Use this list as inspiration for your work Christmas meal, Boxing Day takeaway, or even just a tasty treat to fuel you through gift shopping.
The festive season is upon us, and the focus for many of us is food. Of course, Christmas dinner marks the peak of this period, but it’s far from the only opportunity to indulge.
There are the delights of post-Christmas takeaways and sweet treats to fuel you through the dark evenings. Plus, when the New Year rolls around, you might need to get out and have someone else do the cooking to lighten the January blues.
Having spent the last year munching my way through Cambridgeshire‘s tastiest, affordable food options for CamBites, mine and Amy Britton‘s food column, I have plenty of tried-and-tested recommendations. None of the eateries know that we are coming – and we always pay our way to make sure we don’t get special treatment.
Below, find my five favourite food spots of 2025.
Pipasha, Newmarket Road, Cambridge
If you’re planning on meeting up with friends for a curry over the festive period, you can’t go wrong with award-winning Indian restaurant Pipasha. I shared a non-vegetable thali with my partner, which included three small curries, chicken tikka, yoghurt, rice, and a naan – all for just under £15 each.
Having now tried three of its dishes, I can quite confidently say the curries at Pipasha are perfectly spiced, and each has a distinctive flavour profile. I particularly enjoyed the chicken tandoori rezzella, which included a delicious mingle of spices such as mustard paste, fenugreek, coriander, and green chilli.
Find my review of Pipasha here.
Neide’s, Cambridge Market, Cambridge
The market is a great place for food that is both interesting and affordable. With so many options, however, you may become ‘hangry’ before you have decided where to head.
How do rich, slightly smoky beans and melt-in-the-mouth meats sound? You can find these by ordering feijoada from Neide’s, a Brazilian, Portuguese, and Mexican stall.
The temperature had started to drop when I ate this dish, and I found that the rich, hearty flavours were perfect antidotes to the winter weather.
Find my review of Neide’s here.
Kanto, Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge
This unassuming spot was recently named one of Britain’s best bakeries by the Good Food Guide. It serves Filipino bakes and meals, alongside fusion options like the gochujang tuna melt I tried out.
As I ate my messy, but utterly delicious, sandwich, I was impressed by Kanto’s creativity and ability to balance very strong flavours. This is a spot I’m eager to try again in 2026, as I feel I have only scratched the surface of its offering.
Find my review of Kanto here.
Noshe, Mill Road, Cambridge
Mill Road is, of course, one of the county’s food hotspots. Noshe is one of its latest additions, having opened its doors for the first time in 2024.
This Afghan restaurant has a sleek interior at the front and a cosy area at the back, with low stools, plump cushions, and richly-coloured carpets. My warming Lubya rice bowl of creamy beans, onion salad, and rice came with a deliciously zingy green chilli sauce.
Find my review of Noshe here.
The Chequers, High Street, Cottenham
While you are unlikely to be heading straight for the pretty beer garden at The Chequers, as I did when I visited in the summer, the food here is enough to make the visit worthwhile. This is one for people who like the classics, those who will be having turkey, trimmings, and Christmas pudding this December 25 – just as they do every year.
My fish finger sandwich, with its flaky fish, crunchy batter, and vegetable crisps on the side, was a fancy upgrade on the kind I’m used to. It made me wonder whether I’d ever be satisfied with a fish finger from a cardboard box in the freezer again.
Find my review of The Chequers here.
