Dining guides, event news and stories from our Italian restaurants in Leicester and Nottingham.
A short walk from Leicester train station, Merchant of Venice on Granby Street serves authentic Italian food, brunch, coffee and desserts. Menu, parking and booking.
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Italian dining in the heart of Leicester's Lanes, steps from Highcross and Jubilee Square. Handmade dishes, coffee and cocktails at Merchant of Venice, Loseby Lane.
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Recognised Italian restaurant in Leicester with two city-centre venues, Granby Street and Loseby Lane. See what makes a great Leicester restaurant, plus menus and booking.
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Looking for Italian food near Nottingham? Merchant of Venice at Patchings Art Centre, Calverton has free parking, a relaxed setting, brunch, dinner and Vantom Village events.
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Give the gift of Italian this Christmas: Merchant of Venice gift hampers and restaurant gift vouchers for Leicester and Nottingham. Order before Christmas.
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Birthdays, work parties and celebrations at Merchant of Venice in Leicester and near Nottingham. View the party menu and enquire online.
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Join us at Patchings Art Centre, Calverton for a guided Italian wine tasting evening on Wednesday 11th November 2026 at 7:00 PM. £25 per person, with small plates.
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Planning a Christmas party in Leicester or near Nottingham? Compare party nights, group dining and the Christmas menu at Merchant of Venice and Vantom Village.
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New to Italian dining? Here are ten classic dishes worth ordering, from antipasti to tiramisu, and how to build a proper Italian meal.
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What makes pasta authentically Italian? Learn the difference between fresh and dried pasta, how sauces are made, and what to look for on a menu.
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New to Italian wine? A simple beginner guide to regions, grapes and food pairings, ahead of our wine tasting evenings in Leicester and Nottingham.
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Planning a day out in Calverton, Nottinghamshire? Explore Patchings Art Centre and Vantom Village, then enjoy Italian lunch or dinner with free parking.
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How did Italy become the home of espresso? A short history of Italian coffee, from the first coffee houses in Venice to the modern espresso bar.
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Espresso, cappuccino or macchiato? Learn how Italians order coffee, when to drink each, and what to ask for at Merchant of Venice.
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From lentils for luck to a midnight toast, discover Italian New Year's traditions and ideas for an Italian-style celebration in Leicester and Nottingham.
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Planning Valentine's Day dinner in Leicester in 2027? See why Loseby Lane is a romantic choice, when to book and what to expect.
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Treat Mum to lunch this Mother's Day (Sunday 7 March 2027). Italian dining at Merchant of Venice in Leicester and near Nottingham.
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Ask ten locals for the best Italian restaurants Nottingham has to offer and you'll get ten different answers. Here's how to pick well, from Merchant of Venice at Patchings Art Centre.
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If you love Italian food, Nottingham has plenty of choices — but every so often a meal is good enough that you're happy to travel for it. Here's why the short trip to Merchant of Venice pays off.
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Ask around for the best Italian restaurants Leicester has to offer and the answers will depend on who you ask. This guide covers what to look for, what to order, and how to book.
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A relaxed, informative wine tasting experience built around genuine Italian wine culture, paired with dishes designed to bring each glass to life — on Loseby Lane, Leicester.
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A month ago we wrote about the little corner of Loseby Lane locals keep quietly recommending. Here's a catch-up on what's changed, what you told us, and what's coming next.
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Instead of giving someone another thing to store in a cupboard, give them an evening to look forward to. Here's why a Merchant of Venice gift voucher makes a great gift.
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Typing "italian restaurant near me" into Google is usually the first step in a very simple decision: where am I eating tonight? Here's how to find us from Leicester or Nottingham.
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Event ended: our 14th October 2026 Granby Street wine tasting has taken place. Next wine tasting: 11th November 2026, 7PM at Patchings Art Centre (£25pp).
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Our Italian Christmas menu from 1st December 2026 at all three locations: 3 courses for £36.95pp. See the full menu and book your table.
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Christmas Party Nights at Vantom Village, Patchings (near Nottingham) return on 21st November & 5th December 2026: festive 3-course dinner, live music, a magician and dancing till late, £39pp.
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The Christmas Market at Vantom Village runs 6th–8th November and 18th–20th December 2026 — independent traders, festive food and gifts, right next to Merchant of Venice.
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One guide to Christmas 2026 across Merchant of Venice and Vantom Village — the festive menu, Christmas Party Nights, the Christmas Market and gift vouchers, all in one place.
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Italian-style brunch, artisan coffee and fresh pastries in Leicester city centre. Discover why Granby Street and Loseby Lane are the brunch spots worth setting aside a morning for.
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Candlelit Italian dining on Loseby Lane, Leicester — the perfect setting for date nights, anniversaries and private celebrations.
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Looking for Italian food near Calverton, Oxton or Woodborough? Merchant of Venice at Patchings Art Centre is the closest authentic Italian restaurant for Nottinghamshire's surrounding villages.
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Authentic Italian food for every diet. Discover the vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options at both Merchant of Venice Leicester locations.
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Discover Italian wine tasting in Leicester at Merchant of Venice — guided tastings, small groups and a curated Italian wine selection.
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Artisan coffee in Leicester city centre — discover why Granby Street and Loseby Lane are worth a visit for coffee alone.
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Looking for a family-friendly restaurant in Leicester? Discover why Granby Street and Loseby Lane welcome families with a warm atmosphere and a menu for every age.
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Looking for the best places to eat in Leicester city centre? See why Merchant of Venice is a local favourite for authentic Italian dining.
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Planning a day out in Leicester? Discover the best places to visit in the city centre, and where to eat once you're done exploring.
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Looking for a restaurant near Leicester train station? Merchant of Venice on Granby Street is a short walk away, open from breakfast through to dinner.
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Just finished a day of art, gardens and animal paddocks at Patchings? Discover why Merchant of Venice is the family-friendly Italian restaurant Nottingham visitors keep coming back to.
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Dining before a show at Curve Theatre? Discover why Merchant of Venice on Granby Street is one of the most convenient pre-theatre dining spots in Leicester city centre.
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Tucked into Leicester's historic Lanes quarter near Highcross, discover why Loseby Lane is home to one of the city's most-loved authentic Italian restaurants.
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If you've been searching for the best Italian restaurants Leicester has to offer, discover why Merchant of Venice is the city centre's home for authentic, tradition-rooted Italian cooking.
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