Cafés in Nottingham: things to know before you go

From the best places to go for afternoon tea to great specialist options, here’s everything you need to know about cafés in Nottingham.

What’s the best café in Nottingham?

There’s so much to choose from when it comes to food and drink in Nottingham, that definitively pin-pointing one ultimate destination is tough. But there are three cafés near you that the locals love.

• Crocus Café in Lenton is a real gem. This volunteer-run community café serves nourishing homemade food at wallet-friendly prices. The menu’s a mix of vegan and veggie favourites, and you can even say thank you by buying a ‘suspended meal’ for someone in need to eat later on.
• Another Lenton spot, Warsaw Diner, is the home of the ‘Bad Ass Breakfast’, serving double everything for anyone with a big day ahead.
• And who can say no to a Kitty Cafe? This Japanese-inspired idea is rapidly taking root across the UK. While you eat your cake or drink your brew, you can stroke and snuggle with the cats that stay on site.

Where can I get afternoon tea in Nottingham?

Every now and then you’ve just got to live it up a little. Afternoon tea is a great way to treat yourself, and your family or friends, and these are some great local places to do it.

• St. James Hotel in central Nottingham is a favourite for fancy surroundings. The four star boutique hotel inspired by the palazzos of Venice, and is a great place to snack on finger foods and sip tea. It also has a great evening menu, making it one of the city’s finest restaurants.
• The White Rabbit Teahouse puts on a delicious selection of teas, sandwiches and pastries, served on a three-tiered cake stand. Heighten the festivities with a glass of fizz or a peach bellini.
• The Pudding Pantry prides itself on using only the best locally produced bread to create scrumptious sandwiches, while the pastry chefs work up some delectable teatime treats including petit fours and jammy dodger cupcakes.
• If you don’t mind travelling a little, Quorn Country Hotel is a fine option for afternoon tea. This relaxing retreat has an AA rosette under its belt, so you know you’re going to be treated well. The hotel is in a 17th-century country house that blends Stuart architecture with modern facilities – the height of fancy!

Which cafés in Nottingham are good for vegans?

Many of Nottingham’s great coffee shops cater to everyone, with a variety of vegan options on the menu. Here are two of the best vegan-friendly cafés in Nottingham, however.

• Hartley’s near the Broadway Cinema caters to pretty much everyone, and offers gluten-free options alongside its vegan offerings.
• Obviously being one of the best cafes overall doesn’t stop Crocus Café making it onto the list of best veggie and vegan spots. It’s great!

How is the best coffee made?

Making coffee is easy. Making great coffee, however, takes a bit more effort.

The Aeropress is a favourite of coffee aficionados everywhere. Basically comprising two expertly engineered plastic tubes, this versatile gizmo pressurises your creation to make delicious thick coffee.

Or, for those wanting to go classic, there’s the stove-top espresso maker that it all began with. This contraption will work on any cooker and produces excellent dark, bitter and brilliant coffee every time.