Best brunch Cambridge: 13 delicious brunch spots you need to visit

Nestled alongside the River Cam, just a short train ride north of London, you’ll find the city of Cambridge. With a long and rich history behind it, the city is famed for its status as home to the University of Cambridge, but it has a whole lot more to offer than lectures and an impressive roster of alumni. We’re talking big beautiful brunch restaurants in Cambridge’s city centre.

Winding cobbled streets, vast medieval architecture, and sprawling green spaces all make Cambridge a beautiful, idyllic location for a weekend getaway. That’s why we’ve gone through our best brunch in Cambridge recommendations and included details not just on what’s the best brunch dish to order, but also whether or not there’s outside seating too.

Cambridge might feel very studenty, and many of the best brunch spots in Cambridge are great for studying or ‘working from home’, but there are some real gems worth booking for a celebratory brunching session too. In fact, when it comes to food, this city has a lot to offer; just check out the best restaurants in Cambridge for the latest recommendations.

If there’s anything the Cambridge student population loves, it’s brunch, so there are plenty of options for you to choose from in your hunt for the best Cambridge brunch. With over 24,000 students attending the university, contributing to the city’s population of over 145,000, and around 8.1 million tourist visitors a year, Cambridge’s restaurants and cafes can get a little busy, especially on the weekends around brunchtime.

Students can easily nip into their college dining halls for brunch and avoid the city’s queues (top tip: certain colleges sometimes open up their halls to non-student visitors too). But, if you’re not a University member, finding your perfect brunch spot can be an overwhelming feat, especially in a city full to the brim with hipster cafes serving up a thousand variations of avocado on toast. But fear not, we’re going to walk you through some of the best brunches in Cambridge, so that you can navigate Cambridge’s brunch-scape with ease.

Fitzbillies

What: First up, is it even a Cambridge-related guide if it doesn't include Fitzbillies? We don’t think so... Fitzbillies is a student staple and incredibly popular with tourists on weekends (picture queues down the pavement), but we understand why. Its brunch menu is vast, and ever so slightly difficult to choose from, but we can’t complain. Unless you’re in a group of more than six people, Fitzbillies don’t take brunch bookings, so you have to take your chances and just walk in – definitely worth the risk for even a glimpse of those Chelsea buns!
Must-try dish: The Full English breakfast (but grab a Chelsea bun to go)
Outdoor seating: No
Where: 51-52 Trumpington Street, CB2 1RG
Book now: Fitzbillies

Michaelhouse Cafe

What: Another very Cambridge brunch, Michaelhouse offers a small but delicious menu crafted with local ingredients, all served within an impressive restored college chapel. With its huge selection of beautifully baked pastries, cakes, and biscuits, as well as an extensive hot food menu, Michaelhouse is a dreamy brunch spot. Sit back in a beautiful chapel venue and indulge in the likes of scrambled eggs with crème fraiche and chives, blueberry porridge honey and toasted mixed seeds, or breakfast ciabattas. Be careful though: Michaelhouse is closed on Sunday mornings until noon for church, so we recommend you carefully schedule in your brunch visit!
Must-try dish: Anything from the pastry counter, or scrambled eggs with Chapel & Swan salmon
Outdoor seating: Yes, though it’s a popular spot in the warmer months, so it’s best to arrive early
Where: St Michael's Church, Trinity Street, CB2 1SU
Book now: Michaelhouse Cafe

Scott’s All Day

What: Weekends at Scott’s All Day are about one thing: brunch. Almost everything you can imagine is on the table here, from eggs benedict and proper fry-ups to stacks of pancakes layered with bratwurst, bacon, eggs, and crispy potatoes. You’ll also find bruschetta with stracciatella, pizzas, salads, and sweet pancakes too. Plus, owner Scott Holden used to manage Fitzbillies - so you can guarantee the team knows a thing or two about cooking up a proper brunch.
Must-try dish: ‘The Lumberjack’ with Mill Road Butchers sausage patty, streaky bacon, eggs, crispy potatoes, and maple syrup
Outdoor seating: Yes, though there aren’t very many
Where: 111-113 Mill Road, CB1 2AZ
Book now: Scott’s All Day

Bill's Cambridge

What: If you like an earlier brunch (i.e., you get too hungry to wait past noon for your food), then Bill’s Cambridge might be a good spot for your brunch. Its breakfast menu runs till 11:30 with brunch served til 5pm every day. Bill’s Big Brunch is the standout, offering all the trimmings, though pancakes at Bills are also a great shout. Coming in at five stacks tall, toppings might include smoked streaky bacon, biscoff crumb and banana, or triple chocolate. Bill’s also offers plenty of veggie and vegan alternatives, including a very tempting berry and whipped vanilla cream number.
Must-try dish: Bill’s Big Brunch
Outdoor seating: No. Though the interiors are filled with greenery.
Where: 34-35 Green Street, CB2 3JX
Book now: Bill's Cambridge

Stir

What: If you’re ino your coffee and sweet treats, you’ll likely have heard of Stir already. Quickly becoming a fan favourite, Stir also offers one of the best Cambridge brunches at the Chesterton Cafe. We love this one for a ‘work from home’ brunch, or as a little treat when the idea of a library session feels too much. The menu is short but concise, reeling off tasty brunch plates like eggs florentine, smashed avocado toast, huevos rancheros, and more all accompanied by baked goods from Stir Bakery. Keep an eye out for the highlighted favourites - they’re all worth a try.
Must-try dish: Stir’s big brunch with avocado, bacon, halloumi, mushroom, eggs, chilli jam and sourdough
Outdoor seating: Yes, you can expect a few street-side tables
Where: 255 Chesterton Road, CB4 1BG
Book now: Stir

Revolution

What: Yes, this one’s best known for great cocktails, and affordable nights out - but it also offers a pretty darn good brunch near Cambridge city centre. A bottomless version is also on offer, covering all the classics like full breakfasts, avocado topped toast, and pancakes, along with pizzas, burgers and mac and cheese. That said, we love the look of the fried chicken and bacon pancakes, though it’s all very affordable, so it’s bound to be a hard choice to make. Plus, this one’s available every day of the week, so whether you’re looking to celebrate or find a cure after a night out, this is an ever-reliable choice.
Must-try dish: Rev’s fried chicken and bacon pancakes
Outdoor seating: No
Where: Downing Place, CB2 3DS
Book now: Revolution Cambridge

Bean Theory

What: Known for simple brunch plates that always prioritise deliciousness, Bean Theory is a go-to for passionate coffee lovers and ‘fika’ fans - the swedish practice of taking a proper coffee break with a sweet treat. Armed with bucketloads of speciality coffee, this spot serves up a brilliant brunch in Newnham just around the corner from Mill Pond. That said, it’s not a traditional brunch. Rather, the team here specialise in cheesy toasties and hot sandos willed with the likes of mortadella, cheese and chutney.
Must-try dish: Piri piri chicken toastie with cheddar, mayo, and My Wave sauce
Outdoor seating: Yes, there’s often quite a lot of al fresco seating
Where: 31 Newnham Road, CB3 9EY
Book now: Bean Theory

Hot Numbers Coffee Trumpington Street

What: A staple amongst Cambridge brunchers, Hot Numbers is the stuff of Cambridge brunch dreams. There’s no need to book, but weekend brunch service can get super busy, so we recommend coming earlier to beat the rush. Served 7:30am-3pm daily, it can be hard to choose what to go for amongst Hot Numbers’ delicious offerings. Avocado toast is done three ways, our favourite of which is with Nduja, pickled fennel, feta, chilli, cherry tomatoes, and pumpkin seeds. The café also offers up incredible fluffy buttermilk pancake stacks plated up beautifully. Toppings change, as does the menu, but the streaky bacon and egg version is a reliable favourite.
Must-try dish: Strawberry and honeycomb pancakes with lemon gel and elderflower
Outdoor seating: Yes. There’s a garden area, plus a few streetside tables.
Where: 4 Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1QA
Book now: Hot Numbers Coffee Trumpington Street

The Locker Cafe

What: Served daily until 3pm, brunch at the family-run Locker Café is a cosy, homemade affair. The toasted crumpets with mascarpone, walnuts, berries, and maple syrup are perfect for those of us with a sweet tooth, and a popular vegan special – smashed avocado sourdough with sunblushed tomatoes and piquante peppers – provides an exciting twist on a brunch classic if you're craving savoury. The café is dog friendly, making it the perfect spot for a post-dog walk brunch in Cambridge city centre.
Must-try dish: Turkish eggs with toast
Outdoor seating: Yes. Expect a large sunny terrace.
Where: 54 King Street, CB1 1LN
Book now: The Locker Cafe

The Copper Kettle

What: Brunch at The Copper Kettle means a classic selection of brunch goods, overlooking arguably the most famous College in the University. The CK Full Brunch means a mountain of eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, mushrooms, tomato, and toast, whilst the CK Veggie Brunch swaps out the meat for smashed avocado. Keeping up with the café's Mediterranean influence, the Turkish breakfast (served all day) is a platter of cheddar and Turkish white cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, and olives, served up with fried eggs, Turkish beef sausage, and bread and honey. You’ll also find some very tempting ‘hash brown puffs’ and waffles with chocolate sauce and fruit.
Must-try dish: Turkish breakfast, with a side of hash brown puffs
Outdoor seating: Yes. There’s an al fresco terrace with views of Kings College
Where: 4 King's Parade, CB2 1SJ
Book now: The Copper Kettle

The Old Bicycle Shop

What: Situated on the site of a former 173-year-old bicycle shop (makes sense, doesn't it?), the Old Bicycle Shop is a beautifully historic building offering up a gorgeous food and drinks menu for brunch in central Cambridge. American pancakes with a range of toppings, wild mushrooms on toast, and Croque Monsieur are just some of the plates you can opt for in this location. The selection of boozy coffees and brunch cocktails is particularly appealing, including Mimosas, bloody Marys, and espresso martinis. Brunch, cocktails, and a beautiful setting - what more could you ask for?
Must-try dish: Croque Monsieur (or Croque Madame if you fancy an egg too)
Outside seating: Yes, there’s a conservatory with a retractable roof.
Where: 104 Regent Street, CB2 1DP
Book now: The Old Bicycle Shop

Indigo Coffee House

What: If you’re after a more low-key, casual brunch, it might be worth wandering over to Indigo Coffee House. A small, independent coffee house situated just off Cambridge’s King’s Parade, it’s a cosy space within which to have a relaxed brunch. Choose from a vast selection of hot drinks, an ever-changing array of homemade cakes and baked goods, and an equally variable menu of toasties and hot sandwiches, and have yourself an adorable little brunch in a beautiful, cobbled Cambridge street.
Must-try dish: Sweet treats from the counter
Outdoor seating: There are usually a few small tables outside
Where: 8 St Edwards Passage, CB2 3PJ
Book now: Indigo Coffee House

Browns Cambridge

What: It’s not the most exciting or cool place for brunch in Cambridge, but in terms of reliability, Browns is a solid option. Expect all the classic brunchy plates, from pancakes layered with cream and berries to smashed avocado on toast. But if you’re a fan of eggs, there’s a whole section on the menu dedicated to Benedict dishes. Throw in some pretty good brunching cocktails, full English breakfasts, and lighter options too, and this spot has something to keep everyone happy.
Must-try dish: Browns lobster benedict with buttered spinach, two poached eggs, and hollandaise.
Outside seating: Yes, you’ll find several tables nestled behind a neo-classical facade.
Where: 23 Trumpington Street, CB2 1QA
Book now: Browns Cambridge

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