Best Burgers in Nottingham: Hockley and Stilton

The best burgers in Nottingham are concentrated in Hockley and the Lace Market, the independent quarter just east of the Old Market Square, with more options around Sneinton Market and in West Bridgford across the River Trent. Smash burgers dominate the city centre, and Stilton is the topping with the strongest local claim.

Nottinghamshire is one of only three counties, with Leicestershire and Derbyshire, where Stilton may be made under its protected designation of origin. A blue cheese burger therefore has a real local reason to exist here. The city is also home to two large universities, the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, and their students keep demand high for casual, late burgers from Lenton to the centre. Hockley’s narrow streets, once lined with lace warehouses, now hold most of the independent bars and kitchens.

Burgers in Nottingham: key facts

• Neighbourhoods to explore: Hockley, the Lace Market, Old Market Square, Sneinton Market and West Bridgford.
• Local cheese: Stilton, a protected cheese made only in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire.
• What to order: a city-centre smash burger, or a burger topped with Stilton.
• Student city: two universities and a large student population around Lenton and the centre.
• Getting around: the NET tram crosses the centre and runs out to Beeston, Clifton and Hucknall.
• Paying in the East Midlands: expect prices in pounds sterling (GBP).

Every guide we publish on Nottingham is dated and lists only venues, addresses, prices and ratings we could verify. For more cities, see our guides to the best burger restaurants.