Christopher James Delicatessen in Leicester

A great Italian deli with the best sandwiches in Leicester!

My husband and I devoured a couple of their focaccia toasties, we had a half of each so double the joy. They tasted fresh and were toasted to perfection. We ate them so fast that I didn’t even think to take a photo! The ladies in the shop were really friendly and helpful. I picked up a wedge of gorgeous mushroom brie for snacking too.

I’m glad that this lovely Italian deli finally got the facelift it deserves! The store now looks bright, lovely and welcoming, with wonderful selection of products tastefully displayed. I recently had a Sicily sandwich and a Napoli sandwich. Both were super delicious. I highly recommend!

Nice local deli with good selection of locally sourced food. The sourdough available there is second to none.

We had a sharing grazing tray for Mother's Day - it's a fabulous way to try a great variety of treats! Very yummy! If you're a "foodie" I would highly recommend!

Pre ordered on line (on line website so easy to use by the way). We had a variety of cold cut meats and there was plenty , ordered for two of us, could have done 4 easily. Quality and flavour ace. Bread is also amazing. And quiche. And chorizo sausage rolls. A real must try deli for quality and flavour. Thanks to you both. We’ll be back.

Very quaint with lots of amazing produce.

Great bread, can collect from outside and order in advance for all of your deli needs including cake and cheese. 🧀

Order on their new website to collect on a Friday or Saturday. Great team. Great food. I can recommend the olives, houmous, bread, onion bhajis and brownies. Yeah, it's not cheap but great food is not cheap. It's fairly priced.

In a time when big supermarkets dominate the food industry, this is exactly the kind of place that food-lovers must fight to keep open. They serve sandwiches and coffee as well as a plentiful selection of cheese, olives, pastries, meats, coffee beans, bread and a hundred other things. The samosas and cannoli are to die for! Give Christopher James a visit, you won't regret it.

Great selection, and a knowledgeable and helpful proprietor.

Nice produce, friendly service, reasonable price. Well worth a visit and you can call ahead to have your sandwich ready for when you arrive. My reccomendations are 'gone fishing', the onion bhaji and also the veg samosas.

Bland Decent produce if not a bit bland-It’s a matter of taste. Same tongs for meat and veg I had to ask that a separate tong be used for the veggie produce to the one being used for meat produce. Bags not suitable size Yes we should all use our own bags but sometimes one doesn't bring one and expects the pricey deli should supply a suitable sized bag for the produce they sell. They overturned my mini pastries and placed them in a very small bag! Customer service I asked about the taste of the scotch egg and what herbs were in it and the lady replied rudely it was just a normal scotch egg! Well, madam for a food place you ought to learn how to describe your products with finesse and whilst you’re at it get some suitable bags, tongs and customer service skills. Basics!

My daughter is in uni at Leicester and whenever we visit from South Wales always call in to buy supplies!! The samosas are to die for!! Good, efficient service, can't wait til next time!!

Went on 29/12 to collect some cheese. Great variety and helps that the ladies behind the counter know what they are selling. Wonderful tasting Italian pastries, canolli and good variety of chutneys, crackers etc A hidden gem.

Great little deli with some unique cheeses

I ordered a range of cheeses for a 50th birthday party after being let down at the last minute by the caterers. Simon, the owner, was so helpful. He recommended a wide range of cheeses, crackers and condiments. He constantly kept me updated on the delivery, how to best keep the cheeses and ideas on how to display them. We had so many comments at the party saying that they were amongst the best they’d tasted. Several friends were going to visit the deli. Would definitely use again and would highly recommend

I had a couple of sandwiches from here, even though the owner talks a big game about the produce it’s overpriced nonsense. I guess it’s to appeal to all these hipster/yuppie types.

Nice service and selection of cheeses. Attractive Italian flakey pastries were disappointing, unfortunately- extremely sweet and dry

Good range of interesting food...but not so good for the diet. A treat maybe 😉

I like to support small businesses but unfortunately this one is extremely overpriced. Sandwiches are rather bland. I wasn't impressed with the appearance; seemed cluttered and untidy. I can't recommend sorry.

A good little delicatessen with tasty food! In my opinion I think that the Cannolli are a bit over priced as they are £1 each. Overall this is a good place!👍

Great products at a good fair price. And the bread is really good!!

Rude Mannerism over the phone. called to enquire about wedding cakes. and the answers from them were so lethargic and careless. Asked when the owner would be in and the reply i got was. Not today. asked about next week still don know. It wasn't an honest answer. STAY AWAY.

What an absolute gem! It's a wonderful shop with wonderful staff! What a great place!

Although this deli has been around for ages it has recently changed hands. Although the 'old favourites' are still available, Simon has already introduced some of his own homemade products. Delicious! He will also put himself out for you in order to meet your needs if he possibly can - a rare quality these days. I think you will also see changes in the physical appearance of the shop over time so some of the issues mentioned above will be addressed. Give the place a try as I am sure you will not be disappointed and, if you do, give yourself a pat on the back for supporting a local independent trader coz that's what you will be doing.

This obviously isnt a restaurant ... But it does sell some very nice freshly made sandwiches. Has a good selection of cold meats and cheese, as well as freshly delivered bread from specialist bakeries - this usually sells out very quickly. Staff friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. However, this does have to be the least well set out shop ever! There is barely room for two customers to pass each other, if there are three customers inside, the next customer has to wait outside before there is room for them to enter. Maria Portus would probably have a kitten, but the fact the shop has been here for decades and thrives proves that the quality of the produce and staff keep people returning.

A fantastic range of wonderful food. Try the Rocky Road cake and grab some fresh coffee beans and make your own blend. If you want the big samosas get in there early as they're soon snapped up.