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Food and Drink in Rutland

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Food and Drink in Rutland

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View our handy Food & Drink Map with cycling route and list of places to eat

Rutland is proud of its farming and agricultural background and it is thanks to this strong tradition of supporting local produce that there is an excellent selection of quality food and drink available now, not only when eating out but also with local businesses producing delicious fare to enjoy in your own home.

Award Winning Food & Drink

Inspectors and reviewers are repeatedly impressed with the quality food offer here, with many establishments winning awards in guide books and reviewed in the national press.

The Olive Branch in Clipsham has an enviable clutch of hospitality industry honours. Crowned ‘Best Pub’ in the GQ Food & Drink Awards 2021, this year it has also been recognised as the finest gastropub in the county in the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub Awards. Being placed in ‘The List’ is one of the pub world’s highest accolades and The Wheatsheaf in Greetham is also proud to be among the recipients of this coveted award.

Good pub guide

The Good Pub Guide, awarded The Olive Branch ‘Pub of the Year 2021’ and also recommend these excellent Rutland pubs:

 

An AA Rosette Award is an highly sought-after accreditation for culinary excellence, awarded annually on a rising scale of one to five. Rutland is proud to have a multitude of recognised venues:
Hambleton Hall    aa rosette smallaa rosette smallaa rosette smallaa rosette small
The Olive Branch  aa rosette smallaa rosette small
Lake Isle                  aa rosette smallaa rosette small
The Kings Arms     aa rosette smallaa rosette small
Barnsdale Lodge    aa rosette small

 

Good Food GuideSince 1951,The Good Food Guide has reviewed the best restaurants, pubs and cafés across the UK. Each year, the guide is completely rewritten and compiled from scratch. All reviews are based on a huge volume of feedback submitted by readers, together with anonymous expert inspections to ensure that every entry is assessed afresh. Rutland boasts four entries in 2021;
The Olive Branch, Clipsham | Hitchens Barn, Oakham | Lake Isle, Uppingham | Hambleton Hall

 

Michelin Awards of Distinction

For top quality English elegance, it is hard to beat Hambleton Hall on the Rutland Water peninsular, it has the longest retained Michelin Star in the UK (since 1982) and appeared in The Good Food Guide’s Top 50 best UK restaurants for 29 years, it is also renowned for a quality wine list, luxury accommodation and an award winning bakery, not to mention outstanding hospitality – come and see what all the fuss is about on your next visit.

Hitchen’s Barn opened on Burley Road in Oakham in 2019 and as well as featuring in The Good Food Guide, has also been distinguished with a Bib Gourmand, an award which showcases “delightful little restaurants selected by MICHELIN guide inspectors for their very good value for money.”

Baines Bakery

Baines Bakery are a small traditional family run bakers, situated in an early 17th century building in the market town of Uppingham. A true local favourite,  the bakery has been passed down five consecutive generations of the Baines family and continues to produce quality bread, cakes, sandwiches and more, all of which are made on the premises.

The Garden Restaurant at Gates

A cosy and stylish restaurant seating up to 360 people; with an outdoor verandah that’s perfect for summer and a lovely ‘snug’ area by the wood burner in winter. It’s a warm and relaxed environment that welcomes visitors of all ages.

Mallard Point Vineyard & Distillery

Mallard Point is a family-run Single Estate Vineyard and Distillery located in Essendine, Rutland, offering tours and creating a range of local gins and still and sparkling wines.

The Berkeley Arms

The 16th Century award winning picturesque freehouse “The Berkeley Arms” is located on the border between Leicestershire, Rutland, and Lincolnshire. Here we aim to provide a friendly service in a cosy, traditional village pub.

Picks Barn Café

Occupying a stunning position overlooking the picturesque Chater Valley to the east of Lyndon, the barn was rescued from near ruin and is now home to a wonderful café, with additional meeting area spaces in the extensive mezzanine floor.

Courtyard Cafe

A Warm Welcome awaits everyone at the Courtyard Café, adjoining Rutland Water Golf Course. The beautifully renovated stone barn enjoys great views of the course and Rutland Water beyond.

Barnsdale Gardens Tea Room

We are proud to offer the very best fresh, seasonal food, served in generous portions. Wherever possible, we source our ingredients from local producers, so our sandwiches are freshly made using Hambleton Bakery’s award-winning bread and in season our salads come direct from our very own allotment.

The Dovetail

Located in Oakham with a focus on the magic that rural life provides, the aim of The Dovetail family is to make you feel refreshed, uplifted and safe.

Gates Farm Shop & Butchery

With a focus on offering the finest produce, sourced locally wherever possible, Gates Farm Shop promises customers a true foodie experience.

Sarpech Indian Restaurant & Wine Bar

Fresh quality ingredients, an excellent dining space and exceptional service. Come and visit Sarpech, Rutland’s wine bar and fine dining restaurant with an Indian flavour in the heart of Oakham.

Rutland Garden Centre, Village Store & Café

A family-owned, independent garden centre with a restaurant and cakery on the outskirts of Oakham, located within a selection of tempting shops at Rutland Garden Village courtyard with children’s play area.
Discover Rutland Food and Drink map

Food & Drink Map

Rutland is a county bursting with flavour! The variety and quality of produce made in this area is astonishing.

The Olive Branch Pub

The kitchen specialises in taste-packed classics, using ingredients from their own paddock as well as the surrounding countryside and local producers and supplies. They skilfully work with flavours that were made to go together as well a few unusual combinations.
Jimmys smokehouse ham

Jimmy’s Rutland Smokehouse

Jimmy’s Rutland Smokehouse was born over 10 years ago at The Kings Arms in Wing. It was the seasonal glut of Trout (and the need to preserve them) that got the ball rolling, and now you can pre-order a selection of tempting goodies and collect them onsite.

Hunters Bar & Restaurant

Set within a Grade II listed former hunting lodge circa 1604, Hunters Bar & Kitchen offers honest tasty food, locally sourced, created and prepared by renowned local chef Neil Hornsby. We serve specialist coffee from Oakham’s local roaster Two Chimps, local craft beer from the Oakham based Grainstore Brewery and locally produced spirits, including from Market Harborough the award winning Two Birds range of gin and vodka.