Top 20 Derbyshire Restaurants – The Ultimate Edit

I love eating out, and do it as often as I can. I’ve been eating out around Derbyshire for over two decades, and blogging about it for the last couple. Here are my all-time favourite Derbyshire restaurants. No faceless chains, just lovely, local, independents. All tried, tested and recommended by yours truly. Updates made February 2024.

The best Derbyshire restaurants

I’ve only given restaurants a specific listing that I have tried and enjoyed myself, usually many times over. Sometimes this has been as a result of a gifted invite – in which case you’ll see [AD] listed at the start of that section. Everywhere included is here purely on their own merits. I wasn’t under any obligation to include anywhere and I promise their kind generosity hasn’t unduly influenced my opinions. I wouldn’t recommend anywhere unless I was prepared to spend my own money there!

I am not a food critic or expert – but I know what I like. I have high standards in terms of quality of food, presentation and service. It doesn’t have to be perfect – but it does have to be consistently great at whatever it does.

Whilst I love to fine dine, like many people, I can’t afford to do this week in and week out. If we go somewhere posh it’s a treat that we would look forward to for weeks in advance and savour the memories of.

So whilst there is a small fine dining section here, I don’t think anything tops the Michelin Guide. Instead, I’ve generally concentrated on the types of restaurants we would go to routinely go to (babysitters and schedules allowing!). So without further ado, here are my all time favourite Derbyshire restaurants.

If you are specifically looking for Sunday roasts, click here instead.

Great pub restaurants / gastro pubs in Derbyshire

Tickled Trout, Barlow near Chesterfield

The Tickled Trout is a consistently great gastro pub, with an Italian twist. Chef Chris Mapp is passionate about locally sourced ingredients – but has also clearly established exceptional high levels of consistency in the kitchen. I have never had so much as a dud course here, and I come a lot. The service is also great, friendly but professional. I love the versatile menu including everything from pub classics to sourdough pizzas (some of the best in the county!), a divine small plates menu (I am obsessed with the Vietnamese halloumi, the truffle fries and the arancini) to really quite high end restaurant-y food. Relaxed, but lovely surroundings.

Details: Barlow, S18 7SL, 0114 289 1111. Dog friendly in the cosy bar area (but not in the restaurant). On site parking. Family friendly .

Check out my guide to the Best Restaurants in Chesterfield

The Bluebell, South Wingfield near Alfreton

Run by the same people who run the magnificent Stones in Matlock, The Bluebell dishes up great food in a contemporary village pub. Everything from beautifully executed, thoughtful plates of food that would be at home in more of a fine dining environment, to pub classics and a great sandwich menu at lunchtime. Delicious food in relaxed, contemporary atmosphere and with good service.

Details: South Wingfield, Derbyshire DE55 7NJ, 01773 546722. Small car park and street parking. Family friendly – lovely children’s play area for younger children outside (parred down bar and garden menu). Dogs are welcome outside (they even have a cute little station with water bowls, water, treats etc) and in the bar area – but not in the restaurant.

The Palfrey, Milford near Belper

Previously located at Old Blacksmiths Yard in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter, The Palfrey relocated to Milford in autumn 2021. The gorgeous new home enjoys some pleasant views of the surrounding countryside. The historic building has been thoughtfully renovated in a contemporary style. I loved the comfy leather seating and the Scrabble style racks and letters to denote reserved tables.

Modern British cuisine. I recently visited for Sunday lunch and this is one of the restaurants I am keen to return to at the earliest opportunity! Not least due to the most incredible sticky toffee pudding.

Details: Milford, Belper, DE56 0RL, 01332 293 135. Car park. Accessed via steps – unsuitable for pushchairs/prams. Dog friendly.

The Devonshire Arms, Beeley near Bakewell

Quintessentially English, The Devonshire Arms is a wonderful cosy pub and light and airy restaurant. Nestled in the Chatsworth Estate, it’s one of the loveliest country inns in the Peak District national park. There are a range of menus, from sandwiches and light bites, to a set lunch menu to a la carte.

Details: DE4 2NZ, 01629 733259. Car park opposite.

The George, Hathersage

[AD – previous invite] The George is a newly renovated, beautiful old country inn and gastro pub. Great service, delicious food and exceptionally good wines. Read my recent review of the new autumn menu.

The five hundred year old building has a fascinating history (Charlotte Bronte was a regular visitor). Beautiful period features are now off set with contemporary styling and a colour palette of forest greens, pops of colour and bold wallpapers. It’s cosy, comforting and inviting but still feels special.

Great menu ranging from pub classics to stone baked pizzas to really quite high end dining. Lots of it sourced from local suppliers.

Details: Main Road, Hathersage, S32 1BB. Car park for guests. The barrier raises automatically and then you get a code to exit at the bottom of your bill. Dog friendly in the bar (not the restaurant). Baby changing facilities.

For other great places for pizza in Derbyshire – click here.

The Maynard, Grindleford

Part of the same local group as The George (see above!), The Maynard is a beautiful boutique hotel occupying a prime Peak District location. Their restaurant was extensively refurbished early 2023 and offers relaxed dining in a gorgeous setting with brilliant service. A popular place for an epic Sunday roast, or read my thoughts on their new spring menu. Everything is locally sourced from quality suppliers.

The Horseshoes, Long Lane near Ashbourne

The Horseshoes is an award winning country inn offering relaxed fine dining. The bar area feels very much like a traditional country pub, with open fires and old men nursing pints. There’s also extensive outside space including some garden rooms.

The candle lit restaurant has a more refined ambiance. Expect immaculately presented fresh produce and a freshly baked bread course to kick off proceedings. Attentive, friendly service.

Details: The Horseshoes Long Lane, DE6 5BJ, 01332 824625.

For a round up of the most romantic restaurants in Derbyshire, click here.

White Hart, Duffield, Derby

A vibrant, cosy village pub housed in a beautiful old building. Quirky, chic, contemporary décor. Most of the pub feels really cosy without being at all old-fashioned or stuffy. Great food and drink. Their honey roasted goats cheese starters is one of the best around. Also sourdough, wood fired pizzas and a range of pub grub to really quite high end restaurant style meals.

Details: Duffield, Derby, DE56 4GD, 01332 841141. Great beer garden. Car park.

Red Lion Restaurant at Peak Edge Hotel

[AD – The Red Lion was included when I originally wrote this – but I have since received a PR invite for this review].

I love everything about the Red Lion Restaurant at the Peak Edge Hotel. The food is consistently good, as is the service. There’s a cosy bar area with real fires to sit and enjoy an apertif. Then the restaurant is delightful light and airy with cosy booth areas. The restaurant looks out over the surrounding scenery. If you’re lucky you might spot a highland cow!

Details: Stone Edge, Chesterfield, S45 0LW, 01246 566142.

Other gastro pubs worth trying:

The Hunloke Arms in Wingerworth near Chesterfield – great for cocktails, bao buns and wood fired pizzas. Also read my guide to Derbyshire’s best cosy pubs.

The Pattenmakers in Duffield is back open after a substantial renovation and has been shortlisted for the ‘Taste of Derbyshire’ regional Tourism Award.

I’ve not tried any of these yet, but I see such good things online about The Pack Horse in Hayfield, The Blind Bull in Little Hucklow and The Old Hall in Chinley.

Also see the listing for The Bulls Head Holymoorside in the fine dining section below.

Derbyshire restaurants – Best Bistros

Bank House, Hathersage

[AD] I was recently invited to review the autumn menu at Bank House and it has shot straight into one of my favourites. Absolutely everything about our visit was spot on. The food was insanely good, the service was really welcoming (and not at all stuffy) and just the general ambiance hit all the right notes. It’s also a great place to drink if you prefer a cocktail/wine bar vibe. Read my review.

Bottle & Thyme, Chesterfield

Bottle & Thyme is basically my favourite all rounder in Chesterfield. It’s lovely for everything from coffee and cake, to cocktails, to breakfast, lunch and an evening meal. The lunch and evening menu is a tempting array of small plates, grazing boards and burgers. As well as the food and drink being incredible, the service is always nice and they have a really strong commitment to sustainability.

Details: 15-17 Knifesmithgate, Chesterfield, S40 1RL, 01246 768283.

For great vegan options and vegan restaurants in Derbyshire – click here.

Fine dining Derbyshire restaurants

Fischer’s at Baslow Hall

Nestled in the heart of the Peak District National Park, is the multi-award-winning, Fischer’s at Baslow Hall. Boasting three AA Rosettes and the supreme accolade of four Red Stars.

Head Chef, Adam Thackeray and his team carefully curate menus to showcase inventive modern British cuisine featuring the finest quality local produce, much of it handpicked from their kitchen gardens.

If you’re looking for somewhere special to go – where every single morsel of food delights – this is the place!

Details: Situated in the pretty Peak District village of Baslow, Fischer’s is perfectly placed to explore Chatsworth House, Bakewell and the wider national park. DE45 1RR. Book online or call 01246 583259. Private car parking.

Lovage, Bakewell

Lovage is an exciting addition to the Peak District’s food scene. Chef Owner Lee Smith was a regional finalist in the 2019 series of Great British Menu, having worked in prestigious Michelin-starred establishments including the legendary Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons.

Housed in an historic building in Bakewell town centre, Lovage successfully marries country casual with a stylish, refined elegance.

Exquisite fine dining – with a good value set lunch menu, in addition to a la carte and a tasting menu (evenings only). Service is attentive and professional but unfailing friendly.

Details: Situated in Bakewell town centre, DE45 1DS. There are several car parks within short walking distance. These will get busy at peak tourist times so do factor in time to park. We parked in the market place which is pay and display.

Peacock at Rowsley

[AD] The Peacock at Rowsley offers fine dining done properly. The historic building is an elegant, refined setting for a special meal. Sumptuous menus are based on the finest, seasonal, local produce and presented with refreshing creativity. Quality local ingredients, including organically-reared beef and lamb from the nearby Haddon Estate. Expect exquisite fine dining in a traditional setting.

Details: DE4 2EB, 01629 733 518

The Bulls Head, Holymoorside

[AD] Utterly sublime food in an unassuming country pub. Situated in the picturesque village of Holymoorside on the outskirts of Chesterfield and easily accessible from the Peak District, the Bulls Head Holymoorside has quietly been building an amazing reputation locally.

Aisthorpe not only grows his own vegetables and herbs but on the day we dined both the rabbit and venison had been shot and butchered by Mark himself, as is all of the game of the menu. Other produce is sourced locally where possible.

I recently enjoyed dishes from their à la carte menu served tasting menu style. Highlights were a huge hand dived scallop expertly paired with teeny tiny diced apple and fennel, a spiced winter squash purée and chopped hazelnuts. And perfectly cooked medallions of the most magnificent venison with a rich Madeira jus, charred onion, parsnip and parsnip purée and flecks of 85% cocoa chocolate.

Details: Holymoorside, Chesterfield, S42 7EW, 01246 569999. Car park. Dog friendly in the bar area only.

Other fine dining Derbyshire restaurants to try:

The Gallery restaurant at the Cavendish Hotel in Baslow holds three AA rosettes. So far I’ve only ever had afternoon tea at the Cavendish but that was a sublime experience. Everything was top notch and the service wonderful.

Similarly, I’ve only experienced afternoon tea so far at Rafters at Riverside House in Ashford in the Water – but would also feel very comfortable recommending this to friends and family as somewhere special. The vibe is very much a relaxed, contemporary, unpretentious country hotel (e.g. there’s absolutely no dress code) with fantastic food.

It is years since I visited Stones in Matlock but from what I hear on the foodie grape vine, it is every bit as good as I remember.

The Dovecote restaurant at Morley Hayes continues to get rave reviews. I’ve only been here once, for a champagne breakfast years ago but would imagine it’s a safe bet for a lovely meal.

In addition to my recommendations above, The Old Vicarage in Ridgeway, Lighthouse in Boylestone near Ashbourne, The Pack Horse in Hayfield and The Blind Bull in Little Hucklow are all Michelin-listed.

Previously listed in the Michelin Guide was the Samuel Fox Country Inn. Not yet listed is The Tasting Club in Brailsford which has been incredibly successful at creating a real buzz on social media and gets booked up quickly, particularly with a younger crowd.

World Cuisine Derbyshire Restaurants

Italian

Armando’s, Belper

A cosy, very traditional Italian restaurant. Perfectly cooked, authentic Italian food.

Lombardi’s, Chesterfield

A family run Italian restaurant on the very edge of Chesterfield town centre. The food is every bit as good as you’d expect. A busy, bustling Italian with incredible pizzas, steaks etc.

Both of the above feature in my guide to the most romantic restaurants in Derbyshire. Our all time favourite Italian restaurant in England is Vito’s in Sheffield. Obviously not Derbyshire, but worth the trip!

Sicily Restaurant Chesterfield

Our current favourite Italian restaurant in Derbyshire. Multi-award winning, bustling family-run restaurant serving up authentic Italian food including lots of Sicilian dishes. Read my recent review.

Thai

Tom Yum Thai Kitchen, Belper

The best Thai I have been to in Derbyshire is Tom Yum Thai Kitchen in Belper. I haven’t actually been for years, but when I was living in Belper I ate here probably once a month for about five years and it was consistently amazing. The Trip Advisor reviews would suggest it has retained that quality. Not only is the food great but it’s a really interesting ambiance being housed in an old mill building.

However, I recently dined at Thai Pavilion in Chesterfield [AD – PR invite] and it was absolutely faultless. I highly recommend.

Indian

Anoki, Derby and Burton

I’ve dined at both the Derby and the Burton venues numerous times (although years ago). The Derby venue is more atmospheric, situated in an old cinema it enjoys high ceilings and period features. Whilst there is a car park for the Derby restaurant, it’s easier to park at the Burton one and there’s more of a contemporary feel. Expect fine Indian dining.

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I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to the best Derbyshire restaurants. I’d love to hear where you rate in the comments below.

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