The Knight & Garter

A key part in the regeneration of the area around Leicester Market, The Knight & Garter brings independent flair and a dedication to quality that makes it stand out from its peers.

This is third member of the Beautiful Pubs Collective, run by local lad Sam Hagger (another being Leicester’s Rutland & Derby). It opened in summer 2017 after a stunning £1.4m renovation in co-operation with Leicestershire brewers Everards, inspired by some of the great bars of Europe and the US. The fit out is reminiscent maybe of a sophisticated New York bar, or possibly a smart London steakhouse – not opulent or flashy, but with a smart contemporary style. It eschews the cheap lager and basic food approach common to many large city centre pubs and instead offers a wide range of sophisticated drinks and a classy steakhouse/brasserie menu that ranges from hearty breakfasts to weekend brunches, light lunches and smart dining in the evening.

Highlights of the drinks list include creative cocktails, premium gins and beers such as the unfiltered Krausened beer from Budvar. Standing out on the food menu are first-rate steaks from East Midlands butcher Owen Taylor. On a midweek lunchtime visit we also enjoyed a terrific seasonal salad of griddled asparagus with wild rocket, sautéd Jersey royals and fried duck egg, topped with shavings of Pecorino cheese. Also impressive was a porchetta sandwich with a pot of deliciously pokey cider and mustard jus for dipping.

Clearly immense care has been taken in both the design of the pub and in sourcing ingredients for the menu. The hard work has paid off. You can read more about The Knight & Garter in our magazine section here.

By Tim Burke, Leicestershire editor