Devina Banerjee: "Cambridge being the hub for the environmentally and ethically conscious that it is, there’s no doubt that either you or your friends and/or romantic interests are on the lookout for some good vegetarian dining options. Since I am both veggie and food-obsessed, I’ve got your back."

Simon Lock

1. Cocum

As ever, Indian food remains a blessing to the vegetarian–as long as you can handle the spice. Why not stray from the ‘kormas’ and ‘tikka masalas’ of the takeaway menus and explore some traditional Keralan dishes? Try a ‘dosai’ - a crispy, paper-thin pancake made from rice and lentils, filled with a spicy potato curry – or a few of the selection of over 20 vegetable and paneer dishes.
71 Castle St, Cambridge CB3 0AH

2. Japas

A cute spot a bit further out of town, the chopsticks and heart logo decorating the painted green façade of this little building will steal your heart before you even step inside. The menu is authentic and extensive, including vegetarian sushi, bento boxes, noodles and curries at student-friendly prices. Sure, it looks a little ‘unfinished’, and the service is unconventional - you have to write down your own order on a little card – but this all just adds to its charm.
9 Saxon St, Cambridge CB2 1HN

3. Sala Thong

This intimate Thai restaurant offers a mean veggie Pad Thai. There are several dishes on the vegetarian menu and the servers are lovely. Let’s face it - when the only other Thai food you’ve had in Cambridge is at a ‘Mai Thai’ swap, you know you should branch out.
35 Newnham Rd, Newnham, Cambridge CB3 9EY

4. Butch Annie’s

With the tagline ‘Burgers & Beers’, this may seem an unlikely choice. Let me assure you that the secret-recipe vegetarian patties here are INCREDIBLE and available instead of beef in any of their burgers. I also highly recommend their ‘onion popcorn’ as a side, a much tastier alternative to rings. The hipster, underground décor and selection of craft beers make this a great casual date spot.
23 Market St, Cambridge CB2 3PA

5. Jamie’s Italian

This is a chain, but you can’t beat its Cambridge incarnation, based in a high-domed and pillared building listed for its heritage. The menu at Jamie’s changes seasonally but you can always expect a number of tasty vegetarian options which could range anywhere from mushroom tagliatelle to a spiced aubergine dish. The atmosphere is relaxed but classy, without costing you more than a Wagas. There’s also the pizzeria upstairs for those more inclined to that cheesy goodness.                                                                                  The Old Library, Wheeler Street, Cambridge CB2 3QJ

Hamish Ungless: "Choosing where to eat can be an ordeal at the best of times. Throw a specific dietary requirement into the mix and it becomes a complete trauma. Here, to the rescue, is my ultimate restaurant guide for Cantabs who would otherwise go hungry." 

Simon Lock

1. Stickybeaks

The Cambridge cafe more frequented by middle-class mums than students may seem a touch pricey, but it has some seriously delicious vegetarian options (the frittata being the real star here). More often than not there are some gluten-free options lurking among the mouth-watering selection of cakes and pastries.
42 Hobson St, Cambridge CB1 1NL

2. Rainbow Cafe

Cambridge’s edgiest eatery is right opposite its edgiest college. Rocking a bohemian vibe and specialising in vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free food, it has pretty much all bases covered. As a Food Awards 2015 finalist, you can expect some seriously right-on nosh. The carb-gasm that is the gluten and dairy-free Shepherdess Pie deserves a special mention.
9A King’s Parade, Cambridge CB2 1SJ

3. The Urban Shed

Slightly further out than the rest on this list, the wacky Urban Shed is worth the walk if you’re a coeliac desperately seeking the solace of a decent sandwich. Here you can peruse the lengthy sandwich menu from the comfort of a reclaimed passenger-plane seat. The shed is a safe haven for those seeking veggie, vegan or gluten-free grub with some added whimsy. Quirky owner Simon is also purveyor of the best Chai Latte in town, though this one certainly isn’t for dairy-intolerant Cantabs. Apologies.
62-64 King St, Cambridge CB1 1LN

4. The Cambridge Chop House

Without a doubt the jewel in the crown of the formidable Cambs Cuisine restaurant group, the Chop House is the type of place to take the ‘rents when they come a-visiting - especially if they have dietary restrictions. It boasts both gluten and dairy-free menus which mirror the standard offerings, so you won’t feel like an afterthought when your meal arrives. Despite the keen focus on meat here, the vegetarian Nut Roast Wellington hits all the right notes and could win over the most bloodthirsty carnivore- it’s also surprisingly reasonably priced.
1 King’s Parade, Cambridge CB2 1SJ

5. YO! Sushi

Like it or not, the chains are pretty pitch-perfect at dietary requirements, a scrumptious by-product of their otherwise unpalatable focus on profit over gastronomy. For vegetarians and vegans, YO! Sushi offers a plethora of options on their iconic dishes. Whilst coeliacs should be wary of happily plucking dishes off the belt, a quick visit to the website provides you with a list of all the allergens. The staff are pretty helpful too. Whilst it usually breaks the bank to actually fill yourself up in YO!, you can grab a bargain at the take-out, where £1.50 will buy a feast of chirashi sushi (all the scraps and broken bits). You’ll be happy to cast aside your dignity once you’ve tried it - trust me
Lion Yard, St Tibb’s Row, Cambridge CB2 3NE