Whether you have a girls' night, a romantic dinner date or a nice family dinner, we have compiled this list of the 20 best restaurants in Nottingham. Nottingham sometimes gets overlooked, but it has a blooming food scene that should not be missed. They have everything from the trendiest deserts to Michelin-star restaurants for you to explore. The restaurants in Nottingham have a mix of both classic and international cuisines that will make your tastebuds explode with flavour!
1. Alchemilla
Location: 192 Derby Road, Nottingham, NG7 1NF
Alchemilla is definitely one of the best restaurants in Nottingham, having just won its first Michelin star in 2020. It has a rustic look with its red brick vaulted victorian arches, but it's a very modern place. Alchemilla offers a 5, 7 or 10 course tasting maenu that can be customised for vegetarians, vegans, and pescatarians or includes meat. The produce is fresh and ethically produced, and a lot of the food is made with seasonal and forged ingredients. They also offer a special experience where you can have a seat at the kitchen table and watch the chefs in their element, and it allows you to ask as many questions as you want, giving you a new perspective.
2. George’s Great British Kitchen
Location: Queen Street, Nottingham, NG1 2BL
George’s Great British Kitchen prides itself on its superb cocktails, amazing food, the quality of the ingredients and exceptionally warm welcome, and you will agree with all of that once you visit this restaurant. What makes George’s Great British Kitchen one of the best restaurants in Nottingham is that they like to add their own unique twist to traditional British dishes and play around with global flavour profiles. This restaurant in Nottingham should be on the top of your list.
3. The Cod’s Scallops
Location: 311-313 Mansfield Road, Carrington, Nottingham NG5 2DA
The Cod’s Scallops serves some of the best fish and chips around, with plenty of awards to prove that. The owner spent a few years perfecting his fish and chips by travelling the country and working at the best restaurants in Nottingham famous for it, and now his own restaurant, The Cod’s Scallops, has over 6 spots all over the Midlands. You can find battered fried baked or spiced fish and some of his homemade mother's recipes that make you feel right at home.
4. No. Twelve
Location: Eldon Chambers, Wheeler Gate, Nottingham NG1 2NS
No. Twelve is a plant-based, vegan eatery that will make you forget all about meat. This place has a cosy and up-market vibe and has blue and white walls with wooden decor that has a rustic and clean look to it. They have everything from casual lunches and tapas to mind-blowing 7-course tasting menus that will keep you wanting more. This is definitely one of the best restaurants in Nottingham to visit if you're looking for a plant-based, healthy, but absolutely delicious meal.
5. Sat Bains
Location: Lenton Lane, Nottingham, NG7 2SA
This is a world-class restaurant, one of the best restaurants in Nottingham, and it has rooms! This restaurant gained 2 Michelin stars with their amazing cocktails and food that is all themed around the 5 tastes of umami, sweet, salty, sour and bitter. Sat Bains's best feature may not be its location but its creative dishes, 10-course meals, and playful elements in its food. They even have their own greenhouse and garden and beehives for honey! Don't miss this place!
6. Jam Cafe
Location: 12 Heathcoat St, Nottingham, NG1 3AA
Jam Cafe has a variety of craft beers and fine natural wines from all over the world in their European-style cafe- bar. If coffee is something you prefer over drinks, then they have their range of ethically sourced local house coffee that's rotated regularly and vegan options with organic oat milk. They also host Dj sets, open mics, gigs, Comedy nights and a lot more and is a big part of Nottingham's music scene. Visit Jam cafe if you want to enjoy Amazing music along with delicious food. After enjoying some good food you can enjoy the nightlife with the best clubs in Nottingham.
7. Junkyard
Location: 12 Bridlesmith Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2FZ
Junkyard is a craft beer bar with 15 taps full of amazing drinks to take away or drink in and also serving some of the best coffee in Nottingham. It is open 7 days a week and is part American diner. It has a deliciously dirty food menu, with some of the favourites being the Mac and Cheese balls and the fish burger. They do not take any reservations and accept walk-ups only, but that doesn't stop is from being one of the most popular and best restaurants in Nottingham.
8. Sexy Mama Love Spaghetti
Location: 3 Heathcoat Street, Nottingham, NG1 3AF, England
The locals are always recommending Italian food at this quirky little joint called Sexy Mama Loves Spaghetti. Along with a great location and fantastic staff, their spinach ravioli, garlic prawns and tiramisu are to die for and of course, amazing cocktails like a good prosecco or limoncello to wash it down. Although it is a little small, the beautiful decor and reasonable prices make this place one of the more busy and best restaurants in Nottingham.
9. Hart’s Kitchen
Location: Standard Hill, Park Row, Nottingham, NG1 6GN
Hart’s kitchen prides itself on the most delicious food made out of fresh seasonal produce and so is constantly revamping its food to work with the region's produce. They have a great selection of wines, from small producers to expensive fine wines for special occasions. They are also attached to a luxury hotel where you can stay after making it one of the best restaurants in Nottingham.
10. Fat Hippo
Location: 9 Broad Street, Nottingham, NG1 3AJ
With finger-licking good fries and the dirtiest burgers that are always double-stacked, Fat Hippo is a place not to be missed. Vegans have Five different options to choose from on the menu, while chicken lovers are treated to the tastiest spicy thighs and fries. They also have a gluten-free and kids menu that keeps the families coming in. So roll up your sleeves and get messy at one of the top restaurants Nottingham and afterwords be sure to check out some of the best museums in Nottingham.
11. MemSaab
Location: 12-14 Maid Marian Way, Nottingham, NG1 6HS
MemSaab Nottingham is one of the top 3 best Indian restaurants in the country. It is a fine dining experience with a delivery and takeaway service. They have a focus on making the fine dining experience affordable, accessible and enjoyable. Perfectly spiced modern Indian food is MemSaab’s speciality. Amazing service, welcoming staff and outstanding food make this one of the top restaurants in Nottingham.
12. Annie’s Burger Shack
Location: 5 Broadway Lace Market, Nottingham NG1 1PR, England
Annie’s Burger Shack is not just fast food; they have delicious handcrafted burgers with specialities like Jack Daniel’s mustard and marinara sauce. With the most interesting names like The Johnny Vegas and The Deathray, every single burger is available here in a vegan or vegetarian option, which is fantastic. They also have a tavern downstairs for drinking their individually selected rea; Ales that are chosen by them personally.
13. The Pudding Pantry
Location: 27/29, Trinity Square, Nottingham, UK
Friendly and personal service, along with decadent homemade food, is something The Pudding Pantry pride itself on. Everything there is homemade, from twists on the full English breakfast to the puddings and cakes that will get you licking the plate clean. Their aim is to get you to enjoy the food and coffee and serve people as excited about the food as they are. This spot is one of the best Nottingham restaurants for its delicious food and cheerful attitude.
14. Perkins Bar and Bistro
Location: Station Road, Plumtree, Notts, NG12 5NA
Great fresh produce and the best ingredients that Perkin’s Bar and Bistro get through their long-standing relationships with the suppliers are the stars of the show. Their talented chefs show their talents through the lovely sample menus that are available. They are one of the only restaurants in the country that has its own smokehouse, where salmon, mackerel, and cheese are some of its most popular ingredients.
15. Mesa
Location: 24-26 Goose Gate, Nottingham, NG1 1FF
After a long day of visiting the top tourist attractions in Nottingham, with comfortable tables and a lovely ambience, this is the spot to be in Nottingham. Cooked over a fire, the mean and vegetarian dishes alike are mouth-watering. The menu changes periodically to keep up with new flavours and changing trends and seasonal vegetables and fresh fish are the stars of the dishes. The open kitchen also is fun to watch all the chefs in action.
16. Little Brickhouse
Location: 110 Derby Road, Nottingham
Fabulous European flavour-packed food with a charming interior makes this one of the best restaurants in Nottingham. All the produce comes straight from farms, and a selection of amazing natural beers, wines and ciders is available. This is a place not to be missed on your trip to Nottingham.
17. Bar Iberico
Location: 17-19 Carlton St, Nottingham, NG1 1NL
Casual chilled-out tapas and local favourites are what this restaurant is known for. Award-winning dishes made by the chef by combining Asian and Mediterranean flavours influenced by the traditional Spanish style of sharing are served. There is a street terrace with folding windows opening into the beautiful street with an open plan and wrap-around dining and bar area. Definitely check out Bar Iberico when in Nottingham.
18. Everyday People
Location:12 Byard Lane, Nottingham, NG1 2GJ
They started with a lot of small plates but since have shifted their focus to their ramen bowls that people seem to absolutely love. There is a perfect blend of flavours in their food, and nothing gets in the way of another taste-wise and so it is perfect. Theirs is the kind of food that you remember long after you ate it, and that surely makes it one of the best restaurants in Nottingham.
19. Cleaver and Wake
Location: The Island Quarter, City Link, Nottingham, NG2 4LA
Cleaver and wake have open kitchens that enable the diners to watch the chefs in action prepare the food. The entrance is adorned with a floral arrangement made by their in-house florist, and their special attention to detail is appreciated by everyone. You will find that the large windows make for great post and pre-dinner drinks, and the cocktails are to die for. Make sure to make reservations at Cleaver and wake up and get a magnificent dining experience at one of the best restaurants in Nottingham.
20. Khushi-ya
Location: 1A Cannon Court, Nottingham, NG1 6JE
Along with snacks and small plates and kushiyaki, they have the most mouth-watering dishes like slow sticky soy braised pork shoulder, which is sauteed with wild mushrooms in a nutty butter sauce and topped with a confit egg yolk and charcoal grilled vegetables and meat skewers. The prices are reasonable, and sharing is encouraged, and this puts it on the list of the best restaurants in Nottingham.
So there you have it the 20 best restaurants in Nottingham. Make a reservation now and enjoy the delicious food, killer cocktails and trendy interiors. These are the places not to be missed whether you want dirty burgers and homemade fish and chips or you want the best fine dining experience. If you are a student located in Nottingham then you shoukd surely check out these amazing deals on student accommodation options in Nottingham.