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Your guide to the best food & drink independents in Northamptonshire

Thinking of Northamptonshire conjures up images of classic English villages built from distinctive honey-coloured ironstone. Memories of beautifully cooked food and delicious local beers may well spring to mind too, as nestled in the county’s market towns and villages are some truly excellent Northants pubs and restaurants. Led by editors Lisa (south Northants) and Anna (north Northants), Great Food Club will guide you to the best Northamptonshire restaurants, pubs, producers, delis and farm shops, with some great member offers thrown in.

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

Recommended businesses in Northamptonshire

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

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    Amps Wine Merchants

    Since 1901, Amps Fine Wines has been introducing superlative tipples to the palates of discerning zinfandel zealots and pinot practitioners…

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    ARTea Room

    Located inside rural shopping village Wakefield County Courtyard in Potterspury, Northants, ARTea Room is a licenced teashop offering vintage style and a cosy atmosphere…

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    Ashby Asparagus

    For the freshest asparagus you’ve ever had the pleasure to taste, head to the farm gate at Rectory Farm in Polebrook…

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    Ashley Farm Shop

    Ashley Farm Shop is a home cook’s dream: a genuine farm shop selling beef and lamb reared in adjacent fields on the Robinson family’s farm…

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    Beckworth Emporium

    A large food and drink emporium showcasing local suppliers, with attached cafe/restaurant and garden/gift shop. Winner of Best Northants Shop in the Great Food Club Awards…

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    Beer Guerrilla

    Beer Guerrilla in Northampton is a cracking family-run shop selling beers, lagers and ciders from around the world…

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    Bell’s Kitchen

    Bell’s Kitchen in Finedon, Northamptonshire, is a village pub serving a traditional menu. It has adapted for contactless pick-up and delivery…

  • & & in

    Brasserie 23 at The King’s Head

    A brasserie, pub and cafe in one – a former Restaurant of the Year in the Carlsberg Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards…

  • & in &

    Braybrooke Beer Co.

    Braybrooke Beer Co. near Market Harborough is a specialist lager brewer, named GFC’s Drink Producer of the Year 2020/21…

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    Brewbabu

    A creative and quirky independent tea and coffee specialist that offers some lovely food too…

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    Bulwick Village Shop & Cafe

    A brilliant village shop and cafe with its own exquisite range of quirky preserves, from hot ‘Peps’ to the joyously ‘Cuban Breakfast’…

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    Carmela’s Kitchen

    Carmela’s Kitchen of Northampton offers authentic Italian cookery classes and a monthly supper club…

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    De Gustibus Cakes

    Lisa West has been creating show stopping cakes for weddings and celebrations for more than seventeen years…

  • & & in

    Delapré Abbey

    This historic estate offers more than 900 years of history with dining options from the casual to the more formal at Hibiscus restaurant…

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    Digfield Ales

    Digfield Ales first started brewing in 2005 and now has a steady range to please the most discerning real ale fans…

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    Dovecote Farm

    Dovecote Farm comprises a farm shop, restaurant, tea room and PYO area set in the heart of the Northamptonshire countryside…

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    Farrington’s Oils

    A delicious range of oils, dressings and mayonnaises made from rapeseed grown on a Northamptonshire family farm…

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    Friars Farm

    A delicious, bespoke range of jams and chutneys made in Northamptonshire using local ingredients…

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    Ganders Goat Gelato

    Ganders Goat is an award-winning farm, ice-cream producer and micro-dairy producing low-fat, naturally flavoured and delicious goats’ milk gelato…

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    Gourmet Spice Co

    Gourmet Spice Co was born in a Northamptonshire kitchen by obsessive foodie, Mark Hughes. Tired of a corporate life, Mark stepped away from the office in 2011 and hasn’t looked back…

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    Hambleton Bakery | Oundle

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

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    Hamm Tun Fine Foods

    Hamm Tun Fine Foods is a delightful deli selling award-winning local cheeses, charcuterie, pies and more. Its cheese counter is rather unusual…

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    Hartwell’s and Towbury Court Fine Foods

    A traditional, family-run butcher and deli in Northamptonshire. You’ll find locally sourced meat and a large selection of handmade foods…

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    Hobby Cooks

    A food school in the heart of Northamptonshire that offers a range of Indian cookery courses in a relaxed atmosphere…

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    Hops & Chops

    As soon as you walk into Hops & Chops in Northampton you are faced with a fridge containing the most amazing large cuts of marbled meats…

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    I’m Real Ice Cream

    Created by third-generation gelato makers, Northampton’s I’m Real combine the best of Italian tradition with modern flavours to create truly delicious gelato…

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    Karmana

    Karmana in Northampton is a laid-back vegan and vegetarian restaurant and juice bar, where all food is made to order…

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    Kings Cliffe Bakery, Kings Cliffe

    Kings Cliffe’s popular bakery and cafe could easily be missed from the road but once you’ve found it, you’ll want to return…

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    Limes Farm

    Limes Farm in Farthinghoe is a family-run Northamptonshire farm, farm shop and tearoom that focuses on traditional farming methods…

  • in &

    Liz Moore Cooks

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

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    Magee Street Bakery

    Magee Street Bakery in Northampton is a back-street bakery/cafe offering delicious, hand-roasted coffee, artisan loaves and sweet treats…

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    Mould’s Family Butchers

    Mould’s Family Butchers of Nassington was established in 1890 by current owner Simon Mould’s great uncle, George Mould…

  • & & in

    Nene Valley Brewery Tap and Kitchen

    An excellent restaurant and bar owned and operated by Oundle’s Nene Valley Brewery…

  • & & in

    Nene View Dairy

    A family-run dairy in Stanwick, Northants, which produces several varieties of award-winning hard goats’ cheeses…

  • & in

    New Lodge Farm

    New Lodge Farm has been in the same family for more than 100 years and sells tasty home-reared produce, locally-sourced goods and has a top cafe…

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    Nuovo

    Nuovo in Northampton town centre specialises in small plates inspired by Venetian cuisine – or “cicchetti” as they are known in Italy…

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    Pastures Poultry Farm

    A free-range poultry producer – fantastic chicken, duck, guinea fowl and more available from the Yardley Hastings farm shop, farmers’ markets and online…

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    Petty Elliott

    You might not know much about the cuisine of the world’s largest archipelago, but Petty Elliott is on a mission to change that…

  • & & in

    Phipps Albion Brewery Bar

    Phipps Albion Brewery Bar is a special place. It’s like a holy church of brewing – but one where you can enjoy superb beers and honest, home-cooked food…

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    Replete Flatbreads

    Replete Flatbreads bakes delights such as Indian kulcha filled with onion bhaji or Greek pitta filled with spanakopita. Gluten-free varieties too…

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    Saul’s of Spratton

    A small, traditional, family-run butcher and producer which sold its first joint in 1926. Saul’s now has an online shop too…

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    Saxby’s Cider

    An award-winning family-owned Northamptonshire producer who use a blend of dessert and cider apples from their 3,500-tree orchard…

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    Seed and Bean

    Seed and Bean is building a reputation for bold, high-quality chocolate which is also organic, Fairtrade and ethically produced…s

  • & in

    Smiths Farm Shop

    This farm shop in Chapel Brampton, Northants, began life with punnets of strawberries and an honesty box…

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    Squisito Butchers & Provisions

    Winner of the BBC’s Best Street Food Midlands Award, offering a fine range of hand-produced Italian foods made using local ingredients…

  • & in

    St Giles Cheese

    A wonderful independent cheese shop that also sells wines, condiments, meats, breads, Belgian chocolates and more…

  • & & in

    Stanley Street Food

    This Northamptonshire-based caterer offers an eclectic and international menu, inspired by worldwide street food and served in a festival style…

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    The Apothocoffee Shop

    An award-winning traditional coffee shop in Earls Barton with an unusual name (and plenty to see and do when you have finished your food)…

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    The Beer Garage

    The Beer Garage is a one-woman beer business bringing the world of craft beers to a corner of Northamptonshire…

  • & in

    The Chequered Skipper

    The Chequered Skipper is a beautiful pub surrounded by pretty, thatched cottages and located on Ashton’s village green…

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    The Eccentric Englishman

    Step into a world where The Mad Hatter and Phileas Fogg would be truly at home and enjoy delicious food and drink…

  • & & in

    The Falcon at Fotheringhay

    A multi-award-winning dining pub in historic Fotheringhay that’s been named the best in Northamptonshire by the Good Food Guide many times…

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    The George, Great Oxendon

    Take a trip to Great Oxendon and pop into The George for a drink, delicious dinner or even a relaxing overnight stay in one of the pretty bedrooms…

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    The Good Loaf

    An ethically focused bakery and café located in an old shoe factory in the heart of Northampton’s Boot & Shoe Quarter…

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    The Italian Shop

    A hidden independent gem offering wonderful bread, fantastic pastries, fine coffee and many more Italian treats…

  • & in

    The King’s Arms, Polebrook

    Good pub food is always on offer at the King’s Arms in Polebrook and you can expect a warm welcome for lunch and dinner…

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    The Little Bakery of Happiness

    The Little Bakery of Happiness is a multi-award-winning craft bakery-patisserie in the heart of Northamptonshire…

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    The Montagu Arms

    Known locally as ‘The Monty’, this welcoming pub can trace its roots right back to the 1800s…

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    The Palmichael

    Authentic, family-run Italian restaurant serving delicious classic dishes, with an upstairs bar and dining area for drinks and cocktails…

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    The Pantry Door

    The Pantry Door is a small, welcoming family-run delicatessen and cafe in the heart of the picturesque Northamptonshire village of Bugbrooke…

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    The Platter Co

    The Platter Co’s concept is simple and beautifully executed: bite-sized food served on a large wooden board or in a platter box…

  • & & in

    The Pomfret Arms

    For those who like their beer to be the real deal, The Pomfret Arms with its own microbrewery is the place for you…

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    The Princess Alexandra

    The Princess Alexandra in Northampton is a neat, well-kept, craft-beer focused pub. It serves pizzas and a good range of snacks…

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    The Pudding Parlour

    A small, traditional pudding parlour in the picturesque village of Yardley Hastings, specialising in handmade desserts and cakes…

  • & in

    The Red Lion, Cranford

    The Red Lion has received countless awards and its extensive menu – much of which is locally-sourced – offers plenty of choice for all…

  • & & in

    The Rose & Crown

    The best food pub in Northamptonshire? The judges of the county’s 2013/14 food and drink awards think so. And CAMRA likes their cask ales, too…

  • & in

    The Saracen’s Head

    This welcoming traditional pub has a passion for local ingredients and was a double award winner in the Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards…

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    The Shires Cookery School

    Improve all aspects of your kitchen skills and learn completely new techniques at this rurally located Northamptonshire cookery school…

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    The Sourdough School

    The Sourdough School is a centre for sourdough research and education. Its team are passionate about sharing knowledge and empowering people to bake bread…

  • & in

    The Swan at Braybrooke

    A traditional rural inn offering good food and cask ales – named Best Northamptonshire Pub or Restaurant in the Great Food Club Awards 2015…

  • & in

    The Tollemache Arms

    The Tolly is a beautiful thatched pub in Harrington, Northamptonshire. It’s won a strong reputation over the past few years under head chef Joe Buckley…

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    The Willow & Brook

    The Willow & Brook in Apethorpe is a handsome village dining pub offering a deliberately short but well-chosen menu featuring many local ingredients…

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    Three Hills Brewery

    This unique brewery in Woodford, Northamptonshire, breaks the rules of brewing by producing exceptional ales and lagers to ever-changing recipes…

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    Warner’s Gin

    A craft gin distillery located on a farm, which makes a delicious, unique-tasting spirit using local spring water and ten different botanicals…

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    Waterloo Cottage Farm

    An award-winning 125-acre farm, shop, butchery, food school and community garden not far from Market Harborough on the Northants/Leicestershire border…

  • & in

    Wharf Distillery

    Wharf Distillery makes spirits, liqueurs, aperitifs and traditional ciders in small batches from raw ingredients…

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