When it comes to Christmas, food is one of the biggest parts of celebrating – and there are plenty of places to eat in Nottingham for festive dining.
We’ve rounded up a range of these, from Bib Gourmand-approved plates and traditional fare to Indian street food and warming noodle bowls. These have been narrowed down based on their quality, the food they are offering, the atmosphere of the venues and their catering for dietary requirements.
If you’re looking for restaurants in the city to book for sparkling dishes, these are all well worth checking out. For more guides like this, subscribe to The Notts Edit to receive our articles in your inbox for free.
7 of the best places to go for Christmas meals in Nottingham
By Eve Smallman
1. Cleaver and Wake
When: From November 24
How much: Two courses £62pp, three courses £72pp
Riverside views, a sumptuous feel, and a luxe menu make Cleaver and Wake a sophisticated dining option. Begin with roasted Jerusalem artichoke soup, confit chicken, and Parma ham terrine, before trying turkey roulade, beef or mushroom Wellington, or glazed duck breast. Its desserts are also classics with twists, such as baked Alaska with blood orange parfait, panettone with tiramisu espuma, and bûche de Noël with mulled wine gel.
We recommend starting with an aperitif in the bar before heading into the restaurant. A glass or bottle of one of its Veuve Clicquot champagnes would be especially perfect for toasting the occasion. For a more casual bite, its sister restaurant downstairs, Binks Yard, has festive focaccias and feasts.
Do if: You’d love to spoil someone with a luxurious Christmas dinner.
2. Piccalilli
When: Wednesday–Saturday, 12–2.30pm and 5–9pm; Sunday, 12–3pm, plus open for lunch 12–2.30pm December 21–23
How much: Plates from £12, set menu for parties of seven and over £37.50pp
With a Bib Gourmand and Good Food Guide accolades to boot, Piccalilli is a beautiful spot tucked away past Old Market Square. Climb up the stairs and find its snug interior, with high ceilings, wooden beams, and relaxed seats. While it doesn’t have a specifically festive menu, it’s perfect for the winter comforts this time of year calls for.
Its main menu is a mixture of small plates, with vegetables, fish and meat to choose from, like roast beetroot with goat’s curd, skate wing with crab sauce, and pork chop with roast peach. We also recommend finishing with the parsnip cake with butterscotch. Plus, it has à la carte options, an amazing Sunday roast, and a set menu for parties of seven and more.
Do if: You’re looking for a relaxed yet chic spot with warming, wow-worthy dishes.
3. Mowgli
When: November 16–January 3
How much: £40pp
Bring a little spice to your festive dining in Nottingham by visiting Mowgli – one of our favourite Indian restaurants in the city. The feasting menu begins with a glass of Prosecco or a soft drink, followed by its famous chaat bombs. From here, choose a plate, with options including gunpowder chicken and fenugreek fries.
At the heart of the feast are Mowgli’s two-tier curry tiffin boxes, with each guest choosing from three options – meat, veggie or vegan. Cool off with a brownie with ice cream, a cone or sorbet. For those looking for a bigger celebration, Mowgli has also launched its new menu for guests who prefer to order à la carte. Plus, it has separate vegan and non-gluten menus.
Do if: You’d rather have an alternative to traditional Christmas food – this is just that, while still having a fairy-light-adorned interior.
4. Skein
When: November 25–December 19
How much: Starters and desserts from £10, mains from £20
Sister restaurant to 31K (which also has a festive menu), Skein offers a refined interior for an elegant meal. Crab rarebit, blood orange scallops and wild boar pâté are lovely for starters, while venison with blackcurrant jus, cod with parsnip rösti, and tamarind aubergine make up the mains.
Finish with Chambord baba, chocolate soufflé, mango and passionfruit parfait, or dark chocolate délice – the indulgence is all yours. Oh, and the wine list is also exceptional. Much of its Christmas menu is gluten-free or can be made gluten-free on request, making it an especially great option for coeliacs.
Do if: You’re looking for an intimate yet accessible restaurant for a special Christmas meal.
5. Cosy Club
When: From November 18
How much: From £29.95pp
Conveniently situated just beyond the Council House, Cosy Club has all the regalness that Christmas requires. Everyone can dive into the festive platters, from pigs in blankets to forest mushroom arancini. The Cosy Christmas pie, butternut squash Wellington and pork belly are all hearty options for mains, while desserts have favourites like tiramisu, Christmas pudding and a cheeseboard. It even caters fully for gluten-free and vegan diets.
For an extra touch of luxury, upgrade to its gold package (£75pp), with Prosecco on arrival, nibbles and sharing starters, half a bottle of wine per person, plus handmade chocolate truffles and coffee to close, or platinum (£85pp) for all this plus premium wine.
Do if: You’re looking for a venue with real sparkle – Cosy Club has to be one of the most beautiful in the city.
6. The Magic Garden
When: From November 18
How much: Two courses £30pp, three courses £37pp, buffet packages from £18pp
You might have visited this dreamy bar in summer, but it’s just as enchanting in winter, thanks to its heated marquee. The set menu is filled with delights, with the likes of creamy tomato and basil soup and prawn cocktail to start, mains like traditional turkey and roasted salmon, and desserts from fudge cake to apple crumble.
Alternatively, it also has a buffet menu brimming with flatbreads, tarlets, pigs in blankets, mini Yorkshire puddings, and more. All of these will pair wonderfully with the bar’s famous cocktails. It also has winter drink bundles for parties.
Do if: You’re looking for a place for food and partying – the marquee can host up to 150 guests, while the terrace can host 50 (there are also spaces inside).
7. Pho
When: November 23–December 24
How much: Two courses £24.95pp, three courses £27.95pp
Warming food is always a must during winter – and if steaming-hot broth and noodles speak to you, Pho in Hockley has brilliant meat and vegan menus that are both 98% gluten-free. The restaurant is also accredited by Coeliac UK. Reach for spring rolls, prawn crackers and baby squid to begin with, before making your choice of Vietnamese noodle soup (aka pho!), hot and spicy soups, curry or rice bowls.
Dessert-wise, luxurious, slow-churned ice cream in raspberry, Alphonso mango, coconut or dark chocolate is perfect for a lighter finisher. Pho also has three Christmas cocktails on the menu during the festive season, as well as its usual phojito, spicy lychee margarita and Cà phê martini.
Do if: Fresh, zingy festive food that is nourishing is your favourite.
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