Ratings and reviews
The Cross Keys
The Cross Keys, located in the heart of the town, embodies the charm of a traditional British pub with a contemporary twist. From the moment you step inside, it’s clear that this isn’t just a place to grab a quick bite; it’s a destination for those looking to savor hearty, comforting food in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.
Ambiance: A Warm and Inviting Escape
The ambiance of The Cross Keys strikes the perfect balance between classic pub nostalgia and modern comfort. The wooden beams and rustic furniture evoke a sense of timelessness, while the soft lighting and cozy corners create an inviting atmosphere that’s perfect for both casual dining and special gatherings. Whether you're here for a casual drink with friends or a celebratory meal, the pub’s inviting vibe encourages long, leisurely conversations over good food.
Menu Highlights: British Classics with a Modern Touch
The menu at The Cross Keys is a celebration of traditional British fare, with a focus on locally sourced ingredients. The Sunday roast is a standout feature, offering perfectly roasted meats accompanied by crispy potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and rich gravies. For something a bit more indulgent, the fish and chips are a must-try: flaky, golden fish served with crispy, hand-cut fries and a side of tangy tartar sauce.
For those craving comfort food, the steak and ale pie is a hearty option, with tender chunks of beef cooked in a rich ale gravy, encased in a flaky pastry. Vegetarians will find plenty to enjoy as well, with dishes like the vegetable Wellington and butternut squash risotto offering flavorful alternatives.
Service: Friendly and Attentive
What truly sets The Cross Keys apart is the quality of its service. The staff are not only knowledgeable but genuinely enthusiastic about providing a memorable dining experience. They take the time to understand your preferences, making thoughtful recommendations, and ensuring that every guest feels valued and cared for. Whether it’s a small touch like refilling your drink before you even notice it’s empty or offering a sample of their latest local beer selection, the attention to detail makes the service stand out.
Overall Experience: A British Gem
In every sense, The Cross Keys delivers an authentic British pub experience that feels both familiar and special. The combination of high-quality ingredients, traditional dishes, and excellent service ensures that every visit feels like a treat. Whether you’re stopping in for a casual pint or enjoying a full meal with friends, this pub is the perfect place to relax, enjoy great food, and make lasting memories.
The Cross Keys Photos
The Cross Keys Reviews (2434)
staff were incredibly welcoming to my family and especially our dog upton entry. They came and gave her a water bowl and gave her lots of cuddles. Food was very nice got a chicken sunday roast. Really reccomend coming here.less
I took some friends here unfamiliar with English food to showcase some of our cuisine, noting its rating was one of the best; if not the best in the Nottingham City for this, reserving a table for Saturday 30 March at 19:30hrs on Sunday 24th. I made them aware of my guest on the booking and asking if we could enjoy a cheese platter, if available at the the end? I received no reply, only getting a reminder of the booking 24hrs prior. TLDR: Not welcoming, bad food, bad atmosphere and service very minimal. Details follow if you want to know more. On arrival, some guy at the bar that I can only assume was either the manager or owner told me we have to order straight away as the kitchen closes at 20:00hrs. Luckily, only part of my party heard this so I brushed it aside. In his defence, we did turn up 10 minutes late. We were sat under a TV showing the football with no where else to sit and I know this might seem like a spiral without a fair assessment but I was truly still looking forward to the food as my redemption but alas it was not to be. I hade the linguine which was overcooked, stodgy with no tomato, another had the noodles with fried chicken whose noodles were hard and had a dried out piece of breaded chicken on top, another had the lasagne in a pot which again was dry, overcooked with some lambs lettuce only and garlic bread (no 'house parmesan salad') 3 others had the sirloin steak which was more like a flat iron as was less than 1cm thick with no pink and tough and also was lacking the advertised tomato and mushroom, just with chips (no steak knife given or offered so they struggled to cut it too) As they were not national, my guest asked if they should have 'gravy (?)' due to its dryness, which I found embarrassing. I thought my saving grace might of been the fish and chips as it looked impressive when it was brought out due to its size and I guess you would like it if your prefer a crunchy batter than a crispy one but again, one of my guest made a joke of banging the batter against there place and it making a bang rather than breaking. Needless to say, I did not enquire about the cheese board or dessert (and was not asked), tried to apologise to my guest saying 'this is not our best' and move quickly on. FYI, when I wanted to give feedback, I was told by my party not to as didn't want to spoil the rest of their evening but the assumed manager/owner was still sat at the same part of the bar and made no enquiry throughout how we was.less
Love this place full of life. Lovely atmosphere, good service and variety of cask and keg. It’s pocket friendly place. Good to be here for my last drink of the day. We all friends really enjoyed there.less
Ordered 2 steak ciabatta sandwiches & the temperature of the bread was as though it had been kept in the fridge. In fact my beer was warmer (but was at the correct temperature). I mentioned it when they cleared the table & all that was said is that she would mention it to them in the kitchen.less
One of our party fancied a traditional roast lunch with mash so I researched the best places for roast dinner in Nottingham and this came up! Booking was easy online and despite us arriving early they made a table available for us. Service was great and very friendly and efficient. Food was good quality and enjoyed by all, extra tasty gravy in a jug too! Overall this was good value and a great lunch.less