​Cambridge Oven is a family-run bakery with a cult-like following. I have lost count of the number of people who have recommended I visit their original spot on Hills Road over the years, and no wonder. The team has a real passion for traditional, hand-made baking, with everything from artisan sourdoughs to pastries made daily from scratch using traditional methods passed down through generations.

So, you can imagine my delight when I heard they were opening a brand new branch right on Bridge Street in St Ives. This makes it a far more accessible location, and with spots like Limoncello also opening up on the 5th of October, it just goes to show how St Ives is rapidly becoming a proper up-and-coming foodie town.

The cafe itself is light and airy, with a few little tables outside that were ideal for basking in the sunshine with a coffee. Sitting there with a brew, taking in clear views of the historic St Ives bridge, felt almost like being on a European holiday.

Almond croissant

First up was the almond croissant, and it was everything you could possibly want from a croissant. It looked the part, carrying that ideal balance of being wonderfully flaky on the outside while remaining soft on the inside, with a real freshness you could instantly taste.

Size-wise, it is a very fair portion – though perhaps not quite the absolute monster size you get from the likes of Brown Bread.

Cheese & Chutney baguette

I went for the cheese and chutney baguette. They certainly were not afraid to load this bad boy up – packed with thick-cut cheese and a generous dollop of chutney, all held together by a strong, dense baguette with a lovely crusty flakiness. Together, it delivered a brilliant balance of sweet and savoury that hit the mark.

Passionfruit Cruffin

The passion fruit cruffin was my absolute highlight of the visit. It nailed that balance of sweet and rich flavours, dusted with a generous layer of powdered sugar. It definitely got a little messy to eat, but it was the ultimate accompaniment to a hot cup of coffee outside in the sun.

Verdict

It is fantastic to see quality independent bakeries expanding out into our local market towns. St Ives has gained an absolute gem here, offering great artisan baking, top coffee, and a cracking view to boot. If you are in the area, pop down to Bridge Street and check them out.

Thanks for reading! 👍