Insider’s guide to 6 of the tastiest restaurants, cafes and pubs to open so far this year in Nottinghamshire

It continues to be a hard time for hospitality with some pubs, restaurants and cafes across the county giving up the fight and calling it a day. Barely a week goes by without Nottinghamshire Live reporting on another closure due to rising energy bills, rocketing prices of supplies, and dwindling trade as customers can’t afford to eat and drink out as often.

But it’s not all and gloom. For every closure there seems to be a new business springing up – or the reopening of a closed down pub that has been empty for years. Only this week it was revealed that Blackshale Bar & Kitchen would be opening on July 11 in Beeston. And there’s more to come with the takeover of much-loved pubs the Hand & Heart and Crafty Crow in Nottingham.

Here we take a look at just a few of the new venues to have burst 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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Pizza Pilgrims

Let’s be clear. Nottingham is not lacking on the pizza front so you might wonder how yet another new restaurant might fare. Every time we’ve walked past Pizza Pilgrims on a warm summer’s day, the front windows are opened onto the street, and the place is packed both inside and out.

Located in the heart of Hockley (right next to one of Nottingham’s most popular restaurants Bar Iberico) it couldn’t have a better position for attracting custom. We’ve tried the pizzas for ourselves and they’re mighty good – our top recommendation for meat lovers is the double pepperoni with spicy honey.

With its gingham tablecloths and fun and quirky decor, there’s a real charm to the place. It makes us want to go back very soon and that’s a good sign.

You say: Been planning a trip to Pilgrims and was so happy went a restaurant opened in Nottingham! Managed to get a table on opening night and it did not disappoint. Pizza was perfect and the wonderful service made the whole experience even better. The atmosphere and quirky decor (the toilets are the most fun!) Just make it a brilliant place to experience and talk about. Love pizza? Love fun? Then head to Pilgrims!”

Location: 15 Carlton Street, Nottingham NG1 1NL

The Bagel Project

If you love a bagel, you will not be disappointed. If you remember Bagel Nash in Nottingham, well this is a million times better. A big bready circle packed with a variety of fillings certainly hit the spot when hunger strikes.

Get stuck into smoked salmon and cream cheese or a New-York style pastrami Rueben loaded with meat, Swiss cheese, mustard and sauerkraut. A word of warning – don’t wear a white T-shirt if eating the latter or you will really need to put the Persil bio to the test. You’ve heard of dirty burgers, well this is a dirty bagel. .

Another new addition to bustling Hockley, the unit has tables for eating inside and out to enjoy with a coffee or cold drink as well as doing takeaway.

You say: “As an American who is OBSESSED with bagels, it is the best place to get a proper bagel in Notts. Massively impressed and recommend the salmon and truffle cream cheese!”

Location: 13 Carlton Street, Nottingham NG1 1NL

The Peacock

Dating back to 1850, it’s not new, but the pub bounced back in January after a closure of around three years, during which time the exterior fell into disrepair.

The historic pub, with links to Nottingham’s famous author D. H. Lawrence, was given a £247,000 makeover, sprucing it up but at the same time keeping all the lovely original features such as the peacock motif etched windows, wooden flooring and patterned tiles around the bar.

Believed to be the only pub in Nottingham with old-fashioned push-bells to summon service, these have been restored, making it the ideal spot to order a real ale, lager or cocktail without having to get out of your seat. So much better than using an app on your phone.

You say: “A lovely old pub, recently updated to a super clean and stylish standard, by the new owners, who seem to be very efficient and friendly. A good menu of cocktails, with several draught ales.”

Location: 11 Mansfield Road, Nottingham NG1 3FB

Kellari

Pining for the flavours of Greece? Never fear Kellari is here. The new Greek restaurant took over where Yiannis left off in Beeston, when it opened in May.

Freshly cooked Mediterranean food, bursting with flavour, in the bright and cheerful surroundings will give you holiday vibes of sun, sea and ouzo. The mezzes are marvellous and the moussaka is moreish, while the souvlaki skewers, served as hanging kebabs, are simply stunning.

You say: “I had such an amazing experience dining at the restaurant. I found it really atmospheric and the service very friendly and attentive. But what astonished me the most was that the flavours of the dishes transported you to a local restaurant in Greece. I will definitely go again soon.”

Location: 132 Wollaton Rd, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 2PE

The Lambley

One of the last reviews before the pub closed in 2022 said the pub was “absolutely awful.” It went on to say the food was “nasty but not worth the money.”

New owners have wiped the slate clean, and given the rural pub a new lease of life with a stylish makeover inside and out. The menu has some of the tastiest food at any pub in Notts, all freshly made and served from an open kitchen.

We can thoroughly recommend the chargrilled tiger prawns, all plump and juicy, served on focaccia. While the cod, mussels and fondant potato, in a buttery parsley sauce is divine. We could have sat outside on the terrace all day, it’s so chilled and friendly.

You say: “It has been newly re-opened and a great facelift inside. New owners who know how to run very successful pubs. All new menus offering some of the best pub grub around. Support local independents when you can. It means so much.”

Location: Main Street, Lambley, Nottingham NG4 4PN

Industry & Detroit

Didn’t someone once say: “When a man is bored of pizza, he is bored of life”? Perhaps if Samuel Johnson was alive today in Nottingham, he’d have changed his famous quote, swapping London for pizza.

There’s no chance of getting bored in the city, with so many different pizza restaurants – mostly serving the Italian-style Neapolitan. However, brings something different, in the shape of rectangular Detroit-style pizzas with a thick fluffy base and cheese-encrusted sides.

It’s impossible to say which is our favourite. Double pepperoni with hot honey rates highly but the maple pulled ham, pickled pineapple and jalapenos will arouse your taste buds. And how could we possible leave out the one topped with fried chicken with hot buffalo sauce and ranch dressing. Each bite is dirty and utterly delicious.

In fact our advice would be to work your way through the whole menu. While you can take it away, it’s best teamed with a beer or cocktail from adjoining bar Industry, which as the name suggests has an industrial theme going on. You’d never know if used to be a Sainsbury’s store.

You say: “Oh my days. Just when you think the Nottingham pizza scene can’t get any better. Honestly, the best foccacia base I’ve had on Detroit style pizza, so so soft. We had the buffalo chicken and ranch which was just purely amazing. Chicken thighs were full of flavour, marinara sauce tasted really fresh. Crunchy cheese crusts were cooked to perfection. We actually ate next door at Industry so we could have some draft craft beer, but you can buy takeaway or eat in here for more of a cafe vibe. You absolutely need to try this place.”

Location: 81b Carrington St, Nottingham NG1 7FE