It was decided to start by bringing French L’Art De Vivre to Middle Earth. (The Magical County of Rutland) With exclusive French Wines, Cheese and Wine nights, Bespoke Events and creating memories that last a lifetime.
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
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
Discover the Charm of The Falcon Hotel
Your local bar & kitchen
Our curry house is a culinary destination that offers an unforgettable dining experience. We take pride in presenting an extensive menu of Indian dishes that are made with the finest ingredients and spices.
Rutland CAMRA [Campaign for Real Ale in Rutland] is dedicated to preserving real ales, ciders and perries in real pubs for real people.
We are a body of over 200 men & women, most of whom live in Rutland, who are dedicated to preserving Real Ales & Cider in Real Pubs and Clubs for Real People like you and me.
Surrounded by the rolling landscapes of South Rutland and just moments from the shores of Rutland Water, we offer the perfect base for countryside walks, scenic bike rides, or simply a few days at an easier pace. Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventure or quiet relaxation, everything you need is right on the doorstep.
Everything a village pub should be, real ale, honest food, eight bedrooms and a warm welcome. All set in the beautiful Rutland countryside, this dog friendly pub offers a picturesque garden with willow trees, stream and a small children’s play area.
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.
Serving morning coffee, hot breakfast rolls, light lunches and afternoon tea
Opening times Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm (our Café is not open at the weekend or on Bank Holidays)
Whether you are after a tasty breakfast to set you up for your day, a delicious lunch or just a snack to recharge you, Hambleton Cafe in Exton provides something for every occasion.
In May 2023 we opened ‘The View’, a new 100-seater restaurant with panoramic views across stunning Rutland Water to the hills beyond.
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.
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.
A multi award winning restaurant in the heart of Oakham.
Nestled next to the water with fantastic views across the water, our newly refurbished Harbour Café offers something for everyone.
Our principal aim at Northfield Farm is to source and produce premium quality Beef, Lamb and Pork, which has lived well and humanely killed. We hang it carefully and appropriately and lastly butcher it toprovide the very best quality to all our customers.
