Posted on

No. 12 Houndsgate, Nottingham

Looking for a cosy plant-based café to escape to in the heart of Nottingham’s city centre? Try No. 12 Houndsgate.

No. 12 Houndsgate was started by Lauren Nally and Richie Stainsby when they returned from a 5-month trip around Asia where they were spoilt for choice with vegan and vegetarian options. Back in Nottingham, and with a background in hospitality, they decided to open their own café with an entirely vegetarian menu. Each dish can also be made vegan.

The setting

It has a warm welcoming atmosphere  and you’re greeted with the smiling faces of Lauren and Rich. It’s quite small. A wooden bench with bright cushions lines the wall and there’s simple, inviting wooden tables and chairs. The walls are slate grey and white and plants dot the shelves.  The sign that reads ‘Namaste’ makes you truly feel at ease.

The little things

Even the bright cushions decorated with leaves and birds fit with the natural veggie vibe.

We also received a jug of water infused with fresh mint leaves – a little twist to encourage you to hydrate!

The green juice test

They only serve plain apple or orange juice, but instead there is a good selection of four vibrant coloured hot drinks – matcha, turmeric, beetroot and charcoal lattes. They are all beautifully served and garnished with desiccated coconut.

What we ate

We had a stunningly presented avo crostini combining classic creamy avocado with free range poached eggs on toast and garnished with an impressive selection of baby red amaranth and pea shoot tendrils.

The delicious salsa smash consisted of homemade smoky BBQ beans, scrambled eggs, smashed avo, black olives, salsa verde and red chilli, all served on top of toasted gluten-free bread – a plate full of so much colour and flavour! We also got a side of mushrooms, a cappuccino and a matcha latte with oat milk, which I was so thrilled to see on the menu!

The bill

Poached egg & avo crostini   £6
Salsa Smash  £7
Side of mushrooms   £2.50
Matcha latte with oat milk  £3.20
Cappuccino  £2.50

What else?

We were highly impressed with the customer service – the staff were incredibly friendly.

What made us glow

A menu that proves that vegetarianism is by no means restrictive – it’s no surprise that they’ve just been awarded the best vegetarian restaurant in the whole of the Midlands by the Midlands Food, Drink and Hospitality Awards.