Nottingham's outlying areas have seen an explosion of cafes, bars and restaurants that mean it's possible to have a brilliant breakfast, a delicious lunch or enjoy a great night without having to set foot inside the city centre. Neighbourhoods such as Beeston, Sherwood, West Bridgford and Arnold have a cornucopia of places to eat and drink right on the doorstep.
We've picked a mix of newcomers and well established restaurants which have become firm favourites. From Thai food to tasty tapas and Italian feasts, there's something for all tastes.
Very handy if you live in the area, but even if you don't it's worth checking them out. You might just discover a new favourite.
Read more: We try Nottinghamshire finalist in Great British Pub Awards
Arunothai
Anyone living around Hucknall will tell you just how good this Thai restaurant is. Visitors, old and new, are given a friendly welcome at the home of delicious authentic flavours.
With more than 100 items to choose from ordering could take a while but when it comes to starters the platter is a good place to start with a mix including chicken satay, prawns wrapped in pastry ,Thai fish cake, marinated chicken wrapped in pandan leaf and spring rolls.
Flavoursome soups, salads and mains including curries and stir fries are served. Or there's grilled chicken, pork, beef or fish, healthy steamed sea bass, mussels or king prawns and the national noodles dish, packed with flavour Pad Thai.
We say: The food is beautifully presented and it's a real flavour bomb. The service is polite, friendly and efficient. The Arunothai platter is a great way of trying a bit of everything when it comes to starters."
You say: "The interior has been done nicely, service quick and attentive but food was amazing full of taste. The set meals are a very good way of trying dishes if you are unsure of what to order."
Location: Farleys Lane, Hucknall, Nottingham NG15 6DY
The Frustrated Chef
Nottingham city centre has some excellent tapas restaurants but so does Beeston. The Frustrated Chef is well worth a visit for those who enjoy the sharing way of eating. Just outside the town centre, the restaurant is just yards away from a tram stop and has a bus stop right outside so it couldn't be more accessible.
The restaurant has a laid-back, buzzing atmosphere making it a relaxing place to wine and dine. The menu is always fresh and exciting with some unusual twists on the norm.
Tapas traditionalists will find gambas pil pil, Serrano ham croquettes, patatas bravas and churros alongside different offerings like tempura seabass with katsu mayo and lime, jerk chicken skewers with pineapple puree, and Eton Mess for dessert.
The vegetarian section is just as vibrant with Asian slaw with caramelised peanuts, mango and orange, halloumi, sweet potato and veg skewers with red pesto, and aubergine with roasted onion, tomato sauce and mozzarella.
We say: "The Korean pork belly, peanuts and spring onions is one of the best tapas dishes we've ever had. The portions are big but if you have leftovers you can take them home."
You say: "Amazing food, great atmosphere and friendly service. Would 100% recommend!"
Location: 90-94 Chilwell Road, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 1ES
Lombardo's
It's niche but lasagne lovers adore the intimate Italian restaurant. Lombardo's has 22 seats and is open three days a week, from Friday to Sunday.
The menu revolves around six kinds of the pasta dish. As well as the classic beef and pork ragu, there's a spicy version, one with pork sausage and mushrooms, a veggie-friendly butternut squash and a monthly special.
Diners can kick off with antipasti, with individual and sharing portions. Choose from deep-fried mozzarella with a tomato and basil dip and bruschetta and home-made focaccia, which you can wash down with a bold Italian red or refreshing white wine.
It's a handsome feed but but the dessert menu with home-made tiramisu, affogato (ice cream drowned in a hot Italian espresso shot) and cheesecake should not be overlooked. Or at the very least a shot of Limoncello.
We say: "The food is Italian home cooking at its best. The spicy Diavola with fresh 'nduja is not to be missed and make sure you've room to squeeze in a homemade tiramisu, however, what makes this little lasagneria so special is the charming hosts Ashleigh and Alessandro."
You say: Lovely little place!! The owners are so lovely and helpful, a special visit from the chef after our meal was a lovely touch. Visited for the first time and immediately made plans to come back and try more lasagne!! The food is beautiful, so fresh and yummy!
Location: 142 Hucknall Road, Carrington NG5 1FA
Baba Dough
On the subject of Italian food we've skipped across Trent Bridge to West Bridgford for pizza at Baba Dough. The casual pizzeria opened earlier this year and from seating on either side customers can watch the chef tossing the dough in the air as he makes up the orders.
The slow dough is fermented for 48-hours, making it light and digestible. There's 12 different pizzas to choose from with toppings for all tastes - pepperoni, Parma ham, or spicy salami will keep meat lovers happy while vegetarians have a choice of aubergine with whipped ricotta or miso mushroom and spring greens. The pizzas take just seconds to cook but while you're waiting it would be rude not to nibble on a bowl of olives or some burrata.
A selection of natural wines, alongside house wines, beers, hot drinks and soft drinks are served. Dessert lovers can enjoy clotted cream tiramisu, affogato and gelato.
We say: "A lovely friendly place with stylish decor. The pizzas are delicious - you can tell the chef is genuinely passionate about what he does. We love how one of them is a nod to Brian Clough, Old Big 'Ead. Wished we lived closer as we'd be regulars."
You say: "A cracking experience all round! Modern but cosy vibes inside with amazing friendly service and all our dietary needs accounted for. Exciting takes on classic pizzas with super fresh ingredients. The sourdough bases are unreal! Can't wait to go back!!"
Location: 3 Radcliffe Rd, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 5FF
Revival Coffee & El Banco
It's a coffee shop by day with scrumptious brunches of full breakfasts, cheese or mushrooms on toast, pancakes and 'fancy eggs' on muffins or in wraps. The cafe prides itself on making sure there's gluten-free and veggie and vegan alternatives.
On Friday and Saturday, from 6pm, the mood changes as the venue turns into El Banco. The tapas bar serves small plates and sangria and offers 'good food, good vibes and good times'. When it's warm you can sit outside and bask in the sun, adding to the Spanish feel.
Start off with toasted almonds and padron peppers, known as Spanish roulette, as you never know if it's going to be sweet or spicy until you bite in. It's hard to limit it to the recommended number of dishes as everything is so tempting. Serrano ham and crispy chicken thighs, empanadillas with pulled beef, huevos rotos with chorizo, black pudding, fried egg and spicy vegan 'nduja are a good call.
We say: "We've yet to try brunch but everyone seems to rave about it. However, we've almost eaten our way through the tapas menu and recommend it 100 per cent. The vegan 'nduja is as good as the meaty version. Owner Kate certainly makes the place come alive, she's so friendly and enthusiastic."
You say: "Nice vibe, good food and amazingly friendly people. Would recommend if you like tapas and don’t want to go into the city."
Location: 84 Front St, Arnold, Nottingham NG5 7EJ
Anatolia
Turkish restaurants have been popping up fast and furious across the boroughs. This one, based in Beeston, descended on the town in June and has been buzzing ever since. Customers can enjoy at alfresco meal or sit inside the lively, colourful restaurant resplendent with decorative lamps and an open kitchen where you can see the chefs in action.
Hot and cold starters (or meze) are served. Choose from the likes of hummus, calamari, and sigara boregi, a pastry filled with feta cheese and parsley. Then it's all about kebabs, mostly. Take your pick from doner, shish and kofte, lamb or chicken or mix it up.
If kebabs aren't your thing, a variety of fish (sea bass, salmon, sea bream and king prawns) is on the menu. So are burgers and pide, a kind of Turkish pizza.
We say: "It was buzzing when we visited, lively and loud. We had a platter for two which gave us a good mix of all the different styles of kebabs. The lamb was the best, so succulent and tasty."
You say: The food was delicious and cooked to perfection. Many thanks. Will definitely be back. The lamb was so tender and juicy. Really impressed. The service was also spot on and second to none
Location: 88 High Rd, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 2LF
Pisatchio Bar & Kitchen
You are literally spoilt for choice in Sherwood where the number of eateries and bars in and around Mansfield Road has exploded in the last few years. Breakfast, lunch, decadent puddings, dinner, cocktails, beers - it's all there, making it hard to narrow it down to a favourite.
Ginza is high on the list for egg-juggling entertainment but Pistachio pips it at the post. The contemporary Persian restaurant was a long, long time coming due to the pandemic but since opening it has made a huge impression on food lovers, who can't get enough of the banging flavours.
Small plates for sharing are served. The dips are a good place to start with pistachio, feta and yoghurt and warm spicy red pepper, pomegranate and walnut before moving onto a selection of chicken or cauliflower wings, meatballs or Picky Persian plates. The latter features Shah prawns infused in a sweet saffron, garlic and sumac reduction and harissa rose crispy chicken.
We say: "Good things come to those who wait. The dips are so fresh and delicious while the meatballs with sour cherry, walnut and pomegranate are so good you might find you don't want to share."
You say: This place is special. Family run, well thought out menu with amazing flavour combinations. The hummus is amazing and smooth, rose harissa chicken, green beans, heck even the French fries are full of flavour with an amazing spice rub. I’ve been twice and both times the food was excellent. Go, you won’t be disappointed!
Location: 509 Mansfield Road, Sherwood, Nottingham, NG5 2JL
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