Herd

25 St Cuthbert’s St, Bedford MK40 3JG

Famous for it’s top notch burgers.

Our favourite place for a Sunday Roast and some top tunes. (Watch out for Reggae Roasts!)

Roosters

25 St Cuthbert’s St, Bedford MK40 3JG

A handsome spot to enjoy all manner of deli style sandwiches, homemade soups and impressive daily specials. Look out for celebratory specials such as the St Patrick’s Day “Ronan” and Irish stew (which both got the thumbs up) and their forthcoming supper club…

Etna Pizza Co

1a The Broadway, Bedford MK40 2TJ

You won’t want to miss this seriously good, quality pizza take away. Authentic, slow proved dough with top notch toppings. We love a simple marinara or the gorgonzola, mushroom and truffle oil pizza. Lip smackingly good.

Wendover Caffe

8 Wendover Dr, Bedford MK41 9QN

Formerly known as “the Honey Crust bakery” this cafe/deli/bakery has been a perennial Bedfordian favourite for many a year. Pick up some fresh pizza dough whilst you enjoy anything from a full English to a frittata or a Milanese. Something for everyone here.

Mill Yard Coffee Lounge

1-2 Mill Yard, Mill Street MK40 3HD

Very good freshly cooked vegan and veggie breakfast options in this low key, tucked away cafe. (Also noteworthy they are serving quality locaI bacon, for those who partake). Illy Coffee. Simple menu, with nowhere to hide. A friendly (& hardworking!) owner with a nice outdoor seating area.

Giuseppe Deli

94 Queens Dr, Bedford MK41 9BS

Now incorporating a sandwich shop with a couple of outdoor seats. This is a longstanding, authentic and very friendly spot. Pick up all your favourite deli items, specialist Italian drinks, fresh bread and homemade pasta dishes. Or just have a chat with the friendly owners, over an espresso.

La Piazza (The Piazza)

St Paul’s Square, Bedford MK40 1SQ

A Bedford establishment, run by Libby for more years than I care to remember! Serving simple, fresh, quality food and drinks at reasonable prices – It is easy to see how this place endures! A great place to meet friends and soak up the market atmosphere. We love a Sunday morning when you can watch the moped tribe assemble…

Mangal BBQ Grill & Meze

3 Springfield Centre, Kempston

Firmly off the beaten track, this Kempston based turkish take away has an impressive menu. Alongside italian style pizza, they offer the turkish version, pide. Traditional style kebabs, ribs, wings all cooked over charcoal and served with a choice of rice or couscous and tasty turkish flatbread. A good few dishes for the veggies too, including the tasty Satma Beyti; oven cooked aubergine, potato,  mushrooms  and cheese wrapped in the aforementioned bread. Then topped with tomato sauce and served with yoghurt, salad, couscous or rice. Portions are seriously generous – you definitely wont need to order a side of chips here!

Fancy Bakery

35 Roff Avenue Bedford MK41 7TH

A nirvana for any lover of cakes and sweet treats, Fancy is located off the beaten track in PrimeMinisters area (Black Tom to Bedfordians of old).

Owner Saffron has been baking in the area for over 20 years and offers a tantalising and ever changing array of cakes, pastries, scones, all in house. She also bakes a mean sourdough loaf. A small deli section at the back of the shop offers some fab Spanish brands such as Ortiz seafood, Torres crisps and our favourite picante Perello olives.

Seating area is now back!

Aconchego Portugues

Church Arcade, Bedford MK40 1LQ

Literally translates as “cosy” cafe and mini market, where I heartily recommend a delicious coffee and a pastel de Nata (Portuguese custard tart) whilst you peruse your purchases from the neighbouring shops!

Taquitos Bar

50 Ram Yard, Bedford MK40 1AL

until recently offering only take away, Taquitos now has a small seating area and offers a range of mexican food from Tacos (soft or hard), enchiladas, fajitas and of course, the burrito. A good choice of fillings and sauces of various heat levels. We loved the Dia del Muerte mural, the ice cold San Miguel, the south american tunes and the friendly welcome.

Chai Nashta

10 St Pauls Square, Bedford MK40 1SL

A fresh addition to the local food scene; combining the south asian chai drinking tradition with a contemporary (& colourful) coffee shop setting. A great range of authentic light bites available all day until 10pm. We particularly like the chilli paneer and the desi breakfast. The friendly owner assures us that his dishes are what would be eaten in the home and havent been adjusted, so prepare for spice…

Eats & Treats

137 Castle Road, Bedford MK40 3PT

Traditional neighbourhood cafe/deli. Good for all your Italian meats, cheeses, olives etc. Very reasonably priced coffees and a nice pannini and drink offer. A real hive of activity and chat; Joe will keep you up to date with local goings on. We go as much for the craic as the coffee!

Mamma Concetta

35-37 Harpur Street, Bedford MK40 1LA

We love this super friendly, family owned pizzeria. With vintage styling and an impressive pizza oven centre stage, you will find yourself transported to Naples or Rome. We love a cheeky Aperol Spritz and a Pizza Napoli, but there are loads of authentic combos to be found!

Chai Rasoi

167 Castle Road Bedford MK40 3RU

A new addition to Castle Road (and as such, my new neighbour), with some sheltered outdoor seating. Offering homemade Indian style street snacks and some western dishes such as salmon Wellington and lasagna. Old school favourite chocolate toothpaste is proving popular. I can attest to the delights of the homemade samosa (having had one each day since its opened!). It will be really interesting to see how this evolves…

Putnoe Cake Shop

12 Library Walk, Bedford Mk41 8HF

Old school style Cafe opposite the library, with calming decor. A good range of sandwiches, jacket potatoes and pastries. The cakes look very impressive too.  Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, a good option for a spot of lunch, if you are in the area.

Bernie’s Cafe

4 Greehill Street, Bedford MK40 1LX

Tucked away beside the bus station (next to the post office/newsagent) you will find possibly the friendliest cafe in Bedford. This charming mother and son duo have served home cooked meals and cakes to the good people of Bedford for over 14 years. You will instantly feel at home here and will enjoy the cheerful chatter of satisfied customers. One customer told me that the secret of Bernie’s success is the she cooks what people likes – can’t say fairer than that!

Il Basilico

12 Mill St, Bedford MK40 3HD

You’ll be assured of a friendly welcome and excellent service at this family restaurant. Their mid week lunch deal is too good to miss, with their beautiful homemade bread pannini.

La Piccola

10 Wendover Drive, Bedford MK419QN

Be transported in this small, but perfectly formed gelateria. La Piccola offers delicious handmade gelato in a variety of tempting flavours and sizes. A range of vegan friendly sorbets are also available. Coffee from the pizzeria next door means you can also get hold of the perfect affogatto. Don’t forget gelato has less sugar and cream than ice cream, so you can get stuck in with impunity!

Baladi Chic

Whitehouse, Manx Rd, Milton Keynes MK8 1ET

Authentic Egyptian food, MK based, but keep your eyes peeled they may be popping up near you any time soon. Think freshly baked baladi bread stuffed, felafel, meze and various salad bowls. A beautiful combination of fresh herbs and warm spices pulse through every dish. Our favourite is Messaka’s Abul Sid; slow cooked aubergines and peppers in a tangy tomato, garlic sauce. We see no reason to dispute their claim that #egyptiansdoitbetter!

Freshly Seasoned

Harpur square, Bedford

Plant based snacks and street food on a Wednesday and Saturday on Harpur Square, Bedford. Tortilla parcels, burgers and curries, as well as sweet treats like triple chocolate cookie dough. Because plant based can also be fun!

The Gallery

7 Howard St, Bedford MK40 3HS

A stylish local coffee shop.  If, like us, freshly baked sourdough and cakes are your thing, whilst surrounded by lovely things this is your place!  Kelsey is at the helm of an ever improving and increasing array of baked goods – and is always open to suggestions…

Kazoku

9 St John’s St, Bedford MK42 0AH

Newbie Japanese with longest menu. Don’t be put off; the friendly staff will advise (the first 6/8 pages are sushi, so skip those if you’re not in the mood). Stand out dishes thus far have been the miso cod and tempura prawns. Also great gyoza, prawn skewers and delicious miso aubergine. Many more dishes yet to try.

Naughty Pizza

Unit 2b Merchant Pl, Riverside Square, Bedford MK40 1AR

Aptly named.

Some very indulgent creations here… Love the Amalfi themed interior too.

Vanilla Tree

29 St Cuthberts Street  Bedford Mk40 3JG

established in 2017 and recently given a cheerful face-lift, you will find top notch coffee, loose leaf teas (in cute teapots) and excellent home made bagels. We favour the super tasty vegan bagel, but have heard the handmade hot salt beef knocks it out of the park!

Chaathaus

32 The Broadway, Bedford, MK40 2TH

The latest addition to the Asian restaurant scene is a winner (and a bit of a looker too!) Local boy, Dishoom trained, Anwar Miah is cooking up a storm with his small street food inspired plates, that we think are ideal for sharing. We love the dhaal with spinach pakoras, the Bombay firecracker prawns, Manchurian tofu and Hakka chilli paneer (to name a few).

Cibo

38 Newnham St, Bedford MK40 3JR

A family affair, specialising in an ever changing american influenced deli sandwich offer.

Also great pasta, salad and fish dishes.

Foxy wings (dormant)

3b, Merchant Gate, Riverside Cl, Bedford MK40 1AS

A fun collaboration between lockdown start up, Foxy Wings and Beerfly. A top spot for beer and a bite. It’s all about the cauli wings with sriracha sauce for us. (Tho we have it on good authority the chicken wings are very decent too). Highly recommend the midweek lunch deal; our choice is cauli wings with kachumber salad and rainbow rice Also a top spot for a beer in the sun.

Carumbar

11 Howard St, Bedford MK40 3HS

We love this slice of Caribbean sunshine. Favourite dishes are the tilapia pit stop combo and those jerk wings…washed down with a little Red Stripe or their legendary rum punch. Watch out for music nights, wine tastings and other special events.

Siam Heaven

36 The Broadway, Bedford MK40 2TH

More than a little slice of Thai heaven here; food, service and atmosphere all top notch. Also open for a great lunchtime deal (our favourite meal of the day).

The Cochin

76 Tavistock St, Bedford MK40 2RP

An authentic South Indian cooking is what sets this cosy restaurant apart. Favourite dishes include the mixed seafood platter, fisherman’s soup and the fish polichathu. You also won’t want to miss their famous dosa.