Bored of the normal chain restaurants that are scattered around the Cornerhouse and Victoria Centre in town? While Nandos and T.G.I Friday’s are always safe and satisfying for a cheeky meal out, it’s always exciting to go somewhere new. Here are our top seven picks from what Nottingham’s food scene has to offer.
1. Warsaw Diner
Open from 9am till 2:30pm, this spot is perfect to cure your hangover after a heavy night out. Warsaw Diner is a Polish-American style diner offering up a variety of fresh pancakes, Polish sausages and all the fixings for a much-needed fry up.
93-95 Derby Road, City Centre, Nottingham, NG1 5BB, 0115 950 8500
2. Tropeiro
This one is for all you meat-lovers out there. With all-you-can-eat for around £10-12 for lunch or dinner, you get a true Brazilian dining experience. A selection of ten spit-roasted meats will be served to you tableside as you help yourself to their unlimited salad and hot sides bar. On your table you’ll find a card with green on one side and red on the other—keep the green side up and the meat will keep coming.
Our favourites are the chicken thighs marinated in chilli and garlic, roasted cap of rump, Brazilian roast potatoes and vegetable stew.
11 King Street, City Centre, Nottingham, NG1 2AY, 0115 947 0124;
1-6 Fletcher Gate, Nottingham, 0115 958 7697
3. Mandarin Restaurant
Forget the greasy takeaways and May Sum’s all-you-can-eat buffet, if you want to experience authentic Chinese food without worrying what it’s doing to your cholesterol, Mandarin Restaurant is one of the best places in town.
42 Belward Street, Hockley Mill, Nottingham, NG1 1JZ, 0115 950 9157
4. Patisserie Valerie
Patisserie Valerie is the place to go for a light lunch or afternoon tea with an intimate group of friends. Whether it’s a steaming pot of tea or their cakes and croissants you’re after, whatever you order will be the perfect pick-me-up for a rainy day.
Unit 3, Exchange Arcade, Nottingham, NG1 2DD, 0115 9584094
5. Iberico World Tapas
Hidden away in the Galleries of Justice in Lace Market, Iberico World Tapas feels like one of those underground city-chic restaurants that dominate London and New York dining. Stylish and intimate, Iberico’s menu includes gourmet dishes from all over the world. Their specialities include chorizo cooked in red wine, Japanese-style inside out chicken wings and triple-cooked ‘patatas bravas’.
If the main menu is a little over your budget, go for their express dining offer available from Monday to Friday. Priced at £11.95 for lunch and £13.95 for dinner from 5:30pm to 6:45pm you get Catalan bread, a choice of two tapas and dessert.
The Shire Hall, High Pavement, Lace Market, Nottingham, NG1 1HN, 0115 9410 410
6. Red Hot World Buffet
Recently relocated from Hockley, Red Hot World Buffet has just opened its new Nottingham branch at Cornerhouse. Designed to look like an airport, Red Hot promises to whisk you away to America, Italy, India, Japan, Mongolia and more. Highlights include the Mongolian grill station, Indian curries as well as the delicious pancakes and ice cream sundaes made to order.
It’s all-you-can-eat for £8.49-9.99 for lunch and £13.99-14.99 for dinner. On weekdays show your student ID for a special 20% student discount on food.
Trinity Square, Cornerhouse, Nottingham, NG1 4DB, 0115 9589 899
7. The Living Room
Spoil yourself and splurge a little at The Living Room or stop by to check out their extensive drinks menu ranging from Apple Pie martinis to a Scotch Bonnet—whisky stirred slowly with honey and fresh red chill!
Their food menu consists of gourmet comfort food from hearty burgers and homemade chips to steak, roast lamb, venison ‘shepherd’s pie’, a trio of pork and beer-battered cod. The Living Room’s vegetarian options are also impressive with innovative mains such as their flat mushroom, pepper and herbed ricotta Wellington with new potatoes and homemade Glamorgan sausages and mash.
7 High Pavement, Lace Market, Nottingham, NG1 1HF, 0115 9886 870