the furthest farm is just 90 minutes away, and even the beautiful plates are crafted less than a block away by local potter Sam Marks. The kitchen runs solely on electric and induction, while local charcoal feeds the flames that kiss many of the dishes. That’s right, you deduced it, too; they don’t use gas.

The glass-walled wine cellar is worth a detour. Overseen by sommelier Bobby (how could he not oversee? It’s see through), the wine flights are both adventurous and enlightening, drawing from small, ethical producers across the globe. The wine pairing, at £55, feels like good value given the breadth and quality on show. Go further, and begin with a glass of English sparkling rosé from Langham if you’re feeling celebratory – yes, it’s an extra £20, but some moments deserve marking properly.

Dinner is served Wednesday to Saturday from 7pm, with lunch available Friday and Saturday from 1pm. Book well ahead – with only one sitting per service and a growing reputation, tables here are becoming Cornwall’s hottest reservation. 

While the price point puts it firmly in special occasion territory, Culture manages to feel both important and intimate – a restaurant that’s simultaneously pushing boundaries and keeping its feet firmly planted in Cornish soil.

Website: culturerestaurant.co.uk

Address: 38B Arwenack St, Falmouth TR11 3JF

Mine, The Old Brewery Yard

Ideal for intimate, ingredient-led dining in characterful surroundings…

It takes a certain confidence to open a restaurant down a cobbled alleyway off Falmouth’s high street, but Mine has turned its tucked-away location into part of its charm. This cosy neighbourhood spot feels like a delicious secret you’ll want to keep to yourself, though its recent addition to the Michelin Guide suggests the cat might already be out of the bag.

The dining room at Mine (not mine, although that’s true too) strikes that perfect balance between casual and considered – midnight blue walls and industrial pendants casting shadows over intimate corners, nurturing a vibe that feels relaxed but also ready for a celebration. But it’s the small, open kitchen where the real magic happens, with the chefs dancing an impressive choreography in a space barely bigger than a ship’s galley.

The weekly-changing menu is refreshingly straightforward – one meat, one fish, and one vegetarian option per course – but the execution shows chef Angus Bell’s impressive pedigree. Having cut his teeth at the Michelin-starred Star Inn at Harome before training under Michel Roux Jr at Le Gavroche, Bell brings serious technique to seemingly simple dishes. His crab fritters with bisque mayo at £2.50 each are worth ordering by the half dozen

A recent visit saw a dainty quenelle of Cornish blue fin tartare elevated to main character status with the addition of Falmouth green figs, while pan roasted pigeon breast – blushing pink, naturally – came with a blackcurrant glaze that had us chasing it across the plate. The accompanying celeriac puree alone is worth crossing town for.

For the best experience, grab a table in the cobbled courtyard on balmy summer evenings, or cosy up inside when the maritime weather does its thing. And if you’re feeling adventurous post-dinner, The Chintz Symposium next door offers excellent cocktails in surroundings that feel like falling down a particularly stylish rabbit hole.

Website: restaurantmine.co.uk

Address: 4 The Old Brewery Yard, High St, Falmouth TR11 2BY

The Mulberry, High Street *As of February 2025, now sadly closed*

Ideal for sophisticated small plates with international flair…

Down a narrow passageway off Falmouth’s bustling high street, a set of steep steps leads to one of Cornwall’s most exciting dining destinations. The Mulberry, recently awarded a coveted place in Bib Gourmand by Michelin, is the debut restaurant from an intriguing culinary partnership: Cornwall-native Jay Brady, who honed his craft under the poseidon of Cornish seafood, Nathan Outlaw, and Hampshire-born Harry Cartwright, whose global culinary adventures from Australia to Central America inform his distinctive style. 

In this smart basement space, where terracotta floors and thoughtful lighting create an atmosphere both sophisticated and welcoming, the pair craft dishes that speak of Cornwall while looking confidently outward. Their small plates menu reads like a love letter to local producers: Sailor’s Creek oysters arrive with duchy nduja and dill, while Newlyn John Dory is elevated with a rich chicken butter. Vegetables receive equal attention – witness the Falmouth carrots transformed with romesco and pangrattato, or Soul Farm leeks paired with cauliflower and toasted nuts.

The £70, six-course tasting menu offers the fullest expression of their vision. A recent menu progressed from cured Newlyn brill with gooseberry and Cornish broad beans through to a show-stopping Philip Warren’s confit pork belly with burnt apple puree and sweetheart cabbage, finishing with a brown butter pistachio sponge served with miso caramel ice cream. The thoughtfully curated wine pairings, priced at a reasonable £59, draw from an impressive list that spans from small European producers to emerging English vineyards.

For those preferring to explore at their own pace, the à la carte small plates format encourages sharing and experimentation, making it possible to construct anything from a light meal to a feast. The bar program shows similar attention to detail, with local spirits featuring prominently in classics like their signature Golden Hour Negroni.

Open Wednesday through Saturday evenings, The Mulberry exemplifies Falmouth’s evolving food scene – one that honors its Cornish foundations while embracing influences from far beyond the harbor walls. It’s sophisticated without pretension, ambitious without losing sight of the simple pleasures of good ingredients treated well.

*Sadly, at the end of 2024, the restaurant announced that it was closing, citing ‘rising costs and challenging circumstances’. We’ll miss The Mulberry immensely*.

Website: themulberryfalmouth.co.uk

Address: 29 High St, Falmouth TR11 2AD

Verdant Seafood Bar, Quay Street

Ideal for ultra-fresh seafood and craft beer in laid-back surroundings…

When one of Cornwall’s most exciting breweries turns its hand to seafood, expectations run high. Verdant’s foray into food delivers spectacularly – a cosy spot where the day’s catch meets some of the county’s finest craft beer, all served with the kind of effortless cool that makes you want to settle in for the afternoon.

The premise is beautifully simple: small plates of impeccably fresh seafood designed to pair with the eight rotating lines of Verdant beer on tap. Their signature crab loaded chips have achieved near-mythical status – a generous heap of fries lavished with brown crab cheese sauce, pico de gallo, and deep-fried capers, crowned with fresh white crab meat and homemade aioli. It’s the kind of dish – often enjoyed in a one-two punch with the signature fish finger butty – that has people making special trips to Falmouth. 

The rest of the menu changes with the tides, quite literally – expect whatever’s been landed that morning to appear in quietly creative combinations. You might find gurnard tostadas singing with chilli, lime and coriander, or buttermilk fried sardines from Mount’s Bay lounging on a bright tangle of parsley and shallots. The kitchen shows particular flair with their specials board – recent highlights include cod with Tropea onion and dashi, managing to be simultaneously fresh, bright and deeply savoury.

The drinks selection deserves equal billing. Beyond their own excellent brews – including their signature pale ales and IPAs – the chalkboard reveals an ever-changing selection that reads like a craft beer lover’s wishlist. You might spot anything from their own ‘Some Fifty Summers’ Double IPA at a punchy 8.5%, to guest appearances from pioneering breweries like Belgium’s De La Senne. With eight rotating lines and an extensive selection of sharing bottles from some of the world’s most exciting breweries, alongside a thoughtfully curated wine list and proper spirits, you’re as likely to find people debating hop profiles as discussing the day’s catch. For those steering clear of alcohol, the soft drinks go well beyond the usual suspects.

Don’t expect white tablecloths or reservations – this is a deliberately casual affair where the focus is squarely on what’s on your plate and in your glass. Open Tuesday to Saturday from noon until 11pm (kitchen closes at 9pm), with a no-bookings policy that keeps things spontaneous. Our advice? Get there early, grab a table, and settle in for some of the best seafood and beer matching you’ll find anywhere in Cornwall.

Website: verdantbrewing.co

Address: Quay St, Falmouth TR11 3HH

Beach House Falmouth (Formerly Hooked On The Rocks), Swanpool

Ideal for seafood feasts with spectacular coastal views…

*Please note that since this entry was written, Hooked On The Rocks has now been subsumed into the Beach House Group. As per an announcement via their Instagram on January 8th 2025, “Hooked has been such a special place over the years, thanks to an incredible team and a loyal community of customers who’ve made it what it is today. Transforming Hooked On The Rocks into Beach House Falmouth is an exciting new chapter for Katie, Jack, and the whole team. Rest assured, the focus on exceptional local seafood will be at it’s heart, just with a fresh Beach House touch.”*

Perched above Swanpool Beach, Hooked on the Rocks has turned its enviable location into more than just a scenic dining spot. Here, the kitchen delivers plates that live up to those postcard-perfect views, crafting a menu that reads like a love letter to Cornwall’s waters.

The focus is firmly on seafood, with daily deliveries from a close-knit network of local boats and suppliers including Ned Bailey of Falmouth, Mylor Fish Shop and Cornwall Fish Direct of Newlyn. Start with Falmouth Bay scallops (£19 for six), their sweetness enhanced by garlic and herb butter and a clever seaweed pangrattato adding textural intrigue. The shell-on wild prawns with ‘nduja butter sauce, priced the same as those scallops, strike that perfect balance between heat and maritime sweetness.

For mains, the whole grilled Falmouth Bay lobster for £64 is a triumph of simplicity – perfectly cooked and served with garlic herb butter. Even better, £1 from every lobster sold goes to The National Lobster Hatchery’s Buy One, Set One Free initiative. Even, even better, and remarkably good value when you can genuinely see the waters where it was landed, a whole Falmouth bay crab, grilled and presented ready for picking, is just £26.

The drinks focus on family-run vineyards practicing sustainable viticulture. The cocktail menu leans heavily on local spirits – try the Cornish Negroni (£11) made with Knightor Winery vermouths and Falmouth’s own Loveday gin. The beer selection, from Atlantic Pale Ale to Cold River Cider, keeps things proudly local.

The all-weather terrace is the spot to aim for, where heaters ensure you can enjoy those sweeping sea views even when Cornwall’s weather is doing its thing. Dogs are welcome here and in the heated awning area, though not in the main restaurant. 

Website: beachhousefalmouth.com

Address: Swanpool Rd, Falmouth TR11 5BG

Indidog, Fish Strand Quay

Ideal for all-day dining with unbeatable harbour views…

Taking pride of place on Falmouth’s Grade II listed harbour wall, Indidog masters that rare trick of being both a destination restaurant and a reliable local haunt. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame spectacular views across Carrick Roads towards Flushing, Mylor and St Mawes, while the kitchen serves accomplished plates from breakfast through to dinner.

Mornings here are particularly special. The breakfast menu dares to be different – think perfectly cooked steak and eggs paired with a Grey Goose Bloody Mary, or indulgent stacks of pancakes alongside their house Breakfast Mocktini. Best of all is the Cornish crab benedict, which is light, indulgent as simply the best breakfast dish in Falmouth, bar none. 

Come evening, the menu shifts to showcase the finest Cornish produce, with day boat fish and local farm meats taking centre stage. A starter of crispy squid with sriracha mayo and lime sets the tone, while mains might include a beautifully simple day boat fish with seaweed butter and potato hay. There’s always one thoughtfully crafted vegan option per course – the roasted cauliflower steak with romesco sauce has won over even dedicated carnivores.

Whilst we realise that there’s something of a theme developing here, Indidog’s classic cocktails lean heavily on premium spirits and local distilleries – the Cornish Martini makes a perfect aperitif (or, brunch pick-me-up, quite frankly). The wine list balances familiar names with organic and vegan options, plus a secret cellar stashing small-batch wines from Cornish and English vineyards for those in the know.

Hidden just off the high street (look for the steps under Specsavers), Indidog keeps impressive hours. Open daily from 10am to 10:30pm, with brunch served until 3pm and dinner from 6pm to 9pm. There’s also lunch but we’re just listing shit now and it’s getting a little boring. There’s even a daily happy hour from 2pm to 6pm. Best of all? Those harbour views come at no extra charge.

Website: indidogeatery.com

Address: 28a Market St, Falmouth TR11 3AT

Provedore, Trelawney Road

Ideal for laid-back Italian small plates in a true neighbourhood setting…

Hidden in Falmouth’s terraces high above the harbour, Provedore feels like stumbling upon a slice of rustic Italy. Since 2007, this charming wooden haven with its courtyard and olive tree has evolved from a neighbourhood deli into something quite special – Falmouth’s answer to a Venetian bacaro, where the food is as warm and colorful as the welcome.

Now in its fifth incarnation, the kitchen serves up ever-changing cicchetti (Italian small plates) that showcase whatever’s inspiring the chefs that day. Of course, there’s salami and cheeses, but you might find also plump ravioli stuffed with mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes and basil, swimming in house-made confit tomato sauce, or a hearty Tuscan braise of fennel sausage and white beans lifted with lemon. Their grilled dishes (Provedore have a dedicated barbie out back) are particularly good – half a blistered, tender poussin cooked with orange and Portuguese oregano has regulars planning their week around its appearance on the menu. 

There’s also the occasional appearance of a dedicated pizza menu, courtesy of the guys at Lucky Rod. These are beautifully puffy, sloppy Neapolitan numbers pitched at Naples prices. Our go-to is pepperoni, which is ace, and only £9. An eclectic selection of wines and beers chosen to complement the rustic Italian fare seals the deal. This is the kind of place where you’ll want to linger over a glass of Chianti while debating whether to order another plate of those slow-braised chickpeas with pancetta and fresh thyme.

Open Thursday through Saturday evenings from 5pm until 8pm for drinks and cicchetti, Provedore operates a strictly walk-ins only policy. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like a regular on your first visit, and has you planning your return before you’ve even finished paying the bill. 

Get there early – tables in their charming courtyard are particularly sought after when the weather plays along.

Website: provedore.co.uk

Address: 43 Trelawney Rd, Falmouth TR11 4RE

Harbour Lights, The Old Boatyard

Ideal for elevated fish and chips with harbour views…

When only proper fish and chips will do, Harbour Lights delivers in style. This award-winning chippy (placed in the UK’s top 10 at the 2019 National Fish & Chip Awards) isn’t trying to elevate the humble fish supper or anything irritating like that; they’re just serving the freshest catch with the care and respect it deserves, while keeping prices remarkably reasonable for the quality on offer. What’s not to love?

The menu celebrates Cornish seafood with pride. Their line-caught haddock comes perfectly flaky, encased in their signature ‘ansome’ batter that shatters satisfyingly at first bite. The local hake is worth the slight premium of £19 for a large portion – it’s a Cornish treasure that shows why this stretch of coast is so renowned for its seafood. Or, for an all-encompassing spread, order the ‘Famous 5’ – prime fillet of line-caught haddock, chips, mushy peas, bread and butter, plus unlimited tea, for £21.

Plant-based diners aren’t an afterthought here – their vegan ‘fish’ (brine-marinated tofu wrapped in nori and deep-fried) has developed such a following that some claim it tastes even fishier than fish. That would be a claim too far, but it is good. For something different, try their ‘Hooked on the Harbour’ burger – crispy battered cod in a Baker Tom brioche bun with homemade tartare sauce. Magic.

The drinks list goes beyond what you might expect from a chippy, with local beers like Rattler cider and Tribute ale sitting alongside a carefully chosen wine selection. Their Fizz & Chips special at £20 pairs line-caught haddock and chips with a glass of prosecco – a combination that somehow makes perfect sense.

Open daily from noon (until 8:30pm Friday and Saturday, 8pm other days), and they offer a click-and-collect option for those wanting to enjoy their award-winning fish and chips at home. A quid from every bill goes to support the Fishermen’s Mission – though this is optional, it’s a thoughtful touch that connects your dinner to the folks who made it possible. Much like all of the very places to eat in Falmouth, come to think of it…

Website: harbourlights.co.uk

Address: Arwenack St, Falmouth TR11 3LH

Forget everything you think you know about university town dining. While Oxford might claim the literary lunch, Cambridge has quietly transformed itself into East Anglia’s most compelling food city. 

Here, Michelin-starred kitchens share streets with dumpling houses that would make a Shanghai chef homesick, and third-generation fishmongers turn their catch into the kind of seafood that makes London critics book train tickets. Hmmm, almost sounds like we’re rapping here…

Between the centuries-old college walls and along the backstreets where Newton once pondered gravity, you’ll find everything from wine bars pouring up something natty to pastry chefs who learned their craft in Paris before bringing it to Parker’s Piece. The result is a dining scene that’s both relaxed and forward-thinking – where you might start your evening with hand-pleated xiao long bao on Mill Road and end it with a twelve-course tasting menu overlooking Midsummer Common. Better have a friend willing to pitch up with a Haemmerlin to wheel you home…

…Anyway, you’re here to read, not get a case of Couvade syndrome as we reel from a food baby. Let’s not mess about any longer; here’s our guide to the places making Cambridge as much a destination for food lovers as it is for scholars. These are the best restaurants in Cambridge.

Noodles Plus, Mill Road

Ideal for xiao long bao that rival Shanghai’s finest…

In a bright green, no-frills space on Mill Road, Dong Huang and Hui Yan Li have created a place that draws homesick Chinese students and dumpling aficionados alike in their droves. Since opening in 2015, this modest spot has earned its reputation through consistent excellence rather than fancy furnishings. In all honesty, it’s our favourite place to eat in all of Cambridge.

The star attraction costs just £9 for six pieces: xiao long bao (soup dumplings) that require a certain technique to eat properly. Place one on your spoon, make a tiny hole to release the steaming broth, sip the rich soup, then dip the dumpling in sauce and devour. If you don’t heed this advice, your oral mucosa is getting burned clean off. And we promise that’s the last time we write ‘oral mucosa’ today…

Anyway, these little parcels of lava-filled joy are made fresh throughout service, each one perfectly pleated and filled with a deeply savoury pork and broth mixture that speaks of some serious skill and commendable attention to seasoning. It’s all in the judicious use of naturally occuring gelatine, you see…

Beyond the signature soup dumplings, the menu spans everything from pork and green bean dumplings to heartier options like their noodles with king prawn in spicy sauce. The spare rib noodle soup draws repeat-eaters (rep-eaters?) week after week for an all-encompassing and wholly satisfying lunch, while the mixed seafood noodle soup shows they know their way around the flavours of the sea, too. Each table comes with its own DIY sauce station – black vinegar, soy sauce, and minced garlic let you create the perfect accompaniment. No dish we mentioned breaks the tenner ceiling.

The setup at Noodles Plus is as casual as you want it to be – think canteen-style seating and counter service that’s all part of the charm. There’s usually a queue (especially at lunch), but it moves quickly, and you can watch the dumpling masters at work while you wait. Stacks of bamboo steamers line the counter, releasing puffs of steam that promise good things to come. Is there a better sight when you’re hungry and tucked in towards the front of the queue?

It’s cash only here, but with most dishes under £10, you won’t need much of it. The vaguely billed ‘Chinese herbal drink’ (a can of wong ko lat, it turns out) at £2.50 makes the perfect companion to a table full of dumplings and a welcome sense of humble luxury.

Open: Wednesday-Sunday 12-9:30pm 

Price: Dumplings £7-9, noodle soups £8-9.50 

Drinks: Tea and soft drinks £2-2.50 

Book ahead: No reservations – be prepared to queue, especially at lunch

Address: 24A Mill Rd, Petersfield, Cambridge CB1 2AD

Midsummer House, Midsummer Common

Ideal for special occasions that demand something extraordinary…

There’s something rather magical about Midsummer House’s current incarnation, now in its 26th year. In a Victorian villa overlooking the handsome grazing cows of Midsummer Common, chef and owner Daniel Clifford has created the sort of restaurant that makes you understand why Michelin stars still matter – his two have been twinkling here since 2005, making it the only double-starred establishment in East Anglia, and a destination for culinary pilgrims from all over the country.

The elegant conservatory dining room benefits from floods of natural light, lightening the mood in the process, with a window into the kitchen that lets you watch the culinary theatrics unfold. Here, classical techniques meet modern British innovation in dishes that celebrate both simplicity and surprise – expect to start with delicate morsels like aged parmesan sablé with autumn truffle and a complimentary glass of Billecart-Salmon Brut Sous Bois before moving onto more substantial delights.

The full tasting menu experience comes in at £270, a serious investment that delivers equally serious rewards. Current highlights include a playful take on a Bloody Mary featuring celery sorbet and lime, and Loch Duart salmon elevated – genuinely – with white chocolate and caviar. The coconut parfait dessert, served with Nyangbo chocolate and a hint of green chilli, shows exactly why this kitchen team has maintained their stars for so long – it’s an intriguing, intoxicating balance of flavours that read like jargon on the page but make total sense on the palate. Petit fours are a particular highlight – dainty af and closing the meal in some style.

For the more budget-conscious, weekday lunch offers the same precision cooking at £95, while still including treats like their signature warm French bottereaux with Midsummer apples. The wine pairings are so well judged here that a flight feels almost essential, ranging from the Classic at £135 to the truly special Luxurious selection at £540. Their ‘juicelier’ has created an equally impressive alcohol-free pairing for £70 that proves non-alcoholic drinks can be just as exciting.

If weather permits, you can finish your evening with a Cuban cigar on their terrace overlooking the river. Just don’t expect to be thinking about dinner anywhere else for quite some time.

Open: Wednesday-Saturday 12-1:30pm, 6:30-8:30pm 

Price: Weekday Lunch £95, Lunch Tasting Menu £160, Dinner Tasting Menu £270 

Wine: Pairings from £58-£540, extensive bottle list available 

Book ahead: Essential – aim for at least two months in advance

Website: midsummerhouse.co.uk

Address: Midsummer Common, Cambridge CB4 1HA

Restaurant Twenty-Two, Chesterton Road

Ideal for intimate fine dining with personality…

Located at number 22 Chesterton Road (hence the name), in a Victorian townhouse with stained glass windows dating back to 1892, Sam Carter and Alex Olivier earnt its Michelin star just a year ago, but that didn’t stop the hard work with a satisfied dusting off of the hands. Instead, they’ve continued to push creative boundaries while keeping the atmosphere agreeably breezy – a fine balancing act for a restaurant with clear, myopic ambition. 

The intimate dining room backs onto Jesus Green, making it perfect for a pre- or post-dinner stroll (or punt, if you’re feeling brave). The vibe within – all flickering candlelight, stretched shadows and intimate corners – creates the kind of ambience that makes every meal feel like a special occasion, without ever tipping into formality.

The full tasting menu at £145 shows remarkable creativity and deep respect for seasonal produce. Current highlights include smoked Chalk Stream trout with lovage and ikura (red caviar), and Isle of Skye venison paired with Alsace bacon and black trompettes. The blood pudding with mustard and toasted barley has become a signature dish, showing how comfortable they are elevating humble ingredients to new heights.

For lunch, you’ve got options – 22’s short tasting menu offers the same precision in a more time (and wallet) friendly format at £110, while Thursday lunchtimes see a set menu for £60 that remains one of Cambridge’s best value meals. The Cornish cod with brassicas and preserved lemon appears across all menus, suggesting they know when they’re onto a good thing.

The wine program deserves special mention – their sommeliers have carefully curated a list that ranges from accessible to exceptional – the AA recently recognised it as a Notable Wine List, which is actually a more esteemed accolade than the prosaic billing suggests. 

The drinks pairings take you on different journeys: the Discovery flight at £79.50 features lesser-known regions and exciting styles, while the Signature flight for £149 showcases fine wines from around the world. Their non-alcoholic pairing at £49.50 receives the same careful attention as its wine counterparts.

Anyway, back to the beginning; start your evening with one of their house cocktails – the Twenty-Two Espresso Martini with muscovado and chocolate bitters puts a clever spin on the classic, while their Cambridgeshire Negroni uses locally-distilled spirits including their own Restaurant 22 gin, created in collaboration with Cambridge Distillery. You could, of course, finish with one, too. Suddenly, that punting feels like a fine idea. Anyone got a life jacket?

Open: Wednesday 6-8:30pm, Thursday-Saturday 12-1:30pm, 6-8:30pm 

Price: Set Lunch £60, Short Tasting Menu £110, Full Tasting Menu £145 

Wine: By the glass from £5.50, pairings from £59.50-£149 

Book ahead: Essential – aim for at least two months in advance

Website: restaurant22.co.uk

Address: 22 Chesterton Rd, Cambridge CB4 3AX

Vanderlyle, Mill Road

Ideal for seeing vegetables in an entirely new light…

In an understated space on laid back Mill Road, with an open kitchen framed by white metro tiles and brass pendant lights, chef Alex Rushmer and his team have created something truly singular. Since opening in 2019, Vanderlyle has evolved from an exciting newcomer into one of Cambridge’s most innovative restaurants – and they’ve done it without ever serving a piece of meat or fish.

The minimalist dining room, with its teal-blue bar and mid-century modern furniture, sets the scene for what’s to come: thoughtful, stripped-back cooking that lets ingredients speak for themselves. Music plays an important role here too (the restaurant takes its name from a song by The National), with carefully curated playlists adding to the relaxed yet focused atmosphere.

At £85, their tasting menu changes with what their local farmers and producers deliver each morning. Expect clever combinations that might make you forget you’re eating purely plant-based food – recent highlights include a smoked carrot tartare with horseradish and fermented white asparagus, and an oyster mushroom milk bun that could convert the most committed carnivore. Their mushroom and ricotta tortellino with bordelaise sauce demonstrates that depth and richness don’t require animal products. It really is a lip-smacking sauce, and we’d encourage Rushmer to start selling the stuff in pint form.

Their signature dishes have become the stuff of local legend – the ‘Vanderlasagne’ layers house-made pasta with 12-hour vegetable ragù and truffled bechamel foam, while their carrot rigatoni cleverly mimics smoked salmon using just carrots, seaweed caviar and dill. Perhaps most impressive is their smoked carrot tartare, a plant-based homage to Thomas Keller’s famous salmon cornet that proves vegetables can be just as luxurious as any protein.

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword at Vanderlye – it’s built into everything from their four-service week (allowing staff proper rest) to their pre-payment system that helps minimise food waste. They work directly with regenerative farmers and local producers, creating dishes that celebrate what’s growing right now in Cambridgeshire’s soil.

The drinks program matches this thoughtful approach – their wine list starts from £30 a bottle, with drinks pairings that might include anything from South African Chardonnay to house-made cola herb soda. The non-alcoholic pairing at £35 stands equal to its alcoholic counterpart at £50, with some intriguing, invigorating kombuchas making up the bulk of the offering. Even their petits fours feel considered, providing a perfect full stop to an evening of discovery. Eat your cake, indeed.

Open: Tuesday-Friday 6-11pm 

Price: Tasting Menu £85 

Wine: Bottles from £30, drink pairings £35-£50, corkage £30 

Book ahead: Essential – bookings released first Tuesday of each month at noon for the following month

Website: vanderlyle-restaurant.com

Address: 38 Mill Rd, Petersfield, Cambridge CB1 2AD

Fin Boys, Mill Road

Ideal for seafood that swam this morning…

It feels rather perverse to leave Vanderlyle and immediately duck into a restaurant for some fish, but the proximity here is rather poetic, so we’re running with it…

Ask any Cambridge chef where they eat on their day off, and this unassuming Mill Road spot inevitably makes the list: Jay Scrimshaw and Richard Stokes’s Fin Boys – a restaurant that’s part fishmonger, part dining room, and entirely dedicated to celebrating the best of British seafood. There’s some serious pedigree in the kitchen here: Scrimshaw has previous at Parker’s Tavern and London’s Bibendum and Chez Bruce, whilst Stokes has done time at Alice Waters’ legendary Chez Panisse. It all comes together with a menu of precise simplicity. When fish is being served, there really is no better duo of adjectives.

Working directly with day boats and independent fishermen, the kitchen champions lesser-known sustainable catches alongside the classics – expect to see coley, ling and pollock rubbing shoulders with cod and crab… You know the drill. The menu changes daily depending on what’s been landed, but the cooking is consistently clever without being showy – this is a place that knows when to let exceptional ingredients speak for themselves.

Their a la carte menu, served Tuesday-Thursday evenings and Wednesday-Saturday lunches, might feature anything from cured sea trout in green garlic broth with kombu oil for £12 to Cornish monkfish with boiled courgette, basil and mint at £32. Yep, they love a little verdancy in this part of town…

All that said, it’s perhaps the most humble dishes where the kitchen (and their sourcing) truly shines. The house-made crumpet with Portland crab in a luxurious cacio e pepe emulsion has become their signature dish, and their treatment of Maldon oysters (six for £18 or twelve for £36) proves they know when to let pristine ingredients shine. When we say ‘treatment’, we mean simply shucking them properly and serving them over ice – which is all these guys need when they’re this damn fresh. 

That said, weekend evenings at Fin Boys see a more elaborate six-course set menu at £85 that really lets the kitchen flex its creative muscles. Recent highlights include Portland crab with velvet crab and plum vinegar sauce, paired with a 2013 Pinot Gris from Moorooduc Estate in Victoria, both all richness and refinement. 

Grab a seat at the pass if you can – the chefs are happy to chat about where your dinner was swimming that morning, and you might pick up some tips for cooking the fish you can buy from their attached fishmonger.

Of note, their commitment to exceptional, accessible seafood extends beyond Mill Road – catch them at The Gog Farm Shop at the weekend (11am-3pm) for alfresco hits like tuna laap and lobster rolls. The farm shop outpost also gives you a chance to grab fresh fish for home cooking, along with their signature oysters in bucolic surroundings.

Website: fin-boys.com

Address: 2 Mill Rd, Petersfield, Cambridge CB1 2AD

Open: Tuesday 6:30-8:30pm; Wednesday-Saturday 12-2:30pm, 6:30-8:30pm 

Price: A la carte starters £5-15, mains £27-35; Set menu £85 (wine flight £50) 

Wine: Monthly wine events, extensive pairing options including special wine dinners first Wednesday of each month 

Book ahead: Essential for weekend set menu, recommended all other times

Read: The best restaurants in Dartmouth

Fancett’s, Mill Road

Ideal for French bistro classics with modern flair…

Holly and Dan Fancett’s slice of Parisian charm is just such a charmer; a cosy space with sage green banquettes and bentwood chairs beneath decorative wisteria, it happens to serve some of the best French bistro cooking in the country.

Since opening in 2021, this intimate bistro has earned its place in both the Good Food and Michelin Guides with cooking that respects French classics while embracing modern British sensibilities. Though it’s a well-trodden path in recent years in that there London, Fancett’s could quite rightfully stand up to Zedel, Racine, Francois et al in a duel, and come out with their head held high.

The prix fixe menus change regularly, showcasing seasonal ingredients with finesse. Lunch brings excellent value with two courses for £30.50 or three for £36. You might find a velvety cream of chestnut mushroom soup with truffle chantilly, followed by confit Guinea fowl leg with braised puy lentils and smoked bacon. Their bouillabaisse of John Dory with mussels, squid, and nduja shows they’re not afraid to put their own spin on the classics, the spicy Calabrian sausage bringing not only spice but a welcome blast of piquancy, too.

Dinner sees three courses of similar confidence, but priced at £58. A recent dish of Cornish crab and scallop mousse lasagne with beurre blanc was a real technical piece of work, and a showstopper quite frankly. Eyes widened on first bite, let’s just say that…

Vegetarians aren’t an afterthought – the double-baked cave-aged cheddar soufflé with soft leeks and English autumn truffle proves that with a dish of utter decadence. If I could eat this every night, I’d happily go veggie, too. I’d also die young, but it’d be worth it… 

The wine list deserves exploration, with thoughtfully chosen bottles from across France and beyond. Begin with a Bellini or their house Negroni, before blowing the budget on the suave Thomas Labille chablis at £78; it makes an excellent companion to seafood courses. For something even more special, their fine wine list, curated with Cambridge’s Thorne Wines, offers exceptional bottles at surprisingly reasonable prices.

The intimate atmosphere and professional, warm service make this feel like your neighborhood bistro, even if you’re only visiting for the day – that’s if your neighborhood bistro happened to be in the Marais, of course.

Open: Wednesday-Saturday 12-4pm, 6-11pm 

Price: Lunch 2/3 courses £30.50/£36, Dinner 2/3 courses £44.50/£58 

Wine: By the glass from £9, extensive French-focused list 

Book ahead: Essential, especially for dinner and weekends

Website: fin-boys.com

Address: 2 Mill Rd, Petersfield, Cambridge CB1 2AD

Jack’s Gelato, Bene’t Street

Ideal for transforming “I’ll just have one scoop” into an afternoon’s adventure…

In a sleek storefront on Bene’t Street, Jack van Praag’s gelato shop is something of an ice cream obsessive’s paradise. His culinary background (he’s ex-Midsummer House, don’t you know?) shows in the inventive flavours and meticulous attention to ingredients – think Estate Dairy milk, Pump Street chocolate, and honey from local Cambridge hives.

The menu changes daily, but expect anything from classic iterations done perfectly (their white chocolate and vanilla brown sugar are masterclasses in simplicity) to more adventurous combinations that somehow just work – fig, Manuka honey and gorgonzola might sound odd until you try it. One bite (lick?) and you’ll be a convert. The vegan dark chocolate and sea salt number proves that dairy-free doesn’t mean compromising on richness and mouthfeel.

A single scoop will set you back £2.90, with doubles at £4.90 and triples at £6.90. The attention to detail extends beyond the gelato – their thickshakes at £6 (available with Estate Dairy or house oat milk) are properly thick. For the curious, ‘tiny’ scoops at £1.80 let you sample more flavours without quite so much commitment.

A sign of how good Jack’s gelato is, even in winter there’s often a line down Bene’t Street. Fear not, it moves fast, and gives you time to ponder important questions like whether salted Oreo gelato counts as dinner (it does).

Indeed, we’re not putting our neck on the line (except in the minds of the pedants) when we say that Jack’s Gelato is one of Cambridge’s best restaurants.

Open: Daily 10am-11pm (Friday-Saturday until midnight) 

Price: Single scoop £2.90, Double £4.90, Triple £6.90, Tiny scoop £1.80 

Extras: GF cone +80p, Chocolate-dipped cone +£1.40, Thickshakes £6 

Book ahead: No reservations – just join the queue

Website: jacksgelato.com

Address: 6 Bene’t St, Cambridge CB2 3QN

Bedouin, Mill Road

Ideal for North African flavours that transport you straight to the Sahara…

Step through the doors of this Mill Road favourite and you’ll find yourself transported to North Africa, with a real Bedouin tent, authentic wall rugs from the Sahara, and an atmosphere that makes you forget you’re in Cambridge altogether. Indeed, Bedouin’s 2022 win for Best Restaurant in Cambridge at the British Restaurant Awards merely confirmed what locals already knew.

The menu roams across the Maghreb, with tagines taking centre stage. The tagine beldi features slow-cooked lamb shank in a rich sauce with tomato, paprika, and chickpeas that falls off the bone, while the tagine berkook brings slow-cooked beef in a warming sauce with ginger, cinnamon, prunes and apricots to the table. Both generous affairs give you change from a twenty. The best of the lot, though, is perhaps the tagine boustaan (£15.90), which proves they take vegetable dishes just as seriously, combining seven vegetables in a tomato and apricot sauce fragrant with ras el hanout.

It’s not only about the tagine here. Begin with the kemiette for £9.90 – a chef’s selection of dips and salads served with hot pitta bread. The borek jubna features brik pastry rolls stuffed with spinach, potato, and feta, while the chekchouka – a dish of peppers, onions and tomatoes with egg and harissa – makes a perfect lunch.

They may not serve alcohol, but Bedouin’s bespoke range of non-ABV cocktails, developed with London Cocktail Club, offers creative alternatives. The Ottoman at £6.50 presents a clever play on tzatziki with apple and cinnamon, while L’Etranger at £7 takes a spiced approach to a Virgin Mary with harissa and cumin. Of course, you could just go with the traditional North African mint tea, which starts at just £1.50.

For groups of six or more, a special menu offers two courses for £20.50 or three for £25. Early birds can enjoy similar pricing Monday to Friday between 12-3pm and 5-6:30pm. The 60-seat dining room fills up quickly, but the warm hospitality and aromatic dishes make any wait worthwhile.

Open: Monday, Wednesday-Sunday 12-3pm, 5-10:30pm (Closed Tuesdays) 

Price: Starters £6.50-7.90, Mains £14.50-19.90, Early bird 2/3 courses £20.90/£25.90 

Drinks: Non-ABV cocktails £6-7, Fresh juices £4, Mint tea from £1.50 

Book ahead: Essential for 60-seat dining room, especially weekends

Website: bedouin-cambridge.com

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

Mercado Central, Green Street

Ideal for Spanish small plates that transport you to San Sebastián…

Mercado Central brings the spirit of Spain’s historic markets to Cambridge. In a handsome townhouse just steps from Trinity College, the ground floor’s open kitchen, backed by striking turquoise tiles and fronted by a marble counter with leather bar stools, adds drama and authenticity to proceedings – grab a seat here to watch the chefs at work with the day’s market produce.

The focus firmly falls on exceptional Spanish produce, whether that’s wild Cornish seafood or aged Rubia Gallega beef from the lush pastures of Galicia. Start with admittedly ubiquitous aperitivos that still mange to set the tone – Marcona almonds and spicy gordal olives at £5 each, alongside sourdough with arbequina olive oil for £5.50. Mercado Central’s selection of Ibérico charcuterie shines, with a plate of acorn-fed chorizo, salchichón and lomo at £13.50 showing why Spanish curing is both an art form and the only way to truly start a meal.

The menu changes with the market and seasons, but current highlights include wild Cornish squid with confit onion, and a black rice with monkfish, cuttlefish, mussels and prawns that’s a moody, brooding affair. Their grass-fed beef options vary daily (check the blackboard), but all are dry-aged in a Himalayan salt chamber for at least 28 days before meeting the charcoal grill. 

Finish with their Basque cheesecake, which lands on just the right side of bitter, perhaps paired with one of Mercado Central’s dessert wines – the Dulce Enro ice wine at £12 per 75ml from Spain’s highest altitude winery is particularly special.

The wine list travels through Spain’s regions, with some exceptional finds from Galicia’s Rías Baixas. Try the Attis Lias Finas Albariño at £58, aged on the lees for extra complexity, or for something truly special, their Attis Mar at £140 – aged underwater in the Atlantic Rias for six months, complete with barnacles on the bottle. As with any self-respecting tapas joint, the sherries deserve attention too, from Fino Inocente at £10 per 100ml to rare Palo Cortado at £13 per 75ml.

At lunch, their menu del día offers exceptional value at £30 for two courses or £33 for three, with dishes like wild mushroom rice with goat’s curd or sustainable St Austell Bay mussels a la marinera. 

Open: Tuesday-Thursday 12-2:30pm, 6-9:30pm; Friday-Saturday 12-2:30pm, 5:30-9:30pm; Sunday 12-2:30pm 

Price: Starters £9.90-18.50, Mains £26.50-36.50, Lunch menu 2/3 courses £30/£33 

Wine: By the glass from £10, extensive Spanish list including rare finds 

Book ahead: Essential for dinner, recommended for lunch

Website: mercadocentral.co.uk

Address: 24 Green St, Cambridge CB2 3JX

Zhonghua Traditional Snacks, Norfolk Street

Ideal for another taste of Cambridge’s ace dumpling scene…

In a modest blue-fronted shop on Norfolk Street, this no-frills dumpling house has been quietly serving some of Cambridge’s most faithfully rendered Chinese snacks for over a decade now. With picture menus in the windows and a functional interior, it’s the kind of place that lets the food do all the talking.

The extensive menu covers everything from dim sum classics to hearty noodle soups, but the hand-made dumplings take centre stage. Available with a vast array of fillings, each dumpling (twelve pieces for £8.90) is expertly pleated to order. 

Beyond dumplings, their side dishes demand attention – the cold dressed seaweed and five-spice pig ears make perfect starters, while their noodle soups starting at £8.50 offer warming comfort on chilly Cambridge days. The barbecued pork steamed buns showcase their skill with different dough textures (these are satisfyingly smooth, bouncy numbers), and the green tea cakes provide a perfect sweet finish.

The menu helpfully notes which dishes are spicy (and they mean it), but they’re happy to adjust the heat levels to your preference. Make any a dumpling soup for just £1 more. In this economy and for this quality, it’s no wonder this place is so enduringly popular. 

Open: Daily 12-9pm 

Price: Dumplings £8.90/12pcs, Noodle soups from £8.50 

Drinks: Chinese teas £2.85, soft drinks £2.50 

Book ahead: No reservations – be prepared to wait at peak times

Address: 13 Norfolk St, Cambridge CB1 2LD

Stem & Glory, Station Road *As of February 2025, now sadly closed*

Ideal for plant-based food that makes you forget you’re eating plants…

A pioneer in the UK’s plant-based movement, Stem & Glory proves that vegan cuisine can be both innovative and indulgent. This carbon-neutral restaurant serves up creative dishes that spans global influences, all anchored in a celebration of vegetables.

Their ‘nibbles’ section sets the tone – harissa-spiced nuts at £4.50 or nori popcorn at £4 hint at the kitchen’s gently creative approach. Small plates continue that inventive, globetrotting spirit: BBQ cauliflower ‘wings’ with ranch dip are assertively spiced (and vinegar’d) and all the better for it. The kimchi-stuffed onigiri is equally bold in its flavour profile.

Main courses continue to impress. The signature Redefined fillet mignon with mushrooms and sauté potatoes shows just how far vegan alternatives have come, while the Szechuan aubergine is the pick of the bunch; served over a slippery tangle of noodles, the aubergine has been cooked down until silky, and glazed with miso to introduce the ol’ umami in droves. 

There’s good, vegan booze here, too, from craft beers (including Cloudwater ‘Fuzzy’ Hazy & Juicy Pale Ale at £7) to imaginative cocktails like their Stem & Spritz with prosecco, elderflower and lime. 

Their set lunch menu (Mon-Fri 11:30-4pm) offers excellent value at £16.95 for two courses or £23.90 for three. Word on the street is that they do a wicked Sunday roast too.

*Sadly, in November of 2024 it was reported that Stem and Glory would be closing its doors for good*.

Open: Now closed

Price: Small plates £8-11, Mains £16-22.50, Set lunch 2/3 courses £16.95/£23.90 

Drinks: Cocktails from £8, Wine by glass from £7.70, Craft beers from £5.60 

Book ahead: Recommended for evenings and Sunday roast

Website: stemandglory.uk

Address: 50-60 Station Rd, Cambridge CB1 2JH

The Pint Shop, Peas Hill

Ideal for when you want your craft beer with seriously good food to match…

We end in a handsome Grade II-listed Georgian townhouse where E.M. Forster once lived. Here, the Pint Shop has managed that rare feat of being both a serious beer destination and a proper restaurant. The 2013 opening marked Cambridge’s first new pub in over a decade, setting a standard that others have followed. The building, spread across three floors with multiple rooms, balances historic charm with contemporary edge – think parquet floors and industrial-chic décor, with a rear terraced garden for summer escapes.

The beer selection impresses with its breadth and rotation – four cask ales are joined by 17 keg lines offering both UK and European craft options. For gin enthusiasts, their collection (over 100 at last count) ranks among Cambridge’s finest, and the bar staff know their spirits as well as they know their beers.

But it’s the food that elevates this from an excellent pub to a dining destination. The kitchen takes pub classics and gives them a creative twist – their Scotch egg comes with apple and mustard ketchup and pickled mustard seeds, while the chorizo croquettes for are given lift off with chilli and honey-cured egg yolk. Single portion pies are something of a signature, and for good reason; they’re carefully crimped and beautifully burnished numbers, their quenelles of mash and dedicated gravy boats making such a satisfying plateful.

Unsurprisingly, the roast dinners are top drawer here, but even better are the midweek ‘local’ lunches. A recently dish of charred gammon steak (topped with a fried egg, naturally) and pineapple relish was gloriously retro, and for £16 including a pint of house ale, gloriously retro in its pricing, too.

Perhaps the biggest draw here, though, is the burger. A towering number featuring a double patty, house sauce that’s a fine imitation of Big Mac sauce, and Ogleshield cheese, it has a devoted following across the city (you can tell by all the slack-jawed folk walking about). All three of those highlights cost around £20 – not bad value in one of the UK’s most well-to-do cities.

Open: Monday-Thursday 12-11pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm-12am, Sunday 12-11pm 

Price: Small plates £4.50-10, Mains £18-27 

Beer: Ever-changing selection of cask and keg, plus over 100 gins 

Book ahead: Recommended for dinner, essential for Sunday lunch

Website:pintshop.co.uk

Address: 10 Peas Hill, Cambridge CB2 3PN

All prices are correct as of November 2024. Opening times, prices and booking requirements vary – check restaurant websites for the latest details.