Diners' Choice: Best Ambience restaurants in Derbyshire

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambience in Derbyshire? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Odyssey Greek Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (906)

£25 and under

Greek

Chesterfield

About the restaurant

Odyssey Restaurant is a little chunk of Greece transported into the heart of Chesterfield, offering customers a journey of authentic flavours, sounds and the atmosphere of Greece.

Owned and run by a Greek family, Odyssey is based in the centre of Chesterfield town on 1-3 Knifesmithgate, in a traditional English building and what used to be known as the old Queen’s Head. The owners have managed to bring the building back to life by marrying old English and Greek tradition, maintaining the beauty of the building, but also enhancing it with sites and the aroma of Greece.

Among the many menu choices, one can find lovely Greek salad (horiatiki) to chicken, pork, vegetable or prawn skewers or a classic moussaka, rabbit stifado or meatballs with goat’s cheese. Mediterranean flavours and love for cooking Greek authentic recipes is the menu inspiration.

Top review

Christopher

Dined 3 days ago

Outstanding food & great service from staff. Lots to choose from on the menu, all of it looks amazing

Stones Restaurant Matlock

4.9

4.9 (2703)

£26 to £40

British

Matlock

About the restaurant

Tucked away in the heart of former spa town Matlock, Stones is a cosy restaurant serving modern British cuisine. The restaurant’s interior is smart and intimate while the kitchen marries British produce with recipes inspired by international cuisine. Don’t be fooled by the apparent simplicity of the seasonal lunch and dinner menus, every dish demonstrates the culinary imagination, technique and flair of the vibrant kitchen team, led by head chef Kevin Stone. The additional tasting menu offers eight courses partnered with a carefully selected optional flight of wine. Catering for all dietary requirements, Stones offer distinct vegetarian and GF menu. Diners can enjoy views overlooking the coursing waters of the River Derwent. Discreet, informed service with an informal approach, allowing the food to take centre stage, Stones is one of the finest dining experiences in the area, carrying two AA rosettes for culinary excellence. ***Visit www.stones-restaurant.co.uk for up to date menus.***

Top review

Adele

Dined 2 days ago

This place never disappoints. We’ve been dining here for a few years now, mainly for ‘special’ occasions due to the cost, but it’s worth every penny. The quality of food served is exceptional and some of the best I’ve ever eaten. The service is always excellent with the perfect level of attentiveness. Can’t wait for our next visit. A little hidden gem!

The Dovecote Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2088)

£41 and over

European

Derby

About the restaurant

Our chefs use only the freshest, local, and best quality seasonal produce. With delightful views over the golf course set in the Derbyshire countryside, the Dovecote is ideal as a venue for entertaining business clients at conferences, family celebrations or enjoying a quiet candle-lit meal for two. Situated within easy reach of Derby and Nottingham with ample free car parking facilities.
Our award winning Two Rosette restaurant is currently serving Champagne Breakfast, for that special treat Wednesday - Saturday. Afternoon Tea's are served Thursday - Saturday. Dinner is served on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, we also offer a three course Sunday Lunch. A great selection of local drinks, fresh cocktails and a well-stocked cellar provides superb wine to accompany your meal.
We are currently not serving midweek lunch.

Top review

Zoe-Leanne

Dined 1 day ago

Fantastic service, amazing food, wonderful experience.

Cavendish Restaurant at Chatsworth

4.7

4.7 (2636)

£41 and over

British

Bakewell

About the restaurant

Enjoy a delectable afternoon tea served on beautiful Wonderlust Wedgwood tea ware or a locally sourced and passionately prepared three course set lunch menu. If you are redeeming gift vouchers, please make sure to bring the physical voucher and confirmation email with you on the day of your visit.
To enable us to prepare for your visit, please make sure to inform us on your booking or via the phone number provided of dietary requirements.
For further Government guidance information please visit https://www.chatsworth.org/your-visit/ & https://www.chatsworth.org/terms

Top review

Simon

Dined 4 days ago

We were greeted courteously by Doratta and looked after by three waiters who were friendly but professional. The food was delicious and well presented in a timely manner. We will certainly book again in the Cavendish restaurant this time next year for our Christmas treat. Thank you.

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Experience

Afternoon Tea at Chatsworth

Experience

Cavendish set lunch menu

The Barrel Inn

4.8

4.8 (95)

£25 and under

British

Hope Valley

About the restaurant

A Traditional Derbyshire Inn
With A Five Counties View!

The Barrel Inn, a traditional Derbyshire country inn, dates back to 1597 and stands at the head of Bretton Clough, in the heart of the Peak District.

Being one of only five properties in this small hamlet, on a table of land some 1300 feet above sea level, The Barrel Inn proudly claims to be the highest pub in Derbyshire.

Its panoramic views of the majestic Hope Valley and the Peak District National Park are magnificent and on a clear day you are able to enjoy views over five counties.

The pub serves a fine selection of well kept real ales and delicious, freshly cooked, mostly locally sourced food, every day.

Old worldly charm - peaceful oak-beamed bar, real log fires, flagstone floors, studded doors in low doorways, beamed ceilings and polished copper and brass - have all been retained to enhance the overall charm and friendliness of the Inn.

Top review

David

Dined 1 day ago

We had a fantastic Christmas meal, excellent quality and friendly staff. Would highly recommend!

The Bluebell

4.7

4.7 (1998)

£25 and under

British

Alfreton

About the restaurant

The Bluebell is a smart, modern place to relax offering fuss-free food and drinks that retain the reputation for quality we’ve hopefully earned at Stones. Dogs are welcome in our outdoor space and bar area. No dogs will be allowed in the restaurant-style extension. Parking Please note we have a car park on-site however it can get very busy and is limited. Please respect the neighbours when parking on-street by not blocking their driveways. Please do not park opposite other cars therefore making the road too narrow to pass. Come and join us at this beautiful old pub very soon. Please note we are closed on Sunday evenings and all day on Mondays.

Top review

SRI MAHENDRA

Dined 4 days ago

Please give my Thanks to Amelia, Molly, Chris & Joe for looking after my Granddaughter Maya and me so well. Merry Christmas! Mahendra

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4.4

4.4 (452)

£25 and under

Pub

Chesterfield

About the restaurant

Soak up our friendly service and homely charm when nestled on the outskirts of Hasland, a small village on the south side of the historic market town of Chesterfield town. Here at The Three Cottages, we are the perfect retreat to sit back, relax and indulge in our delicious food with your favourite drink in hand. Our traditional pub classics are expertly crafted from our seasonal menus and the bar is crammed with local ales and tipples to tempt any taste buds. Using the most seasonal ingredients and decadent flavours, there's a dish for every desire.

Top review

Julie

Dined 3 days ago

Really nice staff, good hospitality, good food, great service.

The Duncombe Arms

4.6

4.6 (2252)

£26 to £40

British

Ashbourne

About the restaurant

The Duncombe Arms is a beautiful, traditional country pub situated at the heart of the lovely rural village of Ellastone on the Staffordshire / Derbyshire border. Located on the edge of the Peak District near the towns of Ashbourne and Uttoxeter it is a great place to visit providing a delightful setting in which to enjoy a drink, some lovely food, as well as a chat with friends or family.

Come inside and enjoy a roaring log fire, sample our excellent range of beers and wines or enjoy fabulous food from our award-winning chef Scott Law. Or in the summer you can laze in our large garden overlooking the view to Worthy Island Wood.

Top review

Marion

Dined 1 day ago

Lovely food beautifully presented and very attentive staff. We thoroughly enjoyed the restaurant menu and I particularly enjoyed the cranberry and orange trifle

The Peacock At Rowsley

4.7

4.7 (290)

£26 to £40

British

Matlock

About the restaurant

As you walk into the Peacock you get the feeling of history, built in 1652, the hotel was originally used as a dower house for Haddon Hall. The link between the two survives today as Lord Edward Manners brought the hotel back into his estate in 2004, the hotel has many pieces of unique furniture and art work from the Estate. The Bar is another step back into the past with a copper topped bar and untouched surroundings, the extensive cocktail and drinks list can be enjoyed in the bar or lounge before dinner. Our restaurant team have been the proud bearers of three AA rosettes–the top ten percent in the country. We offer both an indulgent, fine dining menu & a more relaxed bar menu to suit most tastes or moods. We serve truly local ingredients including organically-reared beef & lamb from the Haddon Estate. We are open for lunch in our bar and restaurant Tuesday to Saturday and dinner in our bar Tuesday to Friday and dinner in our restaurant Tuesday to Saturday.

Top review

Andrew

Dined 4 days ago

Really warm cosy venue that also has accommodation available. Staff were obviously well versed on how to manage guests and the meals provided were exquisite. Great place for a few drinks and food just be remember you get what you pay for 😊

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Experience

New Years Eve dinner

Experience

New Year’s Day, First lunch of 2025

Experience

Tasting Menu Experience

Darleys Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (189)

£26 to £40

British

Derby

About the restaurant

We are an award-winning restaurant with a beautiful waterfront location in Derby. We offer you classic British and European dishes with a modern twist, within a 200-year old former mill building: Darley Abbey Mills.

We also have two outdoor terraces so if you prefer, you can enjoy al-fresco drinks overlooking the River Derwent prior to your dining experience. We’re open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Darleys creates incredible flavours and stunningly-presented dishes that will delight you, all paired with the perfect wine or cocktail to make your experience complete.

Darleys has won several awards and accolades:

Included in the Michelin Guide 2024
AA Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence 2024

Everything we do is about bringing together wonderful ingredients with beautiful presentation. Our chefs are culinary superheroes. They work tirelessly to deliver amazing, consistent tastes, day in, day out.

Top review

David

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent as always, nothing too much trouble for the staff and always pleasant and attentive. Food was excellent, we had the 9 course tasting menu which was wonderfully amended to suit my wife's intolerances. Every course was a delight. Has to be one of the best restaurants, if not THE Best, in Derby. While it remains this good we will continue to return.

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Experience

Breakfast - English sparkling - locally sourced

Experience

Traditional Sunday Lunch

Experience

Christmas Set Menu

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