
The heartland of the English Shires still has its low-hedged fields and hunting mementoes, but times they are a-changing. New ideas, new foods and new restaurants are giving the county a very different identity. Even so, Leicestershire's most legendary specialities are still Stilton cheese and Melton Mowbray pork pies: upbeat pubs and restaurants are always keen to take them on board.
Leicester itself is a thriving multicultural city: the Indian cafés and restaurants on Belgrave Road are well worth exploring.
Fallen Knight HotelDescribed as a 'hotel of mellow charm in the heart of the heart of the Midlands', the Fallen Knight is a privately run establishment that is highly popular with business people, tourists, travellers and those seeking a venue for a special event.
Kilwardby Street, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire - Cuisine: International
The Three HorseshoesThis 250-year-old listed building started life as a farrier's (hence the equine name), and the old stables can still be seen in the pub courtyard.
Main Street, Breedon on the Hill, Leicestershire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Joiners ArmsA modest-looking, eighteenth-century village pub with big ambitions, the Joiners Arms has made the leap from local watering hole to serious dining destination.
Church Walk, Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Nag's Head Inn'Hilltop' is – quite literally – at the top of an incline on a quiet B-road heading out of Castle Donington towards Breedon-on-the-Hill, and the white-painted Nag's Head Inn makes a handy pit-stop – especially if you are aiming for East Midlands Airport or Castle Donington racing circuit.
Hilltop, Castle Donington, Leicestershire - Cuisine: International
Ashfields RestaurantA bastion of the Leicestershire restaurant scene for more than 20 years, Ashfields is handily placed on the A47 between Hinckley and the city of Leicester.
High Street, Earl Shilton, Leicestershire - Cuisine: European
Barnacles RestaurantFormerly known as the Barn at Leicester Grange Farm, the building that houses Barnacles was originally fashioned from hand-made bricks and clay dug on site.
Watling Street, Hinckley, Leicestershire - Cuisine: Seafood
Best Western Yew Lodge HotelHandily placed for the M1 and East Midlands Airport, the Yew Lodge Hotel is equally popular with businessmen on the move and holidaymakers alike.
Packington Hill, Kegworth, Leicestershire - Cuisine: Modern British
FirenzeFor over eleven years Chef/Patrons Lino and Sarah Poli have been totally dedicated to customer care and their passion to source the finest Italian products, create a pure Italian atmosphere in relaxed and inspiring surroundings with fine food and wines plus friendly service has made Firenze one of the most popular destinations in Leicestershire.
9 Station Street, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire - Cuisine: Modern Italian
Boboli RestaurantIn May 2007 Lino and Sarah Poli of Firenze set out to create a Pizzeria with real style - welcome to Boboli Restaurant.
88 Main Street, Kibworth Harcourt, Leicestershire - Cuisine: Italian
The Manners ArmsBuilt as a hunting lodge for the 6th Duke of Rutland during the 1880s, this fine old building is now owned by the current Duke - whose country seat, Belvoir Castle, is just a stone's throw away.
Croxton Road, Knipton, Leicestershire - Cuisine: Modern British
The CaseA one-time suitcase factory in the centre of Leicester is the setting for this aptly named restaurant/bar/party venue. The original high-ceilinged premises look the business, with antique floorboards, sweeping staircases to all four floors, snazzy white and mauve colour schemes a sunny Mediterranean touches.
46 Hotel Street, Leicester, Leicestershire - Cuisine: Modern British
Bobby'sBobby's has ruled on Belgrave Road since opening in 1976 and it remains one of Leicester's most likeable Indian vegetarian restaurants.
154 - 156 Belgrave Road, Leicester, Leicestershire - Cuisine: Indian
EntropyChef Tom Cockerill spent some time with the arch wizard of molecular gastronomy, Heston Blumenthal, before striking out on his own.
42 Hinckley Road, Leicester, Leicestershire - Cuisine: Modern European
San CarloA 'hood and burn' pizza oven is one of the novel features of this good-looking contemporary Italian restaurant. It's one of a small nationwide group and is certainly several notches above the usual city-centre 'ristorante italiano'.
38-40 Granby Street, Leicester, Leicestershire - Cuisine: Italian
The Queen's HeadOnce a local watering hole, the Queen's Head now wears a thoroughly contemporary suit of clothes; complete with restaurant, bistro and private dining rooms it plies its trade as a gastro pub and has recently scooped its second AA Red Rosette.
2 Long Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire - Cuisine: Modern European
The Greyhound Coaching InnBuilt in 1720 as a coaching and posting inn and now a Grade II listed building, The Greyhound Coaching Inn is a charming public house situated in the south Leicestershire town of Lutterworth.
Market Street, Lutterworth, Leicestershire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Stapleford Park, Grinling Gibbons Restaurant'The ultimate luxurious getaway destination' and one of England's finest stately homes, Stapleford Park can trace its roots back to the fourteenth century.
Stapleford, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire - Cuisine: Modern British
The Red HouseImpressively revamped in contemporary style, this old coach house on the Melton Mowbray to Nottingham road has been transformed into a chic bar, restaurant and boutique hotel, complete with a permanent marquee in its beautiful gardens for private functions.
23 Main Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire - Cuisine: Modern British
The Staff of Life InnThis tidy-looking, gabled hostelry was built as a private residence during Edwardian times, but for many years it has been plying its trade as a 'country pub and eatery'.
Main Street, Mowsley, Leicestershire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Quorn Grange Hotel, Buddon RestaurantSet amid eight acres of manicured gardens and lush grounds on the edge of Charnwood Forest, Quorn Grange is a classic Shires country house that has been sympathetically renovated to offer guests a pleasing mix of old and new.
88 Wood Lane, Quorn, Leicestershire - Cuisine: Modern European
The Peacock InnA hundred years ago this gem of a pub was renowned for its potent home-brewed beer, although records suggest that it was dispensing alcoholic refreshments as early as 1795.
Church Corner, Redmile, Leicestershire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Red LionA giant wine bottle outside this gentrified pub/restaurant proclaims 'Top Food, Top Wines At Pub Prices' and that just about sums up the attractions of the Red Lion.
43 Welland Rise, Sibbertoft, Leicestershire - Cuisine: Modern British
The Hercules InnReputedly named after a notable local horse, The Hercules is a traditional country pub and restaurant in the picturesque Leicestershire village of Sutton Cheney.
Main Street, Sutton Cheney, Leicestershire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Hammer & PincersIn rolling countryside between Loughborough and Melton Mowbray, Hammer & Pincers is a seriously updated village pub that's making a strong impact with its good looks and fine food.
5 East Road, Wymeswold, Leicestershire - Cuisine: Gastro pub