Food & Drink in Rutland | Supporting Local Produce

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
The Olive Branch
Lake Isle
The Kings Arms
Barnsdale Lodge

Since 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.”

Featured Listings

The Hub & Spoke Cafe and Meeting Place

Crafted with love and passion, our menu features a harmonious blend of wholesome, health-boosting dishes and decadent treats, all complemented by the exceptional coffee of local company Two Chimps. Whether you’re a busy professional, an avid cyclist, or simply seeking a delightful escape, our cafe promises to be your go-to destination.

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.

Otters Fine Foods

Otters Fine Foods brings a new dimension to the food shopping experience. We offer the most wonderful naturally smoked fish, meats and cheeses, all smoked using traditional methods with no artificial colourings, flavourings or preservatives.

Wymondham Windmill Tearoom

Relax in the family friendly tearoom, serving delicious homemade meals and treats, wander the wild wood and browse a selection of boutique shops, all exclusive to this 210 year old windmill site.

The Horse & Jockey

This award winning privately owned village pub is located in the quaint village of Manton on Rutland waters south shore. A warm welcome awaits you at The Horse and Jockey along with all the charm and character of a traditional country pub, low beams, stone floors and log burner.

Hambleton Hall

Start Date: 01/01/2017

Hambleton Hall, a Relais and Chateaux property, is one of Britain’s finest country house hotels. It has a spectacular lakeside setting and its restaurant is a haven for gourmets.

Lake Isle Restaurant

The Good Food Guide 2019/20 & Michelin Guide recommendation.

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.

Ganders Goat Walking

Ganders Goat pride themselves on their green focused farming and production methods. Come Goat Walking on the farm, where they produce a range of Soap and Ice Cream from the goat milk.

Ovation Wine & Spirit Bar, Oakham

Whether a glass of wine, spirit & mixer, classic cocktail, or a draught pint – we’ve got something for you! Showcasing award winning English & World wines, as well as Champion spirits, in a comfortable atmosphere complemented by Top-Tier service.

Multum Gin Parvo

Inspired by the Rutland county motto Multum-in-Parvo or Much-in-Little, we designed a range of Gins to capture the essence of this wonderful area. Using ingredients that have been sourced locally, we’ve come up with some beautiful and unique gin flavours that we hope you enjoy as much as we do.

The Stag and Hounds

A Stunning, traditional country pub dating back to the 16th century, with a roaring fire in the winter and a suntrap of a garden to the rear. Settle in amongst the locals and their dogs for a pint, cocktail or a bite to eat.

The Crown, Uppingham

The Crown is a 16th-century coaching inn with boutique accommodation set in the heart of Rutland, on the quaint high street of Uppingham. Serving fresh food, real ales, gins and hot drinks, sourced where possible from other local independent businesses.

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.

New Lodge Farm Shop & Restaurant

Award winning farm shop, butchery and eatery just south of Rutland, New Lodge Farm has been owned by the Singlehurst family for over 100 years, focusing on cattle and sheep production by using traditional organic methods of farming.