While there are a lot of places to eat in Nottingham, it's easy to get into a routine of only visiting the same ones over and over. There are plenty of wacky, wonderful, and unusual places in the city centre to help you if you feel you are stuck in a rut when it comes to food.
Some diners may feel a bit braver than others but if you are looking for a challenge in the new year then we've put together a list of the more unusual options out there to get you started.
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1 - Mock Shark fin soup
Kofuku, Hockley
If you are feeling a bit uneasy about the idea of shark fin soup, which is a delicacy in Asian dishes, this could be a good alternative to try. The imitation is usually made using agar-agar which is a plant-based gelatin made from seaweed that mimics the translucent strips that look like shark fins.
The unusual cafe is a bit of a hidden gem that you may go for the food but stay for the cat. The cafe has a cat theme to it and is launching a new menu on Saturday, January 6 along with board games.
2 - Ube Mochi Doughnuts
Wawoo, Broad Street
This is one for those of you with a sweet tooth who can't resist a good dessert. The cute doughnut shop opened last year and has been a hit thanks to its tasty treats.
Mochi doughnuts are a popular street food snack in Japan and there are several flavours to try. It's the bright purple ube that caught our eye as it's a really sweet, almost vanilla-like flavour. The ube is a purple yam popular in the Philipines. If you aren't feeling up to trying a yam then there are safer options like strawberry.
3 - Garbage plates
Mocky-D, Liquid Light, Alfred Street
We obviously don't mean literal garbage but Mocky-D has come up with a genius way to avoid food wastage. Order a garbage plate for £0 to £3, at the van which is parked at Liquid Light Taproom and be prepared to enjoy a random mix.
The idea is that all the lovely vegan leftovers are popped on a plate with zero waste. This can include naan bread, crispy onion, pickles, homemade burger sauce and seitan. Eat well for less and help the environment.
4 - The Elvis Burger
Annie's Burger Shack, Broadway
The Elvis burger is one of those Nottingham things you need to try at least once. Inspired by the king himself, the half-pound burger is covered in thick peanut butter with jam. It might sound weird but oddly, it works a charm.
The burger is also available meat-free if you are vegetarian. If peanut butter is a step too far for you then why not try The New German burger which is topped with currywurst?
5 - Cocktails with a difference
Mollis, Derby Road
Okay, so this isn't technically food and we cheated a bit, but who cares when it comes to cocktails? Mollis is the newest restaurant from Michelin Star chef, Alex Bond, so it was always going to have a creative menu.
The cocktails have some tasty but unusual ingredients to try including one that combines eucalyptus gin, Empirical Helena, fermented pear consommé, woodruff vinegar, Alchemilla aquavit and soda water. Other options include one with tomato vodka, lovage vermouth, strawberry consomme and chamomile vinegar and another with chamomile tequila, white grapefruit triple sec, amontillado sherry, acid blend, and agave nectar.
6 - Injera
Abeyo, Sneinton Market /Sherwood Vegan Market
Injera is a really tasty fermented pancake-like flatbread with a slightly spongy texture, usually made from teff flour. Abeyo is a great place to stop if you fancy trying a bit of Ethiopian cuisine with injera. Traditionally, the tasty dishes are scooped up with injera instead of knives and forks.
For under a tenner, you can grab a mix of plant-based dishes, hot sauces and two injera which is an absolute bargain. The distinctive red tent pops up occasionally at Sneinton and Sherwood vegan markets from time to time. It's a surprisingly filling and very healthy meal.
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