Our new breakfast menu for early sports kick-offs: photo and verdict
Early sports viewing deserves more than a rushed coffee at the bar. The new breakfast menu at The Approach gives Nottingham spectators something substantial to eat before the first whistle, with hot plates, quick service and time to settle in front of an HD screen. It works for a solo appointment as well as a group meeting, where the meal becomes part of the matchday ritual rather than an afterthought.
The Approach is a Nottingham city-centre live music and sports bar operated by Great Northern Inns Limited. We photographed the breakfast plates and tested the experience against three practical questions: does the food look worth waking for, does it fit the pace of an early fixture, and would we order it again? Our verdict is a clear yes, led by the full breakfast and breakfast burger, with lighter options for quicker mornings.
The first meal is part of matchday
The menu is designed to be ordered when the fixture is still approaching. A full breakfast brings fried eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, mushrooms, grilled tomato, hash browns and toast, while the burger and vegetarian plate offer a more informal route to the same satisfying start. The quick comparison gives a useful steer:
| Breakfast choice | What you see in the photograph | Verdict for an early match |
|---|---|---|
| Full breakfast | Fried eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, mushrooms, grilled tomato, hash browns and toast | The best choice for a long or physically demanding fixture |
| Breakfast burger | Toasted bun, melted cheese, breakfast toppings and fries | Ideal for sharing and easy to eat between plays |
| Vegetarian breakfast | Eggs, beans, mushrooms, grilled tomato, hash browns and toast | A hearty alternative without losing the full pub-breakfast character |
| Pancakes | Golden pancakes with a sweet topping and syrup | Best for a lighter or more indulgent start |
For a long or demanding match, the full breakfast is the strongest choice. It has enough substance to see you through the opening, while beans and toast provide the familiar comfort of a British pub morning. The burger is the better pick for a group sharing food, and pancakes suit anyone who wants something sweet without committing to a large savoury plate.
What the photograph gets right
The photograph is strongest where it shows contrast: glossy bacon beside matte beans, golden hash browns, bright tomato and the soft yolk of the eggs. The burger looks deliberately substantial, with the brioche bun, melted cheese and breakfast toppings doing the visual work of a pub classic. Presentation feels generous rather than fussy, which suits a lively room and large screens.
Portions look good for the length of a sporting session. The full breakfast is a proper meal, the burger is manageable one-handed, and pancakes arrive as an indulgent option rather than a token dessert. Our photo verdict is therefore about appetite as much as appearance: every plate looks fresh, and the menu gives early viewers a reason to stay seated for the first half.
Breakfast on an Australian clock
For Australian readers, the clock is the first local reality to sort out. Nottingham can be roughly seven to eleven hours behind Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth, depending on daylight saving and the city, so a breakfast fixture here can arrive during an Australian afternoon or evening. That works neatly for viewers who prefer a morning coffee or would rather pair the match with dinner.
Australian sporting customs make the idea familiar. Saturday AFL, winter rugby, cricket and football often shape weekend viewing, with friends meeting in groups, ordering food and settling in before play. Some fixtures finish while Australians are still having breakfast or heading to the shops; the Nottingham early slot offers a different rhythm, but the shared table and communal anticipation are recognisably Australian.
The food also sits comfortably within local café habits. Bacon and eggs, sourdough, avocado, hash browns, a flat white or long black, and breakfast bought for sharing are familiar choices from Melbourne laneways to Brisbane suburban kitchens. Australian supermarkets and growers’ markets treat free-range eggs, sourdough and seasonal tomatoes as everyday staples. At The Approach, a full English breakfast adds grilled mushrooms and sausage while keeping that well-known café format.
Watching the first fixture in comfort
The Approach spreads major football, rugby, cricket, motorsport, golf and other sporting events across multiple HD screens, making the room flexible enough for an early kick-off with a small group or a much bigger crowd. The visual setup is part of the appeal: you can follow the match while plates are cleared, then keep the conversation going when play pauses.
Ordering early is the simple tactic. Arrive with enough margin to choose a seat, order immediately and treat the first drinks as part of the pre-match routine. Groups can compare dishes before the game, while anyone watching alone still gets a substantial breakfast without needing to rush back to a screen.
Before a first fixture, the venue’s watching guide is a useful reference for understanding the viewing setup and planning a visit. It helps turn breakfast from a quick stop into the beginning of a proper matchday at The Approach, especially when an Australian fan is working around a very different time zone.
When breakfast becomes a Nottingham night out
Breakfast also opens the door to the rest of the venue. The Approach hosts live bands and entertainment every weekend, plus special events and sports-related appearances, so an early match can sit comfortably before an evening of music in Nottingham city centre. There is no need to treat the meal as the finish of the visit.
Visitors planning a weekend can check the wider Nugget Fringe listings to see what live music is happening nearby and build a fuller Nottingham itinerary around it. A morning football screen, a later band and a final drink give the day a clear shape, while the food and drink menu keeps the transition easy for non-football guests.
A pub menu with more than one appetite
After breakfast, the drinks list has plenty to offer. Beers, ales, wines and cocktails sit alongside the food, and regular promotions can make a longer visit feel better value. The standard menu also includes pizzas and Sunday roasts, so the venue can move from an early-kick-off breakfast to lunch, a family meal or a night of live entertainment without changing settings.
Tuesday visits may be even more appealing when prices are the deciding factor. The our Tuesday offer note explains the thinking behind that midweek promotion, giving groups a reason to check current deals before setting a date. Always confirm the offer and availability, since football schedules and pub promotions can change.
Prices are in pounds rather than Australian dollars, so checking the exchange rate helps when comparing a pint with a familiar pub session back home. Sharing food and booking a spot for a group are normal Australian pub habits, and responsible service still applies here. With promotions, Sunday roasts and a broad drinks choice, breakfast value extends well beyond the first whistle.
Make the first whistle your meeting point
Reserve a spot at The Approach, choose a screen with a clear view and bring your matchday crew. Set the alarm for an early Nottingham kick-off, order the full breakfast for a hungry group or the burger for a faster start, and let the HD screens provide the drama. If live music is on the plan, breakfast becomes an easy beginning rather than a separate trip.
Check the current breakfast and drink promotions before you arrive, arrange the group, and make The Approach your Nottingham meeting point. Bring your team colours, order early and stay for the whistle, the half-time conversation and the next live act. The first fixture is on, and your seat is waiting.