Read Reviews About Rutland Restaurants

Hardens Guide to the Best Restaurants in Rutland

Hardens guides have spent 15 years compiling reviews of the best Rutland restaurants. On Hardens.com you'll find details and reviews of 17 restaurants in Rutland and our unique survey based approach to rating and reviewing Rutland restaurants gives you the best insight into the top restaurants in every area and of every type of cuisine.

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1. Hambleton Hall British, Modern restaurant in Hambleton

“The effortless and gracious hospitality of a country house hotel is maintained down to a tee” at Tim Hart’s “magnificent” property (owned until the 1970s by part of the Hoare banking dynasty), with its “open fires, antique furnishings, and busy wallpaper”; “staff who can’t do enough to help”; and “unbeatable views over Rutland Water” (which the house, in fact, pre-dates). “All of which is pointless if the food isn’t great… and luckily it’s brilliant”. The odd critic feels Aaron Patterson’s cuisine is “fairly conventional (good quality but lacking a sense of adventure)” but if you’re looking for brined, pickled and foraged small plates you’re missing the point here, as his “very accessible” classical cuisine delivers a “consistency and reliability” that’s second to none with “wonderful attention to detail”. “You do pay for it”, but real complaints about value here are notable by their absence.

Price £102

Food Exceptional

Service Exceptional

Ambience Very Good

2. The Olive Branch British, Modern restaurant in Clipsham Main St - LE15

One of the country’s first rural ‘gastropubs’ when Ben Jones and Sean Hope (formerly of local luxury spot Hambleton Hall) opened it almost 20 years ago – this “relaxed and friendly” gem is currently on fine form – a “delightful country inn with a wonderful atmosphere and excellent menus sourced with local produce”. Just two minutes from Stretton junction, it makes “a good stop for anyone driving on the A1”. Stop Press: In November 2018, Nick Evans (formerly a top chef at Langho’s Northcote Manor) joined the business as executive head chef, while Sean Hope is to take more of a backseat.

Price £47

Food Very Good

Service Very Good

Ambience Very Good

3. The Fox and Hounds Hotel British, Traditional restaurant in Exton 19 The Green - LE15

The Fox and Hounds Hotel is a handsome former 17th Century coaching inn that dominates the Green in the picturesque Rutland village of Exton. The building oozes character, with a number of fireplaces for cosy winter evenings and a pretty garden for lazy summer evenings. Privately...

4. The Blue Bell British, Modern restaurant in Glinton 10 High Street - PE6

A “friendly, easy atmosphere” adds to the charms of Will Frankgate’s 18th century village pub, which added an oak-framed garden room/patio two years back, and turns out “excellent” and “reasonably” priced grub including well-sourced local meat.

Price £46

Food Very Good

Service Good

Ambience Good

5. Tap & Kitchen British, Modern restaurant in Oundle Station Road - PE8

Run by the local Nene Valley Brewers, this attractive, industrial-style bar/restaurant wins solid ratings for its excellent beers and locally sourced modern brasserie fare.

Price £47

Food Good

Service Average

Ambience Very Good

6. The Wheatsheaf British, Modern restaurant in Greetham Stretton Rd - LE15

“A great favourite” – this low-key pub wins plaudits for its “great pies” and “spankingly fresh” fish. “Despite the occasional waits (very popular, fresh food, small kitchen!) the result is never less than enjoyable”.

Price £45

Food Good

Service Good

Ambience Average

7. Finch’s Arms British, Modern restaurant in Hambleton Oakham Rd - LE15

The “location and impression from outside promise much” at this “busy old inn-with-rooms above the shores of Rutland Water”. It’s “a good watering hole after a stomp round the peninsula” and summer evenings on the terrace can be “a delight”. Familiar criticisms are present: “some dishes wow more than others”, service can be “functional rather than warm” and the whole set-up can seem like “more style than substance”. On the plus-side one regular found standards “on more of an even keel” this year.

Price £47

Food Average

Service Average

Ambience Good

8. The Lake Isle British, Modern restaurant in Uppingham 16 High Street East - LE15

9. The Kings Arms Inn British, Modern restaurant in Wing 13 Top Street - LE15

The Kings Arms Inn has a laid back, relaxed ambiance that is complemented by award winning cuisine created by our team of chefs dedicated to providing the finest food in the area. Villagers and visitors will be found side by side at the Kings Arms creating that wonde...