Earls of Beaconsfield

Head down Mill Road towards the city's creative south side and you'll find the Earls tucked in amongst the independent shops and Victorian terraces. It's the kind of place where regulars have their spots at the bar, the landlord knows your name by your second visit, and nobody's taking photos of their pint for Instagram. You'll get a solid pint of real ale, honest pub food that doesn't try too hard, and the sort of atmosphere that makes you want to linger over a second drink and actually chat to people. It's Cambridge without the student union vibes or the twee tea room cosiness—just a proper local doing what it does well.