Insider’s guide to 6 of the tastiest restaurants, cafes and pubs opening so far this year in Nottinghamshire
But it’s not all bleak. For every closing, a new business seems to spring up – or the reopening of a closed pub that was empty for years. Just this week it was revealed that Blackshale Bar & Kitchen will open July 11th in Beeston. And there’s more to come with the takeover of much-loved pubs such as the Hand & Heart and Crafty Crow in Nottingham.
Here we take a look at a few of the new places that have popped up on the food and drink scene in the first six months of 2023. We’ve tried them ourselves – and find out what you think of them.
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Pilgrim Pizza
Let’s be clear. Nottingham isn’t short on pizza front, so you might be wondering how another new restaurant will fare. Every time we walked by Pilgrims Pizza on a warm summer day, the front windows open to the street, and the place is packed inside and out.
Located in the heart of Hockley (next door to one of Nottingham’s most popular restaurants Bar Iberico) couldn’t have a better location for the custom attraction. We tried the pizzas for ourselves and they are very good – our top recommendation for meat lovers is the double pepperoni with spicy honey.
With gingham tablecloths and fun and quirky decor, there’s real magic about the place. It makes us want to go back very soon and that’s a good sign.
You say: I was planning a trip to the Pilgrims and was so glad a restaurant opened in Nottingham went! I managed to get a table on opening night and it didn’t disappoint. The pizza was perfect and the great service made the whole experience even better. The quirky atmosphere and decor (the toilets are the most fun!) just make it a great place to experience and talk about. do you like pizza? love fun? Then head to the pilgrims! ”
location: 15 Carlton Street, Nottingham NG1 1NL
Bagel Project
If you love bread, you won’t be disappointed. If you remember Bagel Nash in Nottingham, that’s a million times better. A large circle filled with a variety of fillings is sure to hit the spot when hunger strikes.
Indulge in smoked salmon and cream cheese or New York-style pastrami filled with meat, Swiss cheese, mustard and sauerkraut. A word of warning – don’t wear a white shirt if you’re eating the latter or you’ll really need to test your Persil bio. You’ve heard of dirty burgers, well that’s dirty bun. .
Another new addition to bustling Hockley, the unit has both inside and outside dining tables to enjoy a coffee or cold brew as well as takeaway.
You say: “As an American who is obsessed with bread, it’s the best place to get proper bread in Notts. Very impressed and recommend the salmon and truffle cheesecake!”
location: 13 Carlton Street, Nottingham NG1 1NL
peacock
Dating from 1850, it is not new, but the pub bounced back in January after being closed for about three years, during which time the exterior fell into disrepair.
The historic pub, which has links to the famous Nottingham author D.H. Lawrence, was endowed with a sum of £247,000, improving it but at the same time retaining all the lovely original features such as peacock etched windows, wood floors and ornate tiles around the bar.
Thought to be the only pub in Nottingham with old push bells to call for service, it has been restored, making it the perfect place to order a real ale, ale or cocktail without having to get up from your seat. Much better than using an app on your phone.
You say: “A lovely old pub, recently updated to a super immaculate and stylish standard, by the new owners, who appear to be very efficient and friendly. Good cocktail list, with several draft ales.”
location: 11 Mansfield Road, Nottingham NG1 3FB
Basement
Craving for the flavors of Greece? Never fear Kellari is here. The new Greek restaurant picked up where Yiannis left off in Beeston, when it opened in May.
Freshly cooked Mediterranean food, full of flavour, in bright and cheery surroundings will give you a holiday vibe of sun, sea and ouzo. The mezes are great and the moussaka is even more amazing, while the souvlaki skewers, which serve as hanging kebabs, are simply amazing.
You say: “I had an amazing experience dining in the restaurant. I really found it to be a great atmosphere and the service very friendly and considerate. But what surprised me most was that the flavors of the dishes transported you to a local restaurant in Greece. I will definitely go again soon.”
location: 132 Woolaton Road, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 2PE
lambley
One last review before the pub closed in 2022 said the pub was “absolutely awful”. She went on to say that the food was “bad but not worth the money”.
The new owners have wiped the slate clean, giving the country pub a new lease on life with a stylish makeover inside and out. The menu has some of the tastiest food of any Notts pub, all freshly made and served from an open kitchen.
We can highly recommend the flame grilled tiger prawns, all plump and juicy, served on focaccia. While the cod, mussels and potato fondant, in a parsley butter sauce is divine. We could have sat outside on the balcony all day, it’s so cool and friendly.
You say: “Newly reopened and had a nice facelift inside. New owners who know how to run very successful pubs. All new menus serving some of the best pub restaurants. Support local independents when you can. It means a lot.”
location: Main Street, Lambley, Nottingham NG4 4PN
Industry and Detroit
Didn’t someone once say, “When a man gets tired of pizza, he gets tired of life”? Perhaps if Samuel Johnson were alive today in Nottingham, he would have changed his famous quote, and replaced London with pizza.
There’s no chance of getting bored in the city, with so many different pizzerias – most of them serving Neapolitan Italian style. However, he brings something different, in the form of a rectangular Detroit-style pizza with a thick, fluffy base and sides covered in cheese.
It is impossible to say which is our favourite. Double the pepperoni with honey hot prices are high but the maple ham, pickled pineapple and jalapeno will tantalize your taste buds. And how can we leave out the chicken smothered in hot buffalo sauce and ranch dressing. Every bite is sloppy and absolutely delicious.
In fact, our advice would be to work the entire list. While you can remove it, it’s best teamed with a beer or cocktail from the bar industry next door, which as the name suggests has an ongoing industrial theme. You’ll never know if you’re using a Sainsbury’s.
You say: “Oh my days. Just when you think Nottingham’s pizza scene can’t get any better. Honestly, the best focaccia base I’ve ever had on Detroit pizza style, so soft. We had the buffalo and ranch chicken which was purely amazing. The chicken thighs were full of flavour, the marinara sauce tasted fresh.” Really. The crunchy cheese crusts were cooked to perfection. We actually ate next door in Industry so we could get some craft beer, but you can buy takeaway or eat here for more of a cafe atmosphere. You definitely need to try this place.”
location: 81b Carrington Street, Nottingham NG1 7FE
