If you're feeling the pinch after splashing out over the festive season, then eating out may be the last thing on your mind in January. It's the hospitality industry's leanest time of the year. Many people are broke and fewer want to turn out on a cold, dark winter's night.
Some venues are taking an extended Christmas break and won't be opening until later in the month. However, certain restaurants - and even pubs - have some striking deals to draw customers in.
So keep an eye out for a bargain. Below are some of the best discounts we found across Nottingham and the rest of the county.
Read more: Codeword revealed allowing you and neighbour to get free drink at Nottinghamshire pubs
Pizza Punks
The new pizzeria, which opened last month, allows diners to choose their own toppings from a 35-strong selection. Or you can simply pick one off the main, from a classic margherita to a mouth-watering Cubano with mojo sauce, gruyere cheese, mustard, prosciutto and sriracha caramel pork belly.
Pizza Punks normally offers a number of 'kill the bill' deals throughout the week but currently - and best of all - is a whopping 50% off pizza and pasta. The deal is available from Sunday to Thursday throughout January.
To grab the deal you simply need to book your table in advance at pizzapunks.co.uk
Location: One Fletcher Gate, Nottingham, NG1 4FS
Popeyes
The fast food chicken restaurant is promising new menu items in 2023. It's inviting fans of the Louisiana fried chicken to beat the January blues with its new snacking menu. For £3.99 chicken lovers can opt for two tenders or three hot wings and for a further £1 they can add a drink.
"Perfect for when you're in the mood for the taste of our shatter crunch chicken but not hungry enough for a regular meal. We got you," they say.
Location: 8-10 Upper Parliament St, Nottingham, NG1 2AD
World Service
The fine dining restaurant is offering 20% of the whole bill. The à la carte menu features dishes such as treacle-cured fillet of beef and wild halibut with compressed cucumber, mussels and saffron potato.
The deal also includes the fixed price menu, which has dishes such as pork fillet with cauliflower, confit potato, apple and tarragon and chocolate delice for dessert. The discount applies at lunchtime, Thursday to Sunday, and dinner on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
To claim the offer quote "20% OFF" in the comment section on at facebook.com/WorldServiceRestaurant and make your reservation at worldservicerestaurant.com/reservations
Location: Newdigate House, Castle Gate, Nottingham, NG1 6AF
Turtle Bay
For sunny Caribbean vibes on dark days download the Turtle Bay app and get a £10 gift to spend at the restaurant. It can be spent on anything from vegan treats to a bottomless brunch at the home of jerk chicken and exotic cocktails.
That's not the only perk of becoming a Turtle Bay member. There's a stamp each time you visit - collect three and you'll earn £5 off up to nine stamps with £15 to treat yourself. Other benefits are superfast booking and invitations to try new dishes and give feedback.
Find out more at turtlebay.co.uk
Location: The Cornerhouse, 12 Trinity Square, Nottingham, NG1 4DB
Wetherspoon pubs
Wetherspoon pubs are cheap anyway but this month a visit has got even cheaper. The chain has launched its January sale with cut-price food and drinks at pubs across Nottinghamshire. So drinkers from the Samuel Hall in Sherwood to the Stag and Pheasant in Mansfield can take advantage of the deal that will run until January 17.
A pint of Ruddles beer has been knocked down to just 99p, a pint of Bud Light £1.69, a pint of Stowford Press Apple Cider £1.69, a Bells whisky (25ml measure with mixer) 99p, and a bottle of Becks Blue (alcohol-free lager) 99p. Other offers include a pint of Guinness at £2.89, Pepsi Max (14oz) at 99p and Lavazza Coffee, tea and hot chocolate (with free refills) at 99p.
There are also savings to be had on MOMA porridge, breakfast muffins and breakfast wraps and burgers.
Location: Various
Bistrot Pierre
The French restaurant is offering three courses for £15. Starters include gooey Fondue Fromage and calamari, finishing off with desserts of tarte au chocolat and the signature crème brûlée.
Main courses in the deal are Chicken Diane, honey-glazed pork medallions and new parmentier maison. Or if you're ditching meat for Veganuary, the menu has a cauliflower and chickpea curry.
If three courses are too much, diners can have a just a main meal for £10. The offer runs all day, from Monday to Friday. Find out more at bistrotpierre.co.uk
Location: 13-17 Milton Street, Nottingham, NG1 3EN
Ed's Easy Diner
You'll have to be quick to bag this deal as it runs until January 6. The American style diner is offering 50% off all mains, such as burgers, hot dogs, slow-cooked ribs and BBQ chicken bacon stacks, and up to two sides.
Head to the website - edseasydiner.com - where you can find a code. Remember to tell serving staff that you have a voucher when you order. The offer only applies when eating in.
Location: Top floor, Victoria Centre, Nottingham, NG1 3QN
Pistachio Bar & Kitchen
The Persian tapas restaurant has launched a January sale with 30% off its dishes from Tuesday to Thursday. The colourful food, bejewelled with pink pomegranate seeds, is just want you need to brighten on a bleak winter's day.
If you're never tried Persian food before, now is a good time to expand your culinary repertoire. Choose from devilish dips such as spicy red pepper, pomegranate & walnut, little meatballs in the tastiest sauces, sticky Middle Eastern wings and picky Persian plates of crispy corn ribs, beef fillet, and fried halloumi.
Location: 509 Mansfield Road, Sherwood NG5, 2JL
The Cod's Scallops
The award-winning chain of chippies has welcomed the new year in by offering savings to customers who dine in. The offer means 23% off all food during January.
Customers can save money on pies, fishcakes, and sausages as well as fish and chips, plus desserts of banoffee toffee popcorn sundae, or more fitting for these temperatures, warm sticky toffee pudding.
Locations: 170 Bramcote Lane, Wollaton, NG8 2QP/311-313 Mansfield Road, Carrington, NG5 2DA/Wilford Lane Retail Park, West Bridgford, NG2 7BS
The William Gunn
The recently opened pub in West Bridgford, named after a prolific Nottinghamshire sportsman, is treating customers to a free drink with any main course. The special offer, which runs throughout January, is available Monday to Saturday. The only time the offer doesn't apply is when Forest are playing at home.
The pub specialises in small plates, steak, pies and fish and chips. Check out the full menu and book at thewilliamgunn.co.uk
Location: 19 Radcliffe Rd, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 5FF
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