Places to eat in Leicester

As a former holder of the UK Curry Capital title, you won’t be hard-pressed to find a cracking curry in the city. But, as you can see on our page dedicated to Leicester restaurants, balti houses are just the beginning when it comes to our food scene’s diversity of cuisines. We’ve got Italians, French bistros, burger joints, nationwide favourites, and much more for you to sink your teeth into.

Somewhere between a greasy spoon and a brunch diner is Café Two Ten in the Westcotes area, less than a mile from our Fosse Park hotel. The interior is as inviting as the menu doodled on the chalkboard. With exposed brick, rough wooden panels, low-level lighting and warm colours, it’s tempting to pull up a chair, grab a newspaper and bed down for the day in a post-breakfast daze.

Full English, vegetarian and American breakfasts are on offer, as are a clutch of eggs Benedict options, crumpets, cereals and mini-pancakes.

Slick black and white exteriors have become synonymous with trendy, artisanal coffee shops and St. Martin’s Tea & Coffee Merchants certainly earns that mantle. Freshly roasted in its roastery just 10 minutes down the road, St. Martin’s coffee is well-travelled, sourced from their green coffee partners worldwide, from Brazil to Rwanda. The café follows the same ethos for its food menu; simple, hearty breakfast and lunch options are prepared daily on the spot by experts. Just a 15-minute walk from our Leicester City Centre hotel, St. Martin’s is the perfect spot for your morning coffee.

Also in St. Martin’s Square, Gelato Village can’t promise the balmy climate of the Italian coast but can deliver on the gelato. Making their gelato in-store daily, Gelato Village use natural ingredients and traditional methods of slow-churning to make their intensely smooth and creamy scoops. With rich gelatos, vibrant and refreshing sorbets, affogatos and indulgent waffles, this is no humble ice cream parlour.

The modest façade on Newark Street gives nothing away about the delights waiting for you inside The Cake Club. Delivering exactly what it says on the tin, The Cake Club is a purveyor of wickedly delectable cakes and cupcakes. It’s the ultimate haven for those with a sweet tooth. Each creation is a work of art. Expect cupcakes topped off with a little something extra, be it a strawberry, piece of popcorn, a flake or even a mini doughnut. Sugar rush guaranteed.

Having undergone major renovations in the last few years, Leicester is still a city with strong roots to its past. Part of its rich history is the outdoor covered market; the largest in Europe. Dating back over 700 years, Leicester City Market has over 270 stalls for visitors to peruse a wide variety of goods between Mondays and Saturdays. Whether you’re doing your weekly shop or picking up a gift, there’s sure to be something to catch your eye.

Leicester also plays host to seasonal markets every year. The Continental Market brings together 40 traders from around the world with an array of delicious foods and unique crafts over five days in Spring. The Christmas Market made its first appearance in new Market Square in 2017.

It promises a wide range of stalls to help with your Christmas shopping, and food and drink sellers providing a welcome pick me up on a chilly Autumn day. There’s also a selection of festive entertainment for the whole family.