I was looking back through my older reviews the other day and realised with complete shock that it has been four whole years since my last visit to Bread & Meat on Bene’t Street. Four years! For a place serving food this good right in the heart of Cambridge, that is frankly unforgivable. I decided it was high time to put that right and headed down for their opening at bang on 11:30am. The fact that people were already rushing through the door to grab a seat at opening time speaks for itself.

If you have never been, there is no nonsense with the name. Bread & Meat gives you exactly what it says on the tin: massive, high-quality joints of meat loaded into fresh bread with generous toppings. It is pure comfort food, served up fast in a bustling, minimalist space. It is not trying to be a fancy romantic dining spot, but rather the ultimate destination for when you want a proper, hearty meal without waiting around.

Watch the video of my visit here

Everything on the menu carries that fantastic commitment to sourcing. Simon, the owner, has actually been down to the exact farm in Somerset to see the cows and how the farm operates, giving you a proper reassuring sign of quality for their cheese. You are getting outdoor-reared British meat, unpasteurised cheeses, homemade gravy, and ethically sourced extras, which means you can indulge without any guilty conscience.

Here is what I got stuck into on my return visit.

The Sandwiches

On my previous visit, I went straight for their legendary Porchetta sandwich. Watching that porchetta being sliced on the counter is a thing of absolute joy, and listening to the thick, crispy crackling being cut is so deeply satisfying. There simply isn’t a sandwich in Cambridge that comes close, and that crackling is literally perfect.

This time around, I had to try what has now become their most popular sandwich on the menu: the Philly cheesesteak. Made with slow-cooked brisket and cheese curds, it was an absolute triumph. You think life couldn’t get any better while eating it, but then you add a side bowl of their thick, rich homemade gravy for dipping. Dunking that sandwich turned every bite into a delightfully gooey mess of utter indulgence.

Somerset Poutine

I couldn’t possibly visit without ordering a bowl of their poutine as well. This Canadian classic is notoriously hard to find in Cambridge, and Bread & Meat do it properly using those unpasteurised cheese curds sourced directly from Somerset. The curds melt down into the hot chips and rich gravy to create pure, unadulterated comfort food. I actually preferred it to my previous visit – especially with the added touch of crispy crackling sprinkled on top as a garnish. Now THAT’s my kinda garnish! Skipping the poutine or the gravy dipping bowl when you visit is a massive open goal – you simply have to get them.

To cut through all that rich, savoury goodness, I finished off with a few of their tangy pickles and some homemade lemonade. By the time I wiped my hands, I was completely spent.

Prices are certainly up there these days, sitting at around £12 for a sandwich. When you add on the poutine and the dipping gravy, the bill racks up even further to £16-20. But you are paying for quality sourcing and expertly cooked ingredients. Watch out as a 12.5% service charge is added to your bill too.

4 years, never again!

Maintaining high standards over many years in the food industry is remarkably hard to do, but Bread & Meat have not only stayed completely consistent – they have actually managed to improve. In my opinion, it remains the undisputed champion of fast, high-quality indulgence in Cambridge. It never fails to deliver and is the ideal type of comfort food for the cold winter months heading our way. Just watch out, as word on the street is there might even be a new Bread & Meat location popping up somewhere very soon 🤫.

Thanks very much for reading👍