There's no shortage of restaurants here in Nottingham! Whether you're looking for fine dining or a great value family meal, you'll find something for every taste. Having enjoyed a boom in foodie culture over the past five years, the city itself boasts over 300 cafes, bars and restaurants serving up delicious meals in a huge variety of venues.
Homegrown Independents
Mesa is the newest restaurant to join Hockley's food and drink scene. Designed with a slick industrial theme throughout, Mesa also features an open kitchen so customers can enjoy the theatre of a busy restaurant. Chef Marcus Lewsley's menu changes regularly and aims to mix up cuisines with no set style. His team work closely with local producers to showcase what they have to offer from native breed beef to fresh fish and seasonal vegetables.
The Cods Scallops is a fine fish and chip shop offering up to 20 species of fish and shellfish a day, despite being furthest from the coast! Known for its award-winning food, the menu boasts over 20 species of fish and seafood. The tasty offerings also include many vegetarian and vegan dishes as well as beef dripping chips on a Monday and regular vegetarian and gluten free days on the first Monday and Tuesday of every month.
Elsewhere there are dozens of cafes and tearooms offering tasty lunches and amazing coffee if you are dining on a budget.
Historical Venues
In the city centre, pop along to the historically intriguing place to dine - Iberico World Tapas, which received a Bib Gourmand accolade in the 2013 Michelin Guide. Situated under the National Justice Museum, the Moorish inspired interior is set in the grade II listed county gaol, which boasts 800 years of history.
Browns Bar and Brasserie is a spacious and atmospheric building in the heart of the cultural castle district, near the Georgian splendour of Regent Street at the top of Maid Marian Way. They are also just around the corner from Nottingham Playhouse, making it the perfect spot for something to eat before catching a show.
Finally, a trip to Nottingham is nothing without visiting our longest running independent, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem. This pub, which is nestled under the rock on which Nottingham Castle stands and dates back to 1189 AD. Here you’ll find tradtional pub lunches in the Rock Bar between 12 and 5pm everyday.
The Bell Inn is a fantastic pub situated in the heart of Nottingham, with great staff, great pub food, and real ales. You're in for a treat if you love great beer live music with a good old fashioned real pub atmosphere! The cellars of the Bell Inn are a combination of natural sandstone and hand carved caves dating from the 12th century. It is believed that the Carmelite Friars did the majority of the expansion. You can see evidence of blackened walls and smoke blackened ceilings, which leads us to believe that the cave area was used as a kitchen, as there is also evidence of a chimney.
International Cuisine
Nottingham is second to none if you’re looking for exotic tastes. Maid Marian Way is known for its excellent curry houses, including Memsaab and Calcutta Club among others, and is known locally as the ‘Curry Mile’ due to the range of choice. For an explosion of colour that mimics the bustle and atmosphere of Bangkok to a tee make sure to visit Zaap Thai Street Food. Pho, located in Hockley, is also a great spot for exceptional Vietnamese cuisine.
Spanish flavours are another a favourite in Nottingham, with Bar Iberico, and Iberico World Tapas all providing sizzling tapas and Mediterranean delicacies. Alternatively, for a truly elegant evening, Peggy's Skylight in Hockley offers Middle Eastern cuisine set to a jazz soundtrack, with live gigs happening every weekend.
If you’re still craving European cuisine, check out Bistrot Pierre for French elegance, or the Warsaw Diner for a mix of traditional Polish food with an American diner vibe.
At Panda Mami, their culinary offerings take center stage. The restaurant is a haven for those seeking delightful international cuisine that will tantalize your taste buds. Panda Mami extend a warm invitation to you, to embark on a gastronomic voyage across diverse countries and cultures, allowing you to uncover the most authentic flavors from around the world.
Indulging in delicious brunch dishes and unlimited glasses of fizz or your favourite soft drink is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to spend a Saturday or Sunday, and the choice of places to enjoy bottomless brunch in Nottingham certainly aren't in short supply.
Click here for our top brunch recommendations.
There’s something about a beautiful view that can really make a dining experience extra special, and Nottinghamshire has no shortage of restaurants, bars and cafés set against a variety of backdrops to take your breath away.
Click here for our top 'Dining With a View' recommendations.
Excite the taste buds and stimulate the senses with our incredible range of fine dining restaurants. These unique and award-winning venues see top chefs using the best ingredients and lashings of creativity to take you on a gastronomical journey of flavour.
Located just a few miles from the city centre, this Victorian farm conversion has received international acclaim for its innovative and modern approach to cuisine. Holders of two prestigious Michelin stars, Restaurant Sat Bains with Rooms has rapidly gained a reputation as one of the UK's destination restaurants.
Woodborough Hall is an historic Grade II* venue located twenty minutes from the city centre. The Hall is nestled in the quintessentially English village location of Woodborough in Nottinghamshire and has a long and proud history, with many notable inhabitants. The friendly team look forward to extending a warm welcome to this lovingly restored hall where professional service is always guaranteed. Their food offer ranges from casual to fine dining as follows.
This absolutely stunning former Reform Club, The Cosy Club sits proudly over 3 levels. Known most recently as the Victoria Club casino, a lot of the original features and design elements have been retained to create a striking venue for dining, drinking, lounging, celebrating and so much more.
For more information, please click here.