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.
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.
The Good Pub Guide, awarded The Olive Branch ‘Pub of the Year 2021’ and also recommend these excellent Rutland pubs:
- The Grainstore Brewery, Oakham
- The Wheatsheaf, Greetham
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
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.
We are a beautifully refurbished village pub in the heart of the Welland Valley.
Enjoy local, seasonal produce in beautiful surroundings. The Orangery Restaurant serves locally sourced dishes throughout the day, including delicious breakfasts, a seasonal lunch menu and luxury afternoon teas.
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.
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.
In the heart of Melton, Soi Indian restaurant serves traditional Indian food as it would be cooked and eaten at home. If you’re after an authentic taste of Indian home cooking then look no further.
New for 2023, come and enjoy freshly made soup, served with our famous Sourdough; Salads, filled Focaccias and of course all of your favourite sweet treats….all in the site of the old bakery near Exton.
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.
The Fox Country Pub and Dining is an 18th Century Inn idyllically set in the quiet picturesque village of North Luffenham in Rutland, England’s smallest county. An attractive 18th century double fronted stone property with a local Collyweston slate roof, the building affords lots of charm and character.
Home of Ferneley’s Ice Cream, an adventure golf course, children’s play areas and an amazing countryside view from the cafe, visitors can be sure of a warm welcome come rain or shine.
Bat and Bottle are Rutland’s only specialist importers of Italian wine. Truly multum in parvo, we wear Decanter’s Retailers Awards title for Best Italian Wine Merchant, and runner up Best Subscription Wine Club , as well as having been awarded the inaugural (2020) London Wine Fair Wine Buyers Award for: ‘Best Online Specialist Wine Buyer’. We have even represented UK small businesses at Downing Street…
Our small warehouse on Oakham Enterprise Park is packed with artisan italian wines – shoppers are welcome to drop in whenever we are open; we sell directly to the public and there is no minimum purchase.
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.
With a focus on offering the finest produce, sourced locally wherever possible, Gates Farm Shop promises customers a true foodie experience.
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.
Start Date: 01/01/2019
The Sun Inn is a traditional thatched village pub which has retained many of the original features with oak beams and inglenook fireplace. A great range of light snacks and restaurant meals are available Tuesday to Saturday lunchtimes and evenings, plus a fantastic roast is on Sundays from 12 until 4pm.