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Dining in Europe > Cambridge Deciding where to eat out in Cambridge can be a mind-numbing experience. It may be a small town, but a cosmopolitan student body and growing pool of technology and internet gurus translate into an eclectic market for eating and dining establishments. Indeed, there are masses of fantastic restaurants and cafés covering all tastes, styles and prices, which means you will definitely never be short of choice in this historic city! Whether you want a romantic evening meal to celebrate a special occasion, a lively lunch out with friends after a tough mornings shopping spree or exam, or a quick breakfast on the run, then rest assured that Cambridge will have something for you. Kings Parade is home to Rainbow Vegetarian Bistro, a delightful restaurant with wonderfully tasty food. And theres also No 1 Kings Parade, if you feel like treating yourself to something rather special. Meanwhile moving on to Trumpington Street you'll no doubt find yourself at Cambridges branch of the slick brasserie Browns, where fantastic food in elegant, sophisticated surroundings is the order of the day. The Loch Fyne Fish Restaurant and Oyster Bar has an amazing range of fresh fish and seafood dishes in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Otherwise, if its more of a quick snack that you're after then why not taste the wares at Sam Smiley where you'll discover an array of scrumptious sandwiches and cakes to keep you happy. In the centre of town (on Market Hill) you can taste real pizza, cappuccino, and Italian style ice cream at Don Pasquale. Nadias on St Johns Street do a mean baguette (with all sorts of fillings), ginger bread man (or woman!) and to-die-for cakes which you can munch as you take in the citys historic buildings or as you run round the city in search of a perfect birthday present. Peppercorns on Rose Crescent also do a great range of all your favourite sandwiches, with quick service and a friendly smile. If you wander out towards the south of the city then you will certainly never go hungry - especially if you're a curry monster. Try the Meghna Balti House on Mill Road which is known for its friendly waiters and good food. There is also Raj Belash Tandoori Restaurant on Hills Road, an elegantly designed Indian restaurant which is home to an impressive array of dishes. Or if you are just after a light lunch or a healthy (but very tasty) little something to tide you over, you can pick up a hot or cold snack on Mill Road at Arjuna, a great vegetarian and organic food shop. On Regent Street you can stop off at Sticky Fingers which offers a great range of tasty American cooking. Thai Regent is a must-visit for fans of Thai food, while Caffé Piazza is the place to be if you want to eat great pizza in a lively atmosphere. And what about the The Grafton Centre? Well, theres Footlights, where you can eat, drink and be merry with a bunch of friends - all of whom are sure to find something among the huge variety of reasonably priced food and drink to make the occasion one to remember. And Mamma Amalfi serves up some of the finest traditional Italian cuisine around, with pasta, pizza, and delectable wines. After a hard days shopping in and around Bridge Street, you are bound to want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of bargain hunting and sample the culinary delights on offer in the area. At Cafe Rouge you will find yourself in the home of continental, albeit slightly contrived, charm. Situated on the Quayside, Caffe Uno makes a delightful stop for a snack or full meal. If you fancy a change from Indian and Chinese fare then why not try out Anatolia, a pleasant Turkish restaurant with lovely food and wine. If you love your curry then wandering up Castle Street is definitely worth the effort. There you will find three good curry houses to spice up your taste buds. The Cambridge Curry Centre serves delicious curry in a relaxed setting. Maharajah offers a wide variety of Indian cuisine. The Star of India completes the trio of curry houses that you're bound to want to come back to time and again. Continuing out of the town centre and down Histon Road, you can have a fish and chips feast at The Frying Pan. Or if you fancy a Chinese take-away then you should make your way down to the Golden Wok (The) where you will be amazed at the huge variety of food available at great prices. Entertainment in CambridgeTheatre Cambridge is considered a breeding ground for performing arts talent - but why not judge for yourself. For student-led performances (for example at the ADC Theatre, as well as in the many colleges), see the Listings sections of the two student newspapers The Cambridge Student and Varsity, for details of the plays and events showing during University term-time. As at Oxford, many a famous thesp has honed his or her craft at the university. All year round drama is, of course, available at various locations throughout the city. The Cambridge Drama Centre, off Mill Road offers an alternative approach and concentrates on hosting productions from outside Cambridge. By contrast, The Cambridge Arts Theatre (and The Playroom) in St Edwards Passage, offers mainstream theatre and the very best family-orientated shows in town as well as more eclectic productions. The ADC Theatre on Park Street plays host to numerous productions - and also has at least twenty student shows a year, including themed productions at key times in the year (for example, Christmas), as well as comedy shows. Cinema There are two cinemas in Cambridge: the multiplex style Warner Brothers Village (at The Grafton Centre) which offers all the latest blockbusters, and the Cambridge Arts Picture House on St Andrews Street which shows a huge variety of less mainstream and foreign language films each week. Themed weeks are a speciality of this cinema, and its café and bar is particularly popular. Nightclubs There are two main discos that regularly attract the largest crowds of partygoers, as they offer the liveliest and most varied sounds. Fifth Avenue, more popularly known by its former name of Cindys, remains a firm favourite; music ranges from 70s and 80s pop to dance, trance and funk. Dress smart at the weekend and expect to queue. Chicagos, just off Sidney Street is popular with both town and gown. Again, there is a range of music on offer, depending on the night - pop, 70s and 80s disco, rock and dance. If you're looking for mellow late-night vibes, or just a change from the two large disco-style clubs, then theres The Fez in Market Passage. Theres plenty of seating for when you want a break and a good variety of music including salsa and hip-hop. If you enjoy smaller, more chic clubs then you'll want to get down to Po Na Na in Jesus Lane, which caters for Latino, pop, funk, hip-hop and jazz in its funky basement setting. Of course, if you want even more choice you can always catch a fast train to the big city! Music If you want to hear some great live music then explore the world outside the city centre. The Boat Race in East Road provides Cambridge with live music seven days a week and is wholly dedicated to providing performing space for local and touring bands. The Portland Arms on Chesterton Road has live bands - including funk, indie, traditional folk and pop - several days a week. Various other venues include the following pubs which cater for a wide variety of musical tastes: Seven Stars on Newmarket Road and the Clarendon Arms in Clarendon Street, which has modern jazz every Wednesday night. For more jazz and blues, check out the Cricketers' Arms in Claredon Street and the Elm Tree in Orchard Street as well as the Claredon Arms near Parkers Piece. For live folk music at the weekend there's Live and Let Live in Mawson Road. Two excellent large venues stage a variety of music and comedy. The centrally-located Corn Exchange on Wheeler Street, a former market hall, puts on regular opera, ballet, musicals, orchestral gigs and the majority of the citys major music band concerts. Further afield is The Junction in Clifton Road which is much more rock, indie, jazz and soul focused, though it also hosts a number of famous comedy and dance acts throughout the year. Kings College in Kings Parade, of course, is a favourite for choral and classical music, and is popular with many visiting artists. Lunchtime concerts, in everything from classical music to medieval Spanish singing, take place at Kettles Yard. Dance Regular dance performances and musicals are staged at The Corn Exchange. Art/Museums Kettles Yard on Castle Street is a wonderfully preserved home linked with the Bloomsbury set and which now hosts a wide variety of artistic endeavours. The Fitzwilliam Museum has a marvellous collection of ceramics, art (Rubens, Monet, and Picasso), Egyptian galleries, illuminated manuscripts and classical statues. At the New Museums Site, Free School Lane, you'll discover the Cambridge University Collection of Air Photographs. Theres also the Cambridge Medieval Brass Rubbing Centre to explore on Bridge Street (the Round Church). And don't forget the many historical colleges of the University, which are dotted around the city centre. Dining in Europe > Cambridge
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