Eating out, shopping, wifi and entertainment in Cambridge
Discussion
I'm spending next week in Cambridge and would really appreciate some eating out suggestions.
I'm a speshul needs eater unfortunately, so I'd prefer places that do buffet, carvery, salads, or are going to manage to leave out wheat, dairy, potatos etc. on request (so pizza/pasta places are out unless they do good salads). Love good curries, steak, noodle houses/chinese and mexican. I'm also on expenses and the budget's tight, so no a la carte places please. So far I've checked and there is a Nandos so I'll survive, but I'd rather have a few choices.
Also if anyone can tell me if it's likely that there'll be any late night shopping (ie. after 5.30pm), wifi hotspots and also if there's any good places for less raucous entertainment/drinks, especially in the centre or south side of the town.
Oh and what's the parking like in the centre? Or is there any?
Any sights worth looking at that will still be visible/open after dark? I've only been there twice and was under 18 both times, so it's all a very distant memory.
I'm a speshul needs eater unfortunately, so I'd prefer places that do buffet, carvery, salads, or are going to manage to leave out wheat, dairy, potatos etc. on request (so pizza/pasta places are out unless they do good salads). Love good curries, steak, noodle houses/chinese and mexican. I'm also on expenses and the budget's tight, so no a la carte places please. So far I've checked and there is a Nandos so I'll survive, but I'd rather have a few choices.
Also if anyone can tell me if it's likely that there'll be any late night shopping (ie. after 5.30pm), wifi hotspots and also if there's any good places for less raucous entertainment/drinks, especially in the centre or south side of the town.
Oh and what's the parking like in the centre? Or is there any?
Any sights worth looking at that will still be visible/open after dark? I've only been there twice and was under 18 both times, so it's all a very distant memory.
Nice place down off Silver street called Old Orleans, bit like Nandos.
Centre of Cambridge has lots of pubs eateries etc, but parking can be a pain, depends where you are staying. Park street has a decent car park and Lion Yard but check the prices, they can be a bit steep...Big multi storey next to Parkers piece and the Grafton centre has one too..
Centre of Cambridge has lots of pubs eateries etc, but parking can be a pain, depends where you are staying. Park street has a decent car park and Lion Yard but check the prices, they can be a bit steep...Big multi storey next to Parkers piece and the Grafton centre has one too..
Edited by Blackpig2 on Friday 30th October 23:52
Asia, down Regents street has all sorts of Asian food. Very nice Thai and Curry.
Lots of shopping now the super duper mall is open.
Drink places are pretty much the same, avoid The Regal. B Bar is nice.
Lots of cool pubs down Mill Road, plus some nice eaty places.
Kick beggars in the nuts.
Lots of shopping now the super duper mall is open.
Drink places are pretty much the same, avoid The Regal. B Bar is nice.
Lots of cool pubs down Mill Road, plus some nice eaty places.
Kick beggars in the nuts.
Shopping is OK in Cambridge, better since they opened the Grand Arcade (late night til 20:00 on Wednesdays I believe) but still not great.
Not sure about restaurant recommendations given your criteria. There's the usual chain restaurants and a couple of decent as you call them "a la carte" places but not so much in between.
The Cambridge Chop House on Kings Parade may be your best bet? There's a couple of OK curry houses up Castle street and a decent Turkish place on Kings Street. As mentioned, avoid the Regal at all costs and spread out from Regent street/the immediate centre to find the nice cosy pubs.
I find Cambridge in the evening beautiful - you can walk for days through many of the colleges (subject to them being open to the public); make sure you see the new "clock" on kings parade (opposite the chop house incidentally).
If you've got walking legs, head on up through Newnham and on to Granchester through the "meadows" - there are a few decent boozers in Granchester in a more rural setting.
Not sure about restaurant recommendations given your criteria. There's the usual chain restaurants and a couple of decent as you call them "a la carte" places but not so much in between.
The Cambridge Chop House on Kings Parade may be your best bet? There's a couple of OK curry houses up Castle street and a decent Turkish place on Kings Street. As mentioned, avoid the Regal at all costs and spread out from Regent street/the immediate centre to find the nice cosy pubs.
I find Cambridge in the evening beautiful - you can walk for days through many of the colleges (subject to them being open to the public); make sure you see the new "clock" on kings parade (opposite the chop house incidentally).
If you've got walking legs, head on up through Newnham and on to Granchester through the "meadows" - there are a few decent boozers in Granchester in a more rural setting.
For good curries - get yourself down Mill Road (googlemaps or ask a local) - loads of curry houses to choose from. Curry Queen or Golden Curry (opposite each other) are the best IMHO.
Noodle bars are plentiful too: Wagamama's on Regent Street, Yippee Noodles on King Street, Kimmoy on Mill Road, and there's another one I can't remember the names of near Old Orleans (as posted above).
Thai food there is Bangkok City on Green Lane, or much better head out to the Wrestlers on Newmarket Road.
If you like real ale to go with your internet surfing, head to the Kingston Arms on Kingston Street - free WiFi and cracking beer. They will also cater for wheat/dairy intolerance on their menu.
There's a Chinese "all you can eat" buffet on Napier Street behind the Grafton Shopping Centre
Have fun.
Noodle bars are plentiful too: Wagamama's on Regent Street, Yippee Noodles on King Street, Kimmoy on Mill Road, and there's another one I can't remember the names of near Old Orleans (as posted above).
Thai food there is Bangkok City on Green Lane, or much better head out to the Wrestlers on Newmarket Road.
If you like real ale to go with your internet surfing, head to the Kingston Arms on Kingston Street - free WiFi and cracking beer. They will also cater for wheat/dairy intolerance on their menu.
There's a Chinese "all you can eat" buffet on Napier Street behind the Grafton Shopping Centre
Have fun.
Edited by FunkyGibbon on Saturday 31st October 12:37
Old Orleans has gone 
*sniff*
But there's now a damn good thai restaurant in the pavilion on Parker's Piece - not that cheap though...
Agree with recommendation of Curry Queen down Mill Road, can also suggest Chili's near the Grafton for Mexican, or Footlights in the Grafton Centre.
Chan's I think it is called on Regent Street is good for chinese and for really good affordable genuine Thai food, try the Wrestlers Pub on Newmarket Road.
Parking in the centre is available, the 1 way system is a headache and I have to say I don't think there's much after dark to see IMHO.
However, free things worth doing during the day (lunch hour if it's the only time you have) are the University museums such as the Natural History and Fitzwilliams.
*sniff* But there's now a damn good thai restaurant in the pavilion on Parker's Piece - not that cheap though...
Agree with recommendation of Curry Queen down Mill Road, can also suggest Chili's near the Grafton for Mexican, or Footlights in the Grafton Centre.
Chan's I think it is called on Regent Street is good for chinese and for really good affordable genuine Thai food, try the Wrestlers Pub on Newmarket Road.
Parking in the centre is available, the 1 way system is a headache and I have to say I don't think there's much after dark to see IMHO.
However, free things worth doing during the day (lunch hour if it's the only time you have) are the University museums such as the Natural History and Fitzwilliams.
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