Local Leicestershire produce

You can get a real taste of Leicestershire with some tasty local produce.

Leicestershire is famous for its Melton Mowbray Pork Pies and Stilton Cheese, but there are several other local specialities too. Here's a flavour of the local produce that Leicestershire has to offer.

Deli's in Leicester

There are a number of delicatessens in Leicester where you can buy local speciality foods.  Maiyango, located on St Nicholas Place, has recently opened a deli where almost all of its produce has been made by the chefs from its restaurant.  Bobby's on Belgrave Road offers a selection of mithai - Indian sweets - as well as farshan - spring rolls, samosas, bharjis - also made by the chefs in its restaurant.

Melton Mowbray Pork Pies

The often imitated Melton Mowbray Pork Pie is one of Leicestershire's most popular exports. Recognised internationally as the world's best pork pies, they are made with uncured pork and have higher meat content than other pork pies. They are also ‘hand raised', which means the pastry is shaped by hand, and baked without the support of a hoop or tin. Leicestershire bakers Dickinson & Morris have been baking pork pies at Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe in Melton Mowbray since 1851. The bakery still exists on Nottingham Street, and is the place to go to buy this well known Leicestershire speciality.

Wines, Cordials and Local Ale

In addition to its food, Leicestershire boasts some speciality drinks too. Welland Valley Vineyards near Market Harborough, Eglantine Vineyard near Loughborough and Chevelswarde Vineyard near Lutterworth are all local producers of English wines. Swithland Spring Water produce a pure source of water from the Charnwood Hills, whilst Belvoir Fruit Farms create pure fruit cordials and presse drinks diluted with spring water from the limestone hills around Belvoir Castle. Many local ales are also produced around the county too - enjoy a sup from Everards, Parish Brewery or Belvoir Brewery. Visit Belvoir Brewery where you can have a tour of the brewery and then sit back and enjoy a pint and a meal made with locally sourced ingredients.

Melton Mowbray Sloe Gin

Melton Mowbray Sloe Gin is one of the latest additions to the wealth of beverages produced locally. Sloe Gin has long been associated with the countryside, its pastimes and pursuits. Also produced are ‘Whisky & Wild Damson' and ‘Vodka & Blackberry'. All the fruit grows wild and naturally on the hedges around the Melton area, and is steeped in the finest spirit and left to infuse naturally over a period of several months. This traditional method preserves the natural flavour and colour of the fruit, so that no colourings or preservatives are required.

There is so much more local produce made in Leicester and Leicestershire, browse below and enjoy a lunch made completely with local food and drink.