When planning a date night, there’s always an essential checklist; will we be able to find great places to dine? Will I find my perfect tipple? Rutland has the ticks to your list!
Dining
Set in the idyllic, rural village of Braunston-in-Rutland, The Blue Ball has been offering hospitality since 1640 and continues to maintain its reputation for quality food, drink, service and charming historic setting.
Hitchen’s Barn, regularly changes its menu to showcase the best locally sourced seasonal produce. Since its launch in January 2019, Hitchen’s Barn has received the highest praise and was awarded a coveted ‘Bib Gourmand’ in the 2022 edition of the Michelin guide. It’s also featured in the Waitrose Good Food Guide 2020. [See their Lunch for Less winter offer here.]
A stunning 16th century coaching inn that is situated in the pride of Uppingham’s historic Market Place, The Falcon Hotel has a superb traditional restaurant, a comfortable brasserie lounge, a cosy bar offering traditional ales and beautiful oak-beamed private dining rooms.
The perfect place to spend time pondering why Rutland is the ‘County of Good Taste’, Barnsdale Lodge Hotel is open daily for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and à la carte dining.
The Crown in Uppingham serves fresh food, real ales, gins and hot drinks, sourced where possible from other local independent businesses. On Tuesday evenings they host their very special Street Food Tuesdays! In the past, themes have been ‘Chicken Shack’, ‘Italian Night’, and ‘American Style’.
Perfect for a special occasion, Hambleton Hall has the longest-retained Michelin Star in the UK, having held its Star since 1982. Overlooking beautiful Rutland Water, the gourmet ‘Tasting Menu’ is available every evening and at lunchtimes during the week. [See their Lunch for Less winter offer here.]
In the pretty village of Clipsham, The Olive Branch pub runs seasonal cooking demonstrations, lunchtime wine masterclasses and half-day kitchen masterclass as well as serving up delicious award winning menus. [See their Lunch for Less winter offer here.]
Alongside seasonal menus, The Old Pheasant in Glaston serves traditional English meals at lunchtimes and in the evening, which can be washed down with real cask ales as well as a range of other beers, minerals, wines and spirits.
The seasonal Modern British menu served at The Wheatsheaf in Greetham changes weekly and is complemented by an excellent selection of beers, local cask ales and wines from around the world which can be purchased by the glass. [See their Lunch for Less winter offer here.]
Occupying the most historic part of the Wisteria Hotel, Hunters Bar and Kitchen in Oakham offers tasty, locally sourced food in a beautiful setting.
Indian food lovers should definitely sample the culinary delights at Sarpech Indian Restaurant in Oakham; a wine bar and fine dining restaurant with an Indian flavour.
Drink
A great addition to any night out is a good cocktail, Ovation Wine & Spirit Bar is the place to go in Oakham’s Gaol Street, whether you’re after a glass of wine, spirit & mixer, classic cocktail, or a draught pint.
With an extensive wine cellar featuring over 200 wines from 11 countries and a selection of 20 champagnes, Lake Isle (located in the oldest part of Uppingham) is the perfect place to wine, dine and relax. If you’re looking for a traditional English pub in Uppingham, where you can enjoy a pint and watch some live sport, you’ll find everything you need at The Vaults.
Spend some quality time sampling the award-winning beers and ciders at The Grainstore Brewery, a formerly derelict Victorian grain store situated next to Oakham Railway Station. You can tour the brewery by arrangement, and find out how it produces ales. In addition to beers, the Grainstore has produced its own Grainstore Cider since 2014. The ciders come in both draught and bottles and are made from 100% Great British apples.
The bar at The King’s Arms in Wing serves a large selection of tasty local ales, as well as bottles of homemade sloe gin, elderflower vodka and Zermatter mulled wine, which are all made with berries from the surrounding hedgerows and fruit from neighbours. An array of homemade snacks such as home-smoked cashew nuts are available from Jimmy’s Rutland Smokehouse, based at the pub. [See their Lunch for Less winter offer here.]
In North Luffenham, The Fox Country Pub and Dining offers a warm welcome and a fine selection of ales from four real ale hand pumps. Guest ales are changed on a weekly basis, providing the perfect excuse to return again and again.
Click here to browse more places to eat and drink in and around Rutland!
