Open since May, The Garden Kitchen is the sister restaurant to the Garden Café in the Botanic Gardens. It boasts one of the best breakfast buffets I have come across in Cambridge (think home-made sausage rolls and asparagus wrapped in Parma ham) as well as a wide-ranging and healthy lunch buffet, and a selection of indulgent cakes. Although primarily aimed at those grabbing something to take away, there are a limited number of seats inside if you want to sit and have a coffee. Located on Mill Road, the Garden Kitchen may not be as well-known as the town-centre cafés, but it’s a spot worth visiting.

SmokeWorks opened its doors to meat-loving members of the public in July. This informal American-style diner, with an extensive Bourbon and whisky list, is not your typical Cambridge restaurant. Located on Free School Lane, it is the newest member of the Cambs Cuisine group (which run the ever-popular Chop Houses), and lives up to the same high standards. SmokeWorks’ popularity is undoubtedly due to their simple, well-cooked dishes. ‘Slow Cooked. Fast’ is the restaurant’s tag line, and this fits their ethos perfectly. From 14-hour smoked beef on toast to smoked and pulled pork, all of these tasty dishes are served within minutes of ordering. I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone looking for a quiet, formal dinner (or to vegetarians!), but the relaxed atmosphere and buzz of conversation makes it a refreshing addition to the Cambridge food scene, serving unpretentious food at reasonable prices. The Meaty BBQ Beans would be my personal recommendation.

The Urban Shed is like no other café in Cambridge. I had the pleasure of paying a visit during its opening week in February, and have been back several times since. Entering the café is like stepping back in time. With it’s striking, retro furniture, which includes orange bucket seats and reclaimed wooden spools as tables, you almost forget about the food. However, sweet treats like the black-forest brownie are excellent, and there is a wide selection of sandwiches, coffees and breakfast items available.