Restaurants in Leicester

One of the highest-ranked TripAdvisor restaurants in the city, Oggi Simply Italian has been a mainstay on Leicester’s dining scene for nearly 25 years. A five-minute walk from our City Centre hotel, the restaurant does the Italian staples very well. From traditional pasta and risotto dishes to a variety of steaks and a diverse wine list, there’s plenty of choice.

A two-mile drive from our Leicester North West hotel, Sapori in Anstey is another much-loved restaurant that’s been dishing up Italian cuisine for nearly a decade. An authentic Italian experience from the owners to the food and even the music, Sapori has won several illustrious awards, including Best Italian at the 2015 National Food Awards.

Set inside the city’s St. Martin’s Shopping Centre, Veeno is the perfect spot to refuel after a hard day shopping. A wine bar with an impressive array of bottles, and wines by the glass, we recommend trying their bespoke menu where wine is paired with specific food, including Parma ham, olive oil and balsamic, olives, pecorino cheese and more. Similarly laid-back is Café Roma, a city centre Italian that prides itself on home-made food, a bustling atmosphere and attentive service.

As you’d expect from a modern shopping centre, there are a variety of outlets in Highcross, from fast food specialists to restaurants boasting three-course dinners and expansive wine lists. Aside from several coffee shops, there are a couple of juice bars, including Fuel and Boos, which will give you an energy hit without the caffeine, while you can choose between Gourmet Kitchen Burger, Byron and Handmade Burger Co for your quarter-pounder with cheese.

If you’re after something slightly more upmarket, Bill’s is an all-day diner, while 1573 Bar & Grill is one of the centre’s newest outlets and is set in a stunning Grade II-listed building dating back to, appropriately enough, 1573. If you’d rather head to Europe for your calories, Café Rouge is a well-heeled French chain restaurant, while Carluccio’s is an all-Italian culinary affair, open from 8am until 11pm during the week.

Finally, Highcross is home to Stonebaked Pizza; one of the best-loved Italian eateries in the city where their stone-baked pizzas are a favourite. Choose from over 35 ingredients, make it vegan or get yours gluten free.

A minute away from our Leicester City Centre hotel, Kayal is a South Indian restaurant based on Keralan cuisine. With seafood at its core, Kayal has won several accolades, including the Healthiest Restaurant Award for those looking for a ghee-free meal.

Kayal might mean backwater in Kerala, but with sister restaurants across the Midlands, this Indian incarnation is anything but after its recent successes. It’s one of the stand-out curry houses in a city known for its spicy restaurants.

Another eatery where spices take centre stage is Turtle Bay. Here you’ll be greeted by bright Caribbean colours and dishes straight out of Jamaica, with the menu featuring jerk pit BBQs and their signature Mo’Bay Chicken. Make sure you leave room for a cocktail, as the bar boasts over 40 different types of rum.

With a restaurant, champagne bar, snug and shop, The Case is a one-stop shop for wine lovers. The food is excellent, making the most of seasonal produce with a menu that spans British classics, as well as select dishes from around the globe.