The best brunch places in Cambridge and how to support them during lockdown

With lockdown extended, Cambridge’s cafes face a struggle for survival. A few weeks ago, I crowned Cambridge’s best coffee shops, highlighting how you can donate, purchase vouchers and support their survival. This week, I’ve been dreaming of Avocado Toast, Matcha Pancakes, and fruity Smoothie Bowls.

Below, I reveal Cambridge’s Top 5 Brunch Hotspots for you to try when the world is in a better place. But it’s essential that we support Cambridge’s gems to ensure their survival, and I’ll show you how. From live cooking classes and takeaway coffee to cycling stash and UK Cinnamon Bun deliveries, there are many ways to support these spots during lockdown.

Fitzbillies

Quintessentially Cambridge, Fitzbillies is *the* place to go if you’re craving a sweet treat. “Famously sticky Chelsea buns since 1920”, Fitzbillies’ Chelsea buns are, dare I proclaim, world-renowned! As soon as you bite into these cinnamon bundles of joy, a syrupy, caramel sweetness oozes in your mouth. It’s an explosion of cinnamon, citrus and spice …which your taste buds will love you for! Accompany your decadent dessert with a cup of their Fitzbillies blend coffee for a winning afternoon tea! Delicious is an understatement.

Whilst we may be spread across the globe, Fitzbillies is now posting its famous Chelsea Buns for you to enjoy across the UK. You can also support Fitzbillies by purchasing the “Fitzbillies Tuck Box” filled with shortbread, sweets and preserves, Fitzbillies’ Bone China Mug, or even an Afternoon Tea voucher to enjoy post-lockdown when you eventually return to Cambridge!

Stem & Glory

Stem & Glory is the only fully vegan restaurant in Cambridge and it continually features on my Foodsta – and for good reason. It’s a cute cafe situated just round the corner from Sidney Sussex College & Jesus College and the interior creates a calm, beach vibe. This hotspot’s brunch menu provides a healthy, yet filling, vegan twist to traditional brunch favourite. Their smoothie bowls are topped with crunchy granola, fresh berries and a mixed berry compote, thus creating a healthy & yummy dish to fuel you for your day ahead! Pictured is their berry booster – a fruity mix filled with a burst of berries, sweet banana and refreshing mango.

Stem & Glory have live IGTV cook-alongs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 12 noon with their Head Chef Eddie. They’re also hoping to relaunch their delivery service soon!

Hot Numbers

Hot Numbers’ menus are always evolving and combine unique twists with traditional homely favourites – think their spiced porridge or their much loved & pictured MATCHA PANCAKES… which NEED to serve a comeback!

Many of you have been reminiscing about the matcha pancake days, so here’s an ode to the Hot Numbers favourite! A tower of three spongey matcha infused pancakes sit in a sea of juicy blackberries, cooling kiwi and sensational strawberries. Orange flowers and leafy greens are dotted throughout the dish; Granola is sprinkled over the tremendous tower, whilst pomegranate seeds rest peacefully on top of the centre piece! To add the “icing” on the PAN”cake”, a gooey Nutella chocolate sauce is drizzled on top of this scrummy stack!

Support this electric coffee shop during these strange times by purchasing their beans online! Their “Breakfast wine” blend is their OG – it’s a 50/50 roast of Central and South American beans with chocolate and nutty notes! A true winner! You can also purchase brewing essentials (your own aeropress) and Kandula Teas (the Strawberry Hibiscus is divine)!

Espresso Library

Feeling super hungry? Been on an early morning cycle? Wanting a healthy brunch to compensate for the night before? Espresso Library ticks all of the boxes! Their menu features “porridge like no other” – a delicious blend of organic almond milk, gooey dates and is tastily topped with slices of banana, almond flakes, and a sprinkle of chia seeds. Wanting a boost to your day? Their power granola, served with berry compote, Greek yoghurt and coconut flakes will boost your energy levels for the day ahead! Espresso library is a true melting pot – a fusion cycling cafe, art gallery, coffee shop, study space and bar, it brings together the local Cambridge community, meaning you never know who you will bump into! In true Cambridge fashion, bicycles hang from the ceiling- reflecting co-owner John’s passion for road cycling! It really is an innovative space, perfect for getting your creative juices flowing as you sip on their artisan coffee!

Espresso Library has adapted to this strange, new, social distancing world! It has re-opened Tuesday-Saturdays 8am – 2pm for take-away-only coffee & cake. Simply queue outside if you’re still in Cambridge – they have social distancing stickers on the ground, and you can order your coffee outside with John so there is no need to go inside! I cannot wait to get my long overdue artisan coffee! Support Espresso Library online by purchasing a Keep Cup, Cycling Kit & a £10 voucher (which is 25% off)!

The Locker Cafe

Undeniably the BEST avocado toast in Cambridge, Locker is THE place to go. How can you beat customising your very own avocado toast?! The vegan avocado toast is more of a guacamole, and rests on their perfectly toasted, crispy bread. Top with chilli flakes and a poached egg for a healthy breakfast. Or add mushrooms and peppers if you’re feeling super hungry! If you’re looking for a quiet study spot, where you can eat and study with friends, Locker is the place to go! The background music is just right for studying- it’s not too loud so that you can’t concentrate, but it’s not so quiet such that you feel like you’re in a library.

Locker has such a homely vibe to it. The staff are always chirpy, happy and smiling and sure will lift your mood! Indeed, Locker was founded by father & son John & Adam, and the espresso cups, coffee cups and water cups are all hand made by John! Unfortunately, Locker do not have an online shop, so show your support to this wholesome family café by sliding into their Insta DMs and let them know how much you miss them!

Hopefully those brunch images alone have made your mouth water and fuelled your appetite to help out our favourite brunch spots during this difficult time.

All photos are the author’s own.