To celebrate National Pizza Day, which falls on the 9th February every year, I’ve rounded up some of the best places to eat pizza in Derby and Derbyshire. No faceless chains, just fabulous independents. Let me know if I’ve missed anywhere great in the comments below.
Best Pizza in Derby
True Pizza
Previously known as Honest Pizza, True Pizza is one of the top rated pizza places in Derby. They serve up New York style pizzas made from homemade dough at their two Derby city centre locations.
The Farmhouse at Mackworth
This popular gastro pub on the outskirts of Derby serves up sourdough pizzas. Authentically crispy bases, topped with a rich tomato sauce and marinated buffalo mozzarella and your range of toppings. I also like how there’s the option to swap half of any pizza for house salad with a balsamic dressing for a lighter option.
Just Outside Derby
White Hart, Duffield
I love this pretty gastro pub. Their hand stretched wood-fried sourdough pizzas are made using 00 flour, homemade tomato sauce and fior di latte mozzarella. The dough is proved for longer to ensure premium quality.
Bulls Head, Repton
The pizzas at the Bulls Head are seriously good. Dough is freshly made daily from the finest grade Italian flour, hand stretched and cooked to order in their wood fired oven. What’s not to love?
Best Places for Pizza in Chesterfield
Tickled Trout, Barlow
Hand rolled and cooked fresh to order in their pizza oven, the sourdough pizzas at The Trout are some of the best around. I adore the Pollo Piccante with marinated spicy chicken, red onion, garlic, chilli and goats cheese. There’s an ongoing 2 for £20 deal all day Monday to Thursday on selected pizzas. Gluten free pizzas are also available, although for a £3 supplement.
The Tickled Trout also do an insanely good small plates menu to compliment your pizza. I thoroughly recommend the arancini and truffle fries. Both are the best in Derbyshire (if not the world). Read my review of The Tickled Trout here.
Lombardi’s, Chesterfield town centre
This bustling, family run Italian restaurant is a really popular option for traditional, authentic style pizza. Lombardi’s pizzas are made from their signature pizza dough, made freshly in house daily from Neapolitan 00 flour. Their pizzas are cooked in their traditional oven made from the volcanic clay of mount Vesuvius. Vegan pizzas are also available – as well as a range of pizzas for the bambini!
Pizza Pi, Chesterfield town centre
Pizza Pi, has relocated to new premises in Chesterfield’s Vicar Lane shopping centre – and is scheduled to open for National Pizza Day! Their pizzas are authentic but also some really interesting seasonal specials. There’s a full vegan menu. And also some good deals, including a lunchtime deal of a pizza and glass of selected wine for just £10 (or a soft drink for a bargain £8.90) and a 25% night owls discount. Terms and conditions apply.
Hunloke Arms, Wingerworth
The Hunloke Arms serve up authentic wood fired pizzas. I love that they’re named after places in the world. So if you struggle to pick toppings (and it’s a difficult choice because they all so good), just go for somewhere you fancy going on holiday. I’ve just been eyeing up the menu and the New Orleans sounds incredible: chicken breast, hot cajun spices, spinach, sour cream and sweet chilli sauce! Last time I went I had a delicious vegetarian pizza which I really enjoyed. I also love that they always offer to box up any leftover pizza. The Hunloke also sell yakitori sticks and bao buns. Read my previous review of The Hunloke Arms here.
Somewhere I’ve not yet tried but that has been recommended to me a few times (and gets great reviews) is the family run, Sicily Restaurant.
Peak District Pizza
The George in Hathersage
The George needs to be on this list for the sheer size of their pizzas. Wood fired and on sourdough base, I also liked the little tweaks on classics. For instance my pepperoni pizza came with little pops of sweet peppadew peppers. Gluten free bases are available. Throughout February and March you can get two of their delicious pizzas for just £15 every Monday night. Read my review of The George here.
I also hear good things about Bocconcini in The Coolstone courtyard in Eyam and the Thornbridge Tap Room in Bakewell.
Best pizza places in the Derbyshire Dales
The Loaf in Crich Pizza Night
This family run bakery run popular pizza nights every Wednesday. Hand stretched artisan pizzas baked fresh to order. Prices start at just £9. Booking essential.
D’alessandro’s Pizza, Matlock
This relative newcomer on Smedley Street in Matlock has quickly earned a great reputation for its authentic wood fired pizzas and freshly baked rustic breads.
Passionate about reducing their environmental impact, ingredients are organic and locally sourced wherever possible. They grow all of their own organic herbs. And make their own mozzarella from local organic milk. I love the sound of the fig, goats cheese and honey pizza.
Collection only. Open Thursday to Sunday.
South Derbyshire
Ice and Slice, Swadlincote
Ice and Slice is housed in a beautiful old building. Now a buzzy restaurant and cocktail bar, this is also a great place for authentic pizza in South Derbyshire. Pizzas are topped with Sardinian pomodoro sauce, freshly torn mozzarella and wood-fired in an oven was imported from Treviso in Italy. Pizzas feature both on the main menu and as part of their great value bottomless lunch menu. Try the goat’s cheese pizza with caramelised red onion. I also love that they have a really good range of sauces to accompany pizzas, including a truffle and miso mayo!
The rest of Derbyshire
The Butchers Bar and Steakhouse, Long Eaton
This popular steakhouse by night and coffee bar by day is also a great option for pizza. They are made from freshly prepared dough and cooked in an authentic wood fired oven. Don’t miss their steak pizzas. “Steak & Blue” consists of homemade tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella, aged parmesan, chargrilled Denver steak, crumbled blue cheese, caramelised onions and rocket and is served with a stilton and mustard sauce on the side. Dreamy! No pizzas on Sunday.
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Having written all this, you can guess what I am now craving! Will you be celebrating National Pizza Day? Let me know in the comments below! Or even better, share this blog post with the person who should take you out for pizza tonight?! Click the icons below to share via social media.
