Restaurants in Lincoln

We’ll get things started with tapas. Lincoln’s blessed with two really good Spanish restaurants within a couple of hundred yards of one another. You’ll find Olivares Tapas Bar off the cobbled streets of Castle Hill right in between the castle and Lincoln Cathedral. All of the tapas on the menu is authentic and of a really high standard. But, if you’re looking for recommendations, the tumbet is among the best you’ll find anywhere outside of Majorca. The food, wine selection, friendly service and easygoing atmosphere have made this a very popular spot, so make sure you book in advance.

The other option, that’s near enough its namesake, is Ole Ole Tapas Bar. You’ll find it on Bailgate serving up sumptuous Spanish cuisine to their legion of local fans. Just like Olivares, the atmosphere’s great, the service is exceptional and the tapas is top-notch. It’s one of the best spots in the city when the weather’s good because you can eat al fresco in the restaurant’s garden. Again, book ahead to ensure you’re not disappointed. Plus, a word to the wise, if you want to try their paella – which is exceptional – book in advance to ensure it’s ready for your meal, otherwise it can take upwards of an hour to make fresh.

In Lincolnshire, curry houses don’t come much better than Castle View. They’ve got a prime location in the shadow of Lincoln Castle’s west gate, so they’re not hard to find if you fancy some Indian cuisine. Despite being relatively new to Lincoln’s food scene, the restaurant has fast become one of its real favourites. All of their dishes use hand-ground spices – you won’t find any of that supermarket stuff here – and you can taste the difference. The menu’s long, which can be a bit daunting, but you can always describe what you want to their friendly staff and they’ll point you in the right direction.

Giving you an authentic taste of Italy right here in lovely Lincoln, La Trattoria da Vincenzo is really quite special. Chef and co-owner Vincenzo opened up his little trattoria in one of the terraced houses on West Parade in the belief that his traditional family recipes had a place in the city’s food scene. Through word of mouth alone, the restaurant has become a roaring success thanks to its exceptional food, Puglian hospitality, generous portions and good value for money. Vincenzo always recommends going for the special of the day – who are we to argue with the maestro himself? One word of warning though, trying to pick a winner between the tiramisu and the pistachio and chocolate tart is very, very difficult.

For a taste of fine dining, The Bronze Pig is our top pick. Don’t just take our word for it though; this little restaurant features in the pages of the Michelin-Guide thanks to the fact that they serve exceptional food, using the best and freshest ingredients while offering top-class service in their unique and intimate setting. As you’d expect, this place is popular, so you do need to book, but if you’re looking for one of the best culinary experiences in the city then don’t hesitate to give them a call to see if the effervescent owners, Pompeo and Eamon, can fit you in.

We could go on about Lincoln’s food scene all day, but we’ll round things up with a couple of specialists. The Stags Headgastropub does the best steak in the city. They’re aged for 35 days in specialist Himalayan rock salt fridges to ensure that they’re as tender as can be. Browns Pie Shop does – you guessed it – the best pies around, but that’s not all they’re good at. Don’t be afraid to try something else off the menu. And last but not least, The Cheese Society is a family-run cheese café, where everything on the menu is concocted around cheese.