The best restaurants & places to eat in Nottingham City Centre

The restaurant scene in Nottingham is bustling with flavours. Here in the heart of the UK you’ll find inspiration from all around the world - from Asia to the Caribbean. Whether you’re looking for a tasty lunch with friends, a pre-theatre dinner or a memorable evening of fine dining, Nottingham’s got plenty to choose from!

Breakfast and brunch

Start your day off right with a trip to one of our amazing cafes and restaurants. From an all-day breakfast at Ed’s Diner, Victoria Centre to a pancake stack at Bill’s, near the Market Square - there’s something to suit all tastes. For a leisurely late morning or early afternoon, Browns Brasserie & Bar does a swish brunch with options including Lobster Benedict - or head to Slug and Lettuce on the Market Square for a bottomless brunch with a Bacon Cheeseburger or Mexican Brunch option.

Mouth-watering lunches

Whether you’re grabbing a bite to eat in the midst of a shopping spree, or catching up with friends for a leisurely hour or two, you won’t be stuck for choice in Nottingham!

For a light lunch, Fox Cafe on Pelham Street has a huge choice, catering for vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and meaty diets - and you even can wash it down with a mid-shop glass of wine. The Kitty Cafe is a popular spot for families, offering pizzas, toasties and more. It’s located on Friar Lane, close to Nottingham Castle - perfect for a day out!

For something a bit different, you could try Zaap Thai Street Food (just off Maid Marian Way) with its quirky tuk tuks and bright decoration. Bar Iberico in Hockley offers traditional and modern tapas, flatbreads and more for a relaxing social lunch. And if you fancy a classic fish & chips, why not try an upscale version at George’s Great British Kitchen on Queen Street? They’ve also got sharing boards and a selection of British gins to choose from!

Looking for something a bit more filling? You’ll find plenty of tempting Sunday Roast options across town, including at Nottingham’s oldest pub, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem. Here you can choose from a 28-day aged sirloin of beef, a roasted half chicken, or a nut roast wellington - served with crisp, fluffy roast potatoes and all the sides!

Fabulous Independents

In Nottingham’s thriving independent sector you’ll find fresh ideas, inspiration and tons of variety. The Hockley and Lace Market areas of Nottingham are crammed with independent shops and restaurants and are a great point to head to.

Here you’ll find delights such as Lagan Indian Tapas (on High Pavement) for authentic Indian cuisine, or Everyday People (Byard Lane), which is renowned for its big bowls of flavour-filled ramen.

Mesa on Goose Gate is a popular spot for relaxed dining, with a range of small plates to choose from. For an indulgent burger, you can’t go wrong with Annie’s Burger Shack on Broadway - just one of the fabulous local burger restaurants, which has an extensive menu which caters for meaty, vegetarian and vegan diets.

Fine Dining

As well as casual dining, Nottingham offers an assortment of fine dining options. Close to Nottingham Castle, World Service is renowned for its award-winning Modern British cuisine, served up in the elegant surroundings of the 17th Century Newdigate House. On a sunny day, you can also enjoy the tranquil, oriental-inspired walled garden - a perfect bit of time out from the bustle of the city centre!

Alchemilla on Derby Road offers imaginative, Michelin-starred dining which combines world influences with the best of British food. There’s a vegetarian, vegan and pescatarian menu alongside a meat-based menu.

On Wollaton Street, near to the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, you’ll find the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill, one of the popular steakhouses in Nottingham. In this stylish setting, you can enjoy steaks, a Sunday Roast and a variety of mouthwatering British dishes.

And for Indian fine dining, head to Memsaab on Maid Marian Way. With a reputation for being one of the best curry houses in the UK, you can enjoy a menu that ranges from traditional curries through to modern Indian cuisine.

Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants

While you’re not short of vegan and veggie options at many of the restaurants in Nottingham, a must-visit is the award-winning vegan restaurant, No. Twelve. Based in Eldon Chambers, just off Wheeler Gate, the restaurant has a casual-fine-dining experience with high quality, local produce.

For a lunch-time spot, head to Mansfield Road where you’ll find two vegan cafes. The Prickly Pear at The Golden Fleece has dishes including burgers, tacos and vegan Sunday roasts, all in a licensed premises. The Dice Cup serves up light vegan lunches and cakes, which you can enjoy alongside testing out the hundreds of board games available at the cafe!

The It’s in Nottingham team’s top restaurants

It’s a tough ol’ job testing out the best restaurants in Nottingham - but someone’s got to do it! Here are some of our team’s favourite places to eat in the city centre:

Piccolino, Weekday Cross

If you're on the hunt for a stylish Italian restaurant in Nottingham city centre, then Piccolino is the place to be! There’s the option to dine outside on the terrace and it’s a pretty nice spot for a date night!

7 Weekday Cross, Nottingham NG1 2GB

Browns, Park Row

Browns Nottingham offers an elegant and bar experience - all within easy reach of the city’s castle, theatre, cinema and shops. Open all day from breakfast and brunch through to lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, they offer fresh seasonal dishes and classic British comforts. It’s a great place to take your family…

20 Park Row, Nottingham NG1 6GR

Pho, Carlton Street

Grey skies call for a steaming hot bowl of Pho. Formed after the owners fell in love with Vietnamese food, Pho is the best spot for a healthy and heartwarming dish. Most well known for their Vietnamese noodle soup, you can also choose from a selection of Vietnamese salads, curries and rice bowls. Also offering a selection of juices and fresh sides, Pho tastes good and makes you feel good.

24-32 Carlton St, Nottingham NG1 1NN

Fat Hippo, Broadway

Stationed just outside Broadway cinema, Fat Hippo’s Broad Street restaurant has been widely celebrated by the city's burger fans. Self-described as ‘good old fashioned roll up your sleeves and get it all over your face food’, the Fat Hippo burgers are exactly what you think of when you imagine a sloppy delicious stack. Serving beef, chicken and vegan options, there’s plenty to choose from, plus a plentiful selection of dirty fries are also available.

9 Broad St, Nottingham NG1 3AJ

Gusto, Upper Parliament Street

Looking for something different to do? Then gather your mates and head to Gusto for an interactive pizza-making experience at the Chef’s Table. You’ll get a drink on arrival, an antipasti board and dough petals to share before learning how to ball dough and pin a pizza, as well as making your own cannolis for dessert. Ideal for birthdays, work nights out, hen dos and special celebrations.

29 Upper Parliament St, Nottingham NG1 2AR

Zaap, Bromley Place

At Zaap, the unique and vibrant decor combined with an authentic menu will transport you to the bustling streets of Bangkok. The restaurant’s menu has a lot of yummy options to choose from, like drunken udon, crispy pork belly, papaya salad, and grilled whole sea bass in a special Zaap sauce. And if you're a vegetarian, no worries - they've got loads of options for you too! They also have a great selection of drinks, including bubble tea, cocktails, smoothies, and wine. Enjoy your meal!

Unit B, 6 Bromley Pl, Nottingham NG1 6JG

Ed’s Easy Diner, Victoria Centre

A staple of Nottingham’s Victoria Centre, Ed’s Easy Diner is the ultimate eating space for you busy shoppers. Inspired by Americana and the classic roadside diners of the USA, you can enjoy a spot of lunch to a rock n roll soundtrack. Serving up classic dishes including burgers, hot dogs and an all-day breakfast, Ed’s is a great place to recharge your batteries and enjoy one of their ‘world famous shakes.’

Victoria Centre, Nottingham NG1 3QN

George’s Great British Kitchen, Queen Street

If you're looking for some authentic British cuisine, you should definitely check out George's Great British Kitchen. It's right across from the Brian Clough statue and serves up some amazing dishes like fish and chips, Yorkshire bangers with mash, and some truly amazing candyfloss-spun cocktails and desserts.

Queen St, Nottingham NG1 2BL

Jam Café, Heathcoat Street

Discover a vibrant oasis where brunch meets craft beer, DJs meet live bands, and mates meet diverse cravings. Jam Café has it all, from adventurous vegan dishes to Bloody Marys over brunch. Come day or night, your perfect spot awaits.

12 Heathcoat St, Nottingham NG1 3AA

MemSaab, Maid Marian Way

Discover the exquisite flavours and stunning ambience of MemSaab, the true gem of Nottingham's food scene. Indulge in their award-winning menu featuring the mouthwatering tandoori ostrich and the delightful rasmalai dessert. Immerse yourself in luxury surrounded by maroon feature walls, Indian craftwork, and plush leather sofas.

12-14 Maid Marian Way, Nottingham NG1 6HS

Now that we’ve shared our list, what are you waiting for?

From 3 to 9 June 2024, you can discover some of Nottingham's best cuisines and flavours while enjoying exclusive deals that range from £10 to £25 with

Nottingham Restaurant Week.

Whether you're in the mood for a hearty breakfast or brunch, a pizza for lunch, or a romantic dinner, Nottingham's diverse restaurant scene has got you covered. Selected city centre restaurants, cafes, pubs, bars, and hotels will offer these deals for seven days only so don't miss this opportunity to explore the city's culinary delights. Explore it all through the free It’s in Nottingham app!