Cambridge, in the UK, is truly a city of dualities. While it has deep historical roots, home to the second oldest university in the world, old cobbled streets, and 13th-century churches, it’s also a hotspot for technological innovation. It houses a high-technology center known as Silicon Fen, a nod to Silicon Valley, and has been dubbed the UK’s top regional hub outside London.
Taking a walk through the city center, you’re never far from stunning architecture, independent clothes stores, cafes, or cows – that’s right, grazing cows are dotted all across the city’s green patches. There is, of course, the unmissable, bustling Cambridge market, too, positioned just in front of the city hall, full of all sorts of weird and wonderful stalls and delightful food popups. As you wander through, you’ll be transported to every corner of the globe by the wonderful smells of Turkish falafel, Spanish paella, and Sri Lankan curry.
That said, Cambridge’s culinary scene extends far beyond the offerings of the market, and it’s well known for having an excellent selection of restaurants catering to every flight of fancy, its vegan scene included. Finding vegan food in Cambridge won’t be a struggle at all!
Here’s our roundup of the best vegan restaurants serving up plant-based power in Cambridge!
Thrive
Price: $
Cuisine: Bistro, British, Bakery
Website: www.thrivecambridge.com
Thrive is a vibrant community hub that offers delicious food, art exhibitions, and workshops, and an adjoining pre-loved clothes stall, The Serpentine Swap and Full Circle, a zero-waste shop. A down-to-earth vegan eatery, walking through its doors, you’ll be welcomed by Thrive’s friendly staff and be met with its rather tempting cake display, offering everything from carrot cake to tiffin and black forest fudge cake. Whether you just fancy one of its delicious cakes and a coffee from partner Silver Oak Coffee, a local ethical micro-roastery, or something a little more filling, thrive has got you covered.
At Thrive, it keeps things fresh with an ever-changing brunch and lunch menu, but one thing’s for sure, you’ll never be disappointed. A particular menu favorite of ours is the Tofish and chips: fluffy tofu wrapped in nori sheets, encased in a crispy, flavorful batter, accompanied by chip shop-style chips.
Thrive boasts gorgeous, quaint interiors with twinkling fairy lights and walls covered in for-sale art by local artists, and it also takes the ambiance outside onto its terrace, where you can enjoy your spoils (if it’s not raining.)
Doppleganger
Price: $$
Cuisine: American, Fast-food
Website: www.dopplegangerburger.co.uk
The brainchild of Alfy Fowler, Doppleganger came onto the scene in 2018 in a bid to shake up vegan burgers. Tired of bland and crumbly chickpea burgers, Fowler vowed to create food that was fast, healthy, and delicious, and he has certainly delivered.
The American diner-esque restaurant is found on bustling Regent Street, and has a fresh, fun vibe, with staff super attentive and friendly. And, when you order, be prepared to eat well because Doppleganger burgers are enormous.
Our recommendation is the BBK, which comes with a succulent Korean BBQ jackfruit patty accompanied by pickled pear and cucumber, lime slaw, and miso mayo. It meshes sweet and savory perfectly. Of course, you can’t miss its loaded fries and shakes, either! The Pizza Fries, doused in pizza sauce and melted mozzarella, are topped with pesto and olives and are a must, as is the decadent Salted Caramel Brownie Milkshake.
The Tipsy Vegan
Price: $$ – $$$
Cuisine: Fusion, Global tapas
Website: www.thetipsyvegan.co.uk
A night out to The Tipsy Vegan is not one you’ll forget in a hurry – that is, unless you’ve had one too many of its delicious cocktails. Found river-side in the Quayside area of Cambridge, this stylish joint boasts interiors inspired by the glamor of a prohibition-era speakeasy and offers a wonderful array of small and large plates inspired by cuisines all over the world from South Asian and Hungarian to Italian and Korean.
We can honestly say that this menu delivers hit after hit of moorish morsels, however some notable mentions include the Oyster Mushroom Calamari served on a bed of samphire, which is just like the real thing. Likewise, the Arancini are out of this world and it is truly a marvel how the restaurant has captured the authentic taste and texture of traditional arancini. And, of course, as a self-proclaimed mac and cheese maniac, I would be remiss not to mention the outstanding Mac & Cheese with vegan chorizo and truffle oil.
On Sundays, you can even stop by for a vegan roast with all the trimmings. Whether you choose the traditional Mushroom Wellington, the Sliced Beef Seitan, or Aubergine Cutlet, you’re in for a treat.
Stem & Glory
Price: $$
Cuisine: British, European
Website: stemandglory.uk
Award-winning Stem & Glory is found by Cambridge station and is the perfect place to go if you’re looking to treat yourself. With a clean, modern aesthetic, this restaurant balances classy and casual perfectly. The same goes for its food, which is why it’s the perfect spot for a light lunch or a special, sophisticated dinner. So, it’s no wonder it was recently crowned the best vegan-friendly restaurant in the UK.
As is the way with many restaurants these days, the restaurant offers both small and large plates, with a wonderful array of plant-based options to choose from. While its Pumpkin Ravioli served with sage butter sauce and house-made cashew parmesan is a delight, as are the Korean ‘Fish’ Tacos, the pizzas are where Stem & Glory outdoes itself. Vegan pizzas, much to our disappointment, rarely hit the note, but we were blown away by the offerings here. The Italian Sausage and Margarita are standouts.
Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Cambridge
These restaurants, while not exclusively vegan, have some absolutely to-die-for plant-based options and are beloved throughout the city.
The Tiffin Truck
Price: $
Cuisine: Indian
Website: www.thetiffintruck.co.uk
This Indian restaurant, owned and run by cousins Krishna Vijayakumar and Arun K Chandran, delivers the atmosphere of an Indian bazaar, serving up speedy lunches in true tiffin fashion. That said, it’s also the perfect location for an evening meal out.
Healthy, fresh food delivered with style, The Tiffin Truck offers lip-smacking vegan-friendly dishes such as Ennai Kathrikai, featuring eggplant, tamarind, coconut, and tempered with mustard and the ginger explosion of the Bombay Aloo.
If weather permits, and you’re in the mood for some al fresco dining, why not get your curry to takeaway, and eat in Parker’s Piece, one of Cambridge’s many grassy squares?
Bedouin
Price: $$$
Cuisine: North African, Middle Eastern
Website: www.bedouin-cambridge.com
Located on Cambridge’s famous Mill Road, a bustling street populated by independent restaurants, cafes, clothes stores, bookshops, and more, Bedouin is a restaurant delivering a unique experience to its customers. As you enter Bedouin’s doors and step inside, you’re transported. A bedouin tent and rugs line the walls, people are seated in carved wooden furniture, and candles, African lamps, and wall lights twinkle to create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
Serving up traditional North African food from across the Maghreb, the restaurant’s plant-based options are divine and include Tagine Boustaan, the Levantine Mousaka, and the simply irresistible Adess Daziria.
This multi-award winning restaurant is, understandably, much beloved throughout the city and is often busy, so you’ll need to book ahead in advance to avoid disappointment.
Hot Numbers
Price: $$
Cuisine: British, Cafe
Website: www.hotnumberscoffee.co.uk
With two locations in the city, Hot Numbers is an indie bistro and a local favorite, serving up excellent coffee from its roastery and a delicious array of pastries, brunch favorites, and lunchtime treats. With a laid-back atmosphere that oozes cool, this place is perfect for a lunch date, out-of-office work, or just a coffee catch-up with friends.
Its menu changes with the seasons, but all of its plant-based options are delicious and worth checking out. Some favorites include the Bibimbap with Sesame Baked Tofu and the Smashed Avocado with Vegan Feta.
King of Wraps
Price: $
Cuisine: Middle Eastern, Turkish
Website: https://thekingofwraps.co.uk/home
While there are a few falafel places dotted around Cambridge’s city center, King of Wraps, found in Cambridge’s market square, in our humble opinion, comes out on top. While it doesn’t have an extensive vegan-friendly menu, what it has on offer is so good you won’t be left wanting.
Its vegan wrap comes with freshly-made falafel (the best we’ve ever eaten), homemade hummus, a choice of sauce (we’d recommend the hot rather than the mild if you’re one for a little spice), and an array of colorful pickled veggies, jalapenos, shredded lettuce, and tomato. All of this is enclosed in a delicious toasted wrap and will have you set for the afternoon.
Madaline Dunn
Madaline is a vegan journalist, writer, and editor specializing in sustainability, current affairs, and social justice and the ways in which they intersect. Her work focuses on innovation and progress, prioritizing rigorous investigation. When she’s not writing, she’s in the kitchen experimenting with new plant-based recipes, reading a good book, or thinking about her next cup of coffee.
