Eating Out

The original Buddies restaurant was a staple food destination in Dychurch Lane for 40 years before closing in 2020. Now it's set to reopen as Mission Chicken. Photo: Kirsty Edmonds.

Update on ‘epic’ chicken restaurant set to open at former Buddies Diner

Cherelle and Michelle Cobley run The Wooden Walls of Old England in Collingtree village and took over the pub in August 2023.

New look and Sunday roast offering for village pub run by mother and daughter

It was in 2023 when the idea of hosting ‘Joyfully Seen’ events for the SEND community came about.

Meet the cake business founder passionate about hosting events for SEND families

Spectrum's new cafe, situated alongside the charity shop and their day centre in Berrywood Road, opened to the public on March 24.

Long-standing charity has already had ‘rave reviews’ about new cafe

Vanessa Anderson is the brain behind the unique Indi Local app, which makes it easier to find street food vendors and pop-up events in our county and beyond.

Calling food traders – this is the business tool you need to reach the masses

Shake Bar opened on the ground floor of the Grosvenor Centre in mid-February, after owner Prem Majithia signed a 10-year lease on the location. Photo: Northampton BID.

New shake bar hopes to become ‘number one’ after signing 10-year lease

Gardners Bakery, in Harborough Road, was first established in the town in May 1910 by James Gardner – who is the great grandfather of Helen who runs the business.

Family bakery proud to reach 115 years with fourth generation now in charge

Marston’s And Tom Shepherd Are Serving Up The Best Ever Pub Pie

Where you can get the 'Best Ever Pub Pies' in Northamptonshire

Bite Street will return to its roots for its first pop-up of the season, taking over its usual spot at The County Cricket Ground next Thursday to Sunday (April 17 to 20).

Popular street food event Bite Street set for epic return this Easter weekend

Rachel Mallows and Laurence Conisbee at the 2025/26 launch of the Weetabix Northants Food & Drink Awards last month

Wharf Distillery new sponsor of ‘Artisan Drink’ category in the Weetabix Northam...

Some of the most booked restaurants in Northamptonshire in March 2025, according to OpenTable...

Revealed: The most booked restaurants in March 2025, according to OpenTable

Oblique Kitchen & Bar first launched among the hustle and bustle of Wellingborough Road in June 2022.

Owner says restaurant is ‘successful and surviving’ as it approaches three years

Dan Fitzhugh was born and bred in the town and started his culinary education at Northampton College 22 years ago, where he has now returned to teach the next generation. Photo: Kirsty Edmonds.

Prestigious chef returns to Northampton College where it began two decades ago

The latest addition to The Link Cafe is afternoon teas, which includes unlimited tea and coffee and a variety of finger sandwiches, scones and mini sweet treats.

I tried the town’s newest afternoon tea offering and it is just £20 per person

The first of two exciting new developments at T's is the addition of a large and sheltered stretch tent, which can accommodate 60 guests.

‘Exciting’ times for hidden gem venue as additions will make 2025 the best yet

Five is the highest hygiene rating awarded by food inspectors for cleanliness.

17 cafes, takeaways and restaurants awarded top food hygiene rating in March
More than a dozen cafes, takeaways and restaurants in Northampton and beyond have been awarded the top food hygiene ratings during the month of March.
Carly Odell

McDonald's in Sixfields has reopened following a three-week makeover.

McDonald's in busy part of Northampton REOPENS following three-week makeover

Woo, who has accumulated almost 600 followers on her Instagram page @woo_reviews, was approached by the team at T’s Coffee to host her own event this Spring Bank Holiday Monday (May 26).

Six-year-old budding food reviewer to host street food event at hidden gem venue

The Wharf, in the village of Bugbrooke and formerly owned by the McManus Pub Company, is on the market for £595,000.

PICTURES: Inside a canalside village pub up for sale for over half-a-million

Solstice Festival is planned for June 21 at Duston Mill Wedding and Events Venue in Upton.

One-day festival hopes to shine a light on talented locals this Summer Solstice

The New Inn, a popular canalside pub in Long Buckby, is now on the market for £550,000.

Canalside pub in 'honeypot' location up for sale for just over half a million

Tim Hortons’ Chicken Donut Sandwich and Cheesy Loaded Timbits®.

Naughty but nice: Tim Hortons launches new menu items including a chicken donut ...

Eateries in West Northamptonshire rated three stars or below for food hygiene in March 2025...

Eight eateries rated three stars or below for food hygiene in March 2025

Colready Highlands, in Brackley, has been run by the Dyer family for more than 100 years – and has attracted people from all of the UK since launching their highland cow experience in 2023.

Family-run farm is adding unique experience of afternoon tea with highland cows

Peter Czarnocki offers bespoke menus cooked with passion, using techniques gathered from Michelin Star and AA Rosette restaurants, wedding venues and luxury golf clubs across the UK and Europe.

Meet this multi-award-winning private chef who prides himself on seasonal dishes

Plans have been submitted to convert the former Circus store in the Drapery into a Wingstop franchise.

Plans unveiled to open major brand American fast food chain at iconic building

Oren Pho not only has a restaurant space, but a function room that caters to parties, weddings and occasions of all kinds – and the business will reach its decade milestone in May.

Vietnamese restaurant to celebrate 10 years open and exciting plans in the works
An authentic Vietnamese restaurant is soon to celebrate 10 years open in Northampton, and there are exciting plans in the works as the owners look to the future of the business.
Katie Wheatley

The Red Lion

Lobbying licensee campaigning against crisis facing the hospitality sector

Eva Cockrell is a pastry chef and dietitian with more than 12 years of experience in cake making and decorating, having opened her business Eva Cockrell Cake Design in 2013.

Award-winning cake maker celebrates four years of being commended for reviews

Some of the Northamptonshire businesses that have been named as finalists in the 2025 Muddy Stilettos awards.

All 62 county businesses named as regional finalists in Muddy Stilettos awards

Nominations and entries are now open, and this was celebrated by around 80 champions of the event at Northampton College on March 25.

PICTURES: Culinary awards return for 17th year to champion food and drink stars

ANON drinks: English Garden

Raising a glass: Non-alcoholic drinks brand invites Northampton public to decide...

Millie Pates launched Millie’s Bakery in March last year and is taking over The Old Stableyard Tearoom at Holdenby House in April.

Meet the 20-year-old baker taking over tearoom just a year into her new career

The fine-dining establishment opened in Far Cotton in July 2024. Photo: Kirsty Edmonds

Owner of hugely popular fine-dining restaurant speaks out after successful start

17 cafes, pubs and takeaways were rated as good or very good for food hygiene last month...

Fancy a weekend treat? 11 eateries with recent high food hygiene ratings

Simply Sicily operates from a vintage trike and was set up by Sam Di Pane in September 2020, when he decided he wanted to move away from the corporate working world after 25 years.

‘Use it or lose it,’ urges mobile cafe founder as business approaches five years

Selina Lawrence-Masih and Sukhrat Masih opened V7 Fish & Grill Bar in Wilkes Way, Grange Park – after taking over from the former Tommy’s Fish Bar which shut at the end of February.

Husband and wife duo open new fish and chip shop in ‘vibrant’ area of town

McDonald's in Sixfields has closed for a makeover and will reopen in April.

McDonald's in busy part of town CLOSES for makeover – here’s when it reopens

The Goat launched in High Street, Long Buckby at the start of March and is the venture of husband and wife Richard and Laura Mitchell.

Pub specialising in craft beer is now open after years in the making

YO! Sushi has closed at Rushden Lakes

Rushden Lakes restaurant closes less than a year after opening

Carly Batty founded CBrownies in April 2020 and began collaborating with Weston Favell Shopping Centre in October last year.

Baker and business owner grateful to continue pop-ups at popular shopping centre

This list includes cafes and pubs you may want to pay a visit in the March sunshine.

15 dog-friendly venues including cafes and pubs to visit in the March sunshine

Five eateries were rated two or three stars in reports published in February 2025.

Five eateries rated two or three stars for food hygiene in February 2025

Guests use the Griffin Trail from Braybrooke village for the official opening of the path with a reception at the newly-opened Braybrooke Beer Taproom

Weekend walk with promise of beer and food!

The much-loved festival will take place on Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31, running from 11am to 11pm.

Popular beer festival returns for its 50th anniversary in May

It was in January 2024 when The Last Bite Bakery really took off for business owner Amelia Haden.

Owner of successful bakery business, 20, has sights set on opening her own cafe

Anita Chipalkatty is the founder of HobbyCooks Cookery School, in which she runs masterclasses, demonstrations, courses and supper clubs to share her knowledge and experience with others.

Chef who has given last decade to making cooking accessible continues to grow

Lisa Neophitou (pictured), is saying goodbye to Dreams Coffee Lounge, in St Giles’ Street, after eight years in business.

Owner of ‘little gem’ café in ‘best street’ in town says goodbye after 8 years

Moo Hatch describes itself as “not your usual burger van” and was named best takeaway in the county at the Northants Life Awards in 2023.

Gourmet burger van launched during ‘perfect storm’ was among first of its kind

Chanelle Bradshaw, who recently organised a Galentine’s event in collaboration with Genevieve’s Cafe, is known to her Instagram followers as @food.and.frolics.

Blogger praises town’s food and drink scene and reveals her favourite venues

Mooche Wala, located in Main Street, Denton, is a Bangladeshi and Indian grill – while also welcoming visitors to treat it like a pub and cocktail bar and pop in for a drink.

Bangladeshi restaurant, pub and bar ‘overwhelmed’ by response to first year

No. 68 Coffee House’s first location in King Edward Road opened in July 2022, and the venue has become a hub among the Abington community ever since.

Popular coffee shop opened second location – with unlimited hot drinks for £7.50

British Garden Centres is taking over Dobbies in Newport Pagnell Road, Northampton

Jobs and soft play update as huge garden centre company inch closer to takeover

After a heartfelt goodbye to the previous operator of The Polo Pavilion Tea Room at Winwick Hall, a new collaboration is set to begin from the first weekend in May.

Tea room set for takeover by couple with French flair and pride for quality

The steakhouse, located in Talavera Way, reopened last Friday (February 7) after unveiling the refurbishment that has “breathed new life into this much-loved venue”.

PICTURES: Steakhouse undergoes ‘stunning renovation’ to celebrate site heritage