Plumtree Restaurant Guide

“A truly world-class restaurant at the top of its game” – Sat & Amanda Bains create a “wonderful and truly memorable experience” for most visitors to their remarkable city-fringe hideaway, which is improbably located down a lane amidst the jumble of pylons, small industrial units, flyovers and concrete banks that announce your near-arrival at this converted motel, by the River Trent, on the outer fringes of Nottingham. In the evening, the choice is between the ‘Prelude’ or ‘Overture’ menus for £199 or £249 per person respectively for a multi-course tasting experience that’s “innovative and complex but richly fulfilling and not faddish”. That’s not to say that absolutely everyone loves it, and this year saw ratings dented a bit by a few more complaints than usual (e.g. “overly rich saucing…”, “unbelievable prices for the style…”). Still more common, however, are converts, such as a repeat visitor who noted “the second visit was even better than the first… if that’s possible… the food was perfection and the service pure class”. Top Tips – “the potato is always a standout”; “the winter offer complete with a stay in one of their rooms is an incredible bargain”.

A tapas veteran that has set a “consistently high standard for many years” in the Lace Market, with a “great variety of lovely dishes” (some with international influences) on its menu. It has a “special atmosphere under its vaulted ceiling” too, which it owes to its intriguing location inside a 15th-century gaol (‘Shire Hall’).

“Excellent burgers in a vibrant environment” have made this Lace Market independent the stuff of local legend. Founder Anmarie Spaziano hails from Rhode Island, where US diner culture first took root, and serves a “great variety” of burgers – including the Lemmy, which comes with Jack Daniels-infused mustard and is named after the late Motörhead leader, who visited in Annie’s early days. An offshoot in Derby closed at the end of 2023.

2024 Review: “Always a real treat to visit” – this well-established local institution is to be found near the castle in the atmospheric surrounds of the seventeenth century Newdigate House (also home to networking haunt the Nottingham Club), and – especially in summer when its terrace comes into its own – provides “a calm escape from the city streets”. Its rather ambitious food has proved “consistently good” over many years (and even “fabulous” on a good night) and reports this year suggest that it has attained a more consistent standard of late.

This Hong Kong-style diner near the Lace Market is “reliably excellent” across its 250-item menu, whose “varied delights” include a selection of fiery Sichuan dishes. Billed as a “Chinese restaurant for the Chinese”, it does a lively trade with Nottingham’s large community of East Asian students.

Nisha Katona’s Liverpool-based operation has two branches in London (Charlotte Street and Westfield Stratford) offering her “very tasty” Indian street food – “with the occasional hint of raw spice”. The Lancashire-born former barrister launched the business in 2014 and now has 28 outlets around the country, whose “enjoyable, authentic food” is “really great for a chain”.

For “lovely Keralan food in nice surroundings with very pleasant service”, this South Indian with spin-offs in Leicester, Leamington Spa and West Byfleet, is hard to beat – one reporter “even booked a holiday in Kerala on the strength of the food eaten here!” (namely curries, thalis, dosas and the like).

“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.

“Always fab” – this Japanese-inspired grill specialist has “gone up another level” since moving to “a smart and crucially bigger venue (which means you can get a table!)” in late 2024 – and “thank goodness, after all the gushing national reviews”, among them a rave from the Telegraph’s William Sitwell in November 2024, who heaped praise on the “lavish mix of flavour-bomb and wit” shown in such dishes as their ‘prawn katsu sando’ (“more significant than Robin Hood”) and ‘tira-miso’ (“which, honestly, knocks any Italian number out of the park”). As one long-distance visitor moaned: “wish this was in London”. Top Menu Tip – “the set lunch is an absolute steal”.

“Tasty and hearty (read filling!) ramen dishes” that are also “full of flavour” and have a “real authentic feel” are the order of the day at MasterChef finalist Pete Hewitt’s collab with local street food heroes the Homeboys. The “stunning” spread, which also extends to small plates, wins nothing but praise, while the service, like the surrounds, is “hip”, it’s not too cool for school (staff being “fun with lots of enthusiasm” too).

“A fab new addition to Nottingham” – this on-trend August 2024 newcomer has instantly won acclaim for its “small seasonal plates with great specials and an interesting wine list all available by the glass”. “Deservedly earning a Bib Gourmand within months of opening” – “it’s as nice whether you’re sitting at a table for a meal or popping in for a drink at the bar… great music too”.

2023 Review: “If you want pasta come here” – this “tiny local restaurant” is “good value and worth a visit”. Owner Edin Gondzic is a veteran of the Hockley food scene with a knack for memorable restaurant names: his stable includes Botti di Mamma and the now-closed Crazy Fish My Love.

“Very tasty and authentic tacos” and other Mexican small plates are on the menu at “the latest opening from the successful Iberico owners”, Dan Lindsay & Jacque Ferreira. “Good cocktails” are another attraction, and its “walk-ins only”, so ideal for a spontaneous night out in Hockley.

The “excellent range of vegan dishes” are “all up to scratch” at this inventive venture from former Jamie’s Italian chef Ritchie Stainsby and his wife Lauren, who started out with a tiny café in Houndsgate before graduating to bigger premises five years ago. There are separate tasting and sharing-plates menus, with gluten- and nut-free options.