Festive fare in Nottingham: Where to go for fabulous feasts
Festive fare in Nottingham: Where to go for fabulous feasts
After all, it just isn't Christmas without eating good food...
Food has a beautiful way of bringing people together. Sharing a delicious meal and fun conversation has to be one of the best feelings — especially when you’re surrounded by friends and family.
If you’re looking for places to dine in Nottingham over the holidays, we’ve got you. From classic festive fare to more refined options, we’ve picked out a real of places to go for fabulous food and atmosphere. As well as this, we were invited to Bistrot Pierre to discover how the French do festive dining…
5 places to go for fabulous festive dining in Nottingham
1. Bistrot Pierre
Where: Milton Street, NG1 3EN
How much: Two courses £26.95pp, three courses £29.95pp
Stepping into Bistrot Pierre on a cold winter’s night is a dreamy experience. It has warm lighting throughout, plush comfortable seats, and is fully decked with chic Christmas garlands. The festive menu is fairly reasonably priced, working out at around £10 per course. There are lots of options for meat eaters like rump steak au poivre and roast turkey, and even a variety of options for gluten-free diners like champagne beurre blanc salmon and confit duck leg.
We tried out the vegetarian offering, opting for beetroot carpaccio and French rarebit to start, camembert pithivier and parsnip tart for mains, and sharing a black forest yule log to finish everything off. The amount of options for different dietary requirements is impressive, making it a great option for families or work colleagues.
Each dish was beautifully presented and had the flavours to match. Highlights included the well-balanced cumin nut crumble on the beetroot carpaccio, the hearty camembert pastry filled with creamy potato dauphinoise, and the tart yet sweet yule log. The flavours on the dishes all felt thoughtfully put together, and married together well, too. Everything was just the right size for a three-course menu, meaning that we were left full without feeling like we’d eaten too much.
The speed of everything was brilliant as well, which is super useful if you’re having a meal after work or are grabbing drinks before or after. That being said, the drinks menu there is robust enough that you could stop there for drinks alone. It has an extensive wine list, seasonal cocktails, and draught beer.
If you’re looking for a place to go for festive dining that has a wow factor without a hefty price tag, Bistrot Pierre is a beautiful choice.
2. Cosy Club
Where: Victoria Street, NG1 2EX
How much: From £37.95pp for three courses (prices vary depending on weekday)
This might be a well-known chain, but it is placed in arguably the most stunning building in the city centre. Previously a private members club in the 1800s, it’s now open to all to take in its grand decor and ornate detailing. The menu is filled with warming festive favourites, including a cosy Christmas pie and pigs and blankets with a cider glaze. It has specific gluten-free and vegan menus, so those with dietary requirements can be rest assured that they’ll be looked after.
3. Browns Nottingham
Where: Park Row, NG1 6GR
How much: £38pp for three courses, £65pp for NYE
Looking for crowd-pleasing dishes with elegant plating? Browns has a winning selection. Meat mains include classic turkey with all the trimmings, maple and cinnamon glazed pork belly, sea bass, and braised blade of beef, while veggies can opt for a Wellington or brown butter gnocchi. There is even a three-course menu for little ones, with options including a turkey roast and salted caramel profiteroles, so you can dine as a whole family. For New Year’s Eve it’ll be hosting decadent dishes and Bellinis, and on the day itself, you can even go for a champagne bottomless brunch.
4. Hart’s Nottingham
Where: Park Row, NG1 6GN
How much: £40pp for three courses on the set menu, £90pp for NYE
If you haven’t made the walk up the hill to Hart’s yet, now is the time to do so. Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, the restaurant is a cosy, sumptuous place to enjoy festive treats. On the set menu, as part of its a'la carte December offering, it has three classic courses for £40. This includes smoked salmon and salsa verde to start with, followed by turkey with a wild mushroom sauce, and ending with Christmas pudding. If you’re dining for New Year’s, it is also offering a New Year’s Eve five-course meal, including champagne on arrival and coffee and petit fours to finish.
5. Cleaver and Wake
Where: The Island Quarter, NG2 3JL
How much: £45pp for three courses, from £75pp for NYE
The festive season is all about relishing in luxuries, but if you want to take that to another level, Cleaver and Wake is the place to go. It has a festive lunch menu and a dinner menu, both created with seasonal ingredients. These dishes offer a twist on traditional festive dining, such as roast chicken with smoked celeriac and chocolate orange mousse with popcorn ice cream. For New Year's Eve, it's offering two events: a champagne five-course dinner and a party with a three-course dinner, plus a DJ.
🎁 Psst! We’re still looking for local makers to feature in our Nottingham gift guide next week. If you’d like to submit your products or give any suggestions, please do email us at editor@thenottsedit.com.