Five Great Places to Have Tea and Cake in Cambridge
You could walk to Grantchester if you can be bothered. You probably can't.
Feature
We all need a break at some point during the afternoon, preferably
involving something refreshing and sugary. So if you find
yourself in Cambridge, and in urgent need of tea and cake goodness,
look no further:
Indigo Café:
[St. Edward’s Passage, CB2 3PJ]
Squeezed between an antique bookshop and the Cambridge Arts Theatre, Indigo Café is pretty popular amongst hipster Cambridge students. As well as offering a good selection of teas and coffees, it caters for every cake enthusiast’s needs, whether it's flapjacks, brownies, or millionaire's shortbread. Space is limited, however, so make sure you grab a seat before the café’s afternoon rush. And make sure you grab a slice of their gluten-free lemon drizzle cake (which is arguably the best gluten-free lemon drizzle cake the city has to offer).
The Orchard Tea Garden:
[Mill Way, CB3 9ND]
If you’re after a teashop with an intriguing historical background, then the Orchard Tea Garden is the one for you. Found in the fields of Grantchester, it has seen the likes of famous poets and writers such as Rupert Brooke and Virginia Woolf in its gardens, enjoying English teas and freshly baked scones. It’s a 25-minute walk from the city centre, but don’t let that put you off. Consider it exercise that will burn off all those calories you’ll be consuming as you stuff your face full of cakes somewhere in the idyllic Cambridgeshire countryside.
CB1 Café:
[Mill Road, CB1 2AD]
CB1 Café is perhaps one of the quirkiest cafés of Cambridge, and definitely one for the intellectuals. With an assortment of mismatched furniture and walls lined with books, take the afternoon off to catch up on some reading over a fresh brew. Friendly and chatty, the staff are very helpful, especially when it comes to recommending particular cakes to their customers. Definitely try their ginger and lemon cupcakes. The only word to describe them would be ‘mmmm’.
Auntie’s Tea Shop:
[St. Mary’s Passage, CB2 3PQ]
Step back into the Edwardian era at Auntie’s Tea Shop, near the world famous King’s College Chapel. With doilies and traditional pinafore aprons galore, it’s hardly surprising that the teashop is a favourite amongst the little old grannies as well as tourists who want to sample the delights of English afternoon tea. It can get very busy, especially during the summertime, but if you can find a table, then Itchy recommends their fruit scones washed down with a proper cup of tea. Delightful.
The Michaelhouse Café:
[Trinity Street, CB2 1SU]
Eat. Pray. Love Michaelhouse Café. Located in St Michael’s Church, one of the oldest churches in Cambridge, the café offers a good selection of teas and cakes for those seeking spiritual refreshment. Fast service and plenty of tables and chairs, enjoy the atmosphere and take some time out to wander around the chapel and peruse their art exhibition.
Jenna Corderoy
Photo: Jessica Spengler
Indigo Café:
[St. Edward’s Passage, CB2 3PJ]
Squeezed between an antique bookshop and the Cambridge Arts Theatre, Indigo Café is pretty popular amongst hipster Cambridge students. As well as offering a good selection of teas and coffees, it caters for every cake enthusiast’s needs, whether it's flapjacks, brownies, or millionaire's shortbread. Space is limited, however, so make sure you grab a seat before the café’s afternoon rush. And make sure you grab a slice of their gluten-free lemon drizzle cake (which is arguably the best gluten-free lemon drizzle cake the city has to offer).
The Orchard Tea Garden:
[Mill Way, CB3 9ND]
If you’re after a teashop with an intriguing historical background, then the Orchard Tea Garden is the one for you. Found in the fields of Grantchester, it has seen the likes of famous poets and writers such as Rupert Brooke and Virginia Woolf in its gardens, enjoying English teas and freshly baked scones. It’s a 25-minute walk from the city centre, but don’t let that put you off. Consider it exercise that will burn off all those calories you’ll be consuming as you stuff your face full of cakes somewhere in the idyllic Cambridgeshire countryside.
CB1 Café:
[Mill Road, CB1 2AD]
CB1 Café is perhaps one of the quirkiest cafés of Cambridge, and definitely one for the intellectuals. With an assortment of mismatched furniture and walls lined with books, take the afternoon off to catch up on some reading over a fresh brew. Friendly and chatty, the staff are very helpful, especially when it comes to recommending particular cakes to their customers. Definitely try their ginger and lemon cupcakes. The only word to describe them would be ‘mmmm’.
Auntie’s Tea Shop:
[St. Mary’s Passage, CB2 3PQ]
Step back into the Edwardian era at Auntie’s Tea Shop, near the world famous King’s College Chapel. With doilies and traditional pinafore aprons galore, it’s hardly surprising that the teashop is a favourite amongst the little old grannies as well as tourists who want to sample the delights of English afternoon tea. It can get very busy, especially during the summertime, but if you can find a table, then Itchy recommends their fruit scones washed down with a proper cup of tea. Delightful.
The Michaelhouse Café:
[Trinity Street, CB2 1SU]
Eat. Pray. Love Michaelhouse Café. Located in St Michael’s Church, one of the oldest churches in Cambridge, the café offers a good selection of teas and cakes for those seeking spiritual refreshment. Fast service and plenty of tables and chairs, enjoy the atmosphere and take some time out to wander around the chapel and peruse their art exhibition.
Jenna Corderoy
Photo: Jessica Spengler
Tags
tea |
cafe |
cake |
Cambridge |
recommended |
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