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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.”

The Barnsdale experience is all about enjoying exceptional food and drink. Our homely 1760 Brasserie and breath-taking Orangery, are accompanied by a number of fabulous private spaces.
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.
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.
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.
A village pub serving freshly prepared modern British food, homemade bread, weekly changing menu, lunchtime open sandwiches and specials.
Welcome to No.23, a new neighbourhood restaurant in the heart of Uppingham offering a Mediterranean-inspired menu, alongside refined cocktails and a carefully curated wine list.
We are extremely proud of our brewing expertise at The Grainstore Brewery. But not only do we offer great ales, but great food too!
Bat and Bottle are Rutland’s only specialist importers of Italian wine.  Truly multum in parvo, we are winners of the Decanter Retailers Awards for Best Italian Wine Merchant, and came second for Best Subscription Wine Club, as wel as being the first ever (2020) London Wine Fair Wine Buyers Award for: UKs ‘Best Online Specialist Wine Buyer’. Our small warehouse on Oakham Enterprise Park is packed with artisan wines – shoppers are welcome to drop in whenever we are open; we sell directly to the public and there is no minimum purchase. Our wine club was shortlisted by the IWC as one of the UK’s top two wine clubs, we have even represented UK small businesses at Downing Street… You can be assured that though serious when we buy our wines, you will never find life is too serious when you shop with us.

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.
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.
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.
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.
From Farm, To You, By Lou X Visit Our Farm Shop for Meat, Poultry, Farmhouse Pies, Artisan Burgers, Craft Sausages & More.