Places to eat in Northampton

With over 50 Indian restaurants in town, Northampton has not only a strong multicultural feel but also a strong focus on good quality and well-priced British outlets, including several high-quality gastropubs.

As part of a chain of high-quality American-style diners, Buddies offers jumbo-sized everything, from the sharing platters to the burgers – head for the XXL double burger if you dare! – you won’t be shortchanged on the portions. The burgers are the diner’s specialities and come in nearly 50 varieties, including the Clark Kent, The Terminator and the Tony Soprano. With a menu stretching over five action-packed pages taking in breakfasts, fishes and salads, there’s sure to be something for everyone at this bustling American-style diner.

Staying with America, Brooklyn Pizza Bar is a highly versatile pizza joint – where else would you find pizzas celebrating curry week, pumpkin ales or Nutella pizzas? Available for eat in, takeaway or delivery, they also hold week-long specials, including Marmite garlic bread and have an in-store jukebox to raise the cool levels another few notches.

One of the most searched-for restaurants in town is The Smoke Pit, which specialises in smoked meats, with some – including the pulled brisket – left to marinate and soak in the flavours for a full 18 hours. Burgers will hit your stomach, not your wallet, and the sharing platters offer good value for money too, while there’s a decent selection of ales, bottled beers and ciders and cocktails.

Serving up fine Mediterranean food for over 30 years, Sophia’s is something of a legend in the Northampton dining scene. Their set menu offers good value for three courses, and they’re renowned for their Italian-style pizza and their fresh take on fish and meat dishes.

As the name suggests, The Church Restaurant is set in a 12th century former church and offers well-thought-out British and European food. Alongside a full menu and a well-priced set menu, they also boast their own vegan menu; a forward-thinking approach that has won them a lot of vegan fans in the area. They also offer a tapas menu when you’re after a small bite to share, as well as dedicated ladies’ nights and a well-researched wine list.

To read about the best Indian, Chinese and Italian restaurants in Northampton, head to our dedicated page.

Once you’ve explored the town’s shopping, museums, art galleries and strolled along the banks of the River Nene, it’s time for a well-deserved cuppa. And Northampton’s cafés and roasteries don’t disappoint.

As a growing chain, Kaspas Desserts specialises in sweet treats. From waffles to crepes, shakes to ice creams and cakes and puddings, if it’s sweet and outrageously tasty, they’ll have it on the menu. With dozens of calorific treats on the menu, including favourites like the M&M Waffle, or dozens of fruit shakes if you feel like being healthier, you’ll never run out of new taste sensations.

If you’re after home baked bread and the truly wonderful smell that comes with it, get you and your nose down to The Good Loaf in the Mounts district. Not only do they bake some of the best bread in town, they also have strong eco credentials and use locally sourced ingredients where available. The café is just as impressive, offering on-site roasted coffee, fresh cakes and artisan bread in the middle of the boot and shoe conservation area.

Always busy, which is always a good sign Magee Street Bakery excels at freshly baked bread and offers one of the best brunches in Northampton. Come for the bacon sandwiches but stay for the lavender shortbread, single origin chocolate brownie or the frangipane tarts or the … well, you get the picture. The coffee is equally as good, with the Flat White a crowd favourite.

Set in the middle of Abington Park and just a short distance away from the lake, The Park Café meets all your parklife needs. With a range of lunchtime options, including sandwiches, soups, salads and jacket potatoes, as well as homemade cakes and ice creams, it’s the perfect spot to soak up the summer sun and while away a few hours in a perfect park setting.

An independent coffee shop serving locally sourced homemade food, Dreams Coffee Lounge also has a good range of gluten-, wheat- and dairy-free products on offer. Serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon teas and a popular brunch, Dreams is open 8am–4pm and is located a short walk from Royal & Derngate and a six-minute walk from our Town Centre hotel, perfectly placed for a pit stop.

Created to help bring to life children’s book characters and be a haven for family reading The Magic Bean Emporium in St. Giles’ Street was opened in 2014 by children’s author Michella Dos Santos and has been a roaring – or should that be roasted coffee – success ever since. With in-store reading sessions and a lip-smacking range of cakes and treats, it’s the perfect place to entertain the kids for an hour or two while you sit back and enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee, a comfy seat and – why not? – an about-to-burst doughnut.

As you’d expect from the largest town in the UK, Northampton has a strong market history and hosts one of the longest-running markets in the country.

Running from Tuesday to Saturday every week, Northampton Market Square is perfectly located in the middle of town – seven minutes’ walk from our Town Centre hotel – and with plenty of parking options available nearby. Dating as far back as the 12th century, the market offers a full range of typical produce, including fruit and veg sellers, locally sourced meat and some truly weird and wonderful items – elk sausages anyone? Bustling and well-organised, it’s well worth a visit.