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Top places to eat

Where we actually book a table in Derbyshire

A curated dining guide for Chesterfield and the county. No paid inclusions, no press dinners — we visit anonymously and pay the bill.

A plated modern British dish in a Derbyshire gastropub dining room

Guide of the month

The eight tables shaping Derbyshire cooking right now

From a charcoal grill on a Chesterfield side street to a Wharfedale-facing gastropub with real ambition, this is the shortlist we hand to friends visiting the county. Prices are what you would actually pay for two courses and a drink.

The Spire Kitchen in Chesterfield

The Spire Kitchen

££
Chesterfield Modern British

Short, changing menu built around Derbyshire growers. Book the early sitting.

Visited & paid for
Rutland Yard in Bakewell

Rutland Yard

££
Bakewell Bistro

Courtyard tables, excellent lamb, and the best cheese board in the dale.

Visited & paid for
Hasan's Table in Chesterfield

Hasan's Table

£
Chesterfield Turkish

Charcoal grill worth the queue. Lunch mezze is the value pick.

Visited & paid for
Millstone & Rye in Matlock

Millstone & Rye

£
Matlock Bakery & brunch

Sourdough gone by eleven. Go for the smoked trout plate.

Visited & paid for
The Packhorse Inn in Little Longstone

The Packhorse Inn

££
Little Longstone Gastropub

Proper walkers' pub with a kitchen that takes itself seriously.

Visited & paid for
Ferro & Fern in Buxton

Ferro & Fern

££
Buxton Vegetarian

Seasonal, inventive and genuinely satisfying. Strong low-alcohol list.

Visited & paid for
Blue Note Deli in Wirksworth

Blue Note Deli

£
Wirksworth Deli & small plates

Counter service by day, natural wine and boards on Friday nights.

Visited & paid for
The Lock Keeper in Chesterfield

The Lock Keeper

£££
Chesterfield Seafood

Canalside, special-occasion cooking. The set lunch softens the bill.

Visited & paid for

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