Sometimes it seems it's all doom and gloom due to the number of restaurants, pubs and cafes closing down. But for every one that closes, there appears to be a new one springing up across Nottinghamshire.
The last 12 months have seen more than 50 new food and drink haunts, from fine dining restaurants to cheap and cheerful burger joints. There's been the arrival of national, and international, chains as well as plenty of locals venturing into the industry despite all the challenges it currently brings.
Here, we take a look at some of the new arrivals in Nottingham city centre and the suburbs.
Read more: Nottingham's best places to eat - from Michelin-starred to fish and chips
Restaurants
The newest kid on the block opened in December 2022, just in time to catch the Christmas trade. Alex Bond's Mollis combines fried chicken, soft-serve ice cream and hip hop, next door to his Michelin-starred restaurant Alchemilla in Derby Road, Nottingham.
Another newcomer was steakhouse Tomahawk, in Low Pavement, serving everything from flat iron to wagyu and chateaubriand to sharing boards. Rosa's Thai opened in King Street, Nottingham, moving into the premises previously occupied by Loch Fyne. Classic Thai dishes, mouth-watering surprises and bubble tea are on the menu.
One of the most exciting new openings has been Cleaver & Wake, the fine dining restaurant at the £1billion Island Quarter development, off London Road. Headed up by 2018 MasterChef: The Professionals champion Laurence Henry, diners can watch the chefs in action as they beaver away in the open kitchen.
Beneath Cleaver & Wake is Binks Yard, an all-day eating, drinking and entertainment venue. The laid-back bar and grill has a different vibe and menu, featuring wood-fired pizzas, tacos and the best ever Basque burnt cheesecake. Since opening the outdoor stage has been the setting for live music, screening the Queen's funeral and showing the World Cup.
Spice Cay brought Caribbean flavour fusion when it opened at Pelham Street, in 2022. Exotic dishes and bold flavours appear on a menu of jerk chicken, Nana's braised oxtail and curried goat.
Turkish cuisine landed in West Bridgford with the opening of Istanbul Kitchen, while Pho brought the flavours of Vietnam to Carlton Street in Hockley. Just over the border in Leicestershire but well worth a mention is Restaurant Jericho in Plungar at the location which was previously Dickie's Farm Dining.
Not just dinner, but a real foodie experience, awaits. An imaginative 12-course tasting menu is served using the wealth of unusual fresh herbs, fruit and vegetables grown literally outside the door.
Coffee shops
It seems there can never be too many spots for coffee. 2022 has seen the opening of a third 200 Degrees in Nottingham, in Milton Street, with the same offering as the other two in the city centre.
Barista Lab, with its contemporary style, breathed new life into Bridlesmiith Gate. Out in the suburbs, Butler's Coffee House expanded into Radcliffe-on-Trent, for drinks, snacks and delicious cakes.
Blend celebrated 2022 with a third coffee shop, this time at Nottingham Contemporary, selling coffee and its inimitable sausage rolls.
Breakfast and lunch hotspots
One of the first new businesses to emerge in January 2022, it's hard to imagine that the Park Bistro in Long Lane, Attenborough, was once football club changing rooms. Now it's a cosy spot for breakfast, hearty lunches and the occasional evening supper club.
The Bakehouse got a new identity as the Good Honest Bakery in Mansfield Road, Sherwood. Coffee, breakfasts of porridge, toast, avocado on toast and bagels are on the menu, while lunch revolves around homemade soup, quiche, sandwiches and bagels.
New to Kimberley was the Oatshed. The cafe, in Main Street, offers brunches of eggs on toast, shakshouka, bacon cobs and yoghurt.
A full English, with veggie and vegan versions is on the menu at Carlton's Straight Six Cafe. At lunchtime choose from mac 'n' cheese, nachos and sides of pulled lamb, pulled jackfruit, chicken strips and halloumi fries. The cafe, in Carlton Hill, is a not-for-profit venture which aims to give ex-offenders an opportunity to train and gain qualifications in the food and drink industry.
Retractable roofs
2022 was the year we could eat and drink at establishments with retractable roofs. When the weather was good, the roof opened to let blue sky in. When it's cold it remains closed and cosy.
Bronte & Co, in Mansfield Road, Sherwood, was the first to open offering diners this experience as they devoured Turkish breakfasts, sandwiches and burgers. Feeling thirsty? There's everything from coffee to cocktails.
A few months later Billionz Lounge arrived on the scene. Located on Trinity Walk, just off Upper Parliament Street, in Nottingham, the rooftop venue is very gold, black and blinging. The menu is extensive, with hot and cold starters, meat from the grill, seafood, burgers, steak, pasta and pizzas.
Fast food
Popeyes caused a stir when it officially opened to the sounds of a New Orleans-inspired band. The US fried chicken giant landed a prime location - right opposite Victoria Centre's main entrance. Fans queued for chicken with the 'perfect crunch', so loud it could probably be heard in St Ann's.
Another big name to arrive in the county - this time Mansfield - was Tim Hortons. The Canadian fast food chain opened a drive-thru restaurant at Stockwell Gate with a menu of breakfast muffins and wraps, burgers , hot dogs, pancakes and doughnuts.
It's all about wings, at Wingstop, at the Cornerhouse in Forman Street. Bone in or boneless, there's ten different dips for added flavour, incluing Brazilian Citrus Pepper, Louisiana Rub and Spicy Korean.
Burgers
You'll never struggle to get a burger in Nottinghamshire. Eat in or takeaway, there's a price for all pockets. One of the most affordable to open in 2022 was Yum Burger in Sneinton Dale - the one where customers can sit on motorbikes.
In May Boo Burger opened in a prime spot, in the city centre. The restaurant at Trinity Square specialises in smash burgers. Burg, a takeaway in Mapperley, opened its first restaurant in Bramcote Lane, Wollaton, serving dirty burgers like the Big Burg Khalifa, groaning with the weight of four beef patties, nachos and cheese sauce. There was more burger action in Alfreton Road, with both Mak Halal and Burger and Sauce opening.
Pizza
Pizza lovers have been spoilt for choice with three new pizzerias to try for size on top of the existing favourites. Baba Dough's pizzas have the thin crust of a Roman pizza and the fast bake of a Neapolitan. The pizzeria in Radcliffe Road, West Bridgford, pays homage to a former Forest legend with a pizza called Old Big 'Ead.
On the other side of Trent Bridge, Slice 'n' Brew opened at Kings Walk, in the city centre. Combining the twin passions of pizza and beer, you'll find something different from the norm such as Vodka Pie and Detroit-style red stripe. Teamed with a craft beer, cider or wine, it's the perfect coupling.
Just before Christmas Pizza Punks descended on Fletcher Gate in Nottingham. With 180 seats it's the biggest in the chain. As well as the classics, fans can choose from 35 different toppings to create their own bespoke pizza. In Beeston Artigiani opened in High Road, offering a menu of wood-fired pizza for eating in or delivery.
Sweet treats
There has been plenty to keep sweet-toothed Nottinghamians happy. There was triple doughnut delight when Doughnotts opened a unit at Giltbrook Retail Park, Project D acquired a concession at Treat Kitchen in Victoria Centre and Dunkin' Donuts opened stores at Wilford Lane Retail Park, West Bridgford, and a drive-through in Mansfield.
There were more sugary treats when these shops opened with mouth-watering cakes. Rotari Cakes, in Carrington Street, specialises in homemade cakes, big and small, Romanian favourite amandine and and desserts such as pavlova.
The Sweet House Bakery has been a roaring success since it started selling brownies, cookie bars, rocky roads and cheesecakes at Coppice Road, Arnold. Macaron Marlo brought fragrant and delicate macarons to the city centre at a shop in Carlton Street, Hockley.
Bars and pubs
Late-night bar Alto turned into Skybar, and with it came a brand new look and stricter admission policy. The venue at The Cornerhouse has also introduced bottomless brunches and pan-Asian style food.
A former Indian restaurant in Radcliffe Road, West Bridgford, was transformed into the William Gunn, a London-style pub with classic pub grub and Sunday roasts. Richmond House opened as an upmarket late-night bar in Hurts Yard, Nottingham, specialising in cocktails and during the day, coffee.
The Beeston Social added a new dimension to the food and drink scene in Beeston, delivering across the board, from brunch and coffee, pizzas and burgers, cocktails and late night grooves on the dance floor.
Mist Rolling Inn, in Derby Road, soon became a fan favourite with Forest supporters but footie fans of all persuasions are welcome at the micro pub. A few doors up the hill, the Whistle & Flute, is new but has the feel of a proper pub with a large large selection of real ales and craft beers, and a darts board. As an added bonus its cave bar is used for special events.
After the closure of secret bar Boilermaker came a new identity for the site in Carlton Street, Hockley. In its place Boca Lima opened, serving coffee and food by day and drinks at night.
As one door closes, a new one opens, which was the case when the Brown Bird Bakery closed and re-emerged a few weeks later after a makeover as micro bar, The Saxton, in Croft Road, Arnold.
Vegan
One of the healthiest places to eat, food at the Sustainable Kitchen is fresh and made daily by a nutritionist and head chef with over 20 years' experience. The kind of things you'll find at the plant-based eatery, in Church Street, Bingham, include overnight oats, fresh fruit platters, vegan sandwiches and salad bowls.
The long-awaited pop-up, 13th Element, opened a restaurant in Castle Boulevard, Nottingham, at the start of 2022 although right now it's closed due to 'unforeseen circumstances' until further notice. The burgers and shakes are still available through delivery though.
Last but not least Indian takeaway SurRano opened s 12-seater cafe at Lilac Crescent, Beeston Rylands. The vegan menu kicks off with keema samosas, made with soya mince, aloo tiki (potato and pea patties) and beetroot superfood pakoras .
Mains include SuRano's signature tikki burger, which is a spiced potato patty with fried onions and salad in a brioche bun, accompanied by cassava chips and homemade, spicy nutty coleslaw. Three types of kebab are available - keema, vegan paneer or homemade seitan chicken - or there's the option to try all three. Curries are made with chickpeas, lentils and vegan chicken.
And the rest...
Chippy fans were thrilled when Yorkshire stalwart Mother Hubbard's opened at Beechdale Retail Park, especially with an opening day offer of just 45p for fish and chips.
Derby's successful Bustler Market expanded across the border to Sneinton. The award-winning street food venue welcomes new vendors serving up flavours from around the world, from poutine to pizza and BBQ to kebabs. The site, on Avenue E, has a capacity for around 800 inside and out.
A piece of Italy arrived when Compa opened in Beeston serving authentic Sicilian food. The cafe, in Wollaton Road, sells snacks of arancine, pizza, sfincione and focaccia, pasta and sweet treats such as cannolo. Elsewhere in Beeston, four-legged friends are welcome at the Dog & Bean in Chilwell Road. The cafe runs a pay as much as you can afford supper club and provides advice about dog training.
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