CAMBRIDGE BITES & DELIGHTS
by Emma Di'luorio
on 19/08/2025
In Cambridge, it’s hard not to notice how things have changed in the city centre. The big-name shops are disappearing with fewer people heading into town, choosing to shop the internet instead. But while traditional retail is struggling, there’s one part of the high street that seems to be thriving: the food and drink scene.
Chloe (account manager sensation) and I (designer and Cambridge local) decided it would be a great location for this EWYE Food Safari.
Permission to dine
We got there ready for lunch (a lot of the Cambridge restaurants open from 11am), taking the scenic route down King’s Parade. Our first stop was Permit Rooms by Dishoom. Nestled behind a mustard-yellow door on Trinity Street, is the cozy bar/café with a retro Bombay feel. The décor is stunning and I would happily steal the artwork for my own home. The cocktail menu is a quirky mix of the traditional and unique flavours. I had the No-Hafta Kiwi Colada (alcohol free, I was driving); a slushie for grown-ups. The pineapple/kiwi/ginger mix gave a perfectly balanced sour tang with the coconut adding the sweet to cut through. The food here is ideal for sharing, with everything arriving when it’s ready. Plenty of time to pace yourself and eat more delicious food! I’d highly recommend the Lamb Samosas which had the perfect kick to them. If you’re a bit shy about spice, the broccoli salad is possibly the most refreshing thing I’ve ever eaten. The crunch of the nuts and the soft pops of cranberries were out of this world with broccoli giving all the green goodness. Chilli gave more of a zing than it did heat.
Musing the muses
We walked off our lunch by browsing the little alleyways and muses sandwiched between the colleges and the main shopping district. So many of the retail outlets are still independent which is great for local businesses, and some have diversified into more experiential ventures. Bird & Blend Tea Co had a fantastic set up offering samples and demonstrations and Knoops’s menu offered a highly tailored menu which felt very interactive.
Dulcis, a tiny Italian shop hosted a “delicious assortment of artisan pasticcini, creamy gelato and Sicilian coffee” all freshly made at home in Rose Crescent. We treated ourselves to four delicate pasticcini which were fresh and indulgent.
Food central
From here we explored the Market Square which a few years ago was more retail focused than food. But it is now a thriving centre for an array of global street food. It had a real buzz of tourists and locals on their lunch breaks grabbing a quick bite. Cambridge has really embraced this, as dedicated seating is now dotted around Market Hill and down Peas Hill. Some of the larger outlets now host Popeyes Chicken and Gail’s replacing their former retail residence. This has become a real food hub for the city centre including hosting Asian supermarket, Oseyo just round the corner.
We pitched up at the seating with our Aromi pizza slice which was fresh and HUGE! It was amazing value for money. This Sicilian delight is buzzing; be prepared to wait for a table or service. It is very popular.
Another popular spot, which is a must for any Cambridge visit is Jack’s Gelato. Everything is made by them with incredible ingredients and the flavours are imaginative. I had Brown Sugar Vanilla and Chloe had Blueberry Ripple with Coconut. The menu changes daily with a secret flavour on request only. The line is long but it goes down quickly. It is my definite must for any Cambridge trip.
To conclude…
In a city known for its academic heritage and tourism, hospitality not only fills empty shops but enhances the overall visitor experience. With vibrant areas like King’s Parade, the Market Square and Regent Street evolving beyond pure retail; food and drink businesses are now essential to driving footfall and local engagement.
This shift is particularly resonant with Generation Z. A recent US survey found that over two-thirds of Gen Z believe their social life would improve with less phone time, and 72% think their mental health would benefit if phone apps were less addictive.
In Cambridge, hospitality is not just adapting to the decline of retail—it is actively shaping a more sustainable and experience-led future for the high street.
Bio: Emma Di’luorio – Middleweight Designer at Eat With Your Eyes
A combination of a passion for design and over a decade of experience in the industry make Emma a real creative force in the studio.
