A Hidden Gem: The Best Place to Get Food on a Monday in Uppingham, Rutland

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering where to get food on a Monday in Rutland, I’ve got the answer. Some local restaurants take a well-earned day off at the start of the week, but there’s one hidden gem tucked away in the heart of Uppingham’s town centre that pops up one day a week, serving incredible food every Monday from 12 pm–8:30 pm (summer hours).

Head down Uppingham High Street and, between Hurfords and The Crown, you’ll spot Crown Passage. Wander down to the back, and you’ll discover Wolf & Bear Kitchen, run by local couple Hass and Georgia. I’ve been a fan of their food for years, and it never disappoints. Every dish is packed with flavour, beautifully cooked and made with fresh ingredients.

The menu changes regularly, currently with handmade burgers, steak and fish plates, crispy shrimp, veggie boxes and delicious vegetarian options like green lentil and mushroom burgers or crispy aubergine Milanese.

With the option of meals served with hand-cut chips, homemade sauces, pickles and a selection of seasonal house salads. Wolf & Bear also always have vegan and gluten-free options readily available. With prices ranging from around £3 to £13, it’s fantastic value for money too.

I actually ended up there after seeing one of Mark’s posts from Rutland Antiques on social media earlier that morning, which reminded me it had been far too long since my last Wolf & Bear visit. If you’re heading over, it’s well worth popping into Rutland Antiques while you’re there too, but note their opening hours, as they close at 3 pm on a Monday!

This time, I ordered one of Wolf & Bear’s salad boxes, and it reminded me why I keep going back. My favourites were the seasonal house veggies, including fennel salad with mustard dressing, Thai-style cucumber and carrot salad with sesame, baked crown prince squash with spiced tahini and sour cream, and their house salad with beetroot, tomato, olives, mint and parsley. It was fresh, colourful and absolutely packed with flavour. If you fancy the salads on their own, you can even pick up a box of the house veggies for just £7.

Alongside my food, Hass kindly gave me one of their homemade Rooibos iced teas to try, and I think I’ve found my new favourite summer drink. Hass and Georgia make all of their iced teas themselves in nearby Bisbrooke using a cold brew method, and they’re completely caffeine-free. They also offer Lemon and Apple iced tea, all naturally refreshing and incredibly smooth. Hass explained that cold brewing keeps tannin levels low, making the drinks easier on digestion while creating a softer, more refreshing flavour. Honestly, they’re so good I wish I could buy them by the bottle to keep stocked in my fridge.

Wolf & Bear serves from its mobile kitchen every Monday from 12 pm until 8:30 pm, making it the perfect place for both lunch and an easy Monday evening takeaway. The Crown usually opens from 5 pm on Mondays, and one of the best things is that you can order your Wolf & Bear food and enjoy it inside the pub with a drink. It can get busy, so there may be a short wait during peak times, but that’s hardly a problem when The Crown is just a few steps away, or Rutland Antiques and Uppingham High Street are waiting to be explored. If you’d rather avoid waiting, pre-orders are also available.

If you’d like to keep up with their weekly menus and updates, you can join their WhatsApp community by messaging 07535 837807.

Finding great food on a Monday isn’t always easy, but Wolf & Bear Kitchen is one of those places that’s absolutely worth knowing about. It’s one of Uppingham’s best-kept secrets, and if you haven’t been yet, I’d definitely recommend adding it to your list. Follow Wolf & Bear Kitchen on Instagram here!

Charlie

@rutlandblog