A photo of an ice cream from Jacks Gelato.

Our Favourite Places

City

An alternative guide to Cambridge.

We asked our students to share the best bits of Cambridge with you. Some of them are hidden gems and some of the actually hidden. Some will have you queuing round the block but trust us – it'll be worth it. 

An illustrated map of Cambridge by Anna Betts.
The Empress pub pictured from outside.

Pub

The Empress

72 Thoday Street
Cambridge CB1 3AX

The Empress If you live near, on or just off Mill Road this place should be your Cambridge local, in fact even if you don't live within walking distance this should still be your local!

See Place
Beer being poured from a tap into a pint glass.

Pub

Calverley's Brewery & Taproom

23A Hooper St
Cambridge CB1 2NZ

Calverley's Brewery is a beer lovers hidden gem, based just off Mill Road in the heart of Cambridge.

See Place
The outside of the Maypole pub photographed early evening.

Pub

The Maypole

20A Portugal Pl
Cambridge CB5 8AF

For a great list of ales and craft beer and good sized pub garden, look no further than The Maypole!

See Place
A photo of one of Cambridge 'dinky doors'.

Walks

Dinky Doors

Various

You might have tried Geocaching but Dinky Doors are Cambridge through and through. Why? Because frankly they’re a bit weird...

See Place
ARU PhD student Jack pictured outside with a coffee from Hot Numbers cafe.

Food & Drink

Hot Numbers

Dales Brewery, 5/6 Gwydir St
Cambridge CB1 2LJ

Hot Numbers has a cult status in Cambridge and it is well deserved. They serve the best coffee in town, play/showcase some great music and have really tasty food as well.

See Place
A photo of three hands holding a coffee.

Food & Drink

Espresso Library

210 East Road
Cambridge CB1 1BG

Espresso Library is a airy, glass-fronted cafe with bikes hanging from ceiling, with a delicious range of artisan coffees and tasty homemade food.

See Place
A photo of table and chairs inside of a cafe.

Food & Drink

5 blends coffee shop

42 Mill Rd, Petersfield
Cambridge CB1 2AD

Amazing and unique artwork on the walls giving you modern yet rustic vibe. It's the perfect spot for getting some work down, having some down time alone or having a catchup with your mates.

See Place
Arjuna Wholefoods store photographed from the outside.

Shop

Arjuna Wholefoods

12 Mill Rd, Petersfield
Cambridge CB1 2AD

A Cambridge staple, a wholefood shop with heritage offering ethically sourced and high quality organic artisan food and daily vegan meals to take-away, a must visit!

See Place
Two scoops of ice cream in a Jacks Gelato branded cup.

Food & Drink

Jack's Gelato

6 Benet St
Cambridge CB2 3QN

If you’re looking for some amazing gelato (and even if you’re not!) then Jack’s Gelato is the place to go. Jack’s is so good, and loved by so many, that I was once stood in a queue for an ice cream there at 10pm on Wednesday in February!

See Place
A photo of Vegan Vice burgers and sides.

Food & Drink

Vegan Vice

170 East Rd
Cambridge CB1 1DB

It's probably the best fast-food place in Cambridge and caters to all diets so if you're going with friends everybody will find something they want. If your thinking you'll be eating dry tofu burgers or flavourless Quorn nuggets, you are dead wrong.

See Place
Specialist recording equipment pictured inside OT Music Studio.

Shopping

24 Hour Club

39A St Andrew's S
Cambridge CB2 3AR

This designer clothes shop sources the newest urban fashion from places such as France, New York, London, and Japan. It has 2 floors of clothing and a cool interior using ladders as clothing rails and led lights for a relaxed vibe while shopping.

See Place
Jemporium Vintage pictured from outside with mannequins in the window.

Shopping

Jemporium Vintage

6A Burleigh St
Cambridge CB1 1DG

A wonderful breath of individuality and the home of alternative fashion in Cambridge. You'll find a carefully curated range of band t shirts, comfortable denim, genuine American high school varsity wear and some unique sportswear.

See Place
ARU student Jay Wright pictured applying a new window stick in Full Circle Cafe.

Food & Drink

Full Circle Cafe

9 Norfolk St
Cambridge CB1 2LD

Zero waste & ethical shop on 9 Norfolk street. Lovely little shop, and quite affordable considering they are completely plastic-free and mostly organic. They also offer a discount for students. (Jay Wright, BA Illustration).

See Place
A box light with the word burgers illuminated.

Food & Drink

Doppelganger

59 Regent St,
Cambridge CB2 1AB

Vegan burger restaurant. Funky interior and some of the best vegan burgers out there! (Jay Wright, BA Illustration).

See Place
Cakes and coffees photographed on a table in Thrive Cafe.

Food & Drink

Thrive Cafe

5-7 Norfolk St,
Cambridge CB1 2LD

My favourite place to hang out and chat with some tea and cake is Thrive Cambridge Cafe, next to the university. (Alice Setti, BA Fine Art).

See Place
A photograph a people walking through Christ's Pieces Cambridge.

Food & Drink

Christ’s Pieces

15 Emmanuel Rd
Cambridge CB1 1JW

My favourite park instead is Christ’s pieces to go read or draw or just walk. (Alice Setti, BA Fine Art).

See Place

Where now

Showcase

Student Work

Take a look at some work from our graduating class of 2020.

See recent work

Campus

Take all look around our facilities

From dark rooms to performance spaces, computer labs and a printmaking workshop complete with letterpress.

Explore

People

Staff, students and alumni

Meet some of the people that make up the faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Meet Nick

Events

Take a look at our culture calendar

Whether you're into film, Shakespeare, music therapy or the future of modern policing, our events cover just about everything.

See what's happening