By Study Inn
Leicester city and the surrounding area is full of breathtaking, Instagrammable cafés, restaurants and locales. Not only is it home to many cultural and historical landmarks, but there’s plenty of aesthetically pleasing surroundings to capture on your phone camera.
We think it’s one of the best places in the Midlands to make your ‘Gram and its grid stand out. Here are our picks for the 10 best Instagrammable places you can find in and around Leicester, in no particular order.
Instagrammable cafés in Leicester
- Merchant of Venice
We first mentioned this café in our ‘Best places to eat as student in Leicester’ article and with good reason. This is because the Merchant of Venice is inspired by Venetian style coffee houses of old and takes its name from a Shakespeare play.
The theme alone makes it an incredibly Instagrammable place but the decor is an eclectic mix of renaissance style art, metallic fixings and Shakespearian quotes painted directly on the wall. The space is a palette of deliciously deep greens and golds. Everywhere you look is a feast for the eyes!
If you’re lucky enough to grab a window seat, you can even have your photo taken on one of the suspended seats held in place by metal chains attached to the ceiling.
- 6 Degrees Coffee House
6 Degrees Coffee House donates its profits to the charity Open Hands, which provides emergency care and support for the vulnerable and disadvantaged.
But as well as being charitable, it’s also extremely popular and is a great place to take some images for the ‘gram.
Grab a smoothie served in a jar during summer or grab a seat in the corner and cosy up with a coffee and a book during those long autumn and winter months.
Not only will you be curating your Insta grid but you’ll be supporting a fantastic cause.
- Saints of Mokha
This coffee house has an industrial, urban feel. It’s bright with lots of natural light (ideal for snapping images!). The spacious decor is modern and combines tables and chairs made from wood and concrete breeze blocks.
Order one of their unique, colourful lattes and get snapping. Try their Luna Latte – in a brilliant blue or their Red Velvet Latte, in a gorgeous deep red colour to die for! Don’t forget to ask for some interesting latte art too, the baristas here are talented latte artists.
Be sure to grab an image in front of the driftwood tree that stands in the middle of the café before you leave and you’ll soon enjoy being the envy of your non-Leicester residing friends.
- Maison Rose Café Boutique
This café is well worth the trek to Market Bosworth (30 minute journey time from Leicester by car or 1 hour via train or bus).
A stunning homage to the La Maison Rose, a popular rose-coloured cafe spot in Montmartre, Paris. The Maison Rose Café Boutique brings Parisian life to Leicestershire. Sip on one of the café’s pretty pink Spanish Rose lattes to make the most of the pink aesthetic, and make yourself comfy in this beautiful boutique-style café.
Of course, no visit here is complete without snapping a shot in front of the iconic pink floral backdrop, with its coffee-based pun lit up in neon: I love you a latte. We think you’ll love it a latte too!
Instagrammable restaurants & bars in Leicester
- Sonrisa Comida Argentina
The Grade II listed building that houses Sonrisa Comida Argentina used to be a bank and no expense has been spared in decorating this restaurant. Low hanging lamps and lush greenery hang from the high ceilings, the upholstery is bright and colourful and Argentinian art adorns the walls.
There are plenty of spots to find your ideal Instagram image everywhere you look, from the balcony seats overlooking the restaurant, the skylight which offers the perfect natural lighting for photos to the original bank safe being used as decor in the toilets. Bonus points as the food here is as gorgeous and Instagrammable as the ambience and decor that surrounds it.
Make sure to order a theatrical dry ice cocktail (or share 6 shots with friends all professionally prepared and served in a tray full of dry ice) for the ultimate Instagram Reel.
- Mowgli
The food, decor and cocktails are all Instaworthy at Mowgli, you’ll struggle when deciding what to capture.
From the colourful Indian street food piled high on silver pots and plates to the driftwood tree rising out of it adored with twinkling fairy lights.
Why not order a smoked cardamom Old Fashioned or a masala Espresso Martini and pose next to the iron cast staircase or on one of the swinging wooden seats attached to the ceiling. Alternatively, take a pew next to the driftwood tree and use it as a cool backdrop for your obligatory cocktail snap.
- Brick & Beam
The Rooftop bar at the Brick & Beam is an incredible spot for a selfie or two (or three!). But this bar has multiple rooms each with their own unique vibe.
Adjoining the rooftop terrace is the Garden Room, complete with plentiful plants hanging from the walls and a light, airy feel. Hidden away up two flights of stairs is the Loft Bar with its tall ceilings and metal beams. With its exposed brickwork, a sea of fairy lights and a warm, welcoming glow from dutch filament bulbs, this bar offers a cosy atmosphere and aesthetic.
In addition to offering a large selection of spirits and cocktails on offer, if you’re on the outdoor terrace, they also offer cigars. Whether you light up or not is up to you, but there’s no doubt they do make for great props in photos!
Instagrammable places in and around Leicester
- The Rocket Tower at the National Space Centre
The rocket tower at the National Space Centre just outside of Leicester is an iconic sight to anyone driving into Leicester. If you’ve ever driven into the city, you will no doubt have caught a glimpse of it peeking through the trees in the distance!
We think it’s one of the top places to visit in Leicester before you graduate, so why not bring your selfie stick along and inject your Instagram feed with something unique. At 42 metres high, the Rocket Tower offers some great interior and exterior angles, perfect for improving your photography skills.
Alternatively why not re-enact a Moon landing in front of the Apollo Lunar Lander which also calls the National Space Centre home.
- Bring the Paint annual street art event
Don’t miss the incredible street art all over Leicester, especially during the city’s annual Bring the Paint street art event, which takes place every year .
Nothing looks more Instagrammable than a low angle, artfully shot selfie with a street art backdrop. And with a wide range of renowned street artists from all over the world taking part every year there’s something for everyone, whatever your taste in art.
The festival celebrates street and graffiti art with large scale murals across the city as well as hosting artist workshops and talks, skateboarding showcases, and all things graffiti culture. You’ll be sure to snap some amazing shots for Insta over the course of this 7 day event.
- Stoneywell Cottage – Gardens and Woodlands
For something a little bit different and off the beaten track, this cottage, nestled in the centre of Charnwood Forest is only accessible by foot.
It was the first National Trust house in Leicestershire and was designed by British architect and designer Ernest Gimson. Gimson only used local materials during its construction so you will be documenting a building completely unique and native to Leicestershire!
With breathtaking scenery all around, from its gorgeous garden and wildlife to pretty plants and towering trees, you’ll be sure to find a magical Instagram shot as you live out your woodland faerie fantasy!
Cast your camera lens on Leicester
The above picks are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Instagrammable places in and around Leicester. Students staying at Study Inn Leicester will love its great location, with so many Instagrammable cafés, restaurants, and landmarks all easily accessible.
Not to mention, we think Study Inn Leicester is one of the most Instagrammable student accommodations in the area (though we may be a little biassed, of course!). Why not check out the Leicester Study Inn accommodation page or follow Study Inn on Instagram to see for yourself?
