The restaurant opened just over a year agoMuddy Stilettos announced the winners on Tuesday, June 16(Image: Matt Hague)It is no secret that Cambridgeshire is full of culinary delights and selecting a restaurant worthy of a special occasion can take some thought. Thankfully, the Muddy Stilettos Regional Awards 2026 may help to narrow down your search, as one charming restaurant in Cambridge has been named as the best in the region.The restaurant taking the crown as the ‘best’ across Suffolk and Cambridgeshire is Margaret’s on Chesterton Road. Sibling to Michelin-starred Restaurant 22, which was also shortlisted, Margaret’s is a modern British bistro which offers a “produce led shared and set menu that elevates locally sourced ingredients”, according to its website.The lifestyle magazine, which announced the winners on Tuesday, June 16, has run its regional awards for 13 years. They aim to celebrate and show appreciation to the multitude of local businesses across the UK.Each year the magazine asks its millions of readers to nominate their favourite local businesses in 28 counties nationwide across 21 categories. The shortlisted finalists were revealed in April 2026, with a highly anticipated wait until the winner was crowned.Margaret’s, which only opened in June 2025, offers a seasonal set menu and prides itself on using local ingredients from a range of suppliers. As the menu changes regularly, a sample menu is available to give potential customers an idea of the dining experience they’d be in for.The sample menu features a selection from Yorkshire pork loin served with Romano peppers and wild asparagus, to a Suffolk chicken supreme with spring vegetables & its own garden herbs.The highly-commended finalists in Cambridgeshire included Ancient Shepherds in Fen Ditton, Midsummer House in Cambridge, Restaurant 22 in Cambridge, The Teller’s Table in St Ives, and Vanderlyle in Cambridge.One previous guest at Margaret’s wrote: “Words are not enough to describe what a brilliant experience this was. First I’ll start with the obvious; the food was phenomenal. You can tell that the chefs really put thought into everything that they prepare.”The flavours were incredibly well balanced. The food came out hot which is such an importance to me.”Another commented: “We’ve always been a huge fan of Restaurant 22 and have been looking forward to trying since opening. Very pleased to say that the quality of food and level of service has been mirrored at Margaret’s.”Meanwhile, another previous diner said they were “absolutely blown away” by Margaret’s roast. The review added: “The beef cheek stuffed Yorkshire pudding and the Australian truffle cauli cheese were both proper highlights.”This is an elevated, delicious and seasonal experience – every single element was exquisite, with combinations I couldn’t even dream of. The staff were super attentive and so friendly.”
‘Phenomenal’ city restaurant crowned the best in the region by Muddy Stilettos
