Cambridge is one of England’s most charming cities, boasting a rich history and one of the world’s most prestigious universities. The city offers plenty of amazing activities, and visiting some of its many wonderful pubs for a drink or bite to eat is a delight.
I’ve been visiting Cambridge since childhood, and it’s still one of my favorite places to escape to. I love exploring the museums, restaurants, cafes, and pubs here. The city offers a vast selection, including pubs with great food, cheap options, amazing riverside views, historic sites, and cozy places for winter.
After spending over 15 years exploring Cambridge’s pub scene, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite pubs based on atmosphere, food and drink quality, service, location, my personal experiences, and customer reviews. Although I’ve visited more pubs than on this list, these 15 stand out.
The Salisbury Arms is a beautiful old pub near the station, offering a wide selection of ales, guest beers, ciders, wines, and cocktails. It has a beer garden and is dog-friendly. The food menu includes homemade pizzas, nachos, and other snacks, with deals like 2-4-1 pizzas on Mondays and happy hours with two cocktails for £12 from Monday to Friday.
The Eagle, one of the best pubs in Cambridge center, dates back to the 14th Century. Known for its historic significance as the place where DNA was announced in 1953, it offers a rustic interior, a cozy atmosphere, and a beer garden. The menu includes pub classics like beer-battered fish and chips and steak and ale pie.
The BrewDog Cambridge taproom is perfect for craft beer lovers. They offer a fantastic selection of brews and excellent burgers, with deals like bottomless brunch and 2-4-1 offers on burgers from Monday to Wednesday. You can also watch live sports here.
The Fort St George is a beautiful traditional inn overlooking a common and the River Cam, making it feel like you’re in the countryside despite being close to the city center. The 16th Century building features wooden beams and an open fireplace. It’s ideal for sunny afternoons with a pint and a good book, and the menu includes classic British dishes.
The Anchor is situated in the heart of the city with stunning views of the city and the River Cam. The pub has a large dining room and an outdoor terrace, making it one of the most popular spots for both tourists and locals. The menu offers pub food priced reasonably given the location.
The Baron of Beef, near the historic Round Church, boasts a good selection of beers and a reasonably-priced menu. It features live sports showings, occasional live music, and a pleasant rear patio. The menu includes burgers, sharing platters, and other snacks.
The Regal, a local Wetherspoons pub, offers the cheapest pints in Cambridge. Open all day from 8 am, it serves pints for as little as £1. The menu includes grills, burgers, curries, and all-day breakfasts at unbeatable prices.
The Mill is a stunning riverside pub housed in a 19th Century Mill. Known for its excellent selection of hand-pulled beers and dog-friendly atmosphere, it offers indoor and outdoor seating and a great food menu. The pub has won many CAMRA awards over the years.
The Town and Gown, housed in an old theater, is popular with students and offers a lively atmosphere. It features a working theater upstairs, excellent ales, handmade cocktails, and unique gins. The menu includes healthy options and pub classics.
The Old Ticket Office, located at the Cambridge Railway Station, is popular for its brunch, lunch, or dinner options. Known for its homemade bar snacks, it attracts commuters, locals, and tourists.
The Pickerel is the oldest pub in Cambridge, dating back to the 15th Century. Despite several upgrades, it retains much of its old-world charm which makes it one of the nicest pubs in the city.
The Grain Hop, a modern pub in the city center, offers a great selection of craft ales, ciders, and cocktails. It includes a family-friendly beer garden and shows live sports on large TVs.
The Red Bull is a family-friendly pub in Newnham, offering a good selection of beers and food deals like ‘two pizzas for £15’ on Mondays. It features live sports throughout the year and a pleasant outdoor patio.
The Maypole, loved by craft beer enthusiasts, has 15 craft draught beers and 16 real ales on tap. They often hold beer and cider festivals, and the pub also features up to 50 different gins and assorted cocktails.
The Elm Tree, in the heart of Cambridge, specializes in artisan craft beers and Belgian lagers. It features an outside terrace, live music on Sundays, and board games. This cozy pub allows patrons to bring their own food and boasts a warm, homely atmosphere.
From stunning riverside pubs like The Fort St George and The Anchor to cheap pints at The Regal, Cambridge offers a variety of excellent pubs and inns. I eagerly look forward to revisiting these spots for a few pints and some of the best pub grub in the country. Cambridge will always remain one of my favorite cities to explore, largely thanks to its wonderful pub scene.
