Get the ATIS and if VFR give them a call ten miles from the boundary, or in the region of the Markfield (south) or Trowell (north) VRPs at the latest.
If VFR, expect to be routed into the zone within 1.5 miles to the east of the M1 motorway (for runway 27) or within 1.5 miles to the west of the M1 motorway (for runway 09), not above 2000' QNH. Zone boundaries are at the M1 juntions north and south of EMA - northern boundary is the road from Nottingham to Derby, southern boundary is the road from Loughborough to Shepshed. The zone entry/exit reporting points are "Long Eaton" north and "Shepshed" south. Once cleared into the zone, route towards right or left base as appropriate - do not cross the M1 from the side you're on as there could be VFR traffic outbound the other side. Be prepared for left/right base orbits if there's jet traffic inbound. All procedures are similar outbound, although you'll be on the opposite side of the M1 from entry for seperation.
Direct VFR joins from other directions (most often permitted is an M42 join from the south west, or via the EME from the east or via the EMW from the west) are sometimes granted subject to other traffic. ATC may provide radar vectored ILS to VFR traffic but it will be on request and subject to inbound commercial traffic - if you're insistant, be prepared for to go into the hold if they've got a string of inbound jets at the same time as you (which is becoming increasingly likely).
Only catering land-side in the terminal is a coffee shop and a sandwich shop - all the upstairs facilities including the hot food caterers and the bar, and the views, are now air-side only.
Handling is mandatory (ExecAir), and landing fees I'll defer to others. GA parking is usually west side of the main ramp (marshalled) for short stays, or often on cargo-east if staying overnight. Handlers will provide a minibus to/from the terminal.