A much-loved French bistro in Cambridge has been named as one of the best restaurants in the UK in a prestigious guide. The Good Food Guide, in partnership with Square, has announced its 100 Best Local Restaurants for 2025.
The list included Cambridge’s Fancett’s Bistro, an independent French-influenced bistro located on Mill Road offering a prix fixe menu for lunch and dinner. The restaurant is one of 12 from the East of England to be recognised on the list, with other venues in Norwich, Saffron Walden, Bury St Edmunds, and Cromer.
Fancett’s prides itself on using seasonal produce from small farms and sustainably caught fish from small boats. For lunch, it offers two courses for £30.50 or three courses for £36.
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For dinner, diners can select from two courses for £47 or three courses for £62. A mouthwatering sample main dish for lunch is honey and mustard roast ham, fried hen’s egg, English asparagus, and truffle mayo.
Topping the list, as overall winner, is Lucky Lychee, a standout Malaysian restaurant in Winchester, while Cromer newcomer Fino is named Best Local Restaurant in Central and East of England. The Local Restaurant award is for eateries that prioritise affordable and accessible dining.
CambridgeshireLive highlights an affordable, local restaurant every week through our CamBites column. We help you find a tasty meal for under £15 from an independent eatery to add to your must-visit list.
Editor of The Good Food Guide, Chloë Hamilton, said about Fino’s win: “The mix of approachability and a cosmopolitan sense of occasion we found here is a real art. Stop by for a generous lunch and glass of wine for just £15, or go all out on the seasonal locally-driven menu – both come with bags of personality and that rare, genuine warmth of welcome.”
Responding to the news, co-owner of Fino, Daniel Goff, said: “We are thrilled! This award means so much, especially in our first year. We set out to create the kind of neighbourhood restaurant that we seek out – great, seasonal food and a truly warm welcome. What a fabulous reward for our hard-working team!”
The Guide’s anonymous inspectors crossed the country to put nominations to the test, revealing how Britain eats in 2025. In a recent survey, 61% of diners said that eating out has become too expensive for them this year.
This 2025 list celebrates wine bars serving sensational small plates, neighbourhood bistros breathing life into faded towns, and the cherished family-run gems where you can enjoy a great meal for under £20.
12 East of England restaurants on the Good Food Guide list
Fino, Cromer (Central & East of England winner)
Fancett’s Bistro, Cambridge
L’Hexagone Bistro Français, Norwich
Little Brickhouse, Nottingham
A Tavola Gastronomia Siciliana, High Peak
Dining and Cooking