Great sights and great dining...the things Cambridge and Venice share in common

It makes for a good pub quiz question: name the English city that most resembles Venice.

The answer is probably Cambridge, in the east of England which, while attracting not quite the same number of visitors as its Italian counterpart, is still a major player on the UK tourism stage.

It is estimated the city and its attractions bring in over 7.6 million visitors to the area annually worth over £2 billion, a figure which is said to be growing by 3.5% every year.

The city is home to (not just a world famous university) but quaint canals and waterways (just like Venice) and, while both cities are home to a network of canals, they also share an important bridge.

The Bride of Sighs, resembling its Venetian namesake, was designed by English architect Henry Hutchinson and constructed in 1831.

Visitors who want the best views of the Italian-inspired bridge should take to the water and punts (small flat-bottomed boats) can be found on canals and rivers across the city via companies like Scholars which operates on the River Cam.

Their pleasant guides are a font of knowledge about the locality and a 60 minute punt up and down the Cam is a real pleasure as you pass some of the country’s most historic academic institutions and other places of interest.

These include beautiful King’s College chapel, which is said to be the second largest after the Sistine chapel at the Vatican in Rome.

There are also “ghost” tours visitors can enjoy (mostly during the winter months) that provide a very different take on the traditional city tour.

These are often run by local people, like Alex, who is from Cambridge and evidently in love with her home town, who take you on an entertaining hour long walk around a few city spots said to be haunted.

Given that the city dates to 1209 it is probably not surprising it can lend itself to such a rich and colourful history, including some decidedly very grisly and bloody goings on over the years.

For instance, the Gibbs Building in King's College, as was explained, is said to be haunted by the ghost of a man named Barrett. One story says Barrett was an eccentric man who kept a coffin in his room.

One night, mysterious screams were heard from his lodgings and he was found dead in the coffin. On the anniversary of his death, Barrett's screams are said to echo around the college's grounds.

Beyond the waterways, there’s also an abundance of restaurants in Cambridge that serve great food, such as Sticks ‘n’ Sushi, conveniently located opposite one of the city’s theatres (Corn Exchange) and just round the corner from King’s College.

If you have never tried sushi this is a fantastic place to do so. If you are familiar with it then you’re unlikely to sample better. Its staff resemble a mini UN, with the GM hailing from Romania and other staff being from all over Europe, including Naya, from Greece, and another from Lithuania.

The food is what you come for though, of course, and, on that score, you will not be disappointed. The original concept was founded by a couple of brothers, Jens and Kim Rahbek and Thor Andersen, way back in 1994 in Denmark.

It is a Copenhagen-based resto and take-away group specialising in sushi and yakitori and, today, consists of 12 restaurants in the Greater Copenhagen area, 14 restaurants in the UK and three in Berlin.

The Cambridge venue was the first to open outside London (there is now also one in Oxford) and it is located in the city’s historic guild hall which itself dates to 1861. The building is listed and it is possible to walk up the original iron staircase and along the walkways that were put in to help the librarians put the books back on their shelves. 

Diners here are immediately welcomed by a warm atmosphere as well as a pleasant greeting by GM Lucia Coldea and her lovely and hard working team. The restaurant itself is blessed with dark flooring and soft paper lamps, and in the middle of it all is a revealing (and large) open kitchen with a view of the chef and his colleagues. It all makes for a very cosy and relaxing dining experience.

The basic concept/idea was to combine the two cuisines – Japanese and Danish – and the result has been a resounding success both here and at its other venues (fairly soon to include new venues in Manchester and Glasgow).

Each of the different “branches” has a similar menu which consists of some absolutely delicious dishes. Whatever you choose there is one common theme: all is high-quality, fresh food based on a unique combination of classic and creative sushi along with super tasty sticks from the grill.

The menu itself is worth the visit, packed, as it is, with wonderful photos of the delicious dishes, coming in all shapes and sizes and, considering the top notch quality, very reasonably priced too. You can try anything from small plates like Bimi Tempura (tenderstem broccoli), Shake Tataki (salmon) and Karaage (chicken) to larger offerings such as beef Tataki (beef fillet), Kyoto non-stop and Mini Maki Maki, all washed down by a can of Sapporo, a refreshing Asian beer. One page on the long card is headlined “As Good As It Gets” and that pretty much sums up this cracking resto.

The fish is fab here but for those less keen on seafood, there is a terrific selection of chicken, pork, beef and vegetable skewers - all grilled fresh to order.

Lucia told this site: “From the very beginning, Sticks’n’Sushi has refused to be just ‘another restaurant.’ The intention was always to be one of a kind and it is just that. We are known for our great food and progressive attitude and it is one of the most innovative restaurants in the industry.”

This fantastic place really is a “must visit” item for anyone heading to Cambridge and it’s also worth mentioning that, in May, it celebrates its 10th anniversary here. Some of the staff are still here from day one, always an excellent sign in the fast-moving world of hospitality.

A word of warning for larger groups, who are asked to order food in advance, while requests for veggie meals are welcomed for those who would rather not eat raw fish.

Another splendid place to eat locally, albeit out of the city centre (near Cambridge rail station) is “Nazar Turkish Kitchen & Bar” which is also very popular with locals and visitors alike.

It’s run by the very friendly Nikesh, who is ably supported by a team of, mostly young people. The mantra here is very much that the “customer is king” and the service is second to none.  But the same applies to the lovely food which is also wonderfully displayed on an image-filled menu containing an extensive choice of dishes.

Recommended ones (and customer favourites) include (for starters) the selection of mezes (hot and cold) and hummus Kavurma, consisting of sizzling lamb, pan fried with aromatic herbs and spices.

For mains, best sellers include the Sarma Beyti, tender chicken with melted cheese,or chargilled lamb, wrapped in warm flatbread, plus the very filling mixed grill (chicken and lamb shish, and Adana kebab cooked on charcoal).

The slow grilled and charcoal-finished chops and ribs are also popular and also absolutely delicious.

There’s also a nice selection of veggie dishes, seafood, steaks and burgers and pasta, all washed out perfectly with Turkish beer or a nice glass of wine.

As Nicole, one of the friendly staff members explains, it is not fine dining but the standards are pitched just as high. It celebrates its first anniversary soon and, with food (and service) this good you can see why it’s proved a big success in a short space of time.

Trying to fit so much in really does necessitate at least one (preferably more) overnight stay and there can be no better place for that here than Wilde Apartments, ideally situated (with an underground car park too) in the city centre.

This terrific apart-hotel comprises multiple choice of rooms, including for families sleeping up to four people, with each being fully self-contained, including a kitchenette (with a microwave, over top and all utensils) and tv. The smallest in a complex comprising 227 rooms is the studio for two. All, including a gym, are a great way to unwind after a hard day discovering Cambridge.

The ground floor is a fusion of different things, including front of house, well stocked bar, small shop (selling lovely local produce), comfy ounge and resto. You should also try to enjoy the lovely “all set” breakfast here – called  “Oscars” (after the famous writer Oscar Wilde, of course), featuring coffee/tea, juice, locally baked pastry and a breakfast bap. Delicious and a great way to start any day in this find city.

It is part of the “Stay City”, a leading UK accommodation provider and,as explained by Michael, the manager, it was touch and go whether this latest addition to the Wilde fold would open on time last year.

Two days before the opening, the work was still unfinished but, thankfully, it was all completed in time for the scheduled launch in July 2025. Curiously, this was previously the site of a multi-storey car park and part of this is still underground (providing very useful parking facilities for guests).

Michael, like the rest of the staff (who come from all four corners of the globe, including Arthur, from Brazil and Francesco, from Italy) is very friendly and welcoming, one of the memorable features of any stay here.

Wilde also offers a thoughtful approach to sustainability. Solar panels and a rainfall harvesting system help reduce environmental impact, while bee hotels and birdhouses create welcoming spaces for wildlife.

Step outside and Cambridge city centre is on your doorstep, boasting awe-inspiring architecture at every turn. Think magnificent college buildings, striking Gothic churches and world-class museums, all nestled along the picturesque River Cam.

Beyond its connections to Italy, there are other things to do in Cambridge like the botanical garden and the Fitzwilliam Museum.

With wonderful places to eat and stay (and fascinating tours and punting) this university city, with great motorway links to London, makes for a great place to visit at any time of the year.

Further info:
https://www.wilde.com
https://www.scholarspuntingcambridge.co.uk
cambridgealumnitours.co.uk 

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