I absolutely love love love this little place up Church St in Market Harborough, when I worked in Market Harborough I'd get my lunch here all the time either taking the time to sit down if I wasn't busy, more often than not, to go. For first time visitors it's very easy to miss if you don't know where you are going and looking for the perfect rest stop especially after a busy day Christmas shopping you might find yourself opting for somewhere more visible but just not quite so good.

Market Harborough is a small historic market town known for its array of independent shops like gorgeous secondhand clothes shops consignment stores Ginger Kate and The Attic, small quirky bars, like The Shed wine bar, Fifty Eight and Fernie Hall all run by passionate and fun proprietors, and super interiors offerings Bagel and Griff and Heaven at Home, plus amazing handmade jewellery from Ada, who boasts a celebrity client list, D.J. Jo Wiley can often been knocking around town and Thornton's family jeweller next door to lovely Margaret Kenny's Lingerie store are also on my list of pop ins when I visit.

There are big brands too like Jo Malone, The White Company (I've snooped about before) Space NK and a gorgeous new Joules shop opened on the high st for the well heeled, less budget conscious Christmas shoppers so Market Harborough as a town centre really has something for everyone if you are in the Midlands looking for something more exciting and less run of the mill than say Westfield shopping centre in Derby or Highcross shopping mall in Leicester. The cooks on your list are well accommodated by The Kitchen Range Cookshop, a gorgeous store relocated to larger premises from Church street to next door to subway, known for drawing a crowd for exciting demonstrations and special guest appearances like Keith Brymer Jones from the great pottery throw down. And Lakeland is a great option for the homemakers and chefs on your list.

And when you are done bobbing in and out of all the cute small shops, and you find the Antique Centre on Church Street, also well worth a pop in if you love to browse curated with Love collectibles from a host of independent traders, you are one step away from Aldwinkles, an independent treasure of a cafe and rest spot in Market Harborough.

Not sure who does the cooking, but she or he is a really good cook who delivers everything on the menu made fresh to your table. The menu is simple, homemade soups, gorgeous breads and focaccia from Hambletons bakery next door, fresh olives, salads, sandwiches, with a homemade hot vegan plant based option every day. One of the only places in town offering a daily hot plant based choice (that's not mushroom risotto). Nothing is too much trouble at Aldwinkles, and the standards are very high, from the barista style coffees served to the luxurious Belgian hot chocolate, complete with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and marshmallows if you so desire.

You'll find Sarah behind the counter, with her up and coming brand “Sarah Makes” who as well as being an experienced barista is also an extremely talented crafter, she makes gorgeous handmade ornaments which I have collected over the years. If you get to see these, they are as lovely as anything you would find in Liberty or Fortnum and Mason in London for a fraction of the price, these are the special things you are going to encounter at Aldwinkles.

Sit outside on the fairylit heated patio, get wrapped up in a blanket and taste the delicious homemade soup with crunchy croutons, you'll think they've kidnapped Jamie Oliver and got him working in the kitchen. You may even find yourself sitting next to Joules founder Tom Joules, a market Harborough local and well known for shopping and supporting locally.

And if you need to linger or need an office for the day, Aldwinkles offer free Wi-Fi and will happily keep the coffee and cakes coming.

Thanks Aldwinkles Cafe Team. Always a pleasure.