Nottingham’s food scene has been quietly building over the last few years, with everything from Michelin star restaurants to cool wine bars and experimental fusion food. As the city’s top restaurants evolve, so do its private dining options, making it an exciting time to be hosting a special occasion in Nottingham. Whether you’re new to private dining, or an avid foodie, we’re here to show you how to make the most of private dining in one of the UK’s most cultural cities.
So, what’s all the fuss about when it comes to private dining? Firstly, it’s a great way to mark a key life event, like anniversaries, birthdays or engagements, offering something a step above a standard restaurant booking. Also, private dining tends to give you and your guests a little more exclusivity, with secluded rooms situated separately from the restaurant. It’s easy to tailor private dining rooms to your taste too, with many offering curated set menus, personalised decorations and versatile seating arrangements - so get your creative juices flowing!
When deciding on a private dining room to suit you, start by considering your budget. Restaurants like pizzerias and fresh pasta places tend to be a good way to go for a more affordable private dining experience, while Michelin-recommended restaurants and refined wine bars offer a touch of luxury at a more premium price tag. Cuisine is also key - you’ll want to make sure all your guests find something they like on the menu while keeping the ordering side of things simple. Set menus are handy here - three-course affairs and feasting experiences tend to be popular for private dining. Finally, you need to find the perfect room for your capacity, so double check in advance how many guests the private dining room can cater for.
In Nottingham, there’s a versatile array of private dining options - we guarantee you’ll find something that catches your eye. From buzzy burger and beer-fuelled bars to tapas-style snack menus - and even a private dining experience a little outside of the city - we’ve hunted down all the best private dining rooms in Nottingham, to show you the true scope of the city’s most exclusive dining experiences.
Raymond's
![upstairs private dining room with wooden banquet tables and diners sharing wine and beef with mash]()
What: One of the trendiest spots in the city, Raymond's is the perfect backdrop to a night of heady natural wine, seriously delicious food, and mingling amongst friends. Upstairs, the private dining space caters to eight to 20 people, seated along wooden banquet tables. Having made a name for himself as a self-taught Insta chef, Marcus Lewsley's Feasting Menu at Raymond's is eye-catching and innovative - sourdough with fish crackling, tuna crudo with chilli aioli, and wood-fired pork chop with trotter jus - coming in at £50 a head.
Best for: Real foodies, natural wine lovers and boozy birthday dinners
Where: 8 Stoney Street, NG1 1LP
Book now: Raymond's
Piccalilli
![light bright dining room and potatoes with caviar and dill]()
What: Independently run, rooted in the seasons, and filled with natural light, Piccalilli is a lovely little restaurant for a wholesome meal with your nearest and dearest. Having earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand, the menu features a vibrant assortment of produce-led food that leans into eco-friendly practices, foraging and small plates sharing. Expect dishes like cured chalk steam trout, lamb scrumpet with capers, and scallops with fried soda bread. Private dining options are flexible, so it's worth getting in touch with the team to discuss what you're looking for.
Best for: Special occasions, Michelin-level meals and family get-togethers
Where: 1A Cannon Court, NG1 6JE
Book now: Piccalilli
Red Dog Saloon
![leather seating booths and barbecue platter with burgers and dips]()
What: Gather your barbecue-loving buddies and burger fiend friends for a lively celebration at Red Dog Saloon. With flexible dining options - there's cosy leather seating booths and long wooden tables - a mouth-watering menu, and live DJs, this place ticks a lot of boxes. Dig into their lip-smacking Hickory smoked barbecue, ultra-cheesy burgers, and, if there's a big group of you, then the meat platters are a great way to go. The menu can be adapted into a sit-down dinner, sharing-style feast or more casual canapes, depending on what you're after.
Best for: Stag dos, birthday parties and dinners that lead to dancing
Where: 20-22 Victoria Street, NG1 2EX
Book now: Red Dog Saloon
Slice 'n' Brew
![new york pizza and pint of deya beer]()
What: Slice 'n' Brew is, you guessed it, all about delicious New York style pizza and proper pints of craft beer. There's no private dining room, so this is more of a place for semi-private occasions that enjoy the buzz of the main restaurant. It's a pretty cool spot without taking itself too seriously, and has quickly become a local favourite in the heart of Nottingham for its true independent pizzeria vibe. The cost of hosting a private dinner can quickly creep on you, but Slice 'n' Brew is also a great option if you want to keep the bill friendly.
Best for: Pizza parties, casual catch-ups and affordable private dinners
Where: 10 King's Walk, NG1 2AE
Book now: Slice 'n' Brew
Pici
![basement dining room and pasta with mushrooms and parmesan]()
What: You may already know Pici for its popular pasta dishes and gorgeous little pizzettes, but did you know that it offers private dining in its downstairs basement? The subterranean space suits up to 12 people, which makes it perfect for close-knit moments. You and your guests can gather around a single large banquet table and indulge in the restaurant's feasting menu, which spans snacky small plates, fresh pasta, wood-fired meats and more. The drinks list is fantastic too - have an apertivo for us!
Best for: Intimate occasions, engagement parties and pasta-fuelled foodie events
Where: 17 Broad Street, NG1 3AJ
Book now: Pici
Rawsha Grill & Bar
![colourful dining room and fried chicken wing with rice and salad]()
What: If you're looking for a private dinner peppered with Indian tapas, curry pots and charcoal tandoor, Rawsha Grill & Bar is a great bet. This up-market Indian fusion restaurant is built around a charcoal tandoor oven, offering modern cooking, creative cocktails and a smart atmosphere. Here, private dining options are flexible - you can section off a small part of the restaurant, cosy up in one of the booths, or take over a much larger area for a bigger group event. This place is a real crowd-pleaser - bring your besties and let Rawsha bring the flavour.
Best for: Lively celebrations, birthday parties and flexible private dining
Where: 40 Gordon Road, NG2 5LN
Book now: Rawsha Grill & Bar
The Manor House at Quorn
![private dining table with floral centrepiece and pies with mash and red wine]()
What: OK, this one's a little outside of Nottingham but we promise it's worth the journey! The Manor House at Quorn is a versatile venue encompassing a restaurant, function rooms, overnight accommodation and other event spaces. The team here are well-versed at putting on showstopper events, including memorable private dinners. The private dining room caters to up to 22 guests and sits in an exclusive area away from the restaurant. You can also tailor the menu to suit your occasion, whether you fancy stone baked pizzas, a big Moroccan spiced stew to share, or pie of the day all round!
Best for: Corporate dinners, team away days and family functions
Where: Woodhouse Road, LE12 8AL
Book now: The Manor House at Quorn
Hemisphere
![dining room with warm lights and asian style plates with sushi]()
What: Sometimes the hardest part of planning a private dinner is deciding on a cuisine that everyone will like - that's where Hemisphere comes in. The award-winning restaurant offers a versatile menu without compromising on quality - dishes span tapas-style snacks, Australasian cuisine, Japanese sushi and much more. There's also a selection of set party menus, ranging from £35 to £70 per person, with vegetarian and vegan options too. With a capacity of up to 70 guests, Hemisphere is suited to all occasions, budgets and tastes.
Best for: Family gatherings, corporate events and large-scale dinners
Where: 26a Tudor Square, NG2 6BT
Book now: Hemisphere
Want to explore more of what Nottingham has to offer? Check out these fun and quirky restaurants in the city or swing by one of these beautiful tearooms for a delightful afternoon tea in Nottingham.