In amongst the midst of high street chains, Cambridge is hiding a true foodie's paradise. If your still around town, seek out these stores for the ultimate food-inspired gift; perfect for stockings, under the tree or an early holiday present to yourself.

Limoncello

The delightful Limoncello on Mill Road has been named "the best Italian Deli in England" – and for good reason – it is a veritable Aladdin’s Cave of Italian delights. The walls are covered with shelves, full to bursting with specialist products imported from Italy, guaranteed to put a smile on the face of any food fanatic. A personal favourite of mine is a classic Italian Christmas treat: the Panettone. Limoncello stock a wide range, including plain, fruit and chocolate versions, each as delightful as the next. Light, sweet and fluffy, Panettone make the perfect gift, which can be enjoyed for a Christmas day brunch or lighter dessert alternative. Other delicious offerings, perfect for the festive period, include Panforte, a thirteenth century Tuscan dessert, rich and heavy with fruit and spices, and Torrone, a fantastic grown-up treat of luxury Italian nougat (and the perfect stocking filler). If none of these delicacies take your fancy then their year-round selection of olives, cheese and meats is always a winner.

Cambridge Cheese Company 

Cambridge is very lucky to be home to a shop as incredible as the Cambridge Cheese Company. The quaint little shop tucked away on All Saints Passage is full to the brim with the highest quality artisan products, cheese, meats, olives and antipasti, from across Europe. The only shop that I know of that even comes close to rivalling this gem is Neal’s Yard Dairy, and even then I think the Cambridge Cheese Company is better (and that really is saying something). For Christmas they have put together hampers of carefully selected cheeses and wines, in a beautiful display box, which would make a superb Christmas presents for your loved ones. The shop isn’t cheap, with hampers ranging from £25 to £100, but whatever you buy the quality is outstanding. In addition to the astounding range of cheeses, the Cambridge Cheese Company have a vast range of locally produced jams and chutneys, and foodie gifts such as Turkish Delight and Marron Glacé. The shop may be small but the staff are knowledgeable, and they stock everything you could possibly need for a Christmas day cheese board, to stocking fillers and beyond. 

Chocolat Chocolat 

Chocolat Chocolat is the only place I know that, whatever your age, is guaranteed to make you feel like a child in a sweetshop. The combination of glittering foil-wrapped chocolates and the smell of sugar in the air, gives the place a truly magical feel. What sets this chocolatier apart from the rest is the quality and range of chocolate they stock, from high-end mainstream brands such as Lindt, and Dolfin, to specialist suppliers such as Niederegger. They also showcase a huge selection of chocolates made especially for the shop, including a range of single estate chocolate buttons. For the festive period, Chocolat Chocolat have produced their own range of chocolate Christmas tree decorations, and advent calendars, as well as ready-made gift baskets, tied up with beautiful ribbons. Chocolat Chocolat is an excellent alternative to the more mainstream and predictable Hotel Chocolat, and even if you just pop in for one of their hot chocolate pots, you will certainly walk away with a smile on your face.