One of the best things about moving to a university is that you get to find your new favourite eateries. Luckily, if you’re moving to Leicester you’re spoilt for choice as there are so many great places to eat! 

We know that a lot of people want to go out for a meal with their parents once they’ve moved in. Likewise, we know a lot of parents want to treat their children to a final meal now that they’ve officially flown the nest. At St George’s Tower, we consider ourselves experts in the local area. We have been providing high quality student accommodation in the heart of the city for over 6 years, and during this time we have found the best places to eat in Leicester. No matter what you’re looking for, we’re guaranteed to have a recommendation. 

This is why we’ve created this blog post: the ultimate guide to places to eat in Leicester. Whether you want somewhere for brunch or somewhere near campus, we have a suggestion for every meal and every occasion. And unless stated otherwise, all of these mouth-watering restaurants, cafes and bars are now open for outdoor service, and should be opening as normal in May. 

What food Is Leicester Famous For?

When people think of food in Leicester, they automatically think of two things: cheese and pork pies. The city is known for stilton and Red Leicester Cheese, and a classic pork pie, and these are its two biggest contributions to wider British cuisine. While these aren’t strictly places to eat in Leicester, we would be remiss if we didn’t fill you in on where you can buy the best cheeses and pies. 

Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe

Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe is the oldest authentic pork pie bakers, having been in business since 1851. The store they occupy today is the same one that they used all of those years ago, and they have their offering down to a fine art. Whether you’re looking for pork pies, homemade bread or local pickles and preserves, Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe offers an authentic taste of Leicester. 

The Melton Cheeseboard

The Melton Cheeseboard is famous for its selection of cheese and pork pies. They offer the widest range of cheese in Leicestershire, with over 150 to choose from. For all of you cheese lovers, this is truly a dream come true. Plus, a tasty treat from their store will make a great gift (although it probably won’t last too long!).

Where Should I Eat Breakfast In Leicester?

St Martin’s Coffee Shop And Kitchen

St Martins Walk, Leicester, LE1 5DG

What’s the one thing that everyone needs in the morning? A cup of tea or coffee. St Martin’s Coffee Shop And Kitchen pride themselves on being a home away from home (a bit like us, really!) and they are drink artists. Their handmade coffees and seasonal specials are out of this world, and we have it on good authority that their food is just as good. The pictures on their Instagram feed alone are enough to make us drool. They have limited outdoor seats, so try and beat the rush! 

Where Should I Eat Brunch In Leicester?

KAI

4 St Martin’s Square, Leicester, LE1 5DF.

Kai Kitchen offers the best brunch in Leicester, so we definitely couldn’t miss them off our ultimate food guide. They serve breakfast buns with a side of crispy hash tots, our personal favourite being The Roy, which features smoked salmon and a free range egg omelette inside a fresh ciabatta roll, topped with homemade hollandaise sauce. But if that’s not your cup of tea, don’t worry – they also serve American pancakes. 

Where Should I Eat Lunch In Leicester?

Cafe Two Ten

210 Narborough Road, Leicester, LE3 0DL.

Cafe Two Ten is one of our favourite lunch destinations, and one of the best places to eat in Leicester. Whether you’re in the mood for a sandwich, an omelette or a jacket potato, they do it all and they do it very well. It’s perfect for a casual lunchtime bite to eat, and their outdoor seating area is lovely. They’ve recently had a garden makeover, and it looks great.

Merchant Of Venice Coffee House

173-175 Granby St, Leicester, LE1 6FE

If you’re looking for the best lunch in Leicester, offering a mixture of traditional and vegetarian dishes, then look no further than Merchants Of Venice Coffee House. You really can’t go wrong with a ham, mozzarella and basil croissant, and a grilled vegetable baguette always hits the spot. If you live here in St George’s Tower, it’s just a 2 minute walk away, making it the most convenient place in Leicester to cure your bacon craving. Make sure you make a booking, because their seats are sure to go quickly! 

Where Should I Eat Dinner In Leicester?

Ben’s Kitchen

37 Oswin Road Bosworth Road, Leicester, LE67 2SN.

You can’t go wrong with a Sunday dinner, and Ben’s Kitchen is famous for its carvery. We couldn’t make a list of the best places to eat in Leicester without them, because their reputation extends across the county. Their delicious carvery comes with all of the trimmings, and you have plenty of options to choose from for your starter, carvery, Coleman’s sauce and dessert. It’s also worth noting that they have both vegetarian and vegan options. While they’re currently only available to takeaway, they’re enjoyed so much, by so many, that you need to get your orders in quickly! 

Frequently Asked Questions 

We’re often asked about the best places to eat in Leicester, which is why we’ve created this post. But we’re also asked about the different kinds of eateries in the city, that fit different budgets and dietary constraints. So we’ve compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions, and the recommendations that we most often give!

What are the best restaurants in Leicester that deliver?

Let’s Burrito 

52A Braunstone Gate, Leicester, LE3 5LG.

Boasting authentic Latin American flavour, Let’s Burrito offers a selection of traditional street foods. Alongside their burritos, they sell tacos, quesadillas, nachos and loaded chips. We recently spied tequila and lime sorbet on the menu too, so no matter what mood you’re in, you’re in good hands. Let’s Burrito have their own online ordering platform, and are also available on Deliveroo and JustEat.

Side note, they also have outdoor seating if you don’t fancy waiting for delivery. 

What are the best restaurants in Leicester for vegetarians and vegans?

Herb

96 Granby Street, Leicester, LE1 1DJ.

Herb is a vegetarian and vegan restaurant, with no meat on the premises. They specialise in Indian cuisine, and draw inspiration from traditional Herbal cooking in Kerala. Their lunch and dinner menus are extensive, which means that there’s plenty to choose from, and their use of spice means that every dish is alive with flavour. Herb are currently only open for takeaway collections and deliveries. 

What are the best restaurants in Leicester for families with children?

Middletons

2 St Martins, Leicester, LE1 5DB

Middletons is a steakhouse and grill restaurant that offers something for the whole family. This is a great spot if your parents are visiting and are bringing your younger siblings. A two-course and three-course kids menu means that children are guaranteed to find something they like to eat. From fish fingers to Margherita pizza, we wouldn’t take our kids anywhere else. 

What are the best restaurants in Leicester for cheap eats?

Grays Coffee Shop And Kitchen

31 Rutland Street, LCB Depot, Leicester, LE1 1RE. 

Grays Coffee Shop And Kitchen is reasonably priced, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. They sell some of the best brunch and lunch dishes, making them a must-visit place to eat in Leicester. We are particularly partial to their shakshuka, although you can’t go wrong with a sausage sandwich either. 

What are the best places to eat in the University of Leicester?

Village Pub

The Village Hub

If you’re looking for somewhere cheap, cheerful and on the University of Leicester campus, then look no further than the Village Pub. Its campus location means that it’s an especially useful place to eat in Leicester, because it’s the perfect stop off from a campus tour or seminar. Serving burgers, nachos, pizzas and light bites, this pub food will definitely hit the spot. 

What are the best places to eat in De Montfort University?

Riverside Cafe

Vijay Patel Building

When looking for places to eat in Leicester near De Montfort University, your best bet is the Riverside Cafe. Not only is it on campus but, as the name suggests, it has a beautiful view overlooking River Soar. The cafe serves both hot and cold meals, and draws on cuisine and cooking styles from all over the world. 

Local Knowledge With St George’s Tower

We hope you’ve found our guide to the best places to eat in Leicester helpful, and that you’ve found somewhere that you want to eat. There is so much choice available to you, but don’t worry: as a new resident of the city, you have plenty of time to work your way down our list, and even create your own. 

If you’re interested in learning more about the greatest city in the UK, check out our other blog posts. And if you’re looking for student accommodation in Leicester, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Contact us today by phoning 0116 262 6933 or emailing stgeorges@iiluk.com.