A polished Nottingham small-plates restaurant with excellent, creative cooking and a strong private-dining offer, but expect premium pricing, a discretionary service charge, and occasional service or dietary-accommodation lapses.
Raymond's delivers standout food quality, with diners praising the flavour, freshness and presentation of its contemporary small plates. Its central Hockley setting and clean design suit special occasions well, but uneven dishes and inconsistent service attentiveness keep it just short of the very top tier. A near-perfect rating from over a thousand reviews reflects a devoted following.
Raymond’s is a polished Hockley dining room that feels more relaxed than formal: contemporary décor, generous table spacing and acoustics that let conversation survive a busy Friday. Diners often describe warm, personal service and a room that makes birthdays and anniversaries feel properly occasion-worthy, though a few visits have been slowed by inattentive staff, late dishes or awkward bill handling. The cooking is contemporary European small-plate fare, built around confident combinations rather than theatrical technique. Fish crackling, burnt-onion potatoes, oysters, chicken schnitzel and the salt-aged pork chop are recurring favourites, while the current menu adds crudo, Vadouvan mayo, bouillabaisse and other modern touches. It is a good fit for diners who enjoy sharing several plates and letting the kitchen shape the evening, but conservative palates should note that seasoning and unusual pairings have divided opinion. Expect roughly £45-60 per person for a full meal before drinks and service. Families should check before booking. The menu has familiar possibilities such as crispy potatoes, focaccia and chicken schnitzel, and some family groups have enjoyed the room, but reviews also report child-policy restrictions, a missed high-chair request and a 30-minute seating limitation. Current vegan and allergy support appears limited in practice, so this is better suited to adults and older children unless the restaurant confirms arrangements in advance.
Area vibe: Historic lace-quarter with bars, theatres, and independent eateries in a lively city-centre setting.
Safety: Generally safe with good evening footfall but standard city-centre vigilance advised after late hours.
What's nearby: Close to the Lace Market, Nottingham Playhouse, pubs, independent restaurants, and tram/bus links at Old Market Square.
Build a sharing meal around fish crackling, crispy potatoes, schnitzel, and one of Raymond’s larger meat or fish plates.
Before booking, check the child and dietary policies, budget for the discretionary service charge, and allow extra time in case service runs slowly.
Raymond’s pairs an occasion-worthy room and conversation-friendly acoustics with a relaxed feel, though service is not always perfectly consistent.