Harden's survey result
Summary
“There’s a great atmosphere in this country town restaurant, run by husband and wife team Neil & Louise Hitchen” – “Neil turns out superb dishes from the barn-conversion kitchen while Louise is in charge of front of house. Many of the ingredients are sourced locally in Rutland and the well-briefed team can answer any questions instantly”. Set in a “venerable old building in the heart of lovely Oakham”, with “mismatched furniture and crockery adding to the charm”, it’s “a mainstay of the town” and about “as good as a proper neighbourhood restaurant can get”. “Better still, a huge effort has been made to construct dishes which achieve this whilst being affordable, so a dinner for two with some very good, interesting, wines is still possible for south of £100. No small achievement these days” – and it means “you leave smiling and probably happier than when you arrived. Even nearby Hambleton Hall (where the Hitchens met working in the 90s) can’t better that!” Top Menu Tip – “scotch eggs are a speciality and well worth trying”.
Summary
A “little gem” with a “quirky interior” in the town centre that offers “wonderful service” and “amazing seasonal local food”. Owners Neal & Louise Hitchens met working up the road at swanky Hambleton Hall and cooked at luxury destinations around the world before taking on the Berkeley Arms at Wymondham, switching to the Barn in 2019. “Hambleton may be more impressive, but Hitchen’s knocks it out of the park on value!”.
Summary
“The Hitchens (Neil & Louise) are maintaining high standards after their move from The Berkeley Arms” at Wymondham – their new town-centre venue making for “the perfect market-town small restaurant. It’s very friendly, beautifully organised and totally relaxing,” with “ingredients, cooking and flavour combinations all spot on”. Extra points for the “excellent-value set lunch”.
Summary
“Neil and Louise Hitchen have now left the lovely Berkeley Arms at Wymondham and opened this town-centre bistro, which slightly lacks the ambience of their pub but in every other respect is superb”. On the menu, “excellent seasonal food including game”, which is “smilingly and delightfully” delivered with “speedy efficiency”. “Massively popular in a short time – deservedly”: “booking is essential”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Hitchen's Barn?
12 Burley Road, Oakham, LE15 6DH
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £23.95 | £28.95 |  |
|
|
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £10.80 | £27.00 | £5.00 | £9.50 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £24.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
12 Burley Road, Oakham, LE15 6DH
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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