Breaking news
Harden's says
Former MasterChef: The Professionals winner, Laurence Henry, is chef patron at this new restaurant space at The Island Quarter in central Nottingham; opened in late 2022, with MasterChef: The Professionals contestant Hira Lla Thakur as head chef. Binks Yard (see also) is part of the same development.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Aiming for high-end sophistication”, this first-floor venue in a striking looking property within the canal-side Island Quarter, launched in 2022, with open kitchen and glossy styling. A selection of Day Boat fish and Dry-Aged Steaks headline a short, straightforward menu and it’s recommended by locals as an excellent choice for business. That said, there is also the odd gripe about its pricing, and another reporter feels: “the bar area is lovely”, but “on two occasions now the food service has been slow and food not good”. BREAKING NEWS: In October 2025, Rhubarb Catering were appointed to look after the site, so change may be afoot.
Summary
“An encouraging addition to the Nottingham restaurant scene” launched in 2022 in a canal-side location in the burgeoning Island Quarter. Launch chef Laurence Henry moved on in November 2023, and it is currently helmed by Himalayan-born chef Hira – a “smart venue with open kitchen” that turns out “well-executed and clever” (should that be cleaver?) food with “thankfully not a tasting menu in sight” – instead, a newly launched fixed evening menu (two courses £45/three courses £53) mirroring the format of lunch.
Summary
“A very welcome addition to Nottingham’s foodie scene” that is attached to the upcoming Island Quarter regeneration project, and thus is “somewhat stranded on a ring road”, but with “great views of the canal” and a superb waterside setting in compensation. ‘MasterChef: The Professionals’ winner Laurence Henry masterminds the “very accomplished and tasty food” (two- or three-course lunch £37/£47 per person, dinner £75 per person), while there’s also praise for the impressive interior – “upscale without being too grand”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Cleaver & Wake?
1 The Great Northern Close, Nottingham, NG2 3JL
Cleaver & Wake Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Smart place with excellent food and drink. Frequently changing seasonal menu and good fish. Urban location. "
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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| Lunch | £39.50 | £48.50 |  |
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| Dinner | £45.00 | £53.00 | |
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| SundayLunch | £42.00 | £50.00 | |
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| Drinks |
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| Wine per bottle | £35.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
| Extras |
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| Bread | £6.00 |
| Service | 15.00% |
1 The Great Northern Close, Nottingham, NG2 3JL
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑4 pm |
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