Sicilian NQ

Located in the Northern Quarter, this friendly neighbourhood bistro and bar is the place to avanti if it’s a taste of traditional Sicily you fancy – from authentic street food snacks through to big plates of pasta to desserts and holiday memory gelato, eat in or take away.

The menu avoids meat – Sicilian NQ makes the most of plant-based ingredients and fresh seafood with regional specialities that are full of deep flavour.

The pasta with pistachio pesto is a beauty of a dish and the aubergine parmigiana is also delightful.

Don’t miss out on desserts – the cannoli filled with home-made Sicilian cream are a must – try the trio of cannolichi and enjoy all three flavours.

There’s an excellent wine list focusing on local Sicilian wines and the restaurant’s signature cocktails are very popular too.

Head there on a Tuesday night for three courses and bottomless wine for £49pp, or if you prefer to sip on the sparkling stuff, you can pre-arrange a Friday or Saturday daytime brunch with bottomless prosecco, Aperol Spritz or homemade limoncello (or a heady combination of the three). This is available on request by calling the restaurant.

The menu changes regularly to reflect the seasons, and the same goes for the sweet treats.

You’ll find a beautiful selection of the island’s speciality cakes, including setteveli pistachio cake (setteveli translates as seven layers), and towering brioche creations filled with gelato, fresh fruits and custard. Their Sicilian version of an afternoon tea showcases some of their most popular creations. Cakes are also available to order on their website and make a gorgeous centrepiece for a celebration.

Of course, a Sicilian feast wouldn’t be the same without something to wash it down – and there are various Italian tipples on offer, including beer, wine and sun-drenched limoncello.