Whether it's for a special occasion or just to escape the taste of Tesco's two-for-one ready meals, it's always nice to go out for lunch or tea, especially in a city like Lincoln which is home to so many lovely restaurants and cafes. Here are my top nine eateries in Lincoln, recommended specifically for students.
9 - Basecamp Coffee
Formerly known as Makushi Coffee Roasters, this quirky lunchtime cafe can be found on your way up Steep Hill. Offering up a healthy brunch and a tasty lunch, Basecamp Coffee is perfect for vegetarians and vegans, but does accommodate meat eaters too. Though limited on its indoor seating, the cafe boasts of a decently sized outdoor rooftop patio with heaters and blankets, meaning it's comfortable enough to sit out even in the winter months. Basecamp offers a variety of specialty coffee's, tea's and hot chocolates, which have visitors and locals raving in the Trip Advisor Reviews. There are also lots of juices on offer for those of us that don't want a warm drink, and these are really lovely - I'd recommend the mango juice in particular. The toasts and bagels are all super tasty and VERY filling, but if you can manage a cake for pudding then there are a few to choose from! This stylish coffee shop isn't to everyone's taste, its minimalist interior gives it a very modern feel. The wooden benches aren't exactly plush, but if you're okay with that then you'll be more than okay with eating out here. The prices are a little high, which is why it's ninth on my list - but it's what you'd expect to pay for this sort of 'hipster' environment, and the staff are pleasant and friendly. You pay as you order at the desk and are left alone to chat and enjoy your meals for as long as you like. Dogs are welcome and you can get your own water, for free, from a dispenser by the front door. Closing time is 4pm every day and they are not open on Sunday.
8 - Wagamama
Situated on - yes, ON - Lincoln's own Brayford Pool, Wagamama is a short walk from town through the interestingly named Glory Hole, and is opposite the university campus. The Brayford hosts many of Lincoln's restaurants, but none look quite as impressive as this one. Outdoor seating on the veranda is available for the summer months so you can get those instagram worthy shots, and for the rest of the year you can be seated indoors along the wooden benches. Staff are friendly and work quickly to get your delicious meal brought to you in no time. The restaurant offers exciting Asian cuisine and somewhat safer options, such as the Chicken Katsu Curry that I had when I first visited. The portion sizes are huge and the food is very tasty, the atmosphere is busy and exciting, and the restaurant stays open until an impressive 11pm every evening! You can order take away from here, either through the website or on the Deliveroo app. The main downside of Wagamama is that it is quite pricey, so as a student it probably isn't going to be your go to. However, if you're looking for a one off treat or if the student loan payment has just come through, this is a great place to go.
7 - Wildwood
Another of Lincoln's many chain restaurants, Wildwood is a fairly new addition to the Highstreet and can be found at the very bottom of Steep Hill. Lincoln's Wildwood is a large, comfortable and well decorated restaurant with plenty of seating which means it's rare that you'll be turned away or asked to wait. Perfect for lunch or tea, the restaurant offers reasonably priced meals and hefty portion sizes, as you can see from the image of my pizza to the left! The prices start at the average £10 - £20 for a main meal, and with the Vouchercloud app (free to use) you can end up with 50% off your bill, two courses coming to just £10, and lots more! The food is really great here, and the staff are pleasant and attentive. There's also a great 'Meal & Movie' night on Tuesday's and Wednesday's, which offers customers a three course meal and a viewing of a new or classic film for just £19.95. This really gives Wildwood the edge and makes it super good for date night!
6 - Madam Waffle
Small and quirky, Madam Waffle offers up - would you believe it - waffles! With both sweet and savoury tasty toppings. Definitely more apt for brunch or even a mid-afternoon snack, I don't think you could really class it as a restaurant, hence why this place is sixth on my list and not closer to first! Despite it not being a restaurant, I had to give it a mention because it's a really cute and cosy dining spot, with a rustic feel to it and scrummy food that is bound to satisfy your sweet tooth! It's a little high end for what you get, it is of course only waffles, but I'm certain that I couldn't make waffles taste this good! So I'm definitely willing to pay that little bit more! If you're not a fan of sweet, then don't worry! You can top your waffles with eggs, bacon, sausages, smoked salmon, ham, cheese - and even more! You can even opt against a waffle and go for a salad instead - the same great toppings on a significantly healthier base of leaves and veg! Give this place a try for brunch.
5 - Pizza Express
Lincoln is full of Italian restaurants, but for me, Pizza Express is always going to be the winner. With an array of offers available to use here from the Vouchercloud app, you can end up with two courses for just £10.00, which means you can have their doughballs and garlic butter as well as a main meal - YUM. Their leggara pizza is a lighter option, coming in at just 600 calories, and yet is just as tasty as anything else on their menu. Most places offering a lighter option reduce the calories by either making the portion size tiny, or by eliminating the tasty cheese & meats from it - not Pizza Express! They simply cut a small hole into the pizza and fill it with crunchy, fresh salad. Good pizza and fresh salad is a winning combination, and you're left feeling truly satisfied after enjoying this yummy meal. While most of the Italian restaurants are situated along the Brayford, Pizza Express is a bit of a hidden gem, squeezed in amongst many larger buildings at the very bottom of Steep Hill. This means that it's usually a lot quieter, which is a definite bonus! It's in the perfect place to stop off and replenish after tackling the hill too, and is child friendly, so if you're visiting with a young family, consider this as a great option!
4 - Royal William IV
Best Sunday Dinner ever. Royal William IV offers up tasty pub grub at an affordable price. With a pleasant outdoor seating area just beside the Brayford, and lots of tables inside, you're spoilt for choice with where to sit. On the menu are all of your pub classics - burgers, fish and chips, steak and kidney pie. The best day to visit though is Sunday, because their Sunday lunch rivals any other I have tried. You can choose from lamb, chicken, beef, pork and a veg option, and to accompany are given seasoned vegetables, a yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and lots of tasty gravy drizzled on top. If you fancy an alcoholic drink then I can personally recommend the white wine, beers and fruity ciders! If not, there's soft options too. It's between £10.00 and £15.00, depending on which meat you get, and you really will be full up for the rest of the day! If you're visiting on a Sunday, nip in and enjoy.
3 - Handmade Burger Company
Another of the Brayford's restaurant options, Handmade Burger was the first restaurant I visited in Lincoln, and here's an image from that very first trip! You may think that burgers are simple, and of course they can be, but not here. There are so many flavour options that you could try something new week after week if you wanted to, but I think once you've secured your favourite then you're bound to keep re-ordering. For me, the BBQ chicken & bacon burger was the one. Sides are optional because the burgers are so huge you're not going to need them, however if you do want to indulge then I'd recommend a bowl of their chips! Tasty chunky chips arriving in huge bowls, not the usual tiny portion you get when dining out, it's a refreshing change! The high ceilings make for a freeing atmosphere, and the waterside views means it's lovely to sit out and eat when the weather permits it. My parents loved it here, my boyfriend did, and my second year flatmates did too! It's really laid back and relaxed inside, with staff donning a uniform comprising of T-shirt and jeans, which means it's good for anyone feeling a little nervous about eating in a public place. Brilliantly, there are lots of vegetarian and vegan options too, so don't be put off if you don't eat meat!
2 - Nandos
Nandos was a third year discovery for me. Despite the restaurant being super enticing with its large outdoor seating area and its exotic music bursting out the doors, I had never stepped inside! I wasn't sure about Nandos because I'm not a fan of spicy food, I'd had it once or twice before and honestly I'd never been that blown away by it, but I later realised that was because I had never ordered the right meal for me! Once Nandos became available on Deliveroo I was intrigued, and tried out the mango & lime flavour - I found my match. I honestly had one of these a week at one point, and convinced myself it was a 'healthy' meal, despite ordering the wrap with not one but TWO sides each time! Me and my boyfriend then ate in on a date night and really enjoyed it. The food is so tasty, cooked to absolute perfection and despite it just being chicken, there are a few variations of how you can have yours prepared, with different seasonings and sauces on offer! I would seriously recommend this for date's, family meals out, even solo eating - the restaurant is super laid back and good for lunches and dinners!
1 - Revolution
Great food and great cocktails, what more could you want? Revolution, or Rev's, is just a street away from Lincoln's city centre. With the Revolution card, which I would highly recommend you purchasing, you get 25% off your food bill and 2for1 cocktails no matter what the time of day! A super laid back atmosphere, with friendly staff and quick service, choose from burgers, salads, curry, steak, fish and chips, and even more. It's simple yet effective food, nothing fancy but everything is really tasty! Definitely targeted at younger guests, Rev's modern decor still has a rustic feel to it, with fairylights and gin bottles used as decoration. This would be perfect for an evening meal throughout the week, or lunchtime on the weekend, as a date with your partner or friends! I loved it here, I was such a regular visitor throughout my time at Uni that I felt right at home whenever I went in! It's ideal for students with low prices, amazing alcohol, filling food and young, friendly staff.
I really hope that this helped you to find the right place to go and eat in Lincoln!