Cognito

Head out towards Saxilby Road and you'll find yourself in Cognito, a place that takes its food seriously but doesn't make a fuss about it. The kitchen clearly knows what it's doing — expect thoughtfully constructed dishes that go beyond the usual Lincoln restaurant fare, with the kind of attention to detail that makes you notice the difference. There's a wine programme here that's worth exploring too, curated with actual knowledge rather than just expensive names. It's the sort of spot you take someone when you want to impress them without announcing that's what you're doing.