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.
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
Enjoy our home cooked food, cakes, tray-bakes and snacks in this brand new Tea room on the southern edge of Oakham. Our lovely Tea Room serves a variety of hot and cold food and drinks, snacks, ice creams and more. Food is served to sit in or take away and we do our best to cater for all dietary needs. We also offer Afternoon Tea, which includes a selection of sandwiches, cakes, scones and tea or coffee (booking required).
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.
Bowl Everyone Over With Our Grilling Courses
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.
A village pub serving freshly prepared modern British food, homemade bread, weekly changing menu, lunchtime open sandwiches and specials.
With panoramic views of the water, waterside café is the ideal location serving breakfast and lunch, along with a wide range of delicious sweet treats to compliment the refreshment of your choice.
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.
Step into a bright, modern café at the heart of Oakham where our friendly team serves up locally‑sourced and home baked treats, expertly roasted coffee and vibrant conversation all day long. Whether you’re craving a power‑packed coffee before you explore Rutland or lingering over a brunch board with friends, our café is your haven for delicious flavours, warm smiles and that little boost of inspiration.
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.
Artisan coffee shop that serves up the finest brews. Enjoy our scrumptious cakes and light bites while soaking in the breath-taking views.
Hambleton Bakery on Cottesmore Road, Exton sprung into life in 2008, since then the little shop at one end of the Bakery has surpassed all of our expectations. Traditional bread, made slowly with top quality English or French stone ground flour, makes up a significant part of our output.
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.
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.
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.
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.
