The Shires Inn in Harborough

Each year we had a Family meet up around Easter time then COVID hit. The shires then had some renovations done ( I think) so we found another venue, but nothing compares with The Shires. Today we went back and what service we had…brilliant. From the first phone call everyone I have spoken to have been so accommodating and helpful, look forward to seeing you again..

Lovely pub for food, always busy especially on a Sunday! So I think booking is essential, also car share if you can, as although it has a big car park it does fill up. The curry night is my favourite, it's brilliant.

We went midweek for lunch as a couple of people had recommended after I had asked for suggestions. The place itself is in a beautiful location but in areas a tad tired looking inside ( curtains hanging off the rails etc) . After opting for a turkey lunch I was sad to say my disappointment set in . The meat was welded to the plate with an over salted gravy that was thick enough to fill in potholes on the roads to the venue . The Yorkshire pudding was so overdone it was totally inedible . My daughter had the chicken Kiev which itself was gorgeous but sadly served with three quarters of a plate of slightly brown lollo lettuce . The side dishes of vegetables however were lovely and fresh and the staff were great but given the chance I would sadly not return .

Saturday evening service slow waited over 20 mins for veg and chips to come with our mains course already arrived so food was cold .waitress didn't know what the house red wine make was but also didn't find out either desserts was not good quality and expensive

Best sunday carvery in Leicestershire great prices

Food was as described but far too much of it so there was a lot of waste and even the waitress clearing our table said that she rarely sees anyone finish all their food on the table! There was a long wait between courses with us being there for 3 hours for a starter and main course. Obviously understaffed for the number of covers. Big menu with lots to choose from caters for everyone’s wants. It’s cheap food but good food and lots of it!

We came here on curry night, it was all lovely food as usual and service was good and pleasant with it aswell.We will definitely be returning here again soon.

Luke was a very attentive server, always checking back with us to see how things were and his recommendations of dishes were brilliant which shows great product knowledge and enthusiasm for his job here. he made the experience very memorable! The food portions were outstanding to a point where we were unable to finish the mains but the food was very well presented, well cooked and had great value for money. Will definitely come here again in the future! The atmosphere was very calm and pleasant with very friendly staff aswell :)

Our first visit with friends. Food choices for weekly lunchtime menu were very good. Portion sizes good and all food clearly homemade. Highly recommended and we will be returning.

4 Aussies dining with English rellies, the Sunday carvery was magnificent. The size of the yorkies blew us away.

Nice food if anything the portions were oversized. One order came wrong but was replaced quickly and without fuss. Service was good. Would go again only would not have starter as main was sufficient

Fabulous meals, lovely plesent staff and excellent service, visiting from Hampshire and a overnight stay in the village, will certainly recommend this to anyone in the area ,a big thanks to All

Went on valentines. Staff were friendly and nice. Staff was a little slow removing plates , empty glasses. Took awhile for them to bring new cutlery. Prawns were nice put too much salad and onions. Food is nice. Would recommend going.

The best carvery in county, bar none. The Shires staff certainly earn their money on a Sunday! Always a treat 🙂

I've been going to the shires for years and usually nothing to complain about. This time on my 55th birthday was very disappointing. The meat was all overcooked, vegetables undercooked and lacking in choice. On top of that we ordered drinks to have with the meal which didn't arrive. Eventually we managed to get drinks and when the bill came, we were charged for the drinks we never had. I complained to the girl on the till and her answer to my complaint for the food was "I don't cook the food". Not really the answer I would expect. This is the last time I will be going there unless I receive some kind of formal apology for the rudeness of the staff.

Very good Sunday roast carvery and a decent pint

On first impressions when you walk in its a really nice looking place. We was seated by the buffet for Sunday Carvery and was boiling hot and had to keep nipping outside to cool down. All the waiting staff seemed very young and inexperienced. Didn't know what type of lager was on offer and no idea what a lager shandy was. Drinks took ages to come and when they did arrive some were wrong. Food was ok, the only plus point for me. When you come to pay you then get stuck in a little hallway with other people trying to pay and also people trying to be seated. Wont be rushing back anytime soon.

Saturday 3rd February 2024. Family of 4. Our first time having dinner at the Shires Inn in Peatling Parva, Leicestershire. First impressions were the dining area was bright, with tired tables and chairs and the room was full of tat on the walls, which the wife and I both commented on at the same time ! Not at all like the photos on the website, which shows a spacious dining room. A large and varied menu, oddly with steaks on the back page. The menu for the mains was unclear since it was not obvious the meals included potatoes and vegetables. We both ordered medallions of fillet steak which arrived swimming in sauce/gravy instead of served with the meal. When paying the bill I went to the bar area, a lady, possibly a manager took payment and asked how everything was. I explained I didn't particularly like my £25 steak swimming in gravy. Her response was "well our customers like it that way" and "some you win and some you lose" So you lost our custom and we won't be going back !

Wonderful food,a superb place to eat out

Very busy on a Sunday but the carvery is amazing and the staff were fab for my 30th birthday. Always recommend this place!

Awesome 'local pub'. Beautiful building full of character and with a lovely carvery. Has a large grassed beer garden with wooden climbing frame for the littles. However it gets VERY boggy after any rain so be careful before they charge down to it and end up coated in mud! Amazing carveries.

I was disappointed with the free from menu. It did not offer anything but vegetarian options that left my Grandma ordering something she didn't really like as she's celiac. Other than that, the atmosphere was good and the staff were lovely.

We were a party of 36, such a fantastic and varied menu. The food was cooked to perfection and such good quality. Half of us chose the carvery, half from the festive menu. The trio of partridge breasts and Duckling in black cherry sauce were particular favourites with our dinners. Amazing service considering how busy the restaurant was. A big thank you to all the staff, who were fantastic 👏

Christmas Day at the Shores Inn was a pleasure, the staff were attentive and helpful,the food was good and considering how busy they were, we were served promptly, it must be said it's not easy to get all of those things right when there's no room at the Inn. Well done everybody.🥰

Great food great service, good parking great facilities.do I recommend yes I do all home made and cale for money.

We had our Christmas party here yesterday. The Shires did us proud, the food, staff and venue were brilliant, couldn't have been better. We had a great time, thank you so much, we'll be back. Merry Christmas to everyone at The Shires. Cosby Friday Walkers (40 of us)

Pippa and the team made us very welcome. Lovely food and good portions

Came here on 22/12, had the pheasant. Exquisite! Big portion wrapped in bacon, with haggis inside a pastry casing, a pheasant Wellington if you like. Delicious herby sauce, potatoes and winter vegetables. Great service and a wonderful lunch.

Date of visit 22/12/23.Very disappointed, haveing been here in the past and had nice meals. However on visiting withy family and having ordered for the 4 of us only 3 of the 4 dinners arrived. When my son's steak arrived it was raw and cold in the middle. Sent it back and they cooked the same steak and then brought the same steak back over cooked this time when ordered medium rare. Sent back for a 2nd time. By the time he got his dinner the rest of us had nearly finished. The onion rings were really greasy. I ordered the Surf and Turf and the plate come out swimming in melted butter and only 2 large prawns. No idea why I also had what looked like chillies in dressing for the steak. We ordered 3 Steaks with chips, Ham Eggs and chips and got given 1 bowl of chips between 4 of us. Then one of the staff asked if we would need more.....well erm yes. Final insult it cost me £12.20 fo 2 pints. Poor food, High prices very disappointed 😞😞

Popped in for lunch. Food was excellent and staff were great. Highly recommended!

Excellent seevices and food. Very unique experience of a rural restaurant. The owner went above and beyond for hospitality .

I have just visited and me and my family were delighted by the large menu, fast service and friendly staff. The portions were huge and absolutely delicious. Would definitely recommend!

Freezing cold and the food was appalling. £25 for a steak of which most of it was fat. Will not be returning.

The food was good quality, the service was friendly and brisk but it was too busy making it sometimes uncomfortable

Great place food brilliant staff really friendly and helpful definitely going back

Does a decent carvery on a Sunday. Pretty popular so it's wise to book

Pre-covid this was an excellent night out. Not so good now. Food OK but expensive for that. Used to be more special. Had 3 courses with 4 friends and at each course someone's food was 10 min later than rest. It's a good 3 star now.

Lovely country pub in a great providing quality food with friendly service. I was as pleased the 2nd time I visited for a family event, as I was the first time

Had a lovely time celebrating my son's 18th birthday. The carvery was fab & so were the other meals chosen from the main menu. The staff & service was also very good.

Absolutely love it here it’s my favourite restaurant but this time I invited 10 of my family and unfortunately things are never as you say when it comes to it..it just simply wasn’t as good as usual! Usually amazing tho

Phenomenal restaurant. I can't fault the whole experience, from the staff to the first class quality of food. Simply outstanding & I will definitely be visiting again!

Had to ask a number of times for things had a table booked for 3.30 and had to ask at 4.15 if we can go to carvery and was being charged for 12 and there was only 11 then looking at receipt once home have been charged £6.95 for a 2yearold child ice cream

Staff very young and inexperienced . We were three quarters of the way through our food before we received a check back by who I assumed was the manager, when I said I was disappointed with my Stilton sauce as there was no Stilton in it at all he really didn’t care. Asked if I wanted another but why would I. No apology or offer of anything in recompense . Been a couple of times and not been impressed by service or food. Will not be returning

Delicious food but portions so huge meant terrible waste of food. Please serve smaller portions to avoid terrible waste!

Good food, ok beer just a bit warm

A great place for a birthday meal we all enjoyed our food and service was fantastic

Super food fantastic atmosphere and excellent surroundings

We went as a family (3 adults, 2 kids) on a Sunday at lunch time. The carvery was bang on and the kids loved their food too. As a vegetarian, I was pleased to see there were 3 different options on their Sunday menu. This was tasty too and the portions were very generous. However, we ordered a bottle of white wine but got the wrong bottle. When we raised that issue, we were told they ran out of the wine we ordered. It was annoying that we weren't told that when they brought the bottle over, especially since it was a totally different wine, and £4 more expensive that the one we ordered!

Excellent carvery, comprehensive choice of meat and veg. Lovely staff. Well worth a visit.

Not too expensive but the food is superb. Liver & bacon. Steak & kidney pie with lots of kidney.

Having turned up for the Sunday carvery having booked a table, we stood at reception for nearly 30 minutes with not one member of staff acknowledging use, which wasn't great with with a 3 year old. Finally sat down on a table that was already ready. The carvery itself was great, probably one of the best around. After paying realized they had not taken off my deposit, phoned up and was met by a rude manager who even messed up my refund/deposit. Real shame and wont be going back.

Booked for our wedding meal . Preordered for 18 of us and as always we had the best time, beautiful food, and fantastic service. We always choose the shires for family meals and celebrations- wouldn’t go anywhere else.

The food was average. They didn't have any goats cheese for my salad and the didn't serve the included beetroot or walnuts. This was sorted but not ideal replacement. We ate outside in a nice garden area.

The food is why we keep returning, not cheap but excellent.

Went for the curry buffet. Well prepared, tasty and plentiful. Good value for money.

Decided on going here due to good reviews but most are prob from their club. After being made to wait with my 6 month old son and partner when the people before us were just let straight through who clearly were friends, we got seated after 10 mins of standing there without any other in the queues. The food had been there all day and the Yorkies had gone solid and most the meat was chewy and dry. We wasn’t asked for drinks I had to go to the bar whilst other bigger parties were waited on hand and foot. There were 3 waitresses dealing with one tables deserts and we couldn’t even get a drink. Left the meal half eaten and decided to leave and paid £30 after a deduction of £8 lol. Clearly this place looks after it’s regular or large parties but don’t give a toss about smaller parties or non regulars. Would not recommend this place and will not be coming again . Might as well wore an invisible cape from lord of the rings.

Nice pub, obviously popular with the locals. Carvery was fine but I was envious of my wife's sea bass... The staff were all friendly, keen and helpful. A nice little play area in the garden for children, but very exposed to the sun so became very hot to touch. Meal for 6 people came to £90 with drinks which I thought was very reasonable. We did have a round of drinks before that we paid for separately so don't get too excited by the low price! The atmosphere score was low because of people dressed inappropriately, I don't understand how it can be permitted to have people wearing string vests in a restaurant? Some other customers were also very rude to the staff, manners cost nothing and it bothered me, but the staff handled it professionally.

We had a great time celebrating my hubbys 50th here, food and staff are amazing

We was a large family of 27 it was a very special night as it was a reunion of family fro Australia I explained this. Food was great no complaints by time we all got food it was 1800. So we was extremely annoyed when at 1900 we was told it was closing please pay up. Bars closed .toilets closed and we was literly left standing outside .we want to make night of it in garden .it ruined our night. Never once was I told this otherwise we would gone else where. The pub down road was still open .

Excellent food, great service, will be going again, great food again,

Perfect experience on Father’s Day! Accommodated really well for vegans and vegetarians! The best service I’ve received in a restaurant, beautiful surroundings and wonderful staff!

Where do I start? I find it very difficult when you have paid quite a considerable amount of money to have a nice steak and prawns (surf and turf, meal). To have to have it taken away due to the fact that the prawns were absolutely like rubber. My partners were like rubber too, but he left it on the plate and continued eating his steak as he is a diabetic and he hasn't eaten. I sent mine back as it really was inedible, I then ordered a filo pastry with cheese and spinach, the pastry with sideburns, and that was an edible it came with a plate of vegetables of which one of the vegetables I have a very severe allergic reaction to. I did state this at the table. I then had to go up to the reception where the young lady came and asked if I wanted it taken away, including the onion rings that we have purchased they were snatched away. No one came to the table and asked us was your mail okay or anything to Vanessa like and yet they could tell that the menu was not to our taste on this occasion. We then went to pay when we confronted by the waiter who had served us, who was a very nice young man, however we were then confronted by the person he'd been hovering around us but didn't speak to us. I was told that I could've sent the plate back and I shouldn't of made a fuss and that was only two prawns and they could've been sorted in two minutes. Well that might be alright for some but that's not okay for me. I'm not a food snob, but I do expect good service and I do expect that if a plate of food doesn't look right that it shouldn't be excepted then had and went into an argy-bargy about. He was right and he was wrong and I felt totally in utterly so I was wasting my time so in the end, I said to him let's agree to disagree. I told him that my partner has not had fat cook chips. As promised they were skinny chips. As stated on the menu. He took no notice. He still charged us for the meal even though my partner had no chips and left both prawns as they were absolutely overcooked. His attitude is absolutely dreadful. He went into a half started to storm off at towards the garden and we followed and then abruptly turned around and walked past us, the other way. What good customer service he has NOT. Anyway, if you want a good meal , I suggest you don't go there for the time being until they've got things sorted as the place needed a good clean, carpets were filthy and chairs n

Good reliable pub and restaurant. Always leave with a happy belly and smile.

We rang around so many restaurants/pubs in the evening looking for somewhere dog friendly. We were staying in Lutterworth for my birthday so weren’t local to the area. Although plenty initially advertised they were online, we were let down. Upon randomly stumbling upon the Shires Inn, we were told they were dog friendly as long as we were sat outside. When arriving, they noticed the temperature was dropping and my dog was half blind and deaf. They put us in the quietest corner inside, gave her a blanket, water and even a plate of lamb and beef scraps. We were seen promptly and the young chap (the chefs son, I think his name was Matt?) who served us deserves the biggest round of applause. He was beyond helpful, accommodating and friendly, even took a shine to my ‘Princess’ (dog) as he called her. The food was impeccable and portions were HUGE. amazing value for money. We even saw the chefs picking fresh herbs from the garden. This was the highlight to my birthday. We will definitely come back. Highly recommend this place to anyone.

Huge portions but rather bland food

This is a lovely country restaurant and bar. There is a good menu range , including a 'Free From" menu. There is a nice outdoor dining area and comfortable indoor dining. Prices are reasonable and the quality of the food and drink is very good. It can get busy so booking is recommended. There is plenty of parking.

Excellent food and service. Must be one of the best in Leicestershire. Well worth a visit.

Excellent food and service will be going again in the near future

Superb meal and service last night. Worth every penny

Gone down hill food was terrible my wife had belly pork and it was so hard and over cooked i had lasagne with was tasteless sloppy and could not find the mince very disappointed my wife went to the bar to pay the bill so other people in the restaurant did not here her complain out of respect but the young staff was rude

The carver knowingly served my a piece of rubber fat and gristle of the end of beef carvery. Disgusting put me off carvery for a long time. We go to another local carvery much nicer, I will never bring my family here again.

Carvery very noisy,couldn't hold a conversation, food over cooked, potatoes seemed to have been re heated from another time,they use same knife on all carvery meats,nice as beef so rare with blood on it.Would not go back again the staff are all so young that they don't know how to treat a customer, I complained nicely to one waitress and just looked spaced out at me.I then seen manager but really he was not bothered said sorry ect,but unconvincing, I had read reviews on the Sunday carvery wish I took notice of the bad ones all true sorry to say ,just don't waste good money.

Lovely food and carvery fantastic.

Great service, delicious carvery in lovely surroundings, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Came here for a meal today, delicious food from the carvery with plenty of meat and vegetables to choose from. Only downside to here is really bad service. Nobody on front desk to take us to our table, we waited ages, ordered a drink which never came, no dessert menu to look at, just a special board that was hidden behind the banister out of view and no prices on it. Staff didn’t seem to know what they were doing. They didn’t listen and took wrong orders. Won’t be coming back.

Remember this place being a disco in the late 80s my boss takes all the workers here for a celebratory carvery and I've got to say all the ingredients (toasties, yorkies) are fresh with large selection of veg expect it's not the cheapest cus it's set in prime country side

Delicious food, Very generous portions

The food for the most part was bland with the exception of some of the meat. Admittedly it was mother's day but it was a bit ridiculous that we had to ask three separate waiters to be able to order. Also despite the fact that we where first in and so there was no chance of another customer sitting on our table we found the just under the lip of the table there was a copious amount of gum.

Went for mother's day. 3 course meal was delicious starter of pate with lamb n beef carvery then lemon curd panatonee. Delicious

Really lovely pub for Sunday carvery lunch. Had pigeon for starter which was very tasty. Had carvery for main. Meat was a good portion. Crackling wasn't great. Beef was pink which was amazing. Great choice of sides. Even cauliflower cheese and parsnips which were great and crispy. We didn't have puddings as we were there for a birthday meal. They were very busy, carpark was full so roads either side of the pub were also busy. Service was very friendly, did take a while for some service during the meal but was very busy so expected. Would go again for the carvery. Probably wouldn't have starter as was so full after a really great Sunday roast.

So bad service for Asian customers

Hadn't been here for awhile but decided to book a table on a Saturday evening.... We definitely weren't disappointed... The food was lovely. Plenty of choice and certainly value for money.. Staff were very pleasant and the service was excellent... Would highly recommend...

Had an amazing carvary here. The staff were all nice and helpful. Would highly recommend

Always great to go here. Food it always good.

Amazing food Best pub food you will ever have Great location 5* perfection

Amazing pub restaurant, amazing food, lovely atmosphere, outside play area for the kids. Do enjoy the family meals we go there for.

Had Christmas lunch. Excellent food, very attentative staff who couldn't do enough for us. Could not fault it

Best place to go for a Traditional Sunday Dinner.

Lovely food as always. Phesant was delicious.

Attention to detail. The food was lovely, the staff were pleasant but were also very hit or miss with the service. Our table was 'given away' to another family, so we sat elsewhere in the pub/restaurant, but nobody bothered to switch on any Xmas lights, which made our area rather drab. I was disappointed in the end after being told the venue was fabulous. And I hate to be picky, but I didn't need to see the manager checking his books/paperwork while I was eating my meal. Sorry.

Nine of our family went there for Christmas dinner, great food, plenty of it and great service, highly recommend

Tasty food ,polite staff warm atmosphere,great to be back😊👍

Very impressed. Varied menu with lots of amazing food. My vegan wife was happy with the excellent offering, which is unusual at a non specialist restaurant, staff very polite, fast and helpful. Think we have found our new regular spot. There's really nothing else as good in the area for us.

Delicious food and friendly staff.

I’ve been going here for years and the food is always of the highest quality. Highly recommend if you want a delicious meal for a good price!

Nice surroundings, home cooked style food. Expensive deserts though- £6.95 for 2 scoops of ice cream! Not sure if I would rush back.

My family and I came here for a traditional carvery and loved it. There was a good selection of different meats to choose from - at least five I believe, which feels like a better selection than most. The vegetables were splendid too - all my toddler wanted to eat were the carrots! I also had the chicken liver pate for a starter, which I personally found gorgeous! (Would definitely recommend!) To top it off, there was also a delightfully warm atmosphere in the whole place on a Sunday afternoon, filled with families celebrating. However, I was rather disappointed by the cleanliness of the bathrooms. I could see dust lining the walls and it felt as if there were not enough toilets for the size of the pub, so they were constantly in use.

The atmosphere was very chrismasy, the service was a bit slow & the porterhouse steak was very fatty & ropey for £28.95.

Great food and service as usual from the staff at this Sunday lunchtime carvery it is the best in this area.

Such a lovely atmosphere, staff really friendly and knowledgeable about the dishes they serve.food was amazing and such a varied choice.would definitely recommend the Sunday carvery.meat cooked to perfection and vegetables too.we'll be back thank you