After The Graduate closed its doors many years ago, this beautiful historic pub felt like it had some sort of curse on it. With several failed attempts to reopen, I honestly thought I was never going to enter its doors again, but thankfully, after years of waiting, in 2022, it finally reopened.

The Tivoli returned bigger and better than ever with a fresh and exciting theme, setting it apart from other pubs, and therefore making it one of the funnest places to be in Cambridge. What makes it so unique is that it is more than just a pub, but an entertainment venue, featuring a shuffleboard and an 18-hole mini-golf course.

While the games are a great draw, my idea of fun is stuffing my face. Luckily, The Tivoli offers the big three of ‘fun time food’: burgers, pizza, and hotdogs. If you’re looking for a satisfying meal to go with your golf club then you won’t be disappointed.

Square Pizzas

The Tivoli’s pizzeria offers a selection of thin-crust, ‘tear-and-share’ pizzas – a perfect fit for a fun night out with friends. At a considerable 14 inches, they’re more than big enough to split between a table.

All the classics are on the menu, from BBQ chicken to pepperoni, along with more exciting options like Greek and spicy ‘nduja styles. The prices average between £20 and £21 per pizza, which is quite a bit higher than most you’ll find in Cambridge. However, given their large size, the price feels about right.

The pizza arrived in a rather fetching wooden box and it was an impressive sight. Large chunks of marinated chicken were generously topped across the base, with plenty of cheese weighing down the slices. This made each slice incredibly floppy but keep in mind that this is a “tear and share” pizza, so that’s exactly how it’s designed to be eaten amongst friends.

Overall, it tasted great and was particularly juicy, without even the slightest bit of dryness. While it probably won’t win any awards for being the most “authentic” pizza, it is ideal for anyone looking for something light-hearted and delicious to fuel them before a round of mini-golf. I can definitely see this being a popular choice, especially among youngsters.

Burger time!

I have heard great things about The Tivoli’s burgers, so I was keen to give one a try for my Cambridge Burger League table. I also noticed that they serve hot dogs, which is something you don’t see a tremendous amount of in Cambridge these days (especially after we lost The Chilli Dog Company last year). The fact that hot dogs are on the menu is a welcome sight.

I opted for the double classic burger, which comes with a double smash patty, burger sauce, lettuce, pink onions, and melted cheese. For an extra £1.50, I decided to “make it hot” with chipotle mayonnaise, jalapeños, and buffalo sauce. While I am not sure it really added much in terms of spice, it certainly tasted great.

This burger wasn’t messing about. Thanks to a liberal use of cheese and burger sauce, the burger was absolutely drenched and wonderfully messy in all the right ways. It did, however, fail the “burger integrity test,” with the bun completely surrendering to the onslaught of sauce and cheese. By the end, I had to resort to a knife and fork, but honestly, it was worth the sacrifice.

The thin-cut chips were surprisingly impressive with an incredibly salty taste and crispy texture. They are the perfect example of how French fries should be served and I found them completely addictive.

Hot Dog

The Chihuahua hot dog arrived in a small plastic basket, alongside a serving of French fries. It is described as a “jumbo bratwurst” with chipotle mayonnaise, pico de gallo (salsa), and crispy bacon.

While the hot dog itself didn’t seem particularly jumbo, it certainly looked the part, with crispy bacon generously piled on top. The bacon and crunchy salsa added a great texture but the bratwurst itself was a little ordinary. It barely reached the ends of the roll and got a bit lost amongst the toppings. It tasted fine but I couldn’t help but feel a little flat afterwards.

Mini Golf

Feeling full and satisfied after our meal, we decided to burn off some of our dinner with a quick game of mini-golf on the first floor. We headed to the reception area and stood around like a spare part for fifteen minutes until we realised we had to go downstairs to purchase tickets 🤦‍♂️🤣

The game costs £7 per person for 9 holes (half of the room), which is split into red and green sections. I thought this was a reasonable price and a fun, unique activity for Cambridge. We both had a blast, and I even managed a hole-in-one!

Tip: If you get the chance, make sure to grab a table on the top floor. It overlooked the River Cam with some of the best views of our beloved river and Jesus Green. I recommend booking the table in advance, as there are only three that overlook the river directly from your seat. Just be careful as the website doesn’t let you book ahead within 24 hours of your visit.

A fun place with great views!

The Tivoli is a truly unique and fun place. While Cambridge offers plenty of stuffy old pubs, formal dinners, and museums, it often lacks places designed for younger crowds. This is precisely the kind of spot I would have loved as a teenager. The food is light-hearted, fun, and crowd-pleasing, which may sound like a back-handed compliment, it is actually a major plus. Unlike the depressing plate of chips or bland hot dogs you’d get at a football game or cinema while out with your family, you can visit The Tivoli with them knowing you are going to enjoy your meal too.

With that said, if you are a hardened foodie looking to hunt down the best pizza and burger in town, this might not be for you.

Thanks for reading.