The Olive Branch

‘Consistency’ is a watchword at the handsome Olive Branch: ‘We first visited this pub 22 years ago and, in that time, have only ever experienced fabulous food, amazing service and a warm welcome,’ noted one ardent fan. A ‘justifiably proud’ early adopter of local sourcing, it's now one of Rutland’s shining stars, renowned for its community spirit and forward-thinking approach to food and drink. The kitchen delivers the pub classics with aplomb (including ‘the best English seafood platter ever’) while also creating ‘some truly diverse offerings’ ranging from beef tartare with smoked egg-yolk ‘jam’, pickled shallots and Marmite butter to roast hispi cabbage with yeast butter, truffle, herb emulsion and pink fir potatoes. For afters, the Eccles cake with Colston Bassett Stilton and Earl Grey is a must-have, or you might try chocolate torte with marmalade ice cream. Sunday lunch is a bonanza headlined by roast 28-day beef sirloin with horseradish hollandaise and a harvest festival of veg from the pub’s growing patch. To drink, top-notch regional ales vie with an ever-changing list of good-value wines.