Uppermill is blessed with a multitude of excellent places to eat and drink, the High Street is a veritable hive of activity at weekends and is lined with cafes, bars, restaurants and traditional local pubs to suit all tastes. Whether you are looking for a nice quiet place to have a coffee and a chat, or somewhere more lively to enjoy a cocktail, or somewhere to enjoy a quality meal, all are available in Uppermill and all are within walking distance of Pots & Pans Cottage.
If you are Coeliac or gluten intolerant, I have put together a list of the best places in Uppermill, Saddleworth and the surrounding area to find gluten-free foods.
A few guests have asked me to recommend the best Indian restaurants in the area, so if you are looking for a cracking curry whilst you are in Saddleworth then I have put together a list of my recommendations
If you are coming to stay at Pots & Pans over a weekend, and want to eat out in Uppermill then it is highly advisable to book a table in advance to avoid disappointment, Uppermill does get very busy at weekends as people flock here from the neighbouring villages for a night on the ‘town’. Details are at the bottom of the page with links to the relevant web pages.
Many of the cafe’s bars, pubs and restaurants have now reopened after their COVID19 hiatus, however, all are following government guidelines by reducing the number of tables available for guests. Booking is essential due to their reduced capacity. Due to the ever changing circumstances, it is wise to double check any information supplied here with each business to find out there exact situation, for example the opening times listed at the bottom of the page are more than likely not up to date anymore.
All of the local businesses have made a huge effort to provide a safe a comfortable environment, please make use of them and #eatlocal.
Cafes
There is no shortage of Cafe’s in Uppermill, you don’t need to travel far to get your caffeine fix. Without a doubt, the most popular cafe in the village is Caffè Grande Abaco known locally as Java, (because that was what it was originally called). This fabulous spot fills all four stories of their High street building and has a decent (heated) outside seating area as well. They serve much more than just coffee and have a full menu available (the platters are excellent) and a decent range of wines and beers. Expect it to be busy, it seems to be busy at all times of day, but it is well worth a visit even if you have to queue, as it really is the social centre of the village.
There are many other excellent cafés to choose from in the village. The Reclamation Room, just off the High Street is one of the best, it’s a lovely venue that serves super coffee, and awesome cakes, they also sell a small range of shabby-chic decorations through their shop Style and Salvaged. A number of our guests at Pots & Pans Cottage have recommended the Reclamation room as a fabulous breakfast or lunchtime spot.
On the high street, FIKA and The Vintage Cupcake Kitchen are both smart and serve high-quality offerings. Wilberry’s further up the high street, and the Cellar Pot above the Post Office are as close to ‘proper cafes’ as you will find, and Saints near the playground is a charming place to hang out and is conveniently located for post-playground refreshments. Towards the northern edge of the village, near the viaduct at the Brownhill visitors centre, the Limekiln Cafe serves excellent food and is a lovely spot to sit by the canal (weather permitting) and watch the world pass by, they are also dog-friendly!
The Old Library Garden Cafe and Bar is a delightfully cosy spot hidden away behind Saddleworth outdoor clothing on the High Street. It’s well worth seeking out for their beautiful setting on the river Tame alone, but they also serve a tasty and interesting range of home-prepared soups, salads, sandwiches and cakes. Due to their outside location, they don’t tend to open if the weather is bad, but when the sun is shining it’s a wonderfully peaceful spot in central Uppermill for breakfast or lunch.
Two excellent new cafes that opened on the High Street in Uppermill in 2020 (and managed to survive the lockdowns!) are Weaver and Wilde Coffee House and Kobe Coffee. Kobe Coffee is an independent specialist coffee shop set up by two Saddleworth brothers, Joe and George Ford it is a smart and sophisticated space that serves up excellent ethically sourced coffee and a range of tasty snacks. Weaver and Wilde, located opposite the museum is dog-friendly independent coffee house serving award winning coffee, pastries and cakes, with a seasonal locally sourced food menu.
One notable mention not in Uppermill is Grandpa Greene’s Ice Cream Parlour. This canal-side cafe in Diggle is incredibly popular in the summer. They serve great food, have a small selection of wines and beers, and they make perhaps the best ice cream you will ever taste. There is also a fabulous children’s play area across the canal in a small wood. You can walk to Grandpa Greene’s down the canal, it’s a pleasant stroll, and well worth the effort.
Restaurants
Uppermill is equally blessed with places to eat out, and there is a range of offerings to suit all. The popular Riverside Bar and Grill have a lovely outdoor seating area with individual pods by the river. Shalimar, who seem to have been going forever, serves up a decent Indian curry, and Hei Hei on the high street prepares Asian and Chinese food to take away.
Sorella on the High-street is the sister restaurant of the much loved Mazzo in Royton. They serve traditional home-cooked Italian food prepared using locally sourced fresh produce and authentic ingredients imported from Italy.
The best restaurant in the village (in my opinion) is Dinnerstone (named after one of the rock formations in the hills above Uppermill) they also have a busy bar. They serve a mix of Italian and modern British food in a stunningly renovated old building.
Muse is a swanky restaurant-come-bar that serves excellent modern cuisine in stylish surroundings. The Waggon on the high street used to be a bit of a spit and sawdust place, but reinvented itself into one of the smartest pubs in the village, they are more of a restaurant than a pub these days, but they serve an excellent and exciting menu. Booking is essential at the weekends.
One notable mention not in Uppermill is The White Hart Inn at Lydgate. This award-winning Pub has a Brasserie and one of the nicest restaurants in the North West. The Brasserie serves traditional and classic food, in a wonderfully cosy environment and the bar is packed with a great range of real ales. It’s a 10-minute taxi ride away, but well worth the effort. The White Hart was awarded the title Lancashire Life Dining Pub of the year 2019. The White Hart has recently reopened and they have transformed the Oak Room (normally used for weddings and functions) into a magnificent restaurant called the Brass Monkey. The menu is excellent and the tables are nicely spaced out.
Sadly Uppermill Chippy closed in 2018, the nearest is in the next village of Diggle, aptly named Diggle Chippy! They have recently started using environmentally friendly packaging, and are the providers of the best Fish & Chips for miles around! There is also a lovely Chippy by the river in Delph.
PIZZA
Pots & Pans Pizza (no relation to us!) opened during the COVID19 lockdown and kept the village fed with their fabulous pizzas. Their pizzas are very reasonably priced, and they offer gluten-free bases! The word on the street is that their Bee Sting Pizza is the Bee’s Knees! They even have a make-your-own pizza at home pack and they are getting rave reviews on Facebook. Be warned they do have limited capacity for orders and sell out regularly so first come first served. Head to their Facebook page where you will find the current menu pinned to the top of the page and instructions on how to order. They are located at the Commie (formerly known as The Commercial) on the High Street, you can order online and then pop down to collect.
Another new entry into the pizza scene in Uppermill is Pizza Love, located on the high street. They offer a small menu of artfully created pizzas baked in a traditional oven. They also have a free delivery service within the area. They are getting rave reviews on Facebook and quite often sell out!
Pubs
Saddleworth has many fabulous pubs dotted throughout all the villages, most of them serve great home-cooked pub food, and decent beer, some of which is brewed locally. Look out for beers from local micro-breweries Donkey Stone Brewing Co. or Saddleworth Brewery.
In Uppermill, the Commie, the Hare and Hounds and the Granby Arms are traditional, friendly local no-frills village pubs. Muse, Dinnerstones, and the Albion Tap are all a bit smarter, more upmarket and generally more expensive.
Up the hill from Uppermill you will find the Cross Keys and the Church Inn, both are lovely traditional country pubs, think pub grub, log fires and real ale. They’ve both got pleasant outside areas and are dog-friendly. The White Hart Inn at Lydgate also has a lovely pub with beautiful views from their tidy beer garden.
One notable mention not in Uppermill is the Swann Inn at Dobcross. Located in the beautiful little square in Dobcross this iconic Saddleworth pub (built in 1765) serves good food, decent beer, and has a fascinating collection of old Saddleworth photos on the walls.
Local Breweries
Donkeystone Brewing Co. are located in Greenfield, where they also have a smart and rustic tap room which is currently open Mon – Sat 12pm – 6pm. They brew a range of eclectic beer that can be found in numerous pubs around the area, though a trip to the Taproom at the brewery is the best way to sample them.
Saddleworth Brewery are located at the Church Inn in Uppermill, they are famous locally for the well-crafted and tasty beers and have won national awards. The Church Inn was awarded the Good Pub Guide “Own Brew Pub of the Year” award in 2018.
Pots & Pans Cottage is a charming L shaped 18th-century weavers cottage located in a small hamlet 10 minutes walk from the centre of Uppermill in Saddleworth. If you are interested in visiting Uppermill and exploring beautiful Saddleworth then click below to view our availability and make a booking.
If you are more interested in having a quiet night in, the kitchen at Pots & Pans Cottage is equipped with everything you could possibly need, and more, including a fabulous six-hob gas-fired range with double electric ovens which is a joy to cook on in our lovely dining kitchen.
Uppermill is equally blessed with fresh food shops, despite the presence of a huge recently built Tescos supermarket in the next village, there are still a number of independent shops selling high-quality locally sourced fresh food products, including two butchers, a baker, a greengrocer a wonderful underground wine shop, and a delicatessen selling fancier products from further afield. These are listed on our shopping in Uppermill page.
Please eat and drink and shop locally whenever possible, Uppermill is very fortunate to have available such a varied range of eating drinking venues and quality fresh food shops. By eating, drinking and shopping locally you can contribute to the local economy that supports local employment and local farmers and though this you can be a part of ensuring that these wonderful, locally owned businesses can continue to prosper for years to come.
Eating and Drinking directory
| Cafes | |
| Caffè Grande Abaco 73a High Street, Uppermill 01457 810218 7am - late everyday | The Cellar Pot Cafe and Sandwich Bar 50-52 High Street, Uppermill. 07948 424750 9am - 4pm Every day |
| Grandpa Greene’s 5 Ward Lane, Diggle, 01457 872547 9am - 5pm Everyday | Wilberrys Cafe 83 High St, Uppermill 01457 873718 8am - 3.30pm Everyday |
| Saints Cafe & Lounge 82a St Mary’s Gate, Uppermill 01457 239294 Open everyday | The Vintage Cupcake Kitchen 39-41 High St, Uppermill 01457 238233 11am - 5pm Everyday |
| The Limekiln Cafe Brownhill Visitor Centre, Wool Road, Dobcross 01457 871051 9am - 7pm Everyday | FIKA Cafe High Street, Uppermill 01457 870555 Open Everyday |
| The Reclamation Room Lee Street, Uppermill. 01457 870870 9am - 5pm Tues - Sat 9am - 4pm Sun Closed Mondays | The Old Library Garden Cafe and Bar 45 High Street, Uppermill (behind Saddleworth Outdoor Clothing) 01457 237900 10am - 4pm Wed, Thur, Sun, 10am - 4pm Fri, Sat, Closed Mon, Tue |
| Weaver and Wilde 30 High Street, Uppermill 01457 878222 7am - 5pm Mon, Wed-Fri, 8am - 5pm Sat-Sun, Closed Tuesdays | Kobe Coffee 36 High Street, Uppermill 01457 761861 9am - 5pm Tue - Sun |
| Pubs | |
| The Swan Inn 1 The Square, Dobcross 01457 873451 12pm-11pm Mon - Wed, Sun 10am - 11pm Thur 10am - 12am Fri - Sat | The White Hart Inn 51, Stockport Road, Lydgate 01457 872566 Pub opening hours 12pm - 12am Everyday |
| The Church Inn Church Lane, Uppermill 01457 820902 Open Everyday | The Commie 90 High Street, Uppermill 01457 872513 Open Everyday |
| The Cross Keys Inn Running Hill Gate Uppermill 01457 874626 Open Everyday | The Hare and Hounds 68 High Street, Uppermill 01457 873115 Open Everyday |
| Albion Tap 72 High St, Uppermill 07592036789 12pm -10pm Mon-Wed, Sun 12pm - 12am (Thu-Sat) | The Granby Arms 28 High Street, Uppermill 01457 873028 Open Everyday |
| Donkeystone Brewery Taproom Units 17/18 Boarshurst Business Park Boarshurst Lane Greenfield 01457 238 710 12pm - 6pm Mon - Sat | |
| Restaurants | |
| Dinnerstone Restaurant & Bar 99-101 High Street, Uppermill 01457 872 566 12pm - 9.30pm Tues - Sat 12pm - 7pm Sun Closed Mondays | Diggle Chippy 152 Huddersfield Road, Diggle 01457 874398 11.30am - 1.30pm Tue - Fri 4.30pm - 7.30pm Tue - Fri Closed Mon, Sat, Sun |
| The Waggon Inn 32-34 High Street Uppermill 01457 879106 Open Everyday | The Shalimar 103-107 High St, Uppermill 01457 872576 5.30pm-11pm Mon-Thur, Sun 5.30pm- 12.30am Fri - Sat |
| Muse Bar & Restaurant 23-25 High St, Uppermill 01457 777964 Restaurant opening hours: 12pm - 8.30pm Tues - Thurs 12pm - 9pm Fri - Sat 12pm - 7pm Sun Closed Mondays | Riverside Bar and Grill 58 High St, Uppermill, 01457 876191 5pm - 9pm Wed - Thur 5pm - 10pm Fri-Sat 3pm - 8pm Sun Closed Monday and Tuesday |
| The White Hart Inn 51 Stockport Road, Lydgate 01457 872566 Brasserie 12pm - 2.30pm Mon - Sat 6pm - 9.30pm Mon - Sat 12pm - 8pm Sun Dining Room 6.30pm – 9.30pm Wed - Sat 12pm – 3.30pm Sun | Sorella 38 High Street, Uppermill, 01457 877477 11am - 9pm Weds 10am - 9pm Thurs - Sat 10am - 8pm - Sun Closed Monday and Tuesday |
| Hey Hey Eaterie 26 High Street, Uppermill 01457 878487 4.30pm - 10pm Everyday |
All reasonable care has been taken to ensure that the information contained on this page is accurate on the stated date of publication or last modification.
But if there are any glaring mistakes, places that have opened up or closed, please let us know. If there is somewhere missing that you think warrants including, please get in touch at:
It is possible that the information may be out of date, incomplete or the opinion of the author. It is advisable that you verify any information from this page before relying on it, especially as places are reopening post COVID19 with limited menu’s, restricted numbers of tables and temporary opening times.
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Copyright © Pots & Pans Cottage 2019