I’m Italian — these are my favourite places to go for food in Nottingham
For pizza, pasta, sweet treats, and more...
With the warmer months up ahead, you might already be dreaming about your next holiday abroad. Luckily, you don’t have to travel far for delicious Italian food — in fact, you can live the dolce vita life right here in Nottingham.
Being Italian myself, I have made it my mission to find the best Italian food spots in Nottingham — where stepping into the restaurant feels like entering Italy and the British cold is forgotten for a brief while.
If you find yourself missing the feeling of Italian food, these restaurants and cafés are a must-visit. And, if you want to keep up with food features, event guides, activities, and more, subscribe to receive The Notts Edit in your inbox for free.
6 of the best Italian food spots in Nottingham
By Sophie Fagone Buscimese
1. La Storia
Where: Musters Road, West Bridgford
Independent and family-run, this restaurant is all about cooking hearty home-cooked style meals, drawing much of its inspiration from the Southern region of Italy. The menu changes regularly, however you can always expect authentic dishes using local and fresh ingredients. For a little taste of what it has to offer, try its Dine Around Italy early evening menu, where you can get pasta and a glass of wine for £15 from 5-6pm Wednesday-Friday. I also love the sound of its Italian Sunday roasts.
Do if: You’d like to try traditional, classic Italian food.
2. Compà
Where: Heathcoat Street Nottingham and Wollaton Road, Beeston
I think that this Sicilian restaurant is possibly the warmest place you could set foot into. Its two locations in Beeston and the city centre offer true soul food, from lasagna to lemon tiramisu. No matter if you want to come in for a coffee and a ‘dolce’ sweet treat (try the coffee cannoli now and thank us later) or for a bigger meal, Compà is the place for you. You can also check out our Instagram reel for a peek inside the city centre location.
Do if: You’re looking for a casual, cosy spot with bags of character.
3. Pizzamisù
Where: High Pavement, Nottingham
This is hardly a hidden gem — and that is for a good reason. The smell of Neapolitan pizza carries down the road long before the restaurant even comes into sight and is an indicator of where to — in my opinion — find the best pizza in the whole of Nottinghamshire. The chatter from the kitchen and the Naples football tops offer a real authentic experience, as do the Neapolitan pizza, drinks and desserts. With pizzas starting at under £10, it won’t hurt your wallet too much, either.
Do if: You want all the holiday vibes.
4. Solo Grano
Where: Wheeler Gate, Nottingham
Peel off Old Market Square and head down to Solo Grano, which offers a wide range of handmade pasta and pizza. Whether you’re looking for cheesy goodness, tomato or pesto bases, or meat feasts, it has you covered. For a lighter bite, you can also tuck into a slice of focaccia — keep it classic and go for one topped with olive oil and rosemary or try one topped with veggies and feta. Plus, everything is made fresh and with quality ingredients.
Do if: You’d like to go somewhere you can really enjoy no matter what time of year — sit inside the brick-clad interior in cooler months or dine al fresco in warmer months.
5. Ugly Bread Bakery
Where: Carlton Street, Nottingham
Located right in the heart of Hockley, this colourful café easily has one of the best Italian deli selections in the city. Its menu is extensive and has everything from folded mezzaluna sandwiches to loaded focaccias. The salad bowls are also refreshing yet filling. Dessert wise, it offers cannolis and Beeston Brownie brownies — so you really can’t go wrong. You can even celebrate occasions here — it offers pizza-making parties (both adult and kids options), as well as catering for events.
Do if: You’d love to go to a vibrant place for lunch — take a seat outside in the sun for the best feeling.
6. Rudy’s Pizza
Where: Broad Street, Nottingham
True Neapolitan pizza in a beautiful, cosy setting — what more could you ask for? Large, traditional pizza ovens, candles and the smell of San Marzano tomatoes make this the perfect Nottingham date night spot. On the menu, you can find many traditional Italian pizzas, such as Romagnola or Capricciosa. Don’t sleep on its drinks either — it has cocktails such as Morello cherry spritzes, negroni sbagliatos, and blood orange mimosas. It’s also worth checking out its specials board for seasonal dishes.
Do if: You’re looking for a crowd-pleasing location with plenty of options.
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