5 cool and cozy cafés in Cambridge

Beyond the high street chains (hello Nero and Costa Coffee!), Cambridge is a haven of independent cafés, with cozy corners to get settled in over a long, lazy lunch break or chilled out afternoon. Here are five of my favorites – enjoy, explore and stay an hour or two…

1. Hot Numbers

Hot Numbers is an independent & friendly coffee house close to Mill Road. They offer drinks, sandwiches and cakes, freshly prepared and fabulously filling.This is a quiet place during the week so if you want to study or have a quiet lunch, Hot Numbers is your spot! But if you are not really after a quiet corner, don’t worry; they also organize live music events on weekends.

2. Fitzbillies

Fitzbillies is a Cambridge institution. Its famously sticky Chelsea Buns have been made and sold on the premises since 1921. And trust me, they are mouth-wateringly delicious!  A little tip from yours truly: you may want to share one with a friend as it’s quite hard to finish on your own. All their food is made on the premises using fresh ingredients from local suppliers. No trip to Cambridge is complete without a visit to Fitzbillies!

3. CB1

CB1 is a cozy, colorful, artsy café. CB1 is the oldest internet café in the world so do not be surprised to see some computers in the back or people with laptops using the free Wi-Fi.  When you first walk into the café you might think it’s small, but the café actually has three areas: the main room, downstairs (more quiet) where you can attend creative workshops, and a garden which is really nice in the summer! They offer a variety of drinks, sandwiches and cakes for a reasonable price. The menu is not big but everything is fresh and oh-so-delicious.

4. Auntie’s Tea Shop

This is THE spot for a taste of the traditional British afternoon tea. Situated in the city center and overlooking the Senate House, they have excellent service and fabulous food (breakfasts, light lunches, sandwiches, Paninis, baguettes & freshly baked cakes.) An afternoon at Auntie’s will make you feel properly British – promise!

5. Stickybeaks

Located on Hobson Street, Stickybeaks is a friendly coffee place with very friendly staff. They have an open plan kitchen which offers you the chance to see how the food is made. The room is quite small but you can also sit outside and enjoy the life of the city center while sipping your cappuccino.  The cakes and cupcakes are absolutely delicious in this spot as well.