Fitzbillies

Website: www.fitzbillies.com
Corner of Trumpington and Pembroke Streets
Fare: coffee, pastries, afternoon tea, desserts, sandwiches, dinner
Price: £
Service Tips: one side is the cafe, other side is the bakery counter and table service; all takeaway espresso drinks are 8 oz

Fitzbillies is a must for any student staying anywhere near Trumpington Street, especially if it's early in the morning and you're desperate for a caffeine fix. Fortunately, your nearest coffee shop, aka this one, is fabulous. To be fair, Caffé Nero is a bit less expensive and more spacious, but you have to go to Fitzbillies at least once, and I highly recommend being there between 8:45 and 9AM when the chelsea buns are made available. Rumor has it that you might be able to get one while it's still warm from the oven, although this doesn't always work, and if you get there too early, they may not have them at all. For the uninformed, chelsea buns are like sticky buns, except they have thinner dough, so there are more spirals to fill with cinnamon-y goodness, plus they're packed with currants. The syrup tastes like it might be sweetened with honey. In other words, it's the perfect complement to a cup of coffee, although it is not for the faint of heart.

As far as the coffee goes, their espresso drinks are all pretty well done, and they actually serve iced coffee all year round. Word to the wise: all of their drinks come in one size, but the size is specific to the drink, so if you want a smaller espresso + milk beverage, you should order a cappuccino, and if you want a larger espresso + milk beverage, you should order a latte. That works if you're staying in, but all takeaway drinks appear to be 8 oz. The jury is still out on what exactly a flat white is, at least Fitzbillies-style. Whatever it is, it looks and tastes identical with a cappuccino, so let me know if you discern its true nature.

As food goes, their grilled cheeses make a great takeaway option, and their scones are pretty good. All of their food prices go up pretty quickly if you're staying in, so don't be too surprised if you end up spending an extra pound or two that way. Generally, it will be a little more expensive than some places, but it's a nice spot and the coffee and food rarely disappoint.