Join Now

Your guide to the best food & drink independents in Rutland

Rutland is home to some brilliant country pubs, wonderful restaurants and high-quality producers. ‘Multum in parvo’ is the county motto, meaning ‘much in little’, and rural Rutland indeed packs a mighty punch when it comes to food and drink. Led by Rutland editor Anna, Great Food Club will guide you to the very best independent Rutland restaurants, pubs, producers, farm shops and delis, with some fantastic member offers thrown in.

Find exceptional independents
Every place tried and tested
Website contains no advertisements

Recommended businesses in Rutland

Here are the food and drink independents we love in this region, with more coming soon…

Cafe & Deli & DINING – ALL TYPES & SHOPPING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

5 Elements Cafe/Deli

Uppingham’s 5 Elements focuses on mainly organic food and is run by Dean Clarke who also owns Orange St Practice…
Bakery & SHOPPING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

Baines Bakery

This fifth-generation family bakery bakes all produce on site and offers a real slice of history…
Brewery & SHOPPING – ALL TYPES & Wine, beer, cider, spirits in Rutland

Baker’s Dozen Brewing Co

Founded by Jill and Dean Baker, Baker’s Dozen in Rutland has been producing award-winning beer since 2015…
SHOPPING – ALL TYPES & Wine, beer, cider, spirits in Rutland

Bat & Bottle

This much-loved Rutland wine merchant specialises in Italian wines made by small, high-quality, independent growers…
Cafe & DINING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

Don Paddy’s

Don Paddy’s in Uppingham is a friendly, bustling and perennially popular cafe, bar and restaurant offering good food and drink from a varied menu…
Cafe & Dairy farms & DINING – ALL TYPES & Ice cream & gelato & SHOPPING – ALL TYPES in Leicestershire & Rutland

Ferneley’s Dairy Barn Café

Ferneley’s makes and serves superb ice cream using milk from its herd of Holstein and Friesian cows. Offering breakfasts and light lunches too, you can see the cattle as you tuck in…
Cafe & DINING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

Fika

Fika in Oakham is independent and very good. Try the Swedish buns called Semla – they are so, so good…
Brewery & DINING – ALL TYPES & Pub & SHOPPING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

Grainstore Brewery Tap

Upstairs is an award-winning brewery, downstairs is a traditional pub serving at least 10 magnificent beers. You can smell the hops. UK Own Brew Pub of the Year in the Good Pub Guide 2014…
Award Winners & Bakery & Cafe & DINING – ALL TYPES & OTHER & SHOPPING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

Hambleton Bakery Cafe, Exton

Hambleton Bakery produces a mouthwatering array of breads and pastries and offers an excellent cafe…
Award Winners & Bakery & OTHER & SHOPPING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

Hambleton Bakery | Oakham

Crowned Britain’s Best Bakery by ITV1, Hambleton Bakery traditionally produces mouthwatering breads and pastries in its woodfired oven…
Award Winners & DINING – ALL TYPES & Fine dining in Rutland

Hambleton Hall

Hambleton Hall on the banks of Rutland Water is one of the most special places to eat and stay in Britain, combining luxury with Michelin-starred cooking…
Butcher & Deli & SHOPPING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

Hambletons

Hambletons of Rutland is a farm, bakery, butchery and deli, creating enticing and award-winning food…
Chocolate & SHOPPING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

Helen Buff Handmade Chocolates

Helen Buff hand-makes high-quality bespoke chocolates in Rutland, producing an array of unique designs…
Award Winners & DINING – ALL TYPES & OTHER in Rutland

Hitchen’s Barn

Hitchen’s Barn in Oakham is a former Great Food Club Restaurant of the Year, and stands out for its excellence. It offers skilful cooking and a lovely setting…
Cookery schools & OTHER in Rutland

Hoggy’s Grill

Have your barbecues never quite cut the mustard? Take a class with former England cricketer, Matthew Hoggard and learn how to grill like a pro…
DINING – ALL TYPES & Pub in Rutland

Jackson Stops

Classic country pub offering well-cooked, locally-sourced food and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere in comfortable surroundings…
Cafe & DINING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

Jamel’s, Oakham

Visit this Lebanese cafe and coffee shop for traditional mezze and a delicious all-day Lebanese breakfast…
Farm shop & SHOPPING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

June’s Farm

June’s Farm in Whitwell is a micro-farm on six acres near Rutland Water. All of June’s meat boxes contain antibiotic-free, slow-grown pork, beef or lamb…
DINING – ALL TYPES & Fine dining in Rutland

Lake Isle – A Stylish Uppingham Restaurant

Lake Isle is a double AA Rosette restaurant and hotel in the lovely Rutland town of Uppingham with an excellent reputation for lovingly prepared seasonal food and fantastic wine…
Butcher & SHOPPING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

Leeson’s Family Butchers

Family-run butchers in Oakham selling award-winning pork pies, and fresh and cooked meats sourced from trusted free-range suppliers…
Award Winners & Bakery & SHOPPING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

Lily & Honey Bakery

Lily & Honey Bakery in Oakham offers sourdough loaves and other treats baked freshly on the premises each day by owners Robert and Nicolle Bradbury…
SHOPPING – ALL TYPES & Wine, beer, cider, spirits in Rutland

Lotts of Wine

With his Wine & Spirit Education Trust qualification and passion for viticulture, Stephen Lott has sourced a unique selection of excellent wines…
Bakery & Chefs for hire & OTHER & SHOPPING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

Lotus Bakery

A classically trained pâtissier who creates modern, elegant pastries and desserts and sells them at Rutland and Northamptonshire farmers’ markets and food festivals…
SHOPPING – ALL TYPES & Wine, beer, cider, spirits in Rutland

Mallard Point Vineyard & Distillery

Rutland’s only winery and distillery is producing wines from its single estate vineyard planted in 2019 and you’ll find excellent spirits, too…
Cafe & Street food in Leicestershire & Rutland

Nelo’s Coffee Indulgence

A fixture at Oakham’s Wednesday market, Nelo’s Coffee Indulgence operates from a converted Italian Piaggio Ape…
DINING – ALL TYPES & Fine dining in Rutland

No 23, Uppingham

Housed in a beautiful Grade II listed building in Uppingham, No.23 is a welcoming neighbourhood restaurant with a Mediterranean-style menu…
Farm shop & SHOPPING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

Northfield Farm

Northfield Farm in Rutland has been farming rare and traditional breeds of British beef and lamb for two generations. It produces seriously good meat…
Cafe & Deli & DINING – ALL TYPES & SHOPPING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

Otters Deli

This deli on Oakham’s High Street was opened in the summer of 2011 by Leo Sugden and his family, who have a great passion for food…
Cafe & DINING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

Picks Barn Cafe

Relaxed cafe only a couple of miles from the banks of Rutland Water. Open Tuesday-Sunday for homemade breakfasts and light lunches, using local ingredients…
Cookery schools & OTHER in Rutland

Rutland Cookery School

Launched in Oakham by acclaimed chef Robin Stewart, this cookery school offers a full range of workshops from bread-making to sushi to knife skills…
Cafe & DINING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

Rutland Nursery

You’d struggle to find a prettier garden centre restaurant than this one – bag a window seat and relax for a while…
DINING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

Sarpech

Sarpech in Oakham is a stylish Indian restaurant and wine bar. It’s a welcoming and comfortable space where you can enjoy fantastic drinks, excellent Indian food and top-class service…
Cafe & DINING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

Scandimania Coffee House

What a gem Scandimania is! It is Scandi chic and serves delicious food – home-baked and freshly prepared to eat in or take out.
SHOPPING – ALL TYPES & Wine, beer, cider, spirits in Rutland

Sloeberry Spirits

Maker of award-winning Melton Mowbray Sloe Gin, Wild Damson Whisky, Blackberry Vodka and other fine tipples…
DINING – ALL TYPES & Pub in Rutland

The Admiral Hornblower

Step inside this 17th-century listed building and tuck into something delicious and if you fancy staying over, you’re in luck…
DINING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

The Falcon Hotel

The Falcon Hotel is a quietly elegant 16th century coaching inn in the heart of Uppingham, Rutland. Expect food to match the setting…
DINING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

The Finch’s Arms

The Finch’s Arms is an 18th-century pub with rooms, located on the Hambleton Peninsula. Enjoy stunning views over Rutland Water and once you’ve finished your meal, why not enjoy a stroll?…
DINING – ALL TYPES & Pub in Rutland

The King’s Arms

This 17-century country pub and smokehouse is situated between Oakham and Uppingham in pretty Rutland. It’s a little bit special…
Award Winners & Cafe & DINING – ALL TYPES & OTHER in Rutland

The Larder

The Larder in Oakham was our Café of the Year 2019/20. Its local-sourcing policy and outstandingly varied and interesting menu ensure it stands out…
DINING – ALL TYPES & Pub in Rutland

The Marquess of Exeter, Lyddington

England’s smallest county boasts an excellent village pub that serves modern Indian cuisine with a fantastic chef at the helm…
Award Winners & DINING – ALL TYPES & Fine dining & OTHER & Pub in Rutland

The Olive Branch Clipsham

A past Good Pub Guide choice for overall UK Pub of the Year, the relaxed yet polished Olive Branch in Clipsham, Rutland, is consistently excellent…
SHOPPING – ALL TYPES & Wine, beer, cider, spirits in Rutland

The Rutland Vineyard

This beautiful vineyard, established in 2021, is an idyllic spot to enjoy a glass of wine, a tour or simply a nature walk…
DINING – ALL TYPES & Pub in Rutland

The Vaults of Uppingham

The Vaults is a charming traditional pub located in Uppingham’s historic Market Place. Expect hearty meals, real ales and excellent wines…
Award Winners & DINING – ALL TYPES & OTHER & Pub in Rutland

The Wheatsheaf

The Wheatsheaf in Greetham is a classic village pub that serves special food – it’s a former GFC Dining Pub of the Year…
DINING – ALL TYPES & Pub in Rutland

The White Lion

The White Lion in Whissendine is a relaxed, cosy pub in a beautiful village setting. It’s the sort of traditional hostelry where you can really kick back…
Coffee & SHOPPING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

Two Chimps Coffee

This Oakham-based coffee roastery specialises in unusual and delicious coffee subscriptions that are tailored to your taste…
SHOPPING – ALL TYPES & Wine, beer, cider, spirits in Leicestershire & Rutland

Viva Vino

Viva Vino is a fun way to buy wine, without all the pomp. But this doesn’t stop the wines or service being interesting or professional…
Miller & SHOPPING – ALL TYPES in Rutland

Whissendine Windmill

Built in 1809, miller Nigel Moon bought Whissendine Windmill in 1995 – he is welcoming and enthusiastic to visitors…

Latest articles for Rutland

View All

A few of our recent features...

Pub walk! The Olive Branch to Pickworth village

Melton pork pie recipe

Awards 2020

The 2020 Results

Awards 2020