Iberico World Tapas: sharing plates beneath the Lace Market's old county gaol

There are not many restaurants where you dine beneath a building that once housed a courtroom and a county gaol. Iberico World Tapas, in Nottingham's Lace Market, is one of them, and it calls itself the city's best kept secret.

The restaurant occupies the lower floor of the Shire Hall on High Pavement, the Grade II* listed building that is now home to the National Justice Museum. The site has a remarkable history: it was first recorded as a law court in 1375 and as a prison in 1449, and it was rebuilt in the 18th and 19th centuries. The gaol closed in 1878 and the courts remained until 1991. Today diners pass through tall iron gates and along a hallway to find an intimate, multi-level dining room with vaulted ceilings and Moorish features.

Iberico describes itself as the original Nottingham tapas restaurant and has been part of the city's food scene for more than 18 years. Its cooking pairs Spanish-inspired dishes of rustic simplicity with refined ingredients and influences from world cuisines, alongside a carefully chosen wine list and classic sherry.

The format is all about sharing. Dishes arrive from the kitchen as they are ready, so the team recommends ordering together as a group, with two or three plates per person. There is a separate vegan menu on request and party menus for larger tables.

Recognition has followed. The restaurant has held a Michelin Bib Gourmand, the guide's award for good quality, good value cooking, since 2013. At the Nottingham Restaurant and Bar Awards in 2018 it was named Best Independent City Restaurant, while its sister venue, Bar Iberico, took Nottingham Restaurant of the Year. The same night, Iberico's Callum Dovey won Best Young Talent for back of house.

The family has grown to include Bar Iberico and Taquero, but the Lace Market original keeps its special atmosphere. It is a lovely spot for a long, lingering supper, and the express dining offer makes it an easy choice for a quicker bite too.

Iberico World Tapas is at The Shire Hall, High Pavement. Opening times, menus and bookings are on its website.