Massaro’s, Regent Street, Cambridge

Finding a decent cup of coffee in the centre of Cambridge is not as easy as one would imagine.  The Costa fortune-type chains are just that; chain-store ordinariness at a price, complete with the same expensive, ubiquitous brownies, muffins and plastic-wrapped sandwiches that began life who-knows-when in a prefabricated industrial unit just off the A14.

Compare and contrast with the likes of the Cafe Brazil in Mill Road, Benets, in the street of the same name, Indigo’s in St. Edwards Passage and Fat Franck’s in Hills Road.

Massaro’s, in Regent Street, can now be added to the list.

Andrea and Elaine opened Massaro’s towards the end of last year and it looks as though it’s going to be a success. The name gives it away: mostly Italian deli produce as well as a good selection of cakes and pastries (where else in Cambridge can you get home-made Canolli?), gelato and, of course, their own blend of coffee. Did I mention the cheese, salumi and antipasti?

Massaro’s isn’t cheap but it is a bit special and it’s certainly worth the walk along Regent Street if you like good coffee and it’s a million miles from the Costas.