The 10 Best Restaurants In Lincoln, UK

Bringing the taste of authentic Spanish cuisine to the heart of Lincoln, Olé Olé is a popular bar and restaurant serving tapas and other classic Spanish dishes. Choose from a selection of tempting dishes such as bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with almonds, and slow-cooked brown lentils with chorizo and ham. Otherwise, opt for heartier plates like traditional paella with chicken and seafood, washed down with Olé Olé’s Spanish wines and beers, or a refreshing glass of fruity sangria.

Located a short walk from Lincoln Cathedral on historic Steep Hill, Brown’s Pie Shop is brimming with history itself: the 17th-century building in which it resides was formerly the lodging of T.E. Lawrence (a.k.a. Lawrence of Arabia) during the 1920s, and even boasts a couple of resident ghosts. Today, Brown’s Pie Shop is one of the city’s favourite restaurants and while known for its specialty pot pies, available in varieties like Irish stout gravy, beef with root vegetables, or local wild rabbit with leeks, other tempting fare is on offer, such as slow-roasted pork belly with mustard mash, caramelised apple and gravy, and leg of duck with a bacon, bean and lentil casserole.

Traditional, authentic Italian food is on the menu at La Trattoria da Vincenzo, a cosy spot located in a lovely Victorian townhouse. Guests are welcomed with complimentary freshly made bread and olives, followed by starters that include mozzarella caprese, bruschetta, and mouthwatering mains such as pizzas and chicken cacciatore.Chef Tragni’s southern Italian roots really come out in dishes such as the strascinati, a popular pasta from his native Puglia. Head outside in summertime to La Trattoria’s pretty little courtyard for al fresco dining under the sun.

Nestled in a medieval Grade II-listed building on historic Steep Hill, the vintage-style, family-run Bunty’s Tea Room is a charming little spot where big band music and retro knick-knacks welcome guests, and where food is served on quirky, mismatched crockery. A range of teas and infusions (including its very own blend of Keemun and Ceylon loose leaf tea) are offered alongside breakfast bites, sandwiches, salads and jacket potatoes. For a special treat, its afternoon teas (a selection of sandwiches, scones, cakes and a pot of tea for two) are perfect.

Just a few miles out from the centre of Lincoln, fans of fiery food will find MaCh, a popular local Indian restaurant dishing up a mix of classic and contemporary cuisine in a stylish, modern space. There are plenty of plates to please traditionalists, from appetisers such as onion bhaji and samosas, to classic curries including tikka masala and jalfrezi, but diners with more adventurous tastebuds will love creative dishes such as Keralan fish curry (made with pangasius fish, coconut milk, banana chips and curry leaves) or dil passanda (honey and rose syrup-glazed tandoori king prawns, cooked with fresh herbs and spices in a thick sauce).

The Bronze Pig offers contemporary English cuisine with a distinct Italian twist. As Chef Hunt crafts the restaurant’s dishes from fresh, locally sourced produce, its menu changes on a weekly basis. Guests can expect creative, tempting plates such as partridge with rosemary fondant, celeriac, chestnuts, pancetta and spiced red cabbage puree, or tenderloin of pork stuffed with prunes, basil, pine nuts and anchovies. All complemented by a wine list featuring Old and New World choices specially selected by a sommelier to perfectly pair with the restaurant’s cuisine.

For lovers of cheese, The Cheese Society specialises in artisan farmhouse versions. Its chic café, is open for breakfast, but go for lunch and you’ll be treated to dishes featuring plenty of the shop’s produce, from twice-baked cheese soufflé (which guests can customise with extras such as baby spinach, smoked salmon and prosciutto) and Lincolnshire bruschetta: toasted ciabatta bread topped with local Poacher cheese, Boston sausage and caramelised onions. The Cheese Society’s deli shop is just around the corner from the café and sells a huge range of British and European cheeses, alongside biscuits, chutneys and breads.

An appealing mix of old and new, The Jews House Restaurant combines a historic setting in a beautiful building dating back to the mid-12th century, with contemporary British cuisine cooked up by chef Gavin Aitkenhead. Choose from starters including roast partridge breast with chicory marmalade and candied beetroots, followed by mains such as pan-roasted hake with fregola, squid chorizo, butternut squash and shellfish sauce. Finish with an indulgent dessert; the warm orange yoghurt sponge cake with vanilla cream and gingerbread ice cream is outstanding.

A gorgeous, little Italian deli and restaurant, La Bottega Delitalia is the place to go for your fix of panini, pasta and homemade desserts. Open from 9am every day but Sunday, guests can get a hearty start to the day with La Bottega’s breakfast panini (available with a choice of three fillings, including Lincolnshire sausage, crispy bacon, omelette, mushrooms and tomatoes) while later in the day (and for dinner Thursday to Saturday) try dishes such as penne arrabiatta with spicy chorizo, and lobster-stuffed ravioli with creamy tomato sauce. Don’t leave without sampling one of La Bottega’s delicious desserts, from homemade tiramisú to pear and ricotta cheesecakes.

One of Lincoln’s most unique dining destinations, The Barge on the Brayford is a floating restaurant and bar in an 80-year-old barge boat moored on the city’s bustling waterfront. Appropriately for its location, seafood features large on The Barge’s menu, from starters like pepper-crusted mackerel with tartar sauce to mains including Cajun-style seabass cooked with tomatoes, peppers, onions, chilli and spices. For something different there are plenty of steaks and vegetarian-friendly dishes served too. In summer, The Barge’s lovely outdoor sun terrace offers marina views, while guests dine but its cosy hull is perfect for a romantic, intimate meal when the weather doesn’t comply.