Eat & Drink

Leicester offers an exciting range of culinary delights, from atmospheric coffee shops and award-winning restaurants to independent bars, traditional real ale pubs and buzzing nightclubs.

The region is famous for its food and drink offer. The city is a former UK Curry Capital and curry-lovers will be spoilt for choice with a variety of restaurants serving dishes from across the Indian sub-continent.

Cheese lovers will also be delighted with the city and county’s expertise. Red Leicester was first produced in the county in the 17th century, its deep hue denoting the high quality of the cheese. We don’t just see red when it comes to cheeses, but blue too. With its protected designation of origin status, Stilton – the King of English cheeses – is also produced within the county limits, and what better way to complete your picnic than with another protected foodie favourite: a Melton Mowbray Pork Pie.

The exciting mix of the local and international flavours of the city can be sampled at the two visiting markets that centre around the clock tower. On the first Thursday of the month the farmers market sells delicious local produce, and three times a year the colourful continental market brings quality cuisine from around the world to the heart of the city.

There is no better way to wash down Leicester’s finest food than with our local drinks. Gin drinkers can sip premium quality spirits from 45 West’s county distillery and the local Everards brewery supplies a range of award-winning ales stocked at pubs around the region.

We’re sure you’ll agree that such a mouth-watering culinary heritage together with an influx of global gastronomic traditions makes Leicester a foodie paradise! Explore below to discover our restaurants, cafes, traditional pubs and the best bars in the city.