The Knowhere Guide

Eating and Drinking in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire*

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire Pubs, Cafes, Coffee Shops and Restaurants

Food

• Amigos in Hockley, or near it does nice chips and loads of them.
• Sinatra's just off market square
• China One. Great price for excelent food
• For Thai food, you can't beat Siam Thani in Hockley. Great service and fantastic food.........yum,yum,yum!!!
• try the kebab place next to o`rileys(now called obesions)
• Wok Wok, Southern Fried Chicken, That Cafe 6ar. Also the Pit & Pendulum and Hogshead do standard after-work grub. Nothing beats The Old Angel for top quality nosh!
• v1 the veggie fast food place, their breakfast bag is wonderous, just wish they'd serve it all day.
• That Cafe Bar, Heathcote street, Far Eastern food at reasonable prices
• try wokwok-fantastic thai food a few doors up from ark.
• The Far Pavilion Indian and Pappas Greek restaurant, both on Radcliffe Rd, near Trent Bridge. Both good and inexpensive. Hooters on London Rd is worth a visit if only to check out the genetically modified waitresses.
• The Charcoal Brazier has to be the premier kebab type place in all of fair Nottingham town. Be wary of the extra hot chilli especially in the morning when you go to the toilet! Nice pizzas too.
• Scruffy's, near the Lace Market, somewhere & Stoney St sounds familiar... maseeeeve sevings of lush food, quite simple, but very delicious... with service from waiters equally as delectable.
• Sonny's top of Goose Gate / Thurland Street. Best restaurant in Nottingham
• El bandito Mexican resaurant, 199, mansfield road. massive meals, gorgeous food relaxed atmosphere any drink you can think of and good looking staff
• THE OLD ANGEL is a pub that serves vegan food and a whole host of cheap veggie stuff. we feed meat eaters too!
• Who said they liked Ben Bowers?!! It's good if you're of the S&M persuasion. Their concept of "service" wouldn't be out of place in Dachau. The Frankie & Benny's franchise (oh, dear...) has average food but jolly nice waiters. The Canadian chap is especially friendly -ask for him!
• Fans of tasty, semi-healthy should check out the Nottingham Kebab House on Alfreton Road. Not an original name, but the chicken tikka donner mix (on fresh naan bread, not that pitta cardboard nonsense) is just sublime - even if you're sober, and it's Sunday night, and you're at home (did I mention they deliver?) Top.
• Mr Maltby's Bistro is fantastic - BYO wine - Woolaton Road (near Sir Borlase Warren pub)
• TOA does greeeaaat fud!
• The Pretty Orchid is the best Thai restaurant (beats Royal Thai and that other new one in Hockley)
• pretty orchid is lovely
• I have been a member of the curry club for years. I must have been to hundreds of Indians in my time but there are NONE better than "The Indian" (yes it is actually called that) on Bentink Road in the slightly dodgey area of Hyson Green. It's not the cheapest place but the food is incredible. Currys cooked with brandy, paneer cheese etc. Everything is fresh too. If you order spinach you get fresh leaf spinach. The propriotor's wife makes the lime pickle and it awsome. Quiet jazz music and white marble compliment this incredible place as does the extremely friendly service. (Carl Young).
• That Cafe Bar - Broad Street, opp New Market Inn. A selection of world beers - De Koninck & Gambrinus on draught Singha (India) Leffe (Belgium) Giraf (Africa) Tuska (Kenya) Plus the usual bar fodder Restaurant at Cafe prices A very unique bar, That Cafe Bar!
• The Beeston Tandoori, just out of Nottingham (at Beeston!) for an excellent Chicken Jalfrezi that's *really* hot. It's a small place, don't expect to have too much space at the table, but definitely worth a visit!!!
• Anyone who visits Nottingham must visit Ned Kelly's Australian Restaurant where the best thing on the menu is the Bushman's B-B-Q!!!
• The Greek chippy in Hockley. Top food and open late as well.
• Alley's cafe where djs flip the discs while drinking an expresso.
• St James Caterers, and Brown Betty's, opposite each other on St James Street. Sublime range of rolls, quiches, salads etc, plenty of "different" vegetarian things. Highly reccommended is St James Caterers Spicy Tomato Pasta Salad (with extra sauce), and Brown Betty's toasted bagels. Brown Betty's opens around 7am, and both places have a couple of small tables to have an eat-in breakfast.
• Mayfair chinese restaurant, Mansfield Road. It's just a converted terraced house, looks quite tacky, but the food is sublime, and most importantly, reasonably priced. Bring-your-own-bottle place. Jesse's is indeed good. Ben Bowers (Wollaton Street/Derby Road) is also a fine place, which often offers "dancing till 2am".
• The Jamaican food shop in the Viccy centre sells the entire range of DG sodas.
• I've heard good things about Jesses, which is a more normal "western" restaurant in Hockley.
• If you like Indian food, the Laguna is a very good curry house just off Maid Marian way, near the castle, next door to the Hearty Goodfellow pub.
• The finest Thai restaurant in the Midlands is The Sala Thai, 189 Mansfield Road, Nottingham (0115 9 483001).

Pubs

• Larwood and Voce next to the cricket ground is a pub to relax and enjoy your pint in
• Pitcher & Piano
• TOA(The Old Angel) Tap n Tumbler The best pubs i would say
• The Oxclose - Bestwood Estate - home of the really vibrant over 60s scene.
• Loads! Via Fossa, WestSide, Bar Schnapps, The Old Angel, Bar Risa, The Slug and Lettuce, The Social, Bar Indigo, Casa, Vida, Peacock, Frog and Onion, The Skillet and Sixpence, The Red Lion - Basford. Simply loads of decent bars with different clientele.
• If you are visiting Nottinghams night-life you must go and have a peak at the gorgeous shooter girl who currently works at Squares - opposite Toni & Guy
• No the White Hart (Lenton) does NOT serve decent food, not judging by the curry I had there the other week. Better to go to the Taste of India down towards Dunkirk. The other English food my friends had wasn't great - and the service is terrible!
• Uh...the Lenton!! i mean why hasn't anyone mentioned the Lenton. It's like the only place to go in Nottingham. you can dance, smoke, feel the vibe and generally rule down at tha lenton. it ain't scary, it rocks. Y'all are pussies if you don't try it! The old angel is number two tho'
• The Wollaton Arms!! A great place!! It is a family pub, so u may find kids running around, but they do have their own little play area to keep them occupied! The staff are very friendly, the foods great and the drinks are reasonably priced!! Need I say more?!!? Oh, and the Red Back Bar!! All drinks £1!! A great place to get your evening off to a drunken start!!!
• The Dog and Topper, Castle Boulevard
• never go anywhere near templars-no reason just dont
• My favourite is Westside bar for the fact that the bouncers don't actually scowl at you for wearing trainers
• rko's media bar (next door to rock city) is a great place to start a night out with lee the lovely doorman and the waitress who dresses like a slapper,flashing her knickers at all the blokes Berlins which is good for a laugh but i have been known to almost break my ankle getting off that podeum style dancefloor!!!
• The Pitcher & Piano in the Lace Market - in a converted Cathedral, drinks are strong and the building is beautiful... just what we like.
• The old monk for the giant tv and barmaids, the aussie bar the Walkabout for a great atmosphere and 3 sport channels simultaneously, squares is good if you are rich, the revolution for a great atmosphere, d&b and lots of vodka, plus many many more
• The Old Volunteer Carlton, The Grove Castle Boulevard, The Dog and Topper Castle Boulevard, The Falcon Alfreton Road
• Cucamaras, V cheap and luscious cocktails, a place to sit and get pissed not dance, a bit dull but modern decor, friendly staff, doormen and always a half decent tune playing. Up an alley out of the way so a good place to chill out.
• THE OLD ANGEL 7 STONEY STREET THE LACE MARKET NOTTINGHAM NG1 1LG the murals gone, the sofas are newer but we serve food alcohol & scruffy people. 2am licence, 3 big screens, kicking live venue,and local art displayed around the place.
• The White Hart in Lenton- Superb club sandwich.
• THE OLD ANGEL IS ACTUALLY THE DOPEST PUB-GET PISSED THERE BEFORE MOVING ON TO ROCK CITY ON SATURDAY NIGHTS
• The old angel ,the original alt. bar!, Wessside, for the slightly ruuder amoung you. thatzit
• Don't ever go to the TBI (trent bridge in). Crap beer and unpleasant staff. Southbank bar round the corner is far better
• Broadway cinema has a cafe bar which is excellent,cool music and weird pictures projected onto walls.
• Pitcher and Piano in the Lace Market is the coolest
• The Fellowes, Moreton & Clayton, next to the Canal Museum, is the best pub in the whole of the midlands; the beers there are unique, one of them having a strawberry aftertaste. They do carry-out jugs as well.
• Nice new area down by the Canal where you can sit outside in the Summer. Bars here are Waterfront, Via Fossa, Bar Risa (which contains Jongleurs comedy club).
• Try the Fletcher and Firkin near the castle. Theres a decent rock night upstairs (separate door outside) at the weekend. Friendly staff and customers, reasonable beer.
• Biggest pub in Nottingham now is Via Fossa (7 bars!) - holds 2000 people Canal area is up and coming area with Via Fossa, The Waterfront and Jongleurs Comedy club and Nightclub - All opened in the last 3-4 months!! Generally there are more bars opening than ever at the moment!!
• Café Metz
• The White Hart in Lenton has just been refurbished and offers brilliant meals, including Sunday lnch at 4.95.
• The best pubs in the country. RKOs (near Rock City) has been extended, is bigger than most clubs, and is now open till 2am every day of the week except Sunday. The Arboretum is unbelievable in the summer, although it's claim of 'The World's Biggest Beer Garden' is a little unfair as it backs onto a massive great park. The Fair&Firkin has just opened, good beer, comedy nights on Sundays. The Aviary is also excellent in the summer as it overlooks the River Trent, with both of Nottingham's football grounds just across the bridge. Russell's, opposite the uni Arkwright building, is very popular. I could go on for ever...
• Chambers, which has law reprots stacked everywhere so studnets of that subject can feel less guilty about being down the pub and may even have opened until midnight. Corner of Maid Marian Way and St. James Street, beside "Tales of Robin Hood"
• Your guide to Nottingham Pubs, although mentioning the Lincolnshire Poacher, misses out the other excellent establishments near by. It is possible to start at The Peacock at the bottom of Mansfield road and drink your way up via the Filly & Firkin and other reasonable pubs, ending at the Poacher. (Or vice-versa). The owners of The Poacher have recently opened the Vat & Fiddle. This is situated about two hundred yards South of the Railway Station, on the edge of The Meadows. Good beer, good atmosphere.
• Best Pubs have to be Yates in the Market Square and Number 10 on Upper Parliament Street.
• Glad to see the Boat included in your page (I live nearby), have you considered the Vic in Beeston? Since the ex-proprietor of the Lincs Poacher took over about a year ago, it's been done up in similar style and is worthy of a mention. It's similar to the Poacher in style and features lots of real ales plus regular guests. Worth a visit.
• The Fat Cat Cafe Bar has its own web site.
• The Cyberpub, 5 Victoria Centre, 21 Lower Parliament Street (next to Boots)
• Bars: Browns in Hockley on a Friday and Saturday is rammed full of pre clubbers. The up for it atmosphere is aa definitely welcoming feature. But beware dress up -- not to get in but to merge with everyone else. Fairly cheap drinks and it is excellent for a mid afternoon cup of coffee. Opposite Browns is the Market Bar, featured in Sky Magazine. But members and guests only. Heaving music and is a must to get you into the party mood.
• Cross Keys, Byard Lane, Lacemarket area. Good beers, wide selection of food, friendly staff, out of the city centre so not quite so crowded.
• Behan's, St James's Street (across Maid Marian Way). Authentic Irish pub, again good food, kind of out of the way, but popular with office workers on lunch break. Often live Irish music, excellent atmosphere.
• City Gate Tavern, Chapel Bar (?) opposite the main library. Tiny pub but bloody good - the biggest sandwiches in the East Midlands, and over 100 different sorts I think, for 1.50 - 2 quid. Guest beers, etc. Also hot food. Best pub food in Nottingham.
• But we also have lots ofdetailed information on Nottingham Pubs. Although some might not agree with all the choices: "Surely in the pubs thing, you'd have to mention the Old Angel, Stoney Street. . . top tunes, great crowd (generally "alternative" punk-y types, but that's such a misnomer) and a back room with beaten-up sofas. In one of the bars there's an awesome mural over the ceiling and walls (obviously)... Nottingham's coolest pub!! Get on the case!!!"
• There is a pub called the Carlton which several surfers frequent on a Wednesday (Quiz Night).
  The Carlton on Noel Street closed recently and has re-opened under the name "Frog and Onion". Nice place for out of City centre drinking and good pub quiz Thursday night.

Cafes and Coffee Shops

• Amigos in Hockley, or near it does nice chips and loads of them.
• the soup shop man in hockley who has recently moved job across the road to fresh hes wicked
• Milano's in the Poultry arcade if you want to chill out after a club at 3:00am and avoid the taxi queue.
• tooooo many full of wanna be trendys
• Was the Kardomah! Not to mention the Bamboo on Mansfield Rd - both circa 1955!!!
• On the pedestrianised walk way between Victoria Centre (front entrance) all the way to the Broadmarsh (back entrance) there are quite a few coffee bars. Check em out!
• starbucks
• Burleys on Castle Gate, and the shops pretty darn fine too.
• Ingredients closed down - try Waterstones - great coffee & a free read - the new "Friends"
• bb's coffee and muffins outside c&a in broadmarsh does the nicest cappuchino in the world
• munchin mansfield rod Sherwood, sangers, fry ups, pop, cakes and much more sit and eat in a small quiet cafe it is clean and doesn't have the slightly unsavoury feel of many other cafes.
• we've just got 2 pret a mangers but the new costa on the poultry has got a lounge area downstairs which is lovely & comfy - though not quite friends standard yet!!
• The Alley Cafe - Bar, Cannon Court, (opposite the odeon cinema) This newly refurbished (1/11/99) vegetarian cafe is without doubt Nottinghams best kept secret. Friendly staff, a well designed venue, and a fantastic menu that shows how vegetarian food doesn't have to be a load of old lentils. In the evenings local DJ's famous, infamous and newbies spin a variety of styles (see posters in the cafe to see who and when)to create a truley unique atmosphere.
• Coffee 50p at the Old Angel. You may need the energy to get through the first couple of hours at Rock City!
• The Alley Cafe is the ultimate, cool vibes, nice staff, eclectic clientele. Bit pricey but some bargains. Try the quesedillas and the soups - wicked! Open 'til 11pm except sun-tues.
• REAL ART CAFE IS EXCELLENTAY
• the one where the leather shop used 2 be on the corner when you start walking up to city from the square.
• Ingredients is nice for wannabe 'friends', drink coffee and be superficial. Upstairs in the restaurent the food is nouveau cuisine - £8.00 for a spoonful of pasta

The Knowhere Guide started out as a list of places to skateboard in the UK. It is a compilation of (unedited) information and views supplied by users like yourself. It is not a conventional tourist guide!

In most cases, the information in each section has been submitted by more than one contributor (the credits at the bottom of the page list some, but not all, of the contributors) and some of it dates back to the 1970s.

We make no claims as to the accuracy of the information in the Guide - our only purpose is to provide a forum for users to share their knowledge and opinions. So please keep a large bag of salt handy and be prepared to read between the lines!

If you disagree with a comment, or information is out of date, please submit an update! The contributors come from all walks of life, and their opinions are bound to be subjective, so if your view isn't represented, please speak up and contribute to the balance of the Guide. See below in the 'Have Your Say' section for how to add your voice.

If we have helped you out or made you laugh you can buy us a pint.

Have Your Say...

You can tell us more about Nottingham. This is also the method to use if you want to correct some of the information already here. (But please remember you're not mailing the person who actually wrote whatever-it-is.)

You can use the add an event form to tell us about events happening in Nottingham.

Or, if you'd just like to leave a message for other users of this site, take a look at The Knowhere Board (handy if you're just trying to get in touch with someone).

Credits

Last updated: 2007-12-10