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Your guide to the best food & drink independents in Leicestershire

Our hometown is Melton Mowbray – the capital of pork pies and Stilton cheese. This inspired us to create Great Food Club in 2011. Leicestershire is the heart of rural England and contains a wealth of wonderful food and drink. Led by our Leicestershire editor Tim, who lives in Leicester, Great Food Club will guide you to the best independent Leicestershire restaurants, pubs, producers and food shops. And many of them are running superb member offers.

Be guided to great places in the East Midlands & further afield
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Recommended businesses in Leicestershire

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

Bar & Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

100&Six

This relaxed but stylish neighbourhood bar and restaurant is one of most interesting openings in Leicester for some years…
Wine, beer, cider, spirits in Leicestershire

45 West Bottle Shop & Bar

A shop (and bar) in the heart of Leicester’s vibrant city centre, specialising in high quality wines, spirits and craft beers…
Deli/cafe & Vegan in Leicestershire

Apteekki

Apteekki is a beautifully designed vegan restaurant in the middle of Melton Mowbray that has been lovingly created by a team with a real eye for detail. The food and drink are nourishing and delicious…
Restaurant in Leicestershire

Ascough’s Bistro

Popular Market Harborough bistro with a deliciously creative menu, nice setting and reasonable prices…
Deli/cafe & Pub in Leicestershire

Bar Dos Hermanos

Bar Dos Hermanos, or “two brothers bar”, is a jewel in Leicester’s suburb of Clarendon Park…
Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

Beardsley’s Tea Room

Beardsley’s in Rearsby is the very definition of “quaint”. Entering is like walking into favourite gran’s house after she’s been on a baking masterclass…
Producer in Leicestershire

Black Goat Farm

A small farm that raises goats and sheep on Leicestershire pasture and then sells top quality meat directly to the customer…
Restaurant in Leicestershire

Bobby’s

A Leicester institution, Bobby’s serves authentic Gujarati vegetarian cuisine, plus amazing Indian sweets…
Restaurant in Leicestershire

Boboli

A bright, modern, stylish and welcoming pizzeria with a buzzing yet relaxed atmosphere, located in rural south Leicestershire…
Butcher & Deli/cafe & Producer in Leicestershire

Bouverie Lodge & ‘Through the Gate’ Cafe

A 210-acre bison and venison farm and cafe selling its own meat in its own shop. Named one of The Telegraph’s 50 best food outlets outside London…
Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

Bryter Moon

An independent deli and cafe in central Leicester crammed with a broad range of top quality food and drink…
Producer in Leicestershire

Burleighs Distillery

A Leicestershire gin distillery whose products are inspired by wild botanicals growing in Charnwood Forest. Distillery tours are available…
Food school in Leicestershire

Burleighs Gin Academy

Escape to the country for an afternoon of gin-making at the Burleighs Gin Distillery, situated in the heart of Leicestershire’s beautiful Charnwood Forest…
Deli/cafe & Street food in Leicestershire

Café Delhi

Located in the middle of Leicester’s Golden Mile, Café Delhi is an enticing and deceptively large vegetarian street-food eatery…
Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

Caffe Italia

Charming and compact Italian café situated on Melton Mowbray’s prettiest cobbled street near St Mary’s church…
Brewery in Leicestershire

Charnwood Brewery

Charnwood Brewery is a family-run brewery in Loughborough (husband, wife, children and dog!) with a passion for top quality, locally brewed beer…
Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

Chocolate Alchemy

Chocolate Alchemy imports chocolate from all over the world, creates inventive truffles, and runs chocolate workshops…
Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

Christopher James Deli

Christopher James Deli in Leicester is a tiny yet charming and characterful traditional deli that was shortlisted in the Great Food Club Awards 2017/18…
Producer in Leicestershire

Cocoa Amore

Cocoa Amore is bringing fine, hand-made chocolates to the heart of Leicester – along with the chance to create your own…
Restaurant in Leicestershire

Crafty Burger

This laid-back, buzzing pop-up burger restaurant runs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 6-8.30pm…
Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

Cue

Cue fits in well with the upmarket surroundings of Leicester’s Stoneygate with a simple, pared-down style…
Butcher & Deli/cafe & Restaurant in Leicestershire

Dickies

Set on a family farm in the middle of the Vale of Belvoir, Dickies can only be described as a ‘destination’ butchery…
Bakery & Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

Dickinson & Morris

An award-winning baker of genuine Melton Mowbray pork pies since 1851, plus seller of fine local cheeses, sausages, Melton Hunt Cake and more…
Wine, beer, cider, spirits in Leicestershire

Duncan Murray Wines

Superior independent wine merchant, named Independent Wine Retailer 2012 by the International Wine & Spirits Competition…
Farm shop in Leicestershire

edibLE16

A fantastic online delivery service that only stocks food and drink produced in the LE16 (Market Harborough) postcode area by local producers…
Bar & Butcher & Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

Engine Yard at Belvoir Castle

At The Engine Yard at Belvoir Castle you’re spoilt for choice. There’s a unique café, stunning bar, chocolate shop, butchery, coffee roaster and deli…
Brewery in Leicestershire

Everards of Leicestershire

Everards is a family-owned Leicestershire brewery founded in 1849 with a passion for food and drink, and a policy of supporting everything local…
Farm shop in Leicestershire

Farndon Fields Farm Shop

One of the country’s biggest and best farm shops, stocking fresh fruit and veg grown in fields next door, local meats and a range of superb delicacies. There’s a café, too…
Caterer & Producer in Leicestershire

Feast and the Furious

Feast and the Furious of Melton Mowbray is a family-run smoked-food business and food truck established in 2017…
Deli/cafe 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…
Producer in Leicestershire

Fosse Meadows

Fosse Meadows Farm produces delicious free-range, slow-grown, award-winning poultry, reared in North Kilworth, south Leicestershire…
Brewery in Leicestershire

Framework Brewery

Framework Brewery brew a large selection of excellent beers from their brewhouse in Leicester’s industrial heartland…
Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

Gelato Village

An authentic Italian gelato and sorbetto parlour with a passion for local ingredients…
Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

Grounded Kitchen

Leicester’s Grounded Kitchen has a mantra of “eat healthier on the go”, and its Korean-inspired salad bowls offer some delicious freshly-prepped combinations…
Bakery in Leicestershire

Hambleton Bakery Market Harborough

Crowned Britain’s Best Bakery by ITV1, Hambleton Bakery traditionally produces a mouthwatering array of breads and pastries in its giant woodfired oven…
Restaurant in Leicestershire

Hammer & Pincers

The Hammer & Pincers in Wymeswold, Leicestershire, impresses with its attention to detail, professional service and excellent cooking…
Restaurant in Leicestershire

Herb

Herb in the heart of Leicester focuses on Keralan vegetarian food. Expect fresh, clear flavours that make the most of herbs and spices, and allow vegetables sing out clearly…
Pub in Leicestershire

Hercules Revived

Hercules Revived is back in the saddle – a modern take on a classic English country inn, where good, honest food and drink take centre stage…
Restaurant in Leicestershire

John’s House Restaurant

Creative fine dining on a family farm – one of the Midlands’ most special gastronomic experiences. A holder of one Michelin Star…
Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

Just So Italian

A unique deli (and online shop) jam-packed with genuine Italian delicacies, run by a family team with close links to several small producers in Italy…
Wine, beer, cider, spirits in Leicestershire

Kilo Wines

Kilo Wines of Quorn in Leicestershire brings fine, affordable Italian wines from small, family-run vineyards directly to the consumer…
Pub in Leicestershire

King Richard III

The King Richard III in Leicester city centre is an intimate city-centre pub and chophouse. The menu will appeal to enthusiastic carnivores…
Producer in Leicestershire

Kingarth Farm Dairy

Kingarth Farm Dairy in Burton Overy, Leicestershire, sells fresh, free-range milk and cream directly from the farm gate via vending machines…
Restaurant & Street food in Leicestershire

Kuru Kuru Sushi

Kuru Kuru in Leicester has been producing some of the best Japanese food in the city since 2014 – especially its sushi and sashimi…
Producer in Leicestershire

Launde Farm Foods

A producer of high quality grass-fed lamb – reared slowly near Launde Abbey in east Leicestershire…
Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

Leicester Coffee House Co.

After four years running a home-based roastery as their side hustle, Gail Brown and Aaron Keen opened this stylish coffee house with a difference…
Producer in Leicestershire & Warwickshire

Leicestershire Handmade Cheese Co

Superior cheese handmade to a traditional recipe from milk produced by the farm’s own cows…
Restaurant in Leicestershire

Lilu

Lilu of Leicester is an Indian fine-dining restaurant that comes with the tagline “not just a curry” – summing up its ambition to widen the horizons of Indian food lovers…
Caterer in Leicestershire & Northamptonshire

Liz Moore Cooks

From her kitchen tucked away in the countryside outside Market Harborough, Liz produces the most incredible dishes for private clients…
Food school in Leicestershire

Manor Farm Cookery School

Manor Farm Cookery School in Branston, Leicestershire, offers courses and workshops for people of all ages and abilities…
Producer in Leicestershire

Manor Farm Dairy

Probably the best yogurt you’ll ever taste, handmade on the family farm in Leicestershire…
Farm shop in Leicestershire

Manor Organic Farm Shop

Manor Farm is an organic butchery, bakery and tearoom situated at the heart of a working farm in north Leicestershire…
Farm shop in Leicestershire

March House Farm Shop

The star of March House Farm Shop near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire is its long and impressive butchery counter, which sells home-grown beef, lamb, pork and more…
Butcher & Producer in Leicestershire

Melton Charcuterie

Melton Charcuterie is an artisan farm-to-fork producer in Melton Mowbray producing Coppa, Guanciale, Salami, Pastrami and Pancetta…
Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

Miss B’s Tea Rooms

Lovingly prepared homemade food – from pork pie platters to Victoria sponges – star at this award-winning traditional tea room…
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…
Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

Nice Pie

Jamie Oliver-recommended award-winning pies and other delicacies made in the heart of Leicestershire…
Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

North’s Deli & Patisserie

A high quality traditional deli offering a large yet carefully chosen range of food and drink. An artisan patisserie business is attached…
Restaurant in Leicestershire

Onggi

Onggi in Leicester might be a relatively humble Korean cafe and takeaway but it scores highly on atmosphere, friendliness, professionalism and, of course, delicious umami-rich food…
Restaurant in Leicestershire

Paddy’s Marten Inn

A Leicester institution for over 20 years, Paddy’s is the kind of restaurant that makes the city so famous for Indian food…
Restaurant in Leicestershire

PETER Pizzeria Leicester

Leicestershire’s second PETER restaurant, offering authentic Neapolitan-style sourdough pizza in a cool and funky setting…
Restaurant in Leicestershire

PETER Pizzeria Loughborough

PETER Loughborough is a shrine to real Neapolitan sourdough pizzas. It has a chilled out, cool, fun vibe and an excellent array of gluten-free options…
Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

Petite Chouette

Petite Chouette in Hinckley brings a little bit of France to west Leicestershire, offering simple French classics prepared well…
Producer in Leicestershire

Queens Park Preserves

An artisan producer of high quality, flavoursome preserves – from marmalade to Moroccan chutney – handmade in Leicestershire…
Producer & Wine, beer, cider, spirits in Leicestershire

Rothley Wine

Shortlisted in the Great Food Club Awards 2018/19, Leicestershire’s Rothley Wine produces elegant sparkling rosés and mineral-dry whites…
Brewery & Pub in Leicestershire

Round Corner Brewing

Located in the heart of Melton Mowbray’s agricultural market, Round Corner Brewing comprises a state-of-the-art 2,000-litre brew-kit, plus a superb taproom…
Restaurant in Leicestershire

Sapori

Sapori in Anstey, Leicestershire, is hidden away down a side street in an old industrial building, but it is one of the region’s best Italian restaurants…
Restaurant in Leicestershire

SOI Restaurant

The food at this Indian restaurant is an excellent example of authentic Gujarati regional cuisine, genuinely reflecting the food eaten in Indian homes…
Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

St Martin’s Coffee

St Martin’s is a laid-back independent coffee shop and coffee and tea merchants in central Leicester with an enticing lunchtime menu…
Bar & Restaurant in Leicestershire

Stapleford Park

There aren’t many grander or more memorable settings for eating out than Stapleford Park near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire…
Pub in Leicestershire

The Anne of Cleves

The Anne of Cleves in Melton is a characterful pub next to St Mary’s Church. Expect historic surroundings, a relaxing atmosphere and hearty, local food…
Pub in Leicestershire

The Baker’s Arms

Historical and charming thatched 15th century Everards pub with an admirable local sourcing policy and an impressively characterful interior…
Pub in Leicestershire

The Bewicke Arms

The Bewicke Arms in Hallaton, Leicestershire, is a classic English country pub offering good quality cooking with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients…
Pub in Leicestershire

The Black Horse at Aylestone

Lovely back-street boozer with warm and welcoming atmosphere that serves traditional pub food, including first-rate handmade burgers…
Wine, beer, cider, spirits in Leicestershire

The Bottle Kicking Cider Company

Well balanced craft ciders made with juice from apples grown in Leicestershire and Gloucestershire, expertly blended; also inspired by an ancient – and utterly bonkers – village ritual…
Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

The Cafe @ Welland Park

Good coffee and delicious food in an Art Deco building set on park lawns next to the river in Market Harborough…
Restaurant & Street food in Leicestershire

The Cod’s Scallops Market Harborough

The Cod’s Scallops was named Best Fish & Chip Shop 2020 at the National Fish & Chip Awards. It takes the idea of your local chippy to a whole new level…
Pub in Leicestershire

The Cradock Arms

The Cradock Arms feels like a 17th century country pub – one that serves very decent pub food – but is situated in the middle of Leicester…
Pub in Leicestershire

The Crown Inn at Old Dalby

The Crown at Old Dalby in Leicestershire is as handsome and welcoming as they come – somewhere to really kick back and enjoy your food…
Pub in Leicestershire

The Forge Inn at Glenfield

The Forge Inn at Glenfield is a village pub that offers top service and a buzzing environment. The food is also consistently good…
Pub in Leicestershire

The Fox and Hounds

The Fox and Hounds in Tugby, Leicestershire, is a village local serving proper but unpretentious food with a refreshing lightness of touch…
Bakery in Leicestershire

The Garage Bakehouse

The Garage Bakehouse is a small independent bakery in the heart of Market Harborough. It sells artisan bread, coffee, cakes and more…
Pub in Leicestershire & Lincolnshire

The Geese & Fountain

The Geese & Fountain in Croxton Kerrial is a traditional village inn with a rustic feel. The food is hearty, honest and mainly locally-sourced…
Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

The Grey Lady Kitchen & Deli

A buzzing cafe-deli-restaurant in a beautiful location opposite Bradgate Park, serving good quality snacks and mains…
Pub in Leicestershire

The Griffin & Odd John’s Kitchen

An special, cosy country pub in a beautiful village setting with many strings to its bow, including a deli-kitchen in the courtyard and a handsome landscaped garden…
Pub in Leicestershire

The Joiner’s Arms

A Michelin Bib Gourmand-winning village dining pub with a focus on good quality, simple, well-cooked ingredients…
Pub & Restaurant in Leicestershire

The Knight & Garter

The Knight & Garter in Leicester brings independent flair and a dedication to quality that makes it stand out from its peers…
Restaurant in Leicestershire

The Lighthouse

Expect modern cuisine with an emphasis on seafood, plus a wine list that’s a cut above, at this restaurant formerly known as Firenze…
Bakery & Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

The Loquacious Baker

The Loquacious Baker in Burbage serves excellent coffee and terrific pastries baked fresh every day. Everything on offer is of impressively high quality…
Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

The Melton Cheeseboard

Local cheeses, British cheeses, continental cheeses: The Melton Cheeseboard is a friendly, traditional cheesemonger specialising in Stilton…
Pub in Leicestershire

The Queen’s Head & Shop

A dining-focused Everards pub with exceptional views across Saddington reservoir, and home to a fantastic little farm shop selling handmade delicacies…
Pub in Leicestershire

The Real Ale Classroom

The Real Ale Classroom in Leicester is a micropub that serves a breadth of fantastic beer. It’s warm, welcoming and decorated in the style of a classroom, complete with science benches, stools and desks…
Inn & Pub in Leicestershire

The Royal Oak

Classy rural dining pub with rooms serving north Leicestershire and beyond…
Pub in Leicestershire

The Royal Oak

The Royal Oak in Great Dalby, Leicestershire, is an enticing thatched village pub that uses high-quality local suppliers and seasonal ingredients…
Pub in Leicestershire

The Rutland & Derby

A passionately-run city centre pub, showing real attention to detail and offering well-cooked comfort food alongside a good drinks range…
Pub in Leicestershire

The Stag & Hounds

The Stag & Hounds in Burrough on the Hill, Leicestershire, was reopened by award-winning chef Dom Clarke. The food is local and right out the top drawer…
Pub in Leicestershire

The Star Inn 1744

The Star at Thrussington in Leicestershire is a professionally run village inn with rooms. Expect well-cooked classic dishes and well-kept cask beer…
Restaurant in Leicestershire & Nottinghamshire

The Thatch

The Thatch in Bottesford, Leicestershire, is a Grade I-listed restaurant and wine bar with rooms serving contemporary and traditional dishes with innovative flavour combinations…
Pub in Leicestershire

The Three Crowns

The Three Crowns at Wymeswold is as relaxing and laid-back a pub as you’ll find, and the food is hearty, well-cooked and tasty…
Bakery in Leicestershire

The Tiny Bakery

The Tiny Bakery on Leicester’s Clarendon Park Road sells artisan pastries, bread, cakes and coffee. Simply a lovely independent shop…
Pub in Leicestershire

The Tollemache Arms

Large 19th century village pub that is winning a good reputation for well-cooked food served at reasonable prices…
Pub in Leicestershire

The Two-Tailed Lion

The Two-Tailed Lion in Leicester is a post craft-beer revolution version of a classic British pub, serving brilliant beers and sandwiches in a fabulous environment…
Pub in Leicestershire

The Wheel

A down-to-earth and thoroughly charming village pub with a knack for making you feel relaxed and at home. The food is inventive and of a high quality…
Restaurant in Leicestershire

The White Peacock

A stylish restaurant and bar in a nice city centre spot offering a varied menu. Locally sourced ingredients feature prominently…
Pub in Leicestershire

The White Swan

The White Swan in Shawell is a chic pub between Lutterworth and Rugby, serving top-notch restaurant food in a gastropub setting…
Pub in Leicestershire

Three Horseshoes

A pub, deli and chocolate-maker all in one, the Three Horseshoes is a slice of food heaven. It even makes its own bread, jams and biscuits…
Deli/cafe in Leicestershire

Thrussington’s Village Store

A welcoming, child-friendly deli and tearoom overlooking Thrussington’s pretty village green…
Producer & Wine, beer, cider, spirits in Leicestershire

Two Birds Spirits

One of the original artisan distillers, producing carefully crafted gins and vodkas and offering gin masterclasses at their Market Harborough HQ…
Producer in Leicestershire

Vine Farm Dairy

Vine Farm Dairy produces free-range milk and sells it through a vending machine in the village of Great Dalby, Leicestershire. We regularly refill our bottles here and the milk is utterly delicious…
Butcher in Leicestershire

W Archer & Son Butchers

This neighbourhood butcher has been established for nearly 100 years and always seeks out high quality and rare-breed meats – it is famous for its hog roasts and South African specialities…
Restaurant in Leicestershire

Wakaze

An independent cafe/restaurant and takeaway on Leicester High Street serving simple but excellent Japanese food…
Producer in Leicestershire

Well Roasted Coffee

Well Roasted Coffee in Market Harborough is the result of painstaking research and a giant passion for the finest coffee…

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