Last Sunday, I found myself at the Cambridge half marathon start line. The weather was cold and I had a cold – in short, I was very much questioning my life choices.

But, as it happens, I’ve developed something of a running addiction, and what wouldn’t an addict do to get their fix. When describing their passion for their chosen sport, my runner friends regularly refer to noble concepts such as the sense of freedom, competing against yourself (I’ve started to wonder if the pleasure I take in overtaking casual joggers in Grantchester meadows is a healthy motivation after all), and clearing your mind from all worries. I am not, however, equally noble-minded, nor is this ‘Anna’s culinary-turned-running corner’: yes, I enjoy all of the above, but a particularly great thing about running is the increased appetite it brings with it, along with the ability to eat more than otherwise without having to, quite literally, expand your wardrobe at regular intervals. To put it bluntly, I don’t eat to run, I run to eat. Not surprisingly, then, much of my race plan focused not on sporty things like pacing and mile splits but on sufficiently nutritious post-race treats.

With all the wisdom I accumulated from this, I bring to you my top three big eats in Cambridge:

Hidden away in King Street, Clowns is a quirky Italian café and restaurant. Its name derives from the surplus of clown-related art adorning its walls; the inevitable spookiness of the choice of décor is somewhat lessened by the mamma mias and shouts of la pasta è pronta! echoing from the kitchen of this Italian family-run business – I have MML friends who come and use the authenticity as speaking practice for their Italian degrees.

Clowns’ generosity in linguistics and clowns alike extends to the portions sizes as well. The portions dubbed ‘small’ on the menu correspond to what most people would call ‘large’ in their home cooking, and they definitely exceed in quantity what you can get in your standard high-street chain Italian. The menu has a feel of classic home-cooking to it: the carbonara is gloriously creamy (vegetarians can opt for mushrooms instead of bacon – perfetto!) and the gnocchi reaches melt-in-the-mouth levels of fluffiness. While the quantities of food may take a toll on the digestive system, they leave your wallet largely untouched: you can enjoy the so-called small portions for a bit over a fiver, and the special deals treat you to a main, drink, and dessert for around a tenner.

If you’re not one for pasta-based carboloading, you can find a carnivore’s paradise tucked away in Free School Lane. Smokeworks is as trendy as BBQ places get: sat at rustic wooden tables and stools, you order your food by turning on a bright red light above your table. The waiters appear within seconds, and more meat will be on its way to you in no time at all. I wholly admit that I defined my post-half marathon meal as one of my ‘special occasions’ when I become a very naughty vegetarian indeed. And Smokeworks is definitely worth the decadence: the must-eats here include baby back pork spare ribs and chicken wings smothered with buttermilk and jalapeno sauce.
That said, I have visited Smokeworks in my good vegetarian mode as well, and the menu caters for this brilliantly: the veggie buns (the exact content varies from day to day, but the halloumi version was definitely a hit with me) are served in scrumptious bread, the sweet potato fries are among the best I’ve ever sampled, and, as a new item on the menu, the mac ‘n’ cheese fritters with truffle oil and parmesan provide an exciting new take on a classic. Sharing is caring, and my recommendation is to get plenty. Oh, and did I mention the milkshakes? The apple crumble one is essentially a drinkable dessert.

As a final, somewhat lighter alternative, there is the epitome of hip and healthy eating. Wasabi, Itsu, YO! Sushi – everyone knows the trinity of the central sushi chains. Hidden behind the Grafton, U-Sushi (yes, U, not YO) offers quite a different experience. This is a small restaurant with big offerings: for about £15, you can eat as much sushi as you can possibly stomach. The trick is to go with a large enough group of people, as you must bulk order certain types of sushi, and only a certain number of dishes is allowed at your table at any one time. Somewhat patronisingly, you must also finish everything on the table before ordering more, and anything left over at the end will be charged as an extra – I admit that this has on occasion resulted in the use of pass-it-under-the-table and hide-it-in-your-bag tactics. A hidden gem, this is a way to overdose on YO! Sushi-quality Japanese delights without risking bankruptcy.

Carboloader, carnivore, or a hip sushi-lover, Cambridge has some big eats in store for everyone. And you don’t have to run around for 13 miles first either. Need some essay comfort? Looking for a social that doesn’t end too soon when all the food is gone?

Bon appétit!

Anna has beeen shortlisted in the student category for the 2016 Words by Woman Awards.