The Best Cafés in Cambridge, UK: My Favourite Places for Coffee & Brunch
Looking for the best cafés in Cambridge, UK? From serious flat whites and sticky Chelsea buns to brunch beside the River Cam and a bakery stop straight off the train, here’s where I’d actually make time for coffee in Cambridge.
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Cambridge is very, very good at cafés—which feels fitting for a city where you’re never far from a bookshop, a bicycle or somebody disappearing into a college courtyard with a coffee in hand.
If the coffee itself is the point, I’d start with Bould Brothers in Cambridge. If you want brunch with it, Hot Numbers makes far more sense in my opinion.
Then again, at Michaelhouse Café you can have cake inside a medieval church, while Café Foy puts you right beside the River Cam. And if you’ve just stepped off the train, Norfolk Street Bakery is the one I’d make a beeline for.
Shall we?
About the Author
Hi, I’m Candace — a London-based travel writer and content creator who traded the East Coast of the US for the charm of the UK back in 2016. London’s been my home ever since.
On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of thoughtfully crafted London, UK, Europe and Worldwide travel guides alongside lots of insider London tips, honest hotel and restaurant reviews and advice for content creators.
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🗞️📺 As featured on the BBC, USA Today & Recipe.TV.
Quick Overview: The Best Cafés in Cambridge
| Café | Best for | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Bould Brothers Coffee | Specialty coffee | Round Church Street / Regent Street |
| Hot Numbers Coffee | Coffee, brunch and a longer sit-down | Trumpington Street / Gwydir Street |
| Norfolk Street Bakery | Pastries and coffee near the station | Station Road / Norfolk Street |
| Michaelhouse Café | A unique central café | Trinity Street |
| Café Foy | Riverside brunch and people-watching | Quayside |
| Fitzbillies | Chelsea buns and a Cambridge institution | Trumpington Street / central Cambridge |
| Urban Larder | Toasties and a Mill Road café | Mill Road |
| Stir | Café-bakery and brunch | Chesterton |
| The Locker Café | Brunch and a less obvious central stop | King Street |
Plan Your Cambridge Trip
Where I’d stay: For an overnight or weekend trip in the city centre I’d recommend University Arms beside Parker’s Piece, or Graduate by Hilton Cambridge if you want to be right on the River Cam.
Getting to Cambridge from London: You can get to Cambridge easily by train in less than 1 hour. Compare London to Cambridge train times and fares here, then use my Cambridge day-trip itinerary once you arrive.
The experience I’d book first: Punting. For a first trip, I’d book this shared River Cam tour by university student guides. For the different options, prices and what I’d choose, read my punting in Cambridge guide before you go.
Stay connected: Set up your UK eSIM before your trip so your mobile data is ready when you arrive.
For extra peace of mind: I personally recommend using VisitorsCoverage to compare travel insurance options before your trip—it’s my go-to for finding the right cover whenever I travel.
1. Bould Brothers Coffee: Best for Specialty Coffee
Best for: flat whites, espresso and some incredible Cambridge coffee.
Bould Brothers Coffee was founded on Round Church Street in December 2016 by brothers Max and Alex Bould—and they’re still top contenders for the best speciality coffee in Cambridge.
In other words: come for a flat white, cappuccino or espresso, then carry on with your Cambridge day!
The original Round Church Street shop is tucked neatly into the historic centre, and Regent Street is the easier choice if you’re walking in from Cambridge station, so take your pick.
P.S. – The Round Church Street shop is small. Keep this one for coffee, not a half-day laptop session.
2. Hot Numbers Coffee: Best for Coffee and Brunch
Best for: specialty coffee and a proper Cambridge brunch.
If Bould Brothers is where I’d send you for coffee first, Hot Numbers is the all-rounder: a Cambridge roaster with two city cafés, very good coffee and enough of a brunch menu to tempt you into a sit-down.
The original Gwydir Street café sits inside a former Victorian brewery just off Mill Road, with communal tables and quieter corners that invite you to stay a little longer.
You can also dip into their Trumpington Street branch for an easier sightseeing stop, only a short walk from The Fitzwilliam Museum.
To eat, think Turkish eggs with garlicky herb yoghurt and chilli butter, bacon-and-maple buttermilk pancakes, warm banana bread with smoked banana curd, or stroopwafel-and-strawberry pancakes with dark chocolate soil and vanilla mascarpone.
Not a bad way to start your day in Cambridge…
3. Norfolk Street Bakery: Best Café Near Cambridge Station
Best for: Portuguese bakes, pastries and turning your walk from the station into breakfast.
Norfolk Street Bakery is one I always look forward to when I’m coming into Cambridge by train. Its roots go back much further than the bright Station Road café suggests: the original Norfolk Street bakery dates to 1868, reopened in 2012, and the station-side branch followed in 2017.
There’s plenty behind the glass—artisan breads, savouries, sandwiches and cakes—but I’d linger over the Portuguese side of the counter. Pastéis de nata are a staple, alongside Portuguese breads and whatever seasonal sweets happen to be there that morning.
For a first visit, I’d prioritise Station Road. It’s only a short walk from Cambridge station, so you can be sitting down with coffee and something flaky before you’ve even seen your first college.
It also fits super well into my Cambridge day-trip itinerary.
P.S. – They’re closed on Sundays.
4. Michaelhouse Café: Most Unique Café in Cambridge
Best for: cake, lunch and the novelty of having your Cambridge coffee beneath medieval arches.
There are prettier café interiors in Cambridge, but very few can compete with having breakfast inside a medieval church. Michaelhouse Café sits inside St Michael’s on Trinity Street, in what was once the chapel of Michaelhouse—one of Cambridge’s medieval colleges before it was absorbed into Trinity College.
The building became the Michaelhouse Centre in 2002, which means your coffee now comes with medieval arches and church memorials.
But it isn’t all atmosphere here. Breakfast runs from porridge to bacon or sausage ciabattas and scrambled eggs on sourdough, while lunch moves into soup, quiche, focaccia, bagels and sandwiches.
My tip? Have a look at the cake counter before you commit to anything. Sometimes there are up to 20 bakes in a day, from Biscoff brownies and cinnamon buns to rhubarb-and-almond tart and feta-and-cheddar scones. Decisions, decisions!
5. Café Foy: Best Riverside Café in Cambridge
Best for: brunch, a three-cheese toastie and Cambridge views.
Café Foy sits exactly where you’d want your dream Cambridge café to be—right on the Quayside, beside the River Cam, with punts coming and going just beyond the tables.
Cambridge-born siblings Matt and Sophie started it here and quickly grew well-known for their decadent three-cheese toasties. Nowadays you can find everything from coffee and brunch to wine, cocktails and small plates later in the day.
But even the name belongs here: Magdalene College uses the Old French motto “garde ta foy”, meaning “keep the faith”, and it really is a lovely pairing with a day on the river (and some punting in Cambridge perhaps?).
6. Fitzbillies: Best for Chelsea Buns and Cambridge History
Best for: Chelsea buns, afternoon tea and ticking off one very Cambridge institution.
You’ll hear about Fitzbillies before long in Cambridge. The original Trumpington Street shop opened in 1920, and more than a century later the bakery still trades on the thing it does best: a gloriously sticky Chelsea bun (all handmade with the original recipe).
Go to Trumpington Street if you want the full café experience—i.e. brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, bread, cakes and a ridiculously large takeaway-picnic range.
Or if you’re already around King’s Parade, there’s also a branch directly opposite King’s College Chapel to grab your bun and coffee and be on your way—dangerously convenient…
7. Urban Larder: Best Mill Road Café for Toasties
Best for: toasties, coffee and an excuse to wander along Mill Road.
Urban Larder is a really lovely Cambridge independent, known locally for its coffee, produce and a very committed toastie menu.
Here you can indulge in their cheesy (get it…) classics like (Sittin’ On) The Dock of Bombay, Gettin’ Figgy Wit It, Spice Up Your Life and Knowing Me, Knowing Shrooms. I appreciate the commitment.
It’s small, so I wouldn’t cross Cambridge solely to hunt down a table. But instead, make it part of your Mill Road exploring—and use my best restaurants in Cambridge guide for more places worth saving.
8. Stir: Best Cambridge Café-Bakery
Best for: brunch, very good bread and seeing Cambridge beyond the main tourist streets.
Stir started on Chesterton Road in 2015, then opened its own bakery next door two years later after struggling to find bread and pastry suppliers that matched what the café wanted to serve. Which, frankly, is a very good reason to start baking your own.
The Chesterton café now pairs Assembly coffee and seasonal brunch with its own sourdough, pastries and cakes. The bakery ranges from white-and-wholemeal sourdough to ancient-grain loaves and gluten-free seeded bread.
I’d save this one for an overnight stay or a day exploring north of the historic centre.
9. The Locker Café: Best for Brunch and Studying
Best for: brunch, coffee and popping in for a coffee/work sesh in Cambridge.
The Locker Café sits on King Street with two floors of seating and outdoor tables (when Cambridge and the weather decide to cooperate).
It’s family-run and art-led, with croissants baked in-house, cakes from local suppliers and a brunch menu built around sourdough. The “halloumi shrooms” is one worth dipping into.
The student connection is real too, with an upstairs space that’s extremely work-friendly and much better for bringing a laptop than Cambridge’s standard tiny espresso bars.
I wouldn’t call it hidden, exactly. But it is just far enough that you easily miss it if you stick to the obvious King’s Parade route.
Cambridge Cafés by Area
- Cambridge city centre: Bould Brothers Round Church Street, Michaelhouse Café, Fitzbillies and The Locker Café.
- Trumpington Street: Hot Numbers and the original Fitzbillies both work easily with The Fitzwilliam Museum and a walk towards King’s Parade.
- Mill Road / Petersfield: Urban Larder for toasties, and Hot Numbers Gwydir Street for coffee and brunch.
- Near Cambridge station: Norfolk Street Bakery Station Road, Bould Brothers Regent Street and Hot Numbers Gwydir Street.
- Quayside / River Cam: Café Foy if you want coffee, brunch and the river in the same stop.
- Chesterton: Stir for brunch, bread and the café-bakery side of Cambridge.
Best Cafés in Cambridge to Study or Work From
For a longer session, I’d start with Hot Numbers on Gwydir Street: there are communal tables and quieter corners to get your bits done. The Locker Café also has two floors and years of student-study credentials.
And Bould Brothers could work for a small work sesh and a coffee.
Final Thoughts on the Best Cafés in Cambridge
One of the best things about Cambridge is that the city is compact enough that a very good café can slip naturally between a museum, a college and the river.
If I were narrowing it down, I’d do Bould Brothers when coffee comes first, Hot Numbers when brunch does, and Norfolk Street Bakery when I’m coming straight from the train. Michaelhouse Café wins for sheer setting, Café Foy for riverside people-watching, and Fitzbillies for the Chelsea bun you were probably going to end up eating anyway.
Once the caffeine wears off and you need something more substantial, my Cambridge restaurant guide is where I’d go next.
Happy sipping (and Cambridge-ing),
Candace x
FAQ: Best Cafes in Cambridge, UK
What Are the Best Cafés in Cambridge?
For specialty coffee, start with Bould Brothers or Hot Numbers. For brunch, I’d choose Hot Numbers or The Locker Café. For somewhere especially Cambridge, try Michaelhouse Café inside St Michael’s Church or Café Foy beside the River Cam.
Where Should I Go for Coffee in Cambridge?
If the coffee itself matters most, start with Bould Brothers Coffee or Hot Numbers. Bould Brothers is the more coffee-first stop, and Hot Numbers is great for specialty coffee with a much bigger brunch menu.
What Are the Best Cafes in Cambridge UK City Centre?
In central Cambridge, look at Bould Brothers on Round Church Street, Michaelhouse Café on Trinity Street, Fitzbillies, Hot Numbers Trumpington Street and The Locker Café on King Street.
What Are the Best Cafés in Cambridge to Study or Work From?
For studying or working, I’d choose Hot Numbers Gwydir Street for their communal tables and quieter spots, while The Locker Café has two floors and a long history as a Cambridge student study spot. But always check current laptop and Wi-Fi rules before committing as they change often!
What Is the Most Unique Café in Cambridge?
Michaelhouse Café definitely. It sits inside St Michael’s Church, once the chapel of medieval Michaelhouse college. For something completely different, choose Café Foy for outdoor tables on Quayside beside the River Cam.
What Is the Best Café Near Cambridge Station?
I’d choose the Station Road branch of Norfolk Street Bakery for coffee, pastries, sandwiches and Portuguese bakes. Bould Brothers Regent Street is another good option between the station and the city centre.
Which Cambridge Cafés Are Open on Sunday?
You’ll still have plenty of choice on Sunday, but check independent opening hours before travelling. Fitzbillies currently opens all three city-centre cafés on Sundays, while Michaelhouse Café opens later after church use. Norfolk Street Bakery currently lists Monday–Saturday hours, so I’d choose somewhere else for a Sunday station breakfast.
Where Should I Go for Brunch in Cambridge?
For a full brunch menu, start with Hot Numbers for Turkish eggs, pancakes and banana bread alongside specialty coffee. The Locker Café, Café Foy and Fitzbillies Trumpington Street all work for brunch too.
Which Cambridge Cafés Are Good With Children?
Fitzbillies Trumpington Street has a dedicated kids menu, Stir has a children’s menu, and Michaelhouse Café is inside a spacious church building with a children’s corner in the chancel. Those would be the first I’d look at!
Are There Good Independent Coffee Shops in Cambridge?
Yes. Cambridge has a very strong independent coffee scene, including Bould Brothers, Hot Numbers, Urban Larder, Stir, Norfolk Street Bakery and Café Foy.
Plan the Rest of Your Cambridge Trip
Still planning? Here’s the rest of my Cambridge guides for what to do, where to eat and stay, punting, tours and what else to see nearby.
Cambridge Itineraries & Things to Do
- The Best Things to Do in Cambridge, England: My Favourite Sights, Food Stops & Local Gems
- Day Trip from London to Cambridge: The Perfect One-Day Itinerary
Where to Eat & Stay
- The Best Restaurants in Cambridge, UK: My Favourite Places to Recommend
- The Best Cafés in Cambridge, UK: My Favourite Places for Coffee & Brunch
- The Best Hotels in Cambridge, UK: Where to Stay in the City Centre
Punting & Tours
- Punting in Cambridge: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
- The Best Cambridge Tours, UK: Walking, University & Punting Tours I Recommend
