Fitzbillies

We had the original Chelsea bun, and it met expectations. It was warm, fresh and had lots of small raisins in it. Service was quick, and the lady at the counter was the sweetest. Also not too pricey considering the touristy location, and the cafe’s popularity.

The cinnamon bun at Fitzbillies is absolutely divine—soft, rich, and bursting with flavor. The café has a warm, welcoming vibe, and the display of fresh pastries is irresistible. A must-visit spot for anyone who loves classic, indulgent baked goods!

Eat inside the restaurant was disappointing. We ordered afternoon tea for one person to taste, original cinnamon roll ( don’t remember what it was called there), some cakes and tea. it’s just very ordinary both from the appearance and the taste. Green tea was just tea bag. This cafe restaurant was recommended by several local guides, we just wanted to try, but nothing special from the food and dining environment. Would recommend to take away or try other not so crowded place. And definitely not recommend the afternoon tea set, better to choose separately.

I visited this popular cafe in Cambridge, which has several branches. The one we tried is located in the middle of Trumpington Street, next to their cake shop and coffee shop. Since it was a busy holiday, we were lucky to get a table without waiting too long. The cafe has a nice atmosphere and plenty of seating, and some of the staff were very friendly. We ordered a cream tea set, an English breakfast, and a mocha, along with the staff recommended iced caramel cream latte. The food was quite good, but unfortunately, my cake set was mixed up with another order, which was a bit disappointing. Thankfully, the coffees were delicious. Overall, this is a cafe I would recommend!

The original Chelsea bun I had was quite sweet but still tasty. The iced latte was okay, though a bit smaller than I expected. It’s clearly a popular spot in town — there was quite a long queue, and all the seats were taken when I visited.

The food are very very good. It’s a popular shop. Full of people and a bit loud if you eat in. I would suggest prevent the peak hour if you want to enjoy the coffee instead of having a quick lunch. Price is reasonable.

oh my goodnesss i love the exterior as much as the interior. I love that it is three shops in one, the bakery which is pictured here, a tea room and a confectionery shop (i believe so?) such an experience and a beautiful sight of decoration wish the buns were warmed up but my heart was warmed by the beautiful lady who served us she was like a cup of tea so warm and let us take our time while also giving us her input <3 i hope she has a wonderful day always beautiful selection to choose from - wish this was on my commute so i could go constantly

With scoops of ice cream you cannot really go wrong. A range of different flavours, including, but not limited to: raspberry, cherry, vanilla, chocolate, clotted cream, lemon, mango, salted caramel, not much to say besides they were a welcome respite to the 29 degree heat outside.

Strongly recommend the Cream Tea! Comes with your choice of tea (milk and sugar) and a scone with cottled cream and jam. If you haven't tried English scones, this is the place to try! I've been craving their scones ever since! Service was pretty slow. We were constantly on the lookout and waited a significant amount of time for our order to be taken, food to come out, and to pay. We weren't in a rush, so we didn't mind, but would not recommend if you have prior commitments to make!

Great spot in Cambridge for coffees and cakes - we enjoyed the Chelsea cake. Seating is a bit limited so you may need to wait a bit to get a table. Service is prompt and sufficient.

We got the bun and coffee here and first off the staff was super rude. This was our first time in Cambridge and they made us feel unwelcome and dumb for asking what certain things were. The bun they gave us wasn't even warm. We asked if they could warm it up and it wasn't warm. Overall not a fan nor would I return.

Got an original Chelsea bun and a scone. The cinnamon bun was fine, nothing special. Not sure why it is such a popular thing. I've had much better cinnamon buns. ‍

Known for their Chelsea buns, Fitzbillies also has gelato which is the main reason that drew me in! After having lunch at The Eagle and Child, I was craving for some sweets and Fitzbillies was conveniently located at the spot I was passing when I was thinking, "I need some gelato in my life rn" :) I got the vanilla & Chelsea bun flavors and both were delish & hit the spot for moi. They are known for their Chelsea buns so looking forward to trying some of those in the future!

Highly recommend the bacon nap, if you're from the US. Delicious. Great coffees and nice staff. Relaxed atmosphere.

AVOID - I had a very disappointing experience with the Trumpington Street store in Cambridge a few weeks ago. I was incorrectly charged £33 on top of my order, and despite multiple emails back and forth and follow-ups, the issue has not been resolved! Customer service became unresponsive and unhelpful. I would not recommend this store due to their poor handling of billing issues and lack of communication.

One of the most favorite treats I heard about before coming to visit Cambridge is the Chelsea bun from Fitzbillies (claimed hundred year old recipe!). We peered in the glass windows and saw the buns with syrup dripped all over and in between, seemingly resembling cinnamon rolls. However, they're spread with a mixture of blackcurrants and brown sugar instead of frosting. Taste-wise, they are thicker, but not denser rolls with lots of raisins/honey, good but not mind-blowing!

Though there are two locations that I know of in Cambridge, this one was most convenient for me to visit on a weekday morning, particularly as it's within short walking distance to the Fitzwilliam. You can't miss the corner shop signage and Cambridge Blue motif. It wasn't busy when I came in (post-morning rush) so it was easy for me to grab a table in the back for my books and laptop. As they're famous for their Chelsea Buns, I did try one along with a mocha and a croissant sandwich I eyed in the display case upon walking in. In all honesty I much enjoyed the savoury sandwich more than the sweet, glazed bun (though it was much lighter in density and sweetness than expected), but I can see why they're a go-to for some. The atmosphere in the back was quiet and tidy with enough natural light coming in through the windows. If I found myself in the area more often I would visit again to get more work done. 3.75 stars

Despite the rather odd name this is a great place to stop for breakfast, lunch, pastries or tea. We stopped in for lunch and everything tasted great. Service was good.

Popped in on a day visit to Cambridge just to try their Chelsea bun which I had read about. The place was small, quaint and packed (this was around lunchtime). Their Chelsea Bun was certainly yummy, with lots of raisins, bathed in a sweet syrup. Good sized buns. The dough was a little tougher than I'd anticipated but definitely worth a try.

Went here around 3-4pm, and their infamous chelsea buns were almost gone. The interior was aesthetically pleasing, and they offered various of sweets. Back to the chelsea buns, they were a mixture of cinnamon rolls soaked in honey and raisins. Never had that combination, so I don't really know what it's supposed to taste like. But, the chelsea buns weren't that special. It would be nice to try other sweets. Their customer service was good, so I would come back to try the other sweets they offer, if I visit Cambridge again.

Came for the Chelsea buns and wasn't disappointed. Think cinnamon bun with lots of raisins/honey. There are two locations in Cambridge and both are great. Tons of seating, quick lines, and coffee/tea to quench your thirst.

A great place to grab a freshly made sweet , sandwich , or coffee enjoyment to take away or dine in. Friendly staff, freshly made items , & fast service !

Amazing carrot cake and cappuccino. Atmosphere was amazing and quaint. Good place to have a coffee or tea with a friend.

The Lovely Bride made a beeline for this place as soon as we hopped off the bus. Chelsea buns, it seems, are a quiet tradition in some circles. A little sweet for me, even with a strong coffee, they are a hybrid of cinnamon roll and hot cross bun. If you're ever in Cambridge, you'll have to stop in. Or hit up their website. They send them all over the world, and you can even subscribe to get a certain number per week or month. Like I said, they are somewhat of a quiet tradition.

Get the afternoon tea, but make sure you go to a location that serves it. Lots of essential British stuff. Solid food, decent prices.

Went for full afternoon tea - it was a lovely experience and the food was delicious .- We were so full we brought some of the pastries home. It's a cute place and the waitstaff was nice and efficient. Would definitely go again!

There are more tables slightly out of view towards the back of the café, so it's worth asking even if it seems all the tables are busy as you enter. The Chelsea bun flavoured syrup on the pancakes was a treat!

I liked it here, but it would have been a one time visit for me even if I were local. The place is very popular and has lengthy lines. I feel they're okay with accepting more customers, but without compensating for it with a larger staff team. There wasn't a good flow with the line and I had to a wait a while for a soup, salad, and their well-spoken of Chelsea Bun. The soup and green salad was excellent. I really like when a place can make a delicious salad without having to drown it in the sauce. The soda bread came with the soup; it was dense slice despite its thinness, and it was perfect for dipping into the coconut lentil soup I had. The Chelsea Bun... I think it's overly hyped (sorry), and my excitement for it set my own expectations too high (admitting my bias here). The texture of the bread made it feel old although I am certain it was from a fresh batch judging from the rotations and display I saw while in line. Unlike the salad... the only way to save this bread is to excessively drown it in their thick syrup, which I feel takes away from flavour of the dish in its entirety and makes it taste of pure sugar. Why even get a bun? Pop one of those sugar cubes into your mouth if you'd like to quickly satisfy your sugar cravings, and it's much cheaper. I really liked the ambiance, and if it weren't so crowded, then I would imagine it's a cool place to hang out at. The individuals who were staffing the place were very nice and each of them seemed to share a sense of urgency, but I would hope the management could help them with more staffing to combat these long lines and waiting periods.

Believe the hype (and the guidebooks) and go ahead and stop here if you need lunch or a sack while you're in Cambridge. They seem to get really crowded at lunch but we lucked out & got a table for 4 right away. The service is a bit slow, but everyone was super friendly so it wasn't a big deal. We tried a famous Chelsea bun (with a pot of tea of course!) and it wasn't what I was expecting but very tasty! It's similar to a cinnamon roll minus the frosting. Harder outside, soft inside, lots of raisins and covered in some kind of spiced honey. We also got the avocado toast - so so good!! And the chicken sandwich, which was absolutely amazing and would hands down order again.

We have adored Fitzbillie's for the past eight years. Everything is good. They have a wonderful English breakfast -- I especially like the vegetarian version -- and amazing pastries. Can't go wrong. The used to have the most wonderful soda bread but it is no more. Very tragic. Truly. But it would be unfair for Fitzbillie's to be just that perfect.

We loved Fitzbillies! We stopped in for a quick coffee and breakfast snack while checking out Cambridge. Lattes were great, cinnamon rolls were amazing and the avocado toast was fresh as well as a good portion. Cozy little place with more tables on the other side of the wall from the register. Located right in the heart of Cambridge and was quite busy. I would definitely recommend Fitzbillies

Came here to see what the hype was about since I read it was a must visit when in Cambridge. Got one of the Chelsea buns and was pretty unimpressed. It wasn't bad, but just tasted like a very average sticky bun to me with too many raisins. Maybe it would've been better heated up.

Seeing that the restaurant itself was packed, I enjoyed a Chelsea bun and coffee from the attached cafe.

I'm in love with the minced pie here. I actually liked it more than the Chelsea bun, which I heard is the most popular item. Definitely recommend both, but the Chelsea bun was to me a classic cinnamon bun with high quality raisins. The minced pie, on the other hand, was something I have never tried and has both sweet and savory flavor. I also ordered an Americano but I was told to pick up my coffee at the cafe next door, which was a little strange because I was about to get charged again if I didn't tell the barista that I was sent here. The coffee flavor is not too dark but has this weird flavor mixed in that I didn't really like. But, I love this place overall and would visit here regularly if I lived in this area. Highly recommend!

As an American who craves her brunch food items (french toast, pancakes...), Fitzbillies does fantastic brunch and lunch. The Scotch pancakes with gooey maple syrup and bananas is amazing. You'll probably leave with a toothache, but it's perfect for satisfying a sweet craving. The other egg-based brunch items and the vegetarian tart are delicious. It's too bad the place is expensive... especially if you're a student. And the place is very very slow and cramped.

The best Chelsea bun I've ever tried!! You better hurry up because the place is always running out the buns. Loooooooads of people come here to get at least one of those. Highly recommend

A waste fo time, don't believe the hype. This place must be living from past glory. First I was told I had to sit at the back of the shop, as there was no room at the front. The place was almost empty, apart from a few old timers reading newspapers in the window seats. Okay, fair enough, what with COVID I didn't want to make them nervous so went to the back. Sat down at a two table seat, after a few minutes it began to annoy me because it wobbled so much, no more tables for two, so I moved to the only one available, a five seater. The snappy staff, whose accents and broken English I struggled to understand then told me to move to the small table. No please or thank you. I explained I'd done that already and they needed to invest in a new table. She got snappier and told me if more customers came in then I would have to move. I told her that if she hurried up and brought my order then I wouldn't be around for too long anyway. There was a more welcoming atmosphere on Mars. Eventually the order came, simple. Earl Grey Tea and a Bacon Bap. Now I'm from the North, when they bring me tea, they bring tea. This came in a tiny pot, that struggled to fill the cup. I swear my Nan had a budgerigar that must have consumed more liquid than this during the course of his day. No milk (not that i have milk in Earl Grey) but plenty do and to have been presented with the option would have been nice. No sugar either and after being scolded twice already I didn't want to ask. Now the Bacon Bap, that was something else, three slices of streaky I had to send out a search party to find. When located they were twenty seconds from incineration and beyond rescue. Must of cost them five pence a slice. The bread itself was actually quite nice, just a pity most of the bap inside was swimming in either oil or fat. Again, not a patch on a northern Bacon Butty, which is usually brimming with smoked back bacon, served with real butter on the side should you want it and a selection of sauces. This place, for the price was very disappointing. Loads of room for improvement. Better bacon and more of it, bigger pots of tea served with milk and sugar and most importantly warmer friendlier staff. Being snappy and moving from table to table at speed doesn't convince me of hard work, more importantly it doesn't make for a great atmosphere. I don't need to return.

(4.5)Busy on A Friday at lunch, but not overly so. Service is prompt but polite. I'm not overly adventurous when it comes to breakfast food, so I got the pancakes with bacon and Chelsea syrup. Perfect serving size for a person, fluffy 5-6" round cakes. They had that nice cakey consistency, not dense, with a slight tang at the end. Only one cake seemed to be Slightly overly cooked on its bottom, which can be off putting, but the other two were perfect. Bacon was perfect, 3 large pieces, well cooked but not blackened with all the fat burned away. Chelsea syrup was a nice alternative to traditional maple syrup and nod to the restaurant's most famous food. Mimosa was a mimosa, hard to mess up those! Definitely worth stopping in for lunch or breakfast, a Cambridge institution.

It's a tourist spot so for the convenience, this place is ok. The Chelsea bun is their thing. It's basically a sticky bun with currants and no nuts. Pretty good but really sweet. Coffee drinks were fair but not exceptional. The inside was a nice comfortable vibe. If you are tired or have some time to kill before punting, this place is not a bad place to park.

Definitely try the Chelsea bun that Fitzbillies is famous for, with a pot of tea! We came here in the later afternoon before heading back to London for the day. We shared a Chelsea bun, a Duke of Cambridge cake, and a scone (replete with clotted cream and jam of course), as well as tea and coffee. We definitely recommend the Chelsea bun, which was solid. The Duke of Cambridge cake was pretty hard, so it was hard to cut up and try, but tasted solid as well. The scone also tasted good; it was just very crumbly so it was hard to cut up and eat with the clotted cream and jam. All in all, everything tasted great, but the Chelsea bun is tops for taste and ease of eating.

Today I went to fitzbillies to buy Chelsea buns for my son for his birthday, the lady who served me was very friendly and helpful. My reason for the one star is the Chelsea buns themselves, I have been buying these buns for over 50 years and I can honestly say they were the worst ones I have ever had, they were so dry and not very tasty! The Fitzbillies Chelsea buns are renowned for being very gooey and their very own unique flavour and the price you pay is because they are unique to Fitzbillies Cambridge! Please please make them how they used to be and not like any other dry Chelsea bun!

Great stop. High tea or low tea. Great pastries. Cheese scone. Ask them to wRm up your scones. Great popular place. A good stop.

We had to try the Chelsea bun! Hubby and I split a bun, and each ordered tea. The Earl Grey was so fragrant! The women next to us were enjoying the afternoon tea, which looked good. I would love to come back for breakfast, as the menu offered many delicious choices. The staff was attentive.

Fitzbillies is a Cambridge institution, been around forever, and recently saved by an English food critic. If you are just passing by as a tourist, the Chelsea bun is what they're famous for, so a must have. I thought it was pretty good (not great), but I hate raisins in my buns, so the fact it was still tasty despite that fact is remarkable. That being said, what really stands out to me is the coffee. I've yet to find a better place in town, and coffee snobs seem to agree. There is one other place by the train station I've yet to try that I hear good things about, so I'm not yet ready to pronounce Fitzbillies as best coffee in town, but it has got to be up there.

Independent food and bakery for Cantabrigians Fitzbillies is a Cambridge institution and its rescue by Tim Hayward is now a local legend. And thank the stars that he did: the pastries are oozingly good and the savoury menu is worth returning for. My particular favourite is the sausage roll, like the best pork sausage in a filo blanket. Coffees are strong and velvety and service is usually very attentive. I prefer the cafe with its kitchen table seating but it's often the busier part so don't be afraid to enter the restaurant but do check out the cake shop for the day's goodies.

Fitzbillies is an institution in Cambridge, known mostly for their tea, cakes and legendary Chelsea buns. It's worth a trip at least once. Try to time your visit in an "off" hour if in high tourist season, or you might be bumping elbows at a table. I've always found the salads and sandwiches fresh, but not the most innovative I've ever tasted. I'm not a huge fan of cake, but I did indulge in a few buns during exams. They are more of a Swedish cinnamon bun than an American cinnamon bun, so adjust expectations. The service can be a bit slow, especially for afternoon tea and lunch. But, a weekend lunch or afternoon tea isn't supposed to be rushed. Sit back and enjoy! My favorite way to enjoy Fitzbillies is with a Chelsea bun and a flat white while sitting in the cafe area and enjoying the free wifi on a rainy day. Perfection.

If there is anything better than Fitzbillies let me know. I will take a plane, train, whatever to get there! I actually have never had their famed Chelsea bun (allergies), but they make these little buttercream cakes, AMAZING! Everything is amazing! Put this place on your bucket list! Hell, make the trip to go there!

I popped in here with a friend to split Fitzbillies' famous Chelsea bun (one for £1.50), and it was fantastic. I love cinnamon rolls, and this one was definitely comparable to some of the best I've eaten. The bun was nice and soft, the cinnamon taste was strong, and it was sweet as heck - just the way I like it - although my friend thought it was a bit too sweet. I'm not sure whether I would have been able to take one whole bun on my own, but if I had had more time, I would definitely have bought back a bun or two to London as a treat later on in the week!

Was in Cambridge for work, and decided to eat here for one of my weekend lunches. I had the afternoon tea, and ordered a Chelsea bun on the side. I thought the Chelsea bun was a lot like a cinnabon in the US, heh. Overall, everything was really tasty, and service was good. I'd come back to try one of their breakfast dishes, as those looked good.

A strong cappuccino and a tooth-janglingly sweet sticky bun....a perfect start to a day of sales shopping!

I had the best cheese toastie in my life here this past weekend. Ogleshield (?) cheese melted between amazing sourdough. The cafe is cute -- hope to return someday!

I LOVE Fitzbillies. I have been twice for lunch now. Menu changes on the chalk boards on the black wall. Light and airy layout. The first time I had the bacon/egg pie with green salad - I wish the bacon on the pie had been saltier but the texture was perfect. The green salad was also just a simple vinaigrette, but so well done. I had potted rabbit with toast and pickles today - I had no idea what to expect but essentially it was a spread or salad of pulled rabbit, herbs, vegetables that you put on great home made toast. Loved it.

Fitzbillies has the best buns, scones, and cakes in all of Cambridge. The hot drinks are great as well. Service is friendly and relatively fast - a definite must if you are visiting Cambridge, and if you live here I highly suggest a weekly visit for health and happiness. Also, take home a delicious pack of lavender shortbread cookies (or biscuits I guess?). Worth every delicious bite.

This location is pretty tight inside and felt really crowded when we stopped in. I got a cold chicken and bacon sandwich (it was okay) and the kids got toasties (grilled cheeses, very tasty). We also shared a Chelsea bun which was good but nothing special IMO. My only issue is the people behind the counter seemed snobby and not so friendly but maybe I'm being paranoid since I'm American and I want everyone to like me.

Fitzbillies has such an enticing shop window and it doesn't disappoint once you get inside. It sells gorgeous buns, cakes that can be decorated with Happy Birthday and personalised. My favourites are the vanilla slices, which just ooze with cream. The pastries and buns are not cheap but are correctly priced for their quality. If you have any children at college in Cambridge,who you want to treat, you can order a cake and they will deliver it for you.

A place to go if you want to treat someone special - or even yourself! The millefoille is divine, the éclairs scrumptious and the cakes a real treat. I bought my mother a sponge cake from here, iced in the shape of a chicken. Not only was she ecstatic about receiving a chicken-shaped cake (which is not something you see often) but the cake was the best we have ever tried. The sponge was light and buttery, the layers of icing perfectly sweet and the top icing wonderful. It was pretty pricy - at £25 for a cake. However, it was worth it. And as it was a 3-layered cake it could be shared among many. Fitzbillies is a patisserie, not a bakery, and the effort put into the making of their cakes and treats is reflected in their quality. You pay a little more than you might elsewhere, but it is worth it as the products taste a hundred times better than anywhere else. You can't go to Cambridge and not go to Fitzbillies!

Cute little coffee shop in a great location! Went after a day of Christmas shopping in Cambridge. Cute, cosy and great quality!