Graduation meals in Nottingham — 6 places to visit for special deals and openings
From French to Italian, there's something for everyone
Whether you’re a student or have one in your midst, celebrating with a graduation meal in Nottingham is the perfect way to toast time studying in our city.
I have narrowed down six places to visit, from independents opening specially to restaurants with sparkling deals. As a Trent graduate myself and the editor of The Notts Edit, these are all places I have visited and thoroughly enjoyed.
This includes some of the best restaurants in Nottingham, as well as bigger names you might be familiar with from other areas. For more guides like this, subscribe to The Notts Edit to receive our articles in your inbox for free.
6 places to visit for graduation meals in Nottingham
By Eve Smallman
1. Piccalilli
Where: Cannon Court
Holding a well-deserved Bib Gourmand, Piccalilli specialises in small plates with British and European influences. As well as being open on its usual Thursdays-Saturdays and for Sunday lunch, it will be open for graduation on Wednesday July 22, Tuesday July 28, and Wednesday July 29. This is for lunch from 12-2.30pm and for dinner from 5-9.30pm. Its menu regularly changes, but a taste of what it offers includes burrata and courgettes, cured and torched sea bass, smoked bacon with rhubarb and ginger jam, and – our favourite – parsnip cake with butterscotch sauce. Its drinks menu is also excellent, including an extensive wine list – a glass of the Champagne Bernard Remy would be perfect for toasting the occasion.
Visit if: You’d love to dive into elevated favourites in a warm, relaxed setting.
2. Cosy Club
Where: Victoria Street
Decorated with sparkling chandeliers and hosting sweeping staircases, this is a stunning venue with a remarkably accessible menu. The graduation menu is available as two (£29.95pp) or three courses (£35.95pp), and paired with a complimentary glass of prosecco. These are all luxe comfort foods – think Korean fried buttermilk chicken, hot honey fried halloumi, and chilli king prawn cocktail for starters, the Cosy house burger, flat iron steak, and puttanesca linguine for mains, and miso caramel custard tart, dark chocolate mouse, and coconut and lime panna cotta for dessert.
Visit if: You’re looking for a wow-worthy menu that will cater to all – its vegan and gluten-free offering is brilliant.
3. Browns
Where: Park Row
With its opulent interior and quiet location, this sophisticated restaurant has two menu options for graduation. The classic menu (two courses £29pp, three £36pp) has dishes like smoked salmon, rib-eye, Caesar salads, and salted caramel profiteroles, while the celebration menu (two courses £39pp, three £46pp) is slightly more indulgent and has dishes such as baked scallops, lamb, fillets with fries, and chocolate torte. Everyone dining gets a complimentary glass of champagne, making raising a glass ever so easy.
Visit if: You’re looking for a crowd-pleasing restaurant that’s perfect for beautiful photos.
4. Pici
Where: Broad Street, Nottingham
One of our favourite Italian spots in Nottingham, Pici is known for its fresh pasta, pizzettes, and small plates. The inside area has an open chef’s pass, which is fun for peeking at. It’s also wonderfully air conditioned and has outdoor seating, making it an excellent option if a hot day arises. During graduation, it will be open for lunch on Tuesdays July 21 and 28, as well as its usual evenings on Tuesdays and all day Wednesdays-Sundays. Make it informal with a few plates to share around, or make it more formal by ordering plates and mains each to create a course menu. Whatever you do, I recommend keeping room for the tiramisu.
Visit if: You’d like something that will excite you more than just a plain pizza (after all, you’ve probably had enough of them as a student!).
5. The Alchemist
Where: King Street
Quirky cocktails of all kinds await at The Alchemist, which is all about clever drinks that you’ll want to film and take pictures of as they colour-change, fizz, and even catch fire. When booking for graduation, complimentary cosmic oysters (they’re blue!) will be served for the whole table, as well as a mini cocktail shot featuring gin, limoncello, and passionfruit pearls. Plus, if you purchase a bottle of Moët & Chandon champagne for toasting, you’ll get a complimentary bubble waffle dessert. This is one that’s a great location for Trent students, but the Old Market Square tram stop is also nearby for University of Nottingham students.
Visit if: You’re less about sit-down meals, and more about raising a glass to your newfound freedom.
6. Bistrot Pierre
Where: Milton Street
Add a touch of je ne sais quoi to your graduation dinner with a visit to this beautiful French restaurant, which has a graduation menu with three courses (£34.95pp) from July 14-17 and 20-24. Special dishes include camembert with sourdough, crispy duck, and rib bourguignon – and you can even finish off with the graduate dessert, complete with chocolate mousse, Chantilly cream, and hot chocolate sauce. You could also kick off the celebrations with a Bistrot breakfast, from a full fry-up to topped avocado (£14.50 with a hot drink and juice). For Nottingham Trent students, this is an especially well-located venue, with it being just a short walk from the city campus.
Visit if: You like the idea of choosing between breakfast or dinner, or just looking for a spacious restaurant with a chic feel.
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