Where to Eat in Leicester City Centre: A Local's Guide by Area

How to use this guide

This is a guide to choosing where to eat, not a ranking. Herb is a restaurant in the city, so we are one entry among many and we say so. We describe each area, what it suits and what to check, and we only name landmarks and places we are confident of. Menus, hours and prices change, so check any restaurant’s current details before you go.

Where to eat in Leicester city centre, by area

Granby Street and the station end

Granby Street runs from the Town Hall Square area towards Leicester railway station, and the stretch near the station is practical if you are arriving or leaving by train. Herb is at 96 Granby Street, about 5 minutes’ walk from the station, serving fully vegetarian Kerala food with a weekday lunch thali from £6.95. Good for: a meal before a train, a weekday lunch, vegetarian and vegan visitors.

Highcross and the shopping centre

Highcross is Leicester’s main shopping centre and has a large choice of national chains and restaurants under one roof. Good for: a quick meal between shops, families who want a familiar menu, bad-weather days. Check opening hours, which follow the centre’s.

The Cathedral Quarter and The Lanes

The streets around Leicester Cathedral and The Lanes are known for independent shops, cafes and smaller restaurants. Good for: a relaxed lunch or an informal dinner away from the main shopping streets. Walk down a few of the lanes and compare menus on the door before you choose.

Market Place and Leicester Market

Leicester Market is a long-established open-air market in the centre with food stalls around it. Good for: a cheap, quick lunch and trying something different. Opening days and hours vary, so check before travelling.

Rutland Street and the theatres

Curve theatre is on Rutland Street, and theatre-goers often want an early dinner. Several places serve pre-theatre menus. Herb serves a vegan pre-theatre menu at £18.75 from 3:30pm to 7:30pm: see pre-theatre dinner in Leicester. Tell any restaurant your curtain time when you book.

Belgrave Road (the “Golden Mile”)

Belgrave Road, about a mile and a half from the centre, is famous for Gujarati vegetarian restaurants, sweet centres and festival lights at Diwali. It is a destination in its own right rather than a city-centre stop. Good for: a long Gujarati vegetarian meal and Indian sweets. Our Diwali dinner guide explains how Leicester celebrates.

By occasion

• Lunch under £10 – weekday lunch deals, market stalls and cafes. Herb’s business lunch thali is £6.95 (Monday to Friday, 12 noon to 3pm). See lunch in Leicester.
• Vegetarian and vegan – look for a menu that tags dishes clearly or a kitchen that is fully vegetarian. See vegan restaurants in Leicester and vegetarian restaurants in Leicester city centre.
• Date night – see date night ideas and restaurants for special occasions.
• Families – check for a children’s menu and space for pushchairs. See family-friendly restaurants.
• Groups and parties – ask about group menus and deposits early. See party menus and private dining.
• Students – see the student guide to vegetarian and vegan food in Leicester.

How to judge a restaurant before you book

1. A focused menu. A kitchen that cooks one tradition well is usually better than one that covers six.
2. Visible prices and dietary information. Menus with prices, allergen notes and vegan or gluten-free tags suggest a kitchen that takes guests’ needs seriously.
3. Reviews across more than one platform. Compare Google, TripAdvisor and others, and read the recent ones and the owner’s replies.
4. Recent photos. Real photos of the food and rooms tell you more than a stock image.
5. Clear opening hours and a way to book. A working phone number and booking form matter on a busy night.

Where Herb fits

Herb is a fully vegetarian Kerala and South Indian restaurant at 96 Granby Street, Leicester LE1 1DJ, open Sunday to Thursday 12:00 to 22:00, Friday and Saturday 12:00 to 23:00. Dosas start at £6.89, thalis from £16.85, and most dishes are vegan or gluten free. See the Leicester menu and book a table. It has a second restaurant on Clarendon Avenue in Leamington Spa.