There are only so many college brunches a person can eat before craving something just that little bit different. A girl needs a break from the same, boring, repetitive plate: one sausage, one rasher of bacon, a side of beans, a flimsy fried egg and a lonely hash brown. As a self-proclaimed expert on brunch, a serial café hopper, and admittedly someone whose phone always eats first, I want to offer my Cambridge brunch guide to you all. During term time – especially exam season – Sunday brunch is both my salvation and my downfall. It’s a vicious cycle that empties my bank account but fills my stomach. In no particular order, here are some of my favourite underrated brunch spots in Cambridge:

Hot Numbers

It goes without saying that most people are familiar with Hot Numbers, and it’s clearly in hot demand for a reason. Brunch is served until late (from 7.30am until 3pm). I admit that while it may not be the cheapest option on the table, their light, fluffy pancakes are non-negotiable. Last term, I enjoyed them topped with apple compôte, gingerbread crumb, and cream: their new menu promises strawberry and honeycomb, with “lemon gel, honeycomb, elderflower macerated strawberries, blueberries & ricotta whipped cream”. Yum! Fear not, savoury lovers, their Turkish eggs with garlic, parsley, dill, yoghurt, and chilli butter won’t disappoint. My friend Jen even said: “sometimes I just lie awake thinking about them”. Don’t even think about leaving without treating yourself to a matcha (one of the best in town, trust me, I’ve done the research).

The Copper Kettle

Just one brunch here left me wanting more. I enjoyed the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs with a side of hash brown puffs and honestly, these tiny golden balls of joy deserve their own fan club – a must try. Add in some charming, quirky kettle decor and the stunning view of King’s College outside and your day is instantly brightened. They open at 8am and serve breakfast ALL day (ideal for late risers like me), including a full English, for the veggies and the meat-eaters, hearty breakfast rolls, and waffles. My stomach is grumbling just thinking about them!

“Don’t even think about leaving without treating yourself to a matcha (one of the best in town, trust me, I’ve done the research)”

Café 24

Part of me wants to gatekeep this place, but out of the kindness of my heart, sharing is caring. My favourite hidden gem (and designated end-of-term parent-pickup brunch spot), Café 24 might just be my number one. Nestled on Regent Street, it teeters on the border of the Cambridge bubble, being just ‘too far away’. But, trust me, the walk is worth it. Budget-friendly, you can find a full English for just £8, and their fresh fruit smoothies are the best way to wash it all down. Its cosy interior is reminiscent of home and even the food could be a homemade brunch, plated up lovingly by mum. Snag an upstairs table by the windows for the ultimate people-watching perch, especially if you’re as nosy as me.

Harvey’s & Michaelhouse Cafe

As Cambridge students, I’m all too aware that we don’t always have heaps of free time to sit and eat, so if you’re looking to grab-and-go with a takeaway pastry, Harvey’s would be my top pick. Living in Harvey Court might make me biased, but a warm banana biscoff cake or sticky cardamom bun always improves my entire day.

Similarly, there is something very special and very ‘Cambridgey’ about eating brunch in an old and beautiful building like St Michael’s Church. Michaelhouse Cafe offers pastries, cakes, breakfast ciabattas, loaded scrambled eggs and sourdough toast. A quick shoutout to Cafe Aristo, a little taste of Italy in Cambridge, for their dreamy selection of cannoli: pistachio, chocolate, raspberry. A well-known spot for all the right reasons!

“There is something very special and very ‘Cambridgey’ about eating brunch in an old and beautiful building like St Michael’s Church”

Bloom Juice

If you’re on the hunt for a light, healthy (and photogenic) breakfast, Bloom Juice offer vibrant açai bowls: strawberry & dragonfruit, mango & banana, açaí & blueberry, mango & passionfruit. Though the price is less healthy at £8.50 a bowl, the ingredients are fresh and energising: the perfect brain food before a hardcore library session. Not to be missed in exam term!

Bill’s

Yes, it may be a chain, but don’t dismiss Bill’s so snobbishly. Bill’s brunch, served until 11:30 am, never disappoints. Cambridge Bill’s is particularly aesthetic, in the restaurant and on the plate. Catering to both vegetarians and vegans, it serves The Plant Plate and The Garden Plate. In my humble opinion, Bill’s is best visited during Bottomless Pancake season, (Saturday-Thursday 3-5pm, and on select Fridays, they cost just £5). I once managed 3 plates, one with fruit and maple syrup, one with Oreo and chocolate, and one with Biscoff, making them an absolutely irresistible bargain and worthy of a spot on this list.

Bean Theory

Though lacking in any particularly ‘brunchy’ items, Bean Theory earns a place on this list for being a student’s dream café. Plug sockets are everywhere for laptop charging, and the large windows allow light and sun to stream in. Though there may be no formal brunch menu, their array of toasties are a delicious lunch for fueling your study. Situated by the river and The Granta, the natural scenery is a nice distraction from a harsh reality: you, stuck inside, working.

Whilst this list is far from exhaustive and Cambridge is packed with brunch spots galore, I hope this guide inspires you to branch out, escape your college walls, and explore the city’s breakfast menus. You have at least 7 new places to choose from, what are you waiting for?