The unique West Bridgford restaurant earning rave reviews for ‘simply outstanding’ food

This time last year, Hemisphere hadn’t opened its doors. In fact, last July, chef Paul Thacker first got the keys to the property that would be transformed into West Bridgford’s unique Australasian restaurant serving beautifully presented dishes with big, bold flavours.

What followed can only be described as a whirlwind. Three months of extensive building work turned the empty unit above Iceland, previously the curry house Shalimar, into a swish modern restaurant with an open kitchen.

Paul did most of the work himself, pouring his heart and soul into the refurbishment and losing more than 3st in the process.

Since opening in October, diners have been wowed by the food and service, leading to Hemisphere receiving scores of nominations in our Notts Bites food and drink awards. In the space of nine months, the restaurant has made the shortlist in the final for best restaurant.

Paul, who runs the restaurant with his wife Rachel, said: “We are absolutely blown away to be nominated for the award — especially when we think back just 12 months ago. That’s when I got the keys to what had always been a lifelong dream: opening my own restaurant.

“The journey began with three months of extensive building works — much of it done with my own hands — transforming the space into something special. I even brought my dad out of retirement to help bring the dream to life. Three-and-a-half stone lighter and countless long days later, Hemisphere was born.

“To now be in the final four is something we’re incredibly proud of. As an independent restaurant navigating a very challenging time in hospitality, recognition like this means everything.

“We truly hope this nomination helps more people discover our venue and experience something genuinely unique to the city.”

Hemisphere, in Tudor Square, serves brunch, lunch and dinner, inspired by the Pacific Rim, a region with influences from Japan, California, eastern Asia and Hawaii although on Sundays it’s all about a traditional Sunday roast.

Visit before noon and you can sample okonomiyaki, a goat’s cheese, apricot and walnut pancake, or steak hash, waffles and soufflé pancakes.

Between 12pm and 6pm it’s time for ‘arvo bites’ with a £21 tapas deal, or a wider tapas menu is available until 9.30pm.

Diners will discover dishes that don’t feature on any other menu across Nottinghamshire, such as crayfish crispy rice, lamb rump dumplings with black garlic miso, kangaroo with Aussie teriyaki glaze and pickled blackberries, and salt duck carpaccio.

As for drinks, diners can choose from wines, beers, hot drinks, bubble teas and cocktails with a twist like Coconut Blossom Old Fashioned, and Eastern Hemisphere Gimlet with citrus gin and kaffir lime leaf.

Although it’s Paul’s first restaurant, he’s no stranger to the industry, having worked for 27 years in kitchens at Chino Latino, in Maid Marian Way, Six at Trent Bridge, the Tap ‘n’ Run, the Upper Broughton pub owned by former cricketers Stuart Broad and Harry Gurney, and the ill-fated Lakeside Bar and Restaurant, at Arnold, which closed at the start of 2023.

It was at Chino Latino that he developed a real talent for sushi and Asian specialities, which now feature on Hemisphere’s menu, notably miso-glazed black cod. Some of the chefs he worked alongside, Cong Dang and Son Saysena, are now part of the Hemisphere team.

Feedback is overwhelmingly positive. One recent visitor wrote: “The food was simply outstanding — delicious, fresh, and beautifully presented. Each dish was a delight to the senses, showcasing the skill and creativity of the chefs. It’s evident that they take great pride in their craft, and it truly shows in the quality of the meals.”

Notts Bites is celebrating the best spots to eat and drink across the county — restaurants, cafes, pubs and takeaways.

Nottinghamshire Live readers can vote for their favourite restaurant from a line-up which also includes The Carpenter’s Arms, an Italian restaurant in Walesby, The Lobster Pot, specialising in seafood with a Thai twist, in Mansfield Road, Nottingham, and Yamas, a Greek tapas and mezze restaurant in Thurland Street, Nottingham.

Each shortlisted venue will be profiled over the coming weeks to help inform your decision. You can vote on the form below before noon on July 31. Votes left in the comments on social media or on our website comments will not be counted.