Move over, chain coffee shops and same-old takeaways. The East Midlands is having a bit of a foodie moment, with everything from Korean BBQ and Vietnamese street food to cult burgers and Goan-inspired dining landing across the region.

Here’s where to book, queue up, or order from this month.

🍔 Nottingham’s Most Anticipated Burger Arrival

The Beefy Boys, Nottingham

One of the UK’s most celebrated burger brands has finally landed in Nottingham.

After building a near-cult following in Hereford and beyond, The Beefy Boys has opened on Queen Street, bringing its award-winning smashed patties, loaded fries and signature burgers to the city centre. If you’ve spent years seeing their burgers all over Instagram, your wait is over.

Order: Oklahoma Onion Boy, dirty fries and absolutely no regrets.

Book a table HERE

🌶️ Nottingham’s New Global Flavours

Zhug

A fresh addition to Broad Street, Zhug is serving up Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours at a time when Nottingham can’t seem to get enough of Levantine-inspired cooking. https://www.zhug.co.uk/

Ăn Đê

Vietnamese food continues its takeover of Britain’s city centres, and Nottingham has joined the party with Ăn Đê on Chapel Bar. Expect pho, street-food classics and plenty of fresh herbs and punchy flavours. https://andevietnamese.com/

Leoon Restaurant

Part British, part Polish and entirely new, Leoon is another recent arrival adding something a little different to Nottinghamshire’s dining scene. https://www.facebook.com/leoonrestaurant/

🍜 Leicester Is quietly becoming the region’s food capital

If there were an award for “city with the most restaurant openings this year”, Leicester would be hard to beat.

Recent months have seen a surge of new venues opening across the city centre, with cuisines spanning South-East Asia, India, Korea and the US.

🍣 Kumo

Leicester’s newest Japanese restaurant is already drawing attention for its sleek interiors and Asian-inspired menu.

🍲 Thành Nam Phở

Authentic Vietnamese street food has arrived on High Street and is fast becoming a go-to for noodle lovers. http://thanhnampho.co.uk/

🔥 Daiu

Korean BBQ and hotpot under one roof? Leicester said yes.

Daiu’s all-you-can-eat concept combines sizzling tabletop grills with bubbling hotpot broths and plenty of sharing plates. https://daiu.co.uk/leicester/

🌏 Umami World Kitchen

Buffets are back, but make them global.

(Opening soon) Umami World Kitchen brings together international dishes in an all-you-can-eat format that’s proving popular with families and groups. https://www.umamirestaurants.co.uk/restaurants/leicester

🇮🇳 Golden Sands

Located on London Road, Golden Sands is giving traditional Indian dining a Goan twist with vibrant, coastal-inspired dishes and colourful presentation. https://www.goldensandsdining.com/

🍗 Dave’s Hot Chicken & Wingstop

America’s chicken obsession has officially arrived in Leicester.

Both Dave’s Hot Chicken and Wingstop have opened new city-centre locations, bringing Nashville heat and buffalo sauce-fuelled temptations to local diners. https://www.daveshotchickenuk.com/locations/leicester

👀 Coming Soon

Café 804

Opening this month on Granby Street, Café 804 brings Pakistani street food and brunch dishes into the city centre.
Think chaat, pani puri, lassi and loaded thalis. Leicester’s food scene just got even more interesting.

Naan Staap

Another upcoming Leicester opening to watch. The new venture is preparing to move into the former Horsefair Street gaming café site.

Soho Tavern

One of the West Midlands’ best-known Indian gastropub operators is preparing to open its Leicester outpost in the former Counting House building.

Worth Travelling For

The Beefy Boys (Nottingham)

For burger lovers.

Daiu (Leicester)

For Korean BBQ and hotpot fans.

Golden Sands (Leicester)

For something different from the usual curry-house formula.

Ăn Đê (Nottingham)

For fresh, vibrant Vietnamese cooking.

Café 804 (Leicester)

For one of the month’s most exciting openings.

The verdict? Leicester is currently winning the East Midlands restaurant race, but Nottingham’s recent openings show the city is more than capable of fighting back. Either way, your diet probably starts next month. 🍴

Tell us about your East Midlands restaurant opening by contacting our team on contact@stuckinthemiddle.co.uk