Restaurant Sat Bains

Two-Michelin-star restaurant with seven rooms in Nottingham

Restaurant Sat Bains is a Nottingham establishment that combines a restaurant and accommodation. Founded in 2005 by Sat and Amanda Bains, it has held two Michelin stars since 2011 and operates with seven individually designed rooms, set around the restaurant and garden. The approach is defined as produce-led and flavour-driven cooking, with menus of modern, creative, seasonal British cuisine.

Background and leadership

Sat Bains won the Roux Scholarship in 1999 and went on to take the position of Head Chef at the restaurant then known as Hotel des Clos. In 2001 he became Chef Director, and in 2005 he and Amanda took over the business, renaming it Restaurant Sat Bains with Rooms. Sat leads the culinary direction, while Amanda influences the guest experience, from design and atmosphere to service standards and team development. Both remain involved in the day-to-day running of the establishment.

John, Head Chef, has been part of the team since 2002 and leads the day-to-day operation, contributing to the restaurant's consistency and standards.

Seasonal menus and house classics

The kitchen develops and refines dishes over more than two decades, combining specialities from its repertoire with seasonal additions. The menu is structured around several tasting menus:

• Overture: the fullest expression, a longer tasting menu built around signature dishes, seasonal ideas and the rhythm of the kitchen. Priced at £259 per person in the main dining room and £289 at the Chef's Table and the Kitchen Bench.
• Prelude: a distilled, balanced expression that brings together signature dishes, seasonal detail and precision. Priced at £199 per person in the main dining room and £229 at the Chef's Table and the Kitchen Bench.
• Interlude: a shorter expression with choices throughout the menu, inspired by Prelude and Overture. Priced at £149 per person in the main dining room and the Chef's Table; at the Kitchen Bench, £149 and £169 from 1 September.
• Breakfast: breakfast prepared with care, designed for celebrations, business meetings or a slower start to the day. Priced at £50 per person.

The main dining room has 28 covers and is described as a relaxed, intimate and personal space. The Chef's Table, in operation since 2007, offers a closer connection to the kitchen and the chefs. The Kitchen Bench, since 2012, allows guests to watch the service and the rhythm of the restaurant at work.

Pairings and cellar

Pairings and bottles are designed to sit naturally within the rhythm of the menu, from classic wines to rare bottles, as well as a non-alcoholic progression created to mirror flavour, texture and pace. Pairing options include:

• Classic: balance and clarity. Prelude £125; Overture £185.
• Next Level: rarer bottles, maturity and energy. Prelude £195; Overture £275.
• Off The Chart: exceptional allocations and cellar-held bottles. Prelude £495; Overture £695.
• Non-Alcoholic: built with the same care as the cellar. Prelude £95; Overture £125.

Spaces before and after the table

The experience can begin in the lounge bar, where the cocktail list is built around the five flavours — sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami — each starting from a single note. The urban garden, integrated into the restaurant grounds, supplies herbs, leaves and seasonal ingredients that appear on the menus; it is small in scale but significant in its influence, connecting the kitchen directly with the seasons. The Cigar Hut is a final room in which to close the evening with fire, whisky, conversation, cigars and digestifs.

Accommodation and packages

The seven individually designed rooms allow the evening to continue at an unhurried pace. Only seven rooms are available each evening. The stay offering is organised into packages:

• Interlude Package: Interlude menu, room and breakfast; a midweek escape with a more relaxed expression, from £450 for two sharing.
• The Champagne Triptych: Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle on arrival, Prelude menu in the restaurant, overnight stay and breakfast; from £540 for two sharing.
• The Saturday Triptych: Overture menu, overnight stay and breakfast; from £665 for two sharing.
• Bed & Breakfast: dinner of your choice, room and breakfast, for those who prefer to decide on the menu that evening.

Events and private use

The restaurant is described as a small, personal place, suitable for celebrations, private gatherings and corporate occasions. Family meals, milestone birthdays, wedding breakfasts, client dinners or corporate events can be considered, with bespoke arrangements subject to availability. Exclusive use may be possible and, at times, private lunch service outside the usual opening pattern.

Opening times, reservations and access

The restaurant serves dinner from Wednesday to Saturday, lunch from Thursday to Saturday and breakfast from Thursday to Sunday. Booking in advance is recommended, especially for weekends and rooms. The reservation diary opens one month at a time, at 10:00 on the dates indicated; the website showed upcoming openings on 25 September for November, 30 October for December and 27 November for January. The establishment closes for a short period in spring, two weeks in summer and two weeks in winter.

The restaurant is located on Lenton Lane, Nottingham NG7 2SA, about a 10-minute taxi ride from Nottingham train station and 25 minutes from East Midlands Airport. There are sixteen parking spaces directly in front of the restaurant, with a free electric vehicle charging point for guests; vehicles should not be left overnight unless staying at the establishment.

Location and contact

Lenton Lane, Nottingham NG7 2SA · Email: info@rsb.uk.com