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Hot Numbers Coffee

4.6
·491k reviews·,

An independent coffee bar and micro-roastery known for its exceptional coffee, inventive brunch, and lively, artsy atmosphere.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Chat over a brew.

Hot Numbers Coffee

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

An independent coffee bar and micro-roastery known for its exceptional coffee, inventive brunch, and lively, artsy atmosphere.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"The best place in Cambridge for coffee and brunch – absolutely knockout in terms of quality and choices."

TIP

Weekday Visits Recommended

Avoid weekend crowds and seating issues, as laptops are restricted on Saturdays and Sundays.

Check Event Schedule

Look out for special events like writing classes and live music performances for an enhanced experience.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Thursday 7AM

Cuisine

Cafe

Price

Mid-range

Phone

+44 1223 612209

Address

Dales Brewery, 5/6 Gwydir St, Cambridge CB1 2LJ, United Kingdom

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Exceptional Coffee and Brunch

Exceptional Coffee and Brunch

Renowned for its micro-roasted coffee and thoughtfully crafted brunch menu, featuring unique dishes.

An Expert’s Guide To Cambridge’s Best Breakfasts And BrunchesGoogle Review
Vibrant Artsy Atmosphere

Vibrant Artsy Atmosphere

A cozy space filled with communal tables, live jazz music, and art for sale, perfect for relaxing.

5 Cool Cafés in Cambridge, U.K.
Dog-Friendly Haven

Dog-Friendly Haven

A welcoming spot for both owners and their well-behaved canine companions.

Dog-friendly Cambridge | Cambridge with dogs
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

About time this place got a shoutout! ☕️🍳🍴 #brunch #brunchspot #sundaybrunch #coffeeshop #coffeespot #cambridge #cambridgefood
@charlottedeville_
2K likes • 37.9K views

Weekday Visits Recommended

Avoid weekend crowds and seating issues, as laptops are restricted on Saturdays and Sundays.

Check Event Schedule

Look out for special events like writing classes and live music performances for an enhanced experience.

Starting summer off with a day out to Cambridge #cambridge #cambridgeuniversity #punting #thingstodoincambridge #cambridgetiktok
@georgeinlondon
669 likes • 32K views
Hot Numbers, Cambridge ☕️ #girldiaries #cambridgeshire #coffeeshops #funemployed #spendthedaywithme #fyp #girliethings #café #dayinmylife #CapCut
@chapterofmollie
15 likes • 283 views

Consider Parking

Parking can be challenging; public transport or walking is advised.

Ask for Vegan Options

Baristas are helpful in identifying vegan choices, though vegan pastries may be limited.

Mr Radford Giving that long cold hard stare in Hot Numbers cafe, Cambridge, UK. #doctorwho #doctorwhotiktok #cafe #cambridge #comedy
@georgechase84
10 likes • 390 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Weekday Visits Recommended

Avoid weekend crowds and seating issues, as laptops are restricted on Saturdays and Sundays.

Check Event Schedule

Look out for special events like writing classes and live music performances for an enhanced experience.

Consider Parking

Parking can be challenging; public transport or walking is advised.

Ask for Vegan Options

Baristas are helpful in identifying vegan choices, though vegan pastries may be limited.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Hot Numbers Coffee is widely praised for its excellent coffee and delicious, creatively prepared brunch dishes. Diners appreciate the vibrant, cozy atmosphere and friendly service. However, some reviews mention overcrowding during peak times and a recent shift in policy regarding laptop use on weekends.

"If you’re looking for an unforgettable brunch or breakfast experience, this place is a must-visit. The brunch here is phenomenal—every dish is thoughtfully crafted and full of flavor.

I had an iced latte with honey that was just perfect, smooth, subtly sweet, and incredibly comforting. One standout was the chicken shawarma. The bread was unbelievably fresh, and the chicken was marinated to perfection. The pomegranate added a beautiful acidity that balanced out the savory spices in a way that felt almost gourmet.

The atmosphere is super cozy, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy your meal. On top of that, the prices are very fair considering the high quality of food and service.

Highly recommend this place for anyone who loves a good brunch done right."

Leena Al Debaawy

"This is the best place in Cambridge for coffee and brunch. It’s absolutely knockout in terms of quality and choices. Thoroughly enjoyed the granola and Turkish eggs. The coffees are exceptional and retail bags well-priced. Great atmosphere and slick service. When it’s busy it can be noisy, but I only notice that because I’m usually solo."

Sean Elder

"The barista was very helpful in explaining what was and wasn’t vegan. Just wish there were some vegan pastries but generally catered very well with many veggie options on the menu. I had the cold brew with it milk and the vegan bacon sandwich which was good if a little stingy on the bacon."

natasha Rode-Christoffersen

What People Like

Exceptional coffee quality
Creative and flavorful brunch menu
Cozy and vibrant atmosphere

What People Dislike

Laptop policy on weekends
Can be noisy and crowded

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Hot Numbers welcomes well-behaved dogs and their owners at its cafes.

Dog-friendly Cambridge | Cambridge with dogs

Popular choices include the granola, Turkish eggs, and chicken shawarma. Pancakes are also a consistent favorite.

An Expert’s Guide To Cambridge’s Best Breakfasts And BrunchesEight cafés to try in Cambridge as a student before you graduate from universityGoogle Review+1

Laptops are not allowed on weekends to manage space and encourage interaction, but are permitted during weekdays.

Google Review

Yes, the menu caters well to vegetarians with many vegan options available. Baristas can assist with identifying them.

A vegan's guide to CambridgeGoogle Review

Parking can be challenging in the area, so using public transport or walking is recommended.

CAMBRIDGE; A CITY GUIDE

Yes, Hot Numbers is also a live music venue, featuring a resident jazz trio and other performances.

5 Cool Cafés in Cambridge, U.K.9 brilliant coffee shops and tearooms you need to visit in Cambridgeshire

Mentioned in

Featured in these publications

The Culture Trip

An Expert’s Guide To Cambridge’s Best Breakfasts And Brunches

Hot Numbers was a pioneer of the specialty coffee scene in Cambridge, and it’s universally beloved across the city, from decades-long residents to students. What makes the brunch menu stand out, says Adam, is “traditional meats and interesting plating.” Indeed, with dishes like Ras El Hanout lamb shoulder and grilled sea bass on offer from 7am onwards, it’s safe to say that Hot Numbers isn’t your typical breakfast spot. You won’t find anything from the freezer here, either.

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POLLY FLORENCE

CAMBRIDGE; A CITY GUIDE

If you follow me on Instagram then chances are you’ve seen a picture of mine from Hot Numbers Coffee. It’s one of my favourite places in Cambridge, I love spending an afternoon there working or reading and people watching, they have a great brunch menu and obviously great coffee too. What’s even better is that there are two locations in Cambridge to choose from, one on Gwyder Street & one on Trumptington Street and both are in great spots to explore more of the city as well as being within a twenty minute walk from Cambridge Train Station!

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Barista Magazine Online

5 Cool Cafés in Cambridge, U.K.

Just a 10-minute walk from the train station, the original location of Hot Numbers Coffee Roasters is the perfect place to grab your first delicious coffee of the day, along with some tasty brunch offerings. Housed in a former Victorian brewery, the café (and the roaster itself) takes its name from a vanished record store on nearby Mill Road. An artsy vibe still fills the place, with communal tables where students and tourists share not only the space but also their personal stories, to the beat of a jazz soundtrack in heavy rotation.

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Cambridgeshire Live

9 brilliant coffee shops and tearooms you need to visit in Cambridgeshire

There's a cup of coffee and then there's a cup of HOT NUMBERS coffee. Serving up what many locals believe to be the best brew in the city, it's no surprise this local institution, which has branches in Gwydir Street and Trumpington Street, has been voted one of Cambridgeshire's best coffee shops. Along with the stellar blend, both branches serve up a buzzy atmosphere – perfect for students and locals alike, an ever-evolving menu and a fab programme of evening events.

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Alumni Tours

Best Places To Eat And Drink In Cambridge

More generally, a challenger for best cafe in town is Hot Numbers – a popular spot to work in (!) or meet a friend (make sure to specify which site, as there is one on Gwydir Street, the other on Trumpington Street). Norfolk Street Bakery is getting something of a reputation for the quality of the cakes, also with two branches in town. The Fitzwilliam Museum café is a good meeting point, with an intellectual feel to it, although it is often quite busy.

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Vegan Food & Living

A vegan's guide to Cambridge

Named after the Hot Numbers Record Store that once traded on the street adjacent to its first café, Hot Numbers is a well-loved Cambridge coffee shop and live music venue. With two cafés in the city, one in central and one just off Mill Road, it’s an easy place to visit whichever part of Cambridge you’re in. Both venues have a busy and vibrant atmosphere with two outstanding vegan options being served on the breakfast menu.

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UK Student Houses

- UK Student Houses

Hot Numbers Coffee situated on Gwydir Street is just a short walk from Cambridge City centre, trust us it’s worth the mooch. This café is the definition of calmness so if you’ve got deadlines or assignments coming up, make this your go to. The space itself is large but still feels inviting and their drinks choices are just great, there’s a variety of different styles of coffee to choose from if you need a little wake up.

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University of Cambridge

Eight cafés to try in Cambridge as a student before you graduate from university

Starting off strong with Hot Numbers, a coffee roaster and café offering seasonal menus. After seeing their aesthetic buttermilk pancakes on Instagram, I made sure to tick this one off my list in my first term in Cambridge. Although the flavours change, the pancakes appear to be a staple across the seasonal menus and I have just seen that the latest flavour is cherry bakewell, so I think I will be making a swift return.

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Ernie's Adventures

Dog-friendly Cambridge | Cambridge with dogs

This independent coffee roasters has two cool cafes in Cambridge – in Gwydir Street and Trumpington Street – and both welcome well-behaved pooches. Dog and their owners are also welcome at Hot Numbers’ HQ, The Roastery, in nearby Shepreth, which puts on pizza nights ever Friday and Saturday. Another great place to get a caffeine fix with your dog in tow is Indigo Coffee House, in St Edward’s Passage.

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Atly

Top 32 Gluten-Free Cafes to Delight in Cambridge

Really not sure what's happened to the breakfasts since my last visit in March?. The service and beverages are still very good, but, just bear with me to understand the cognitive dissonance I felt: Mid June - We were each presented with two slices of processed dry toast with two split sausages on one plate and two tiny badly presented poached eggs on the other. Each plate cost £7.25.

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Christ's College Hospitality

5 Best Coffee Shops in Cambridge

Another set of independent roasters are Hot Numbers Coffee, with 2 shops; one on Gwydir St, and the other on Trumpington St. this speciality coffee sellers places their focus on ethical and sustainable coffee, they drive for better coffee and a better living for coffee farmers, so you can feel good about yourself while having your favourite caffeine fix. www.hotnumberscoffee.co.uk

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Chris & Suze Go Walkies

A dog-friendly day out in Cambridge

There are SO many dog-friendly cafes to pop into for a lighter bite too, including any Caffe Nero, or if you’re after a more unique experience try The Old Bicycle Shop, Stem & Glory, or Hot Numbers. We chose the latter on Trumpington Street for a quick stop in the afternoon to warm our bones with a vanilla chai tea – we love the modern, hygge decor here and the staff are lovely!

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EF GO Blog | EF Global Site (English)

5 cool and cozy cafés in Cambridge ‹ EF GO Blog

Hot Numbers is an independent & friendly coffee house close to Mill Road. They offer drinks, sandwiches and cakes, freshly prepared and fabulously filling.This is a quiet place during the week so if you want to study or have a quiet lunch, Hot Numbers is your spot!. But if you are not really after a quiet corner, don’t worry; they also organize live music events on weekends.

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Visit Cambridge

10 Of The Best Cafes In Cambridge

A frontrunner of Cambridge’s now thriving café culture, Hot Numbers opened its first branch on Gwydir Street in 2011, and has since expanded with a second coffee shop on Trumpington Street and a roastery in Shepreth. All three outposts serve speciality coffee, tasty cakes and brunches, and the Gwydir Street café often has live music performances.

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atly.com

The 8 Best Gluten-Free Lunch Spots in Mill Road

Literally the best coffee I've ever had, a varied/sophisticated/rotating menu of savory/brunch items, and delicious cakes!. So many thoughtful details like SOUND INSULATION, a killer jazz playlist, and very sturdy tables makes this an absolutely exceptional establishment. My celiac boyfriend eats their gluten free food without problems!

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www.traveltocambridge.co.uk

12 Dog Friendly Restaurants in Cambridge (by a Local)

📍 Dales Brewery, 5/6 Gwydir St, Cambridge CB1 2LJ & 4 Trumpington St, Cambridge CB2 1QA. ⭐️ Rating: 5/5 | 🐶 Dog Friendly: YES | 🍝 See Their Menu!. Hot Numbers is a local cafe that has a couple of locations, with the Trumpington Street branch being more central and also having more tables if the outside space is in use.

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Eternal Expat

14 Best Restaurants in Cambridge City Centre

Hot Numbers is a quaint chain of three independent eateries, two of which are in the centre of Cambridge and prove popular with the students. These central cafés rustle up some of the best brunch in Cambridge. Buttermilk pancakes are the signature dish with the option to go sweet or savoury.

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Kingfisher Visitor Guides

Enjoy tea and cake in Cambridge

It serves the perfect coffee from a no-fuss, pared-down menu, and a tasty selection of cakes. It’s so good that there’s another one, right opposite The Fitzwilliam Museum on Trumpington Street, plus a newly-opened roastery, kitchen and bakery near Shepreth, a few miles outside the city.

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olivemagazine

Best Restaurants in Cambridge 2025: Where to Eat and Drink

Named after the record store that once traded on the adjacent street, Hot Numbers Coffee Roasters is a must for caffeine lovers. The menu is split into two sections: black coffees or espressos with milk. Choose between filter, pour-over or nitro cold brew (great in the summer months).

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Brian's Coffee Spot

Cambridge | Brian's Coffee Spot

Back then it was the one place that pretty much everyone had recommended to me in Cambridge. Café, single-origin roaster, music venue and, by association, art gallery, it had something for everyone and was pretty much the only speciality coffee place in town. How things have changed!

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The original shop (just off Mill road) is still going strong but there is also a second branch on Trumpington street. This is more central and ideal for a rest after a trek round the Fitzwilliam Museum across the road. They roast their own coffee beans from sources around the world.

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Minstrel Court

12 Places to Have the Best Breakfast in Cambridge

Dales Brewery, 5/6 Gwydir St, Cambridge CB1 2LJ, United Kingdom. Hot Numbers Coffee is an absolute go-to spot for brunch in Cambridge, especially popular with students. The coffee here is consistently excellent, with a medium to dark roast level that satisfies coffee experts.

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Checked Inn

Cambridge's Best Brunches

Traditional meats and interesting plating make the brunch at Hot Numbers Coffee Roasters stand out, especially with their devoted customers. Then there is the fabulous coffee to wash it all down with. Ras El Hanout lamb shoulder and grilled sea bass are big favourites here.

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claytonhotelcambridge.com

The Best Venues for Jazz Music in Cambridge in 2025

Hot Numbers Coffee combines jazz music with an atmospheric coffee shop experience. With a resident jazz band and a fantastic menu, Hot Numbers Coffee is ideal for anyone who wants to see and experience jazz music in a relaxed environment. Grab a coffee, sit back and enjoy!

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claytonhotels.com

The Best Venues for Jazz Music in Cambridge in 2025

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Kasia's Plate

Guide: Gluten Free Cambridge

Hot Numbers Coffee Roasters – This independent eatery is known for its incredible local Shepreth roastery coffee. They also serve a number of breakfast and brunch options across all of their shops. It doesn’t mention GF on the menu but I assure you they can cater.

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Dales Brewery, 5/6 Gwydir St, Cambridge CB1 2LJ or 4 Trumpington St, Cambridge CB2 1QA. Hot Numbers Coffee specialise in quality coffee. They say “t is our responsibility as a speciality roaster to select exciting yet ethical Arabica coffee for your cup.

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https://ukpetguide.com

Dog Friendly Cambridge - UK Pet Guide

An independently-owned coffee shop with two locations in the city centre, Hot Numbers offer fresh coffee from their own roastery plus brunch options and different menu choices at each of their stores.

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Snippets of Em

Best Breakfast And Brunch Spots In Cambridge

The decor inside is amazing and there’s a wonderful outdoor space too. We love visiting the Shepreth venue because you can see the pizzas ovens and bread baking whilst you’re enjoying your breakfast.

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24 hours of the Best Food in Cambridge -

Coffee lovers should visit Hot Numbers who roast their coffee beans from sources around the world. More places for breakfast in Cambridge here.

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Best Free Wi-Fi Cafes in Cambridge

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