Restaurants in and around Matlock
Matlock and the surrounding area have plenty of restaurants to choose from, with beautiful scenery that is constantly changing. Below is a selection of restaurants that I have personally visited and would happily recommend.
Matlock and the surrounding area
Stones – Dale Road, Matlock
This is a fantastic restaurant and, as such, gets booked up very quickly, so plan ahead if you would like to dine here. The fine dining at Stones is of a very high standard and the restaurant has been featured in the Michelin Guide. The restaurant itself is small and intimate, beautifully decorated to create a peaceful and luxurious experience.
Guests of Sheriff Lodge receive a 15% discount.
Viva – Dale Road, Matlock
A great Italian restaurant offering something a little different from your usual pizza and pasta. Expect steaks and salads served on beautifully presented plates. The restaurant has a typically Italian feel and is quite spacious. The steaks are delicious and the service is very good.
Guests of Sheriff Lodge receive a 10% discount.
Maazi – Causeway Road, Matlock
Everyone loves an Indian meal and Maazi certainly doesn’t disappoint. Set in the old cinema, the restaurant is very distinctive, with tuk-tuks on the roof! It is a large restaurant and also very popular.
Guests of Sheriff Lodge receive a 10% discount.
Shalimar – Bakewell Road, Rowsley
Another Indian restaurant, just outside Matlock but only a short drive or taxi journey away. The food here is very good and the portions are huge – you have been warned! The restaurant is spacious and has a large car park.
Guests of Sheriff Lodge receive £10 off their meal, Sunday to Thursday.
The Thorn Tree Pub – Jackson Road, Matlock
Just a short walk up the hill from Sheriff Lodge, this pub has a great atmosphere and the most amazing views across the Derwent Valley. On a clear evening, there is nothing better than sitting outside with a cold drink in your hand. There is a varied menu of large snacks, served on a first-come, first-served basis, alongside a good selection of real ales.
The Remarkable Hare – Dale Road, Matlock
This is a pub-cum-restaurant with three separate seating areas. It is very dog-friendly, with dogs welcome in the dining area as long as they have their blanket and bowl. There is also another pub next door, The Hare, owned by the same people. Good food, plenty of space and, importantly, it is also open on a Monday!
Buddies – Dale Road, Matlock
This is a real meat feast of a place! Owner Luke appeared on MasterChef and cooked in the same style during the programme as he does at Buddies – Texan BBQ. It is not for the faint-hearted or light eater, but there are vegan and vegetarian options too. Great atmosphere and well worth a visit.
The Spice – Dale Road, Matlock
Another very good Indian restaurant in Matlock. Although unlicensed, guests are encouraged to bring their own drinks at no extra cost. The food is very good and freshly prepared. The restaurant is airy and divided into two sections, allowing the larger area to open when it gets busy.
The Red Lion – Matlock Green, Matlock
A large, friendly pub run by a father-and-son team. There is a really good atmosphere and dogs are welcome in part of the pub. The food is good and plentiful, and a Sunday lunch here is a must!
Outside Matlock
The White Horse – Woolley Moor, Ashover
A pub and restaurant with a large outdoor seating area. The food here is excellent, with a large and exciting menu offering plenty of good-quality dishes. It is a pretty building with wonderful views towards Cocking Tor. The drive from Sheriff Lodge takes around 15 minutes, but it is well worth it.
Old Poets Corner – Ashover
A big pub with big meals, a lovely large rear seating area and a great atmosphere! This is a proper pub and great fun. There are lots of ciders and unusual draught beers, alongside really good, hearty food. It is also dog-friendly. Again, a little drive from Sheriff Lodge, but well worth it.
The Devonshire Arms – Pilsley
This is a favourite of mine! A small and friendly pub serving lunches and meals such as their Walkers’ Lunch – a substantial sandwich and a bowl of soup, just what you need after a long walk. Very dog-friendly in the bar area, with lovely staff too.
The Fishpond – Matlock Bath
A large pub in Matlock Bath, close to the Pavilion. It has a large outdoor seating area and the food is good, especially the pizzas, which are made on the premises. It is also dog-friendly throughout the dining area and outside.
Fine Dining
We are very fortunate in this area to have several excellent fine dining restaurants for those looking for something a little more special. Here are a few worth considering.
Stones – Matlock
See the description above for details of this lovely restaurant.
The Peacock – Rowsley
This beautiful property belongs to the Manners family, the Dukes of Rutland. It has a calm, serene feel, and both the bar and food are superb. The food, wines, service, ambience and décor are all of a very high standard, making it a particularly special place to dine. The barman also mixes a wonderful Hendrick’s gin!
Fischers at Baslow
An old manor house that feels like a step back in time, and home to a Michelin-starred restaurant. The dining experience is superb, and the small dining room makes it all the more special. The anteroom is cosy and pretty, building anticipation for the delicious surprises ahead.
The cheese trolley also deserves a special mention. It is enormous and quite overwhelming, particularly if you are a cheese lover! Make sure you leave room to indulge.
Rafters at Riverside House – Ashford-in-the-Water
Allegedly the original shooting lodge to Chatsworth, this very pretty property is home to a large dining room, a separate bar and a garden. Everything is beautifully presented and fits perfectly with the lovely village of Ashford-in-the-Water. The dining room is spacious, and the menu, including the tasting menu, is varied and beautifully presented. The crockery is unusual and a delight to eat from!
Lovage – Bakewell
A modern restaurant run by Chef Patron Lee Smith. The food is beautifully presented on interesting crockery and is of an extremely high standard. The ambience is relaxing, while there is also a sense of anticipation as you await each exciting, taste-bud-tingling course.
We tried the tasting menu, which was delicious and plentiful, with the fish course being a particular highlight. Set in the centre of Bakewell, there is plenty of parking nearby. There is also a comfortable cocktail and pre-dinner drinks area.
Charlie’s at Baslow – Church Street, Baslow
A relaxed, café-style restaurant serving food of amazing quality, with a huge list of specials. It is run by Charlie and his wife, who are both delightful. There is parking nearby in the village of Baslow, as well as outdoor seating. An excellent experience to be had here!
The Bull’s Head – Holymoorside
Chef Mark Aisthorpe, of Great British Menu fame, is the remarkable Chef Patron here. This is an intimate dining room with a first-class menu. The food is beautifully presented, with innovative ideas and creative plates. It is a short drive from Sheriff Lodge, but so worth it.
