Nottingham, United Kingdom
From Michelin Guide
This restaurant has become quite the operation over the years, what with their main dining room, Tasting Room, Kitchen Bench, bedrooms, garden and even their own bees. Sat Bains’ commitment to sustainability informs his cooking, which makes great use of the garden and greenhouse, along with superb, carefully sourced produce from the British Isles; succulent lamb is a great example, given a Mediterranean touch by olive tapenade and tempura anchovies. Whatever the dish, it will be as punchy as it is good looking. You're guided smoothly through the whole experience by the genial, well-versed service team.
From Visitor Experiences
Here are three unique and unconventional aspects of Restaurant Sat Bains in Nottingham:
1. Dining in the Chef's Greenhouse
Restaurant Sat Bains offers guests a unique course served inside the chef's own greenhouse. This urban oasis grows food specifically for the kitchen, and diners get to experience a dish made from the freshest produce right where it is cultivated. This approach connects diners directly to the source of their food and breaks the traditional dining room setting.
2. Multiple Distinct Dining Experiences on Site
The restaurant operates several different fine-dining experiences beyond the main dining room, including the Chef’s Table, Kitchen Bench, and the Nucleus. The Kitchen Bench is an action-packed area within the pastry kitchen where guests can watch chefs at work, while the Nucleus offers adventurous diners the chance to try dishes not yet on the menu. This variety provides interactive and experimental culinary experiences under one roof.
3. Casual and Fun Approach to Fine Dining
Despite holding two Michelin stars, Sat Bains emphasizes accessibility and enjoyment over formality. For example, one course involves guests being invited out to a greenhouse to enjoy a freshly made pizza cooked in a blazing outdoor oven, paired with beer. This casual, unexpected interlude during a multi-hour tasting menu breaks the monotony and adds a relaxed, fun element uncommon in high-end gastronomy.
These elements highlight how Restaurant Sat Bains combines innovation, interactivity, and a down-to-earth philosophy within a Michelin-starred setting.
From Visitor Experiences
The most honored or signature ingredients at Restaurant Sat Bains in Nottingham, based on their renowned dishes and culinary approach, are:
Duck Egg (cooked at 62°C): Central to a signature dish featuring duck egg with textures of pea, air-dried ham, and bread. The egg is slow-cooked in the shell for 1.5 hours to achieve a perfectly runny yolk and softly set white, showcasing precise technique and texture contrast.
Peas (fresh, sorbet, and shoots): Peas are used in multiple textures and temperatures, including a pea sorbet and braised fresh peas, enhancing the pea flavor and providing hot-cold contrasts. Pea shoots add raw pea flavor and crunch, integral to the famous "ham, eggs & peas" dish that is a customer favorite.
Air-Dried Ham: Used in the signature duck egg dish, providing a savory, textured contrast to the softness of the egg and freshness of the peas, balancing the flavors and adding depth.
Herbs and Flowers (e.g., jasmine, elderflower, chamomile): Sourced from the restaurant’s garden and greenhouse, these are used creatively in dishes and desserts, such as infusing ice cream or as garnishes, reflecting the seasonal and sustainable ethos of the kitchen.
Seasonal Vegetables (e.g., asparagus, sea leek): The menu evolves with the seasons, celebrating peak produce like asparagus and sea leek in short seasonal windows, emphasizing freshness and the natural progression of flavors throughout the year.
These ingredients highlight Sat Bains’ focus on texture, temperature contrasts, seasonal British produce, and innovative techniques that have defined his Michelin-starred cuisine.
Feb 3, 2025 ... News. Inside Restaurant Sat Bains, the Nottingham establishment crowned the UK's best restaurant for 2025. From a not-so-conventional setting ...
timeout.com
Mar 21, 2025 ... “I never worked for any formal three-star chefs,” Bains, who opened Restaurant Sat Bains outside Nottingham, England, in 2005, tells Observer.
observer.com
Chef Sat Bains and his wife Amanda are the proprietors of Restaurant Sat Bains with Rooms in Nottingham. Sat has been recognised by fellow chefs and food ...
theguardian.com