I love the Market Town of Uppingham. It is wonderful for antique collectors hosting a few amazing antique and collectible shops, one specifically The Uppingham Antiques Centre located next to the Crown pub on the high street where I often browse and invariably want to buy everything. It is hailed as one of the best antique centres in the UK, only the other day I had to prevent myself from shopping as I was almost lured in by a beautiful 16th century portrait oil on canvas in the window for a very reasonable I thought £650.
After you’ve wandered around the number of beautiful art galleries in town, stopped at The Fig Store which is possibly one of the most beautiful interiors shops if you like simple design and maybe shopped a little, the florist on the high street, Earthworks is a particularly fabulous independent shop, if you are like me you want to have a sit down and something to eat.
I’ve already shared about the Lake Isles, which is on the high end, a small 6-8 room boutique hotel with a fantastic restaurant and extensive wine list. A night there with dinner will set you back around £400. I’ve added the link to my snoop about this place below.
For a more down to earth and less expensive lunch or dinner experience there are three places in the square, all owned and run by the same company, a family business, but all completely different. I’ve eaten at all three.
The Falcon hotel looks inviting from the outside. It’s a beautiful building and you’d imagine something a little bit more like a hotel and less like a community social club when you enter. It’s a little haphazard and difficult to work out whats what the open reception separates formal dining rooms on either side of the front door and behind is what you’d think is a hotel lobby but we saw cakes and tea being served there too.
The crowd is mainly senior, the wait staff are all dressed up in black and white, a little like a tea room from the 1950’s. The menu was a bit tricky as I went with a veggie and there wasn’t much she could have, she ended up with the vegan burger, which she said was all right. If you like meat and two veg, in a classic dining room setting it’s a good choice. We did have a giggle when the sweet trolley came out.
The Vaults is the traditional pub directly opposite and I’ve had a good meal in here. It’s very affordable, low beamed ceilings, not fancy, smells of beer and full of locals propping up the bar. For guests staying at the hotel on a half or full board basis the Vaults is the alternative dining experience.
It’s not a gastro pub by any stretch of the imagination but the bangers, mash and onion gravy was hearty and completely delicious. Other options things like a fish finger sandwich, or steak sandwich. You do have to pass the kitchen to go to the loo, and the hatch is open. If you are a bit precious or OCD don’t look too closely. The staff are very friendly and the prices extremely reasonable. If you like hearty pub grub in a friendly busy local this is for you.
My personal favourite of the three places is Don Paddys which after a big makeover a couple of years ago now describes its offering as a brasserie. Except you order and pay at the bar then staff bring your food to your chosen table. Don paddys reminds me of many places I’ve eaten travelling in France, Spain, Italy where the menu is not extensive but food is fresh and cooked to order. The chips are especially noteworthy presented in small tin antique bowls. The place is kind of quirky. The salads are always delicious and they make interesting things like feta cheese fritters, the focaccia sandwiches with spiced aubergine are amazing and I’d also recommend trying the Chicken Waldorf salad sandwich, their take on a Waldorf salad in a sandwich, weird I know but tastes really good.
They have a full bar, the drinks are served in lovely glasses with generous wedges of lime or lemon and they are not stingy with the ice either something I appreciate. It’s a quirky two story place, gets busy downstairs, lovely outside on the square in the summer and they’ll happily cater a party or business meeting for you too.
The clientele is a mixed crowd of upwardly mobile locals and visitors using dropping off or picking up kids from the very posh public school that keeps the town afloat.
The prices at Don Paddys are the most expensive of the three spots. Expect to pay £20 for a main course, sides and puddings an additional £8 - £10 and if you are drinking, they do have a full bar, think tourist holiday prices. With a tip and one drink my bill is usually around the £60 - £70 mark for two people. The food is really good though and the service quick.