Leicestershire might be famous for pork pies and Red Leicester cheese, but make no mistake — there’s something new in the air. And it’s not the scent of Stilton. It’s oak smoke, caramelised crusts, and the unmistakable aroma of slow-cooked brisket.
Whether you’re in bustling Leicester city, the market towns of Loughborough and Market Harborough, or the leafy villages of the Vale of Belvoir, brisket is quietly taking over, and it’s really good.
🐂 1. Smoke & Cured – Leicester
This independent smokehouse in the heart of the city is all about authentic American BBQ with British produce. Their brisket is smoked for 12–14 hours, rubbed with a custom spice blend, and carved thick to reveal a tender centre and flavourful bark.
Served in trays, buns, or even brisket burritos — it’s a Leicester BBQ essential.
📍 Leicester City Centre
🔥 Pro tip: Try their brisket burnt ends glazed in bourbon sauce. Rich, sticky, and unforgettable.
🍖 2. The Smoke Pit – Loughborough
A local favourite known for its industrial-chic vibe and deep Southern flavour, The Smoke Pit serves up brisket that’s juicy, smoky, and packed with soul. Whether you go for the classic brisket platter, dirty fries, or their “beef & beer” combo, you won’t leave hungry.
📍 Loughborough town centre
🔥 Pro tip: Order the Pit Plate and add extra brisket. Trust us.
🍔 3. Dick’s Smokehouse – Pop-Ups Across Leicestershire
Originally from the Cotswolds but now a regular guest at Leicestershire food festivals and brewery events, Dick’s Smokehouse brings seriously refined BBQ to the Midlands. Their brisket is slow-smoked over British oak, carved to order, and often served with local sauces and pickles.
📍 Pop-ups at events in Melton Mowbray, Hinckley & Ashby-de-la-Zouch
🔥 Pro tip: If they’re doing brisket & cornbread sliders — get them. Full stop.
🍺 4. Brisket & Brew Nights – Framework Brewery, Leicester
This independent brewery often hosts BBQ-themed taproom nights, where local pitmasters serve brisket trays, loaded brisket fries, and smoked sandwiches, all paired with freshly brewed beer. It’s laid-back, local, and incredibly tasty.
📍 Framework Brewery, Leicester
🔥 Pro tip: Pair their smoked brisket burger with a pint of Hazy Pale — the maltiness cuts through the fat beautifully.
🛻 5. The Rustic Smokehouse – Mobile BBQ, Market Harborough Area
This family-run mobile smokehouse pops up at markets, village events, and beer festivals, serving brisket boxes loaded with smoked meat, creamy slaw, and hand-cut fries. Their beef is locally sourced, and the flavour is big and bold.
📍 Often found in Market Harborough, Coalville & Oadby
🔥 Pro tip: The brisket wrap with mustard BBQ sauce and pickled onions is a smoky flavour bomb.
🧡 Honourable Mention: Back Garden Brisket Boxes
Leicestershire is home to plenty of DIY pitmasters and small-scale BBQ legends, many of whom run:
- Weekend-only brisket box collections
- Farm shop pop-ups in rural villages
- Street food stalls at local markets
Look out for:
- Melton Mowbray Food Festival
- Pub garden smoke nights around the Charnwood Forest
- Taproom food trucks at Steamin’ Billy or Round Corner Brewing
Sometimes, the best brisket comes from a converted smoker on a trailer behind your local pub.
🥩 Why Leicestershire Brisket Stands Out
Leicestershire has access to some of the UK’s best beef, plus a community of chefs who know their way around flavour, fire, and fusion. The brisket here is often smoked over British hardwoods, paired with craft beer, and seasoned with creativity and Midlands hospitality.
It’s heart-warming, full-bodied, and deeply satisfying.
✨ Final Thoughts: BBQ is Booming in Leicestershire
Whether you’re in the city, the countryside, or somewhere in between, brisket in Leicestershire is worth seeking out. This is a county that knows comfort food — and now it’s perfecting the art of slow-cooked beef with smoky soul.
So bring your appetite, follow your nose, and discover why brisket belongs in the Midlands culinary spotlight.
Know a brisket trailblazer in Leicestershire we haven’t featured? A hidden smoker behind a brewery or a butcher’s secret BBQ box? Drop us a line — we’re always chasing the smoke.