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The Clarendon Arms — Italian restaurants in Cambridge

The Clarendon Arms

Italian restaurantsCambridge

4.5 out of 5 stars4.5(775 reviews)

Quick info

+44 1223 253499
35-36 Clarendon St, Cambridge CB1 1JX, United Kingdom
£10–20

About The Clarendon Arms

The Clarendon Arms is a traditional pub and Italian restaurant in Cambridge, on Clarendon St, where an Italian-influenced menu runs alongside the pub classics. Thin-crust pizza and tiramisu make up the Italian side, and fish and chips sits among the pub mains. On Sundays the kitchen serves a roast with a choice of beef, lamb or pork, plus Yorkshire pudding and gravy. Vegetarian dishes are on the menu as well. The bar pours real ales, with a rotating selection alongside the regular taps. The building is split into several different rooms, so groups and couples can settle in separate spaces. Dogs are welcome.

Good to know

  • Reservations
    Accepts reservations
  • Parking
    Free street parking · Paid street parking · Usually plenty of parking
  • Accessibility
    Wheelchair: seating
  • Good for kids
    Good for kids
  • Dietary
    Vegetarian options

Reviews

4.5/5
775 reviews

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention sunday roast, tiramisu, pizza and pasta and real ales.

5★
513
4★
176
3★
44
2★
19
1★
23

Customer Review Summary

The Sunday roast draws the most mentions, and reviewers split on it. One praises generous portions with Yorkshire pudding and gravy, while another calls it the worst they have had, citing chewy beef and pork belly, floury potatoes, hard carrots and gravy that tasted store bought. Close behind is the Italian side of the menu: a thin-crust pizza with generous toppings, a pasta with plenty of seafood, and tiramisu. Others single out a burger, fish and chips with crispy chips, and a good selection of vegetarian dishes. The back garden is called a nice surprise. Service is described as friendly, though one reviewer notes it slows when the pub is packed and another says the food took a little while to arrive. After one Sunday lunch, the landlord came back to ask about the courses and service, and the table said they would return.

Featured reviews

  • Google user
    “Amazing staff they were really nice and very understanding about our disappointment. But it was the Worst Sunday roast I ever had, we had beef and « pork belly » and they were both really chewy, the potatoes are floury, the carrots are hard, the gravy taste store bought, even the Yorkshire pudding were mid. But we ate in the beer garden that was very lovely.”
  • Google user
    “The Clarendon Arms is one of those pubs that feels genuinely local—slightly tucked away from the busiest parts of Cambridge, but well worth seeking out. The atmosphere is probably its strongest feature. It has that classic British pub character: slightly rustic, a bit crowded in a good way, and very social. There are a couple of different rooms plus a small courtyard garden at the back, which is a great spot in warmer weather. It manages to strike a balance between being lively and still comfortable enough to settle in for a longer evening. Food-wise, it leans toward elevated pub classics. The Sunday roast is particularly popular—and for good reason—with generous portions and all the expected components like Yorkshire pudding and gravy. More generally, the menu mixes traditional British dishes with some Italian-influenced options, so there’s a bit more variety than your standard pub. The quality is solid overall: hearty, satisfying, and clearly aimed at comfort rather than experimentation. The drinks selection is also a strong point, especially if you’re into real ales. There’s usually a rotating selection alongside reliable staples, which gives it that proper “pub for regulars” feel. Service tends to be friendly and relaxed, though like many popular pubs, it can slow down during busy periods. When it’s packed—especially on weekends or Sundays—you might need a bit of patience, but the staff generally keep things moving. One thing worth noting is that the pub has gone through some changes in management over time, so experiences can vary slightly depending on when you visit. Overall, The Clarendon Arms is a very solid Cambridge pub: great atmosphere, reliable food, and a strong local feel. It’s not trying to be overly trendy or polished, which is exactly what makes it work.”
  • Google user
    “The best pizzaiolo in Cambridge! The best place in town for gli azzurri e Serie A!”
  • Google user
    “Good pub food in the part of town with less footprint. Well worth going that little bit further to find a quiet corner & have a drink or bite to eat. The back yard was a nice surprise. We really enjoyed our visit.”
  • Google user
    “Italian Green King Writing reviews of the Cambridge pubs therefore entered this pub. Despite most of the photos of other reviewers being just regular pub food, it has Italian menu. The pizza crust was thin. Therefore the crust was not chewy. Everyone can eat it easily, that including the ones with weaker teeth. The pizza had very generous toppings, which was quite rare these days. The pasta too, had a very generous amount of seafood. The tiramisu was not as creamy as Signorelli's deli but the bitter sweet taste was nice. Not everyone prefers blind sweets. The environment was quiet and clean. A nice place to chill. Should give the Italian menu a go. I would come back to try other pizza and pasta!”

Highlights

“Traditional pub with an innovative gastro menu, timeless decor and a compact beer garden.”

  • Great beer selection
  • Great coffee
  • Great dessert
  • Great wine list
  • Live music
  • Popular for lunch

Amenities

  • Wi-Fi
  • Wheelchair accessible seating
  • Free street parking
  • Accepts reservations
  • Outdoor seating
  • Dogs allowed
Show more amenities
  • Delivery
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in
  • Good for kids
  • Vegetarian options
  • Bar onsite
Offerings· 8
  • Alcohol
  • Beer
  • Cocktails
  • Coffee
  • Free water refills
  • Hard liquor
  • Quick bite
  • Wine
Facilities· 1
  • Restroom
Parking· 2
  • Paid street parking
  • Usually plenty of parking
Dining options· 6
  • Brunch
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • Seating
  • Table service
Atmosphere· 2
  • Casual
  • Cozy
Pet-friendly· 2
  • Dogs allowed inside
  • Dogs allowed outside
Planning· 1
  • Dinner reservations recommended
Highlights· 5
  • Great beer selection
  • Great coffee
  • Great dessert
  • Great wine list
  • Live music
Popular for· 1
  • Solo dining
Crowd· 4
  • Groups
  • LGBTQ+ friendly
  • Tourists
  • Transgender safespace

Location

Italian restaurants near The Clarendon Arms

The Clarendon Arms
£10–20
4.5775
  • De Luca4.5885
    0.3 mi£20–60

    frutti di mare pasta, piano bar, italian dishes

  • La Pergola4.61,245
    6 mi away

    wood-fired pizza, authentic Italian decor, pasta dishes

The 2 nearest italian restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.

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