The Potters Wheel - JD Wetherspoon

You know exactly what you're getting when you push through those doors on The Kingsway – and sometimes that's precisely what you want. The building itself has proper character, housed in what was once a cinema, with high ceilings and plenty of room to spread out whether you're nursing a coffee at 9am or settling in for a proper session. The usual Wetherspoons formula works well here: decent Thai curry for under a tenner, breakfast that'll sort you right out, and pints that won't bankrupt you. It's popular with everyone from shoppers taking a break from the city centre chaos to students stretching their loans. The staff keep things moving efficiently, and while it's never going to win awards for atmosphere, it's a solid choice when you want no-nonsense pub food in the heart of town.