FOOD EDITION
For those who prefer their brunch with a side of country charm, the Shack Cafe at The Gog Farm Shop is a must-visit. Just a short drive from Cambridge, this award- winning farm shop and cafe serves up one of the best brunches in the area, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. On the brunch menu, you’ll find whipped feta and berry compote on Stir sourdough, smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels, Scotch eggs and sausage rolls and The Gog’s croissant – with a free-range Blythburgh pork sausage patty, a fried egg, melted cheddar and jalapeños. There are also kimchi pancakes with a fried egg, furikake seasoning, gochujang glaze and peanuts. It’s also worth exploring the farm shop itself, stocked with high-quality local produce, artisan cheeses and freshly baked bread. One final mention has to be the local cafe-bakery chain Stir, which has branches in Histon, Chesterton, the Old Swiss building on Cherry Hinton Road and Addenbrooke’s, as well as its Green Street and Chesterton bakeries. Choose from the Big Brunch (half an avocado, bacon, halloumi, roasted mushrooms, tomatoes, two poached eggs and a side of chilli jam served with toasted Stir sourdough) or one of many veggie alternatives, such as heuvos rancheros (two poached eggs on Stir flatbread with charred corn salsa), Welsh rarebit or smoky beans on toast. There’s also smashed avocado on toast, with harissa-roasted sweet potato, and a courgette and feta tartine. With all these delicious options on the menu, it’s clear that, in Cambridge, brunch is more than just a meal. It’s a chance to slow down, enjoy great food and make the most of the morning. Brunch offers the perfect blend of breakfast and lunch, with a side of relaxation
and maple syrup or avocado with roasted vine tomatoes. For those who love a vibrant, urban setting, Scott’s All Day on Mill Road is a welcoming choice. This lively all-day restaurant has a weekend brunch menu that’s hard to beat, with standout dishes such as American-style pancakes with bacon, berry compote or Nutella, banana and toasted almonds. The Lumberjack is a stack of pancakes with a locally sourced sausage patty, two slices of streaky bacon, two eggs and crispy potatoes. For a veggie option, The Forester has Bratwurst sausage from Redefine Meat, La Vie smoked bacon and eggs. The Stonker is a sausage patty with streaky bacon, black pudding, beans, roasted flat mushroom and grilled tomato. Equally fun is No Carbs before Marbs (no carbs before a beach holiday), which is a sausage patty, streaky bacon, grilled halloumi, two eggs, rocket and toasted seed salad, with grilled mushrooms. Scott’s boozy Bottomless Brunch option includes a glass of fizz to begin, then a choice of either unlimited bottled lager, cocktails, mimosas or sparkling frizzante on tap. If you prefer your brunch with a touch of luxury, the bistro at Hotel du Vin is the place to go. Nestled in a historic building on Trumpington Street, this boutique hotel offers an elegant, yet relaxed brunch experience. The menu is a delightful mix of traditional and contemporary dishes, featuring everything from French toast and smoked salmon bagels to indulgent steak and eggs. The bakery selection includes banana bread and madeleines, or there’s the granola and Greek yoghurt, full cooked breakfast, a choice of egg dishes including dippy eggs and soldiers, cheesy beans and French toast fingers. There’s also scrambled Burford Brown eggs with truffle, smoked haddock and poached egg crumpets, kedgeree, French toast or crêpes. We couldn’t ask for more!
STIR CRAZY Stir does a fabulous poached eggs on freshly baked sourdough toast (left), or enjoy Bottomless Brunch at Scott’s All Day (above)
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK APRIL 2025 67
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