Cambridge: Food

July 17, 2017

Last weekend, I took a trip to London. While I was there, I visited the Borough Market which is a culinary fantasyland with what must be at least 300 vendors. There’s so much there that I thought it best first to see the whole place before making a decision. I walked past a seafood place with a giant pan of sizzling paella and sampled a bit. Next, I found a winery giving free tastings (I spent a good bit of time there). Then I walked past four different cheese and meat shops each offering about 6 different cheese and cured meats to sample, which of course I did. Olive oil stands boasting more than a dozen kinds of olive oils; Ethiopian, Indian, and Thai food; ice creameries; artisan espresso shops. Most of which offered samples to my frugal delight. By the time I realized I should pick something to eat as a full meal, I had filled up on (free) samples. I settled on a spinach and cheese filled savory pastry – something like the Indian street food version of spanakopita. And it was amazing.

Other than Borough Market’s great food, the food in Cambridge has been alright: mainly due to it being essentially dorm food. But what has been lackluster in terms of food has been made up for by the college bar. The bar, in the college accommodations themselves, offers heavily subsidized drinks and a place to study. It’s been amusing watching people hunker down to type out an essay with a pint of ale sitting between books and a laptop. I haven’t had many opportunities yet to eat out, but the pubs and bars I’ve been to have been pretty similar to American ones (though a lot cheaper than Boston!).

Written By

Nicholas Napolio

At Northeastern, I study political science with a particular focus on American public administration, public law, and queer politics. While abroad in Cambridge, I plan to immerse myself in British politics and further my understanding of American politics by comparison. I am taking courses on European legal history, British criminal law, and gender & sexuality informed by British culture. These courses are similar to courses I have taken at Northeastern but will allow me to study the differences between American and British conceptions of each. In addition to coursework, the University of Cambridge offers social and cultural opportunities such as pub tours, trips to London, and weekly banquets.