The Bird Cafe in Derbyshire Dales

Perfect place to have some lunch. Great setting and lovely staff. We had a great time. Great shop and plants too. Lovely scone.

This cafe once was wonderful but our visit this time was very dissapointing for us both. Food not to usual standards such a let down sadly.

Really wholesome little cafe with a huge window lined with bird feeders for bird watching. We just popped in for coffee and cake but both were fantastic as was the service. Will certainly be returning for lunch in the future.

Very cramped tables (not wiped or streaky at best) disappointing "meal" due to high cost for what it was. Not keen to have a cake after, as there was a fly inspecting the cakes in the cabinate. Overall disappointing experience for the prices they charged. I could do better for £12.50 paid for a cuppa and a hot sandwich.

Perhaps we made the mistake of having too high expectations for our first visit here but, in honesty, we were very disappointed by the overall experience. The inside tables are shoe-horned together so closely that it is almost impossible to conduct a conversation above the background noise from other guests' poorly supervised grandchildren. The food is relatively expensive but distinctly amateurish in terms of produce quality & presentation (e.g £9 for a small panini & side salad made from a squashed Subway-style torpedo roll - £5 for a scone with jam & cream) and even the local bird population were noticeable by their absence, obviously deciding that they couldn't be bothered to help themselves to the free bird seed & fat balls on offer on this occasion. Outdoors, the "Herb Centre" area, which we expected to be a horticultural delight, had a selection of unloved & unwatered herbs and other plants at various stages of near-death but at least they had some completely dead plants available for sale for only 50p each.... You can do better than this, and so can they.

Stopped here by chance on the way to Hathersage, very glad we did. Lovely cafe with friendly staff, flat white, tuna mayo jacket potato, tea and bacon sandwich all very fresh and tasty. Had a window table and could watch birds on the feeder very close up. Nice shop too. Highly recommend.

We passed this driving to the reservoir and stopped on the way back. We were not disappointed…. A lovely little hidden cafe doing hot/cold food and cakes. The staff were very friendly and you could watch the birds out of the window. Would definitely recommend if you want a light lunch / snack.

We found this cafe whilst holidaying in the peak district It was full on arrival but one table left and the staff cleared it quickly for us to be able to sit down We didn't realise how lucky we were as we sat by the large window that they have bird feeders outside so we could watch the constant arrival of birds to feed. There are guides and binoculars on the tables to allow you to easily identify all the different birds coming to feed The food and drink was excellent and great value The staff were friendly and attentive We'll definitely be back next time we're nearby

Food is really nice, love watching the birds on the feeder. Very limited space so can't always see the birds clearly but worth the visit. Is outdoor seating around front where small garden centre bit easy. Small shop inside with lovely products. My friend recommended the cafe and I recommend it to everyone now too

Called to book a table by the window, was asked what I will be ordering…. Unsure till I get to the place. Was then told no. You can’t have the window seat unless you all order a main meal!!! You can’t order tea/coffee and cake! That is insane!!!! It’s a CAFE

Surprisingly good cafe. I had the full English breakfast with black pudding (£1 extra but worth it) and a pot of tea. Sausages were good quality, and three strips of good quality bacon. Real treat to be by the window and watch the birds feeding. Friendly staff. Really good shop, with a nice selection of products. You can tell the owner/operator really care about this place.

I went here with friends for breakfast and I was impressed by the helpful staff and food. Because of food intolerances, I have a gluten free and dairy free diet and am meat free through choice. This was no problem for the staff who suggested substitutes and didn’t make me feel awkward. Nice ambience and we got seats next to the large bird tables outside so lots of birds to look at. Would definitely go back again if I was visiting the area.

I'd been to this cafe before and being in the area again I was looking forward to another visit, albeit equally brief, like before, as I was assessing Duke of Edinburgh award expedition groups nearby. Anyway, my fruit scone was a good size, had a nice texture and tasted fine. (Next time though, I'll ask for extra butter.) Cappuccino was also O.K. I had a take away sausage roll which was good too. The seating - inside and outside (under cover) - is basic but comfortable. The staff are very friendly and efficient. The whole place has a nice feel to it. This isn't just a cafe; there's also a shop with a very interesting range of artisan products and a small plant and gardening section outside. Another outstanding feature - as the cafe's name foretells - is the close proximity of several bird tables just beyond the slightly darkened windows. Children's binoculars and bird books to help identify the many visiting species are tableside ready to use. It's really lovely to sit with a drink or a meal and watch the constant flow of birdlife only a few feet away.

The food was all overcooked despite being simple cafe fayre. Our food took a very long time to prepare. We sat outside in the sun, under a canopy.

We had the homemade soups & very tasty they were too. Well presented & nicely served in a small but very well arranged cafe. Good service & cheerful staff complimented the delightful atmosphere. Good views of feeding blue tits through the windows overlooking the waters edge. Nice pot of strong tea. Outside seating available if weather permits. Will be back.

The food is simple but good - curried soup, homemade sandwiches, lovely cakes etc and the staff are very friendly and kind. We enjoyed watching the bluetits and coaltits feeding next to the window.

Having visited your cafe for the first time I want to say that the cheese and tuna panini was the best that I've ever had. I did commend you whilst there but feel that I want this in writing. I'm now 80 so have tasted many paninis and this, forgive the pun, 'takes the biscuit'. Many thanks

Very rude and unhelpful staff! We didn't stay and carried on down the road to the Hope Valley Garden Centre

Visited twice in February, lovely and friendly, good choice of home cooked cakes, snacks and drinks. There is also a small shop with a deli counter, difficult to leave without making a purchase.

What a fabulous little cafe!! Clean and well set out. A very good menu selection and home made cakes if you have room after the very generous portions. One large window looks out onto woodland filled with hanging bird feeders. The outside feeding area looked as popular as inside was. Utterly lovely.

Would highly recommend this cafe to anyone in the area. Amazing selection of food in the deli and huge choice of delicious food for lunch. All of the staff are lovely and being able to watch the birds feed is great. Overall great experience.

I ordered halloumi and beetroot salad. I was surprised that the beetroot was pickled not roasted and was even more surprised at the tinned sweetcorn. The salad also had tinned beans of which there was no mention. The dressing was mostly vinegar and very little oil. I thought it could have been more exciting.

Popped in for breakfast after seeing seeing this on google earth as on our route that morning. A lovely sign appeared by the road, and a sweet little shed came in to view by the car park. Inside it is warm, friendly and "home made". The food selection was wide and excellent value, the options hard to choose from. Tables are clean, furniture very comfortable and the bonus of one wall being glass to look out at dozens of birds feeding on the hangers. Tits of all varieties, Finches, Robins, Nuthatch and a bonus Siskin made it a very enjoyable meal. Staff extremely friendly, food cooked to order perfectly and well presented. An excellent craft and gift shop offers some good value items, and filled a few Christmas ideas. Seating is inside or out, out is also partly undercover. Shame we life 112 miles away or we'd be regulars. Next time in the Peak District we'll be back.

Had a take away cake from here and it was amazingly delicious - would definitely be back if back in the area and would like to sit in with the beautiful view if we’d had time!

Nice location by river and birds to watch at bird feeder. Selection of gifts and plants. Coffee and cake great. Service pretty random last few times we’ve been.

Stopped off here today on the way back from a walk around Padley Gorge, we had 2 hot drinks and a slice of cake which was a decent size wedge to share and it came to just over £8 which we felt was a bargain...

I've often passed and meant to call in, so was really pleased to have a chance to call in earlier this month (May 2022) while assessing DofE expedition groups in the area. It was only a quick visit, but I enjoyed the toast and coffee,...

Nice setting next to the river with large windows to watch the birds whilst you eat / drink. The food was nice and the service was lovely. Pleasant lunch at a reasonable price. We will visit again and happy to recommend.

This is a tiny cafe, so be prepared that you may have to wait for a table (though they do take reservations) But the food and the service make it worthwhile - and you get to watch the wild birds at the same time Its...

Very nice cafe and shop, wet day and would normally be stunning views. Lots of bird life on the feeders plus a very determined acrobatic squirrel. Bird book on the table a nice touch. Friendly staff, nice homemade food and a good selection of cakes....

We absolute adore this cafe, watching the blue tits, chaffinches, nuthatches all eat their breakfast at the same time as us is wonderful. Big portions, varied menu, warm and welcoming staff, adorable homely shop and plant sale. The best.

I had been waiting to visit and we weren’t disappointed. Lovely team of staff, excellent menu choices, all served beautifully hot. We will return.!!!!!!!

This is fast becoming our “go to” cafe. Not only for the amazing views of wild birds feeding outside the windows, but the food AND the service are both excellent The staff always have time to cater for customers needs, even when they’re busy (and...

The little shop and plant sales leads in to a wonderful cafe. Outdoor seating as well as indoor seating. Inside you can sit near the window and watch the birds on the many feeders. Good choice of sandwiches and cakes, as well as a few...

Popped here as we were after a nice lunch and wife remembered having one here a few years ago. Nice cafe with a range of home cooked sandwiches, soup of the day, quiche and light bites. Also shop sells plants, and range of gifts including...

Having visited this place over the last 10 years it had its ups and downs and sadly the last time was down. However we have visited today and it has changed name and owners and yes it is certainly up again. The staff were attentive,...

Found this open at last. Lots of parking and seating inside and out. Welcoming, friendly staff and peaceful atmosphere. Scones excellent, other food available and good price. Fascinating to watch the bird feeders outside the window. There’s a ‘delicatessen’ with various foods, groceries and gifts....