The Unicorn Inn Restaurant in South Derbyshire

We booked a room & breakfast 12 mths in advance for a close family friends wedding. 4 days prior to the wedding we received a cancellation notice from The Unicorn Inn stating there had been a flood which effected multiple rooms and they had had to cancel our booking. Clearly this was not the truth as all rooms at the Inn had been booked by wedding guests, and when we spoke to friends nobody else had been cancelled. On the day of the wedding we had friends confirm that all rooms had been occupied. So the truth was that The Unicorn Inn had double booked and although we booked 12 mths in advance of the date & paid in full by random selection we were the unlucky ones. Thank you for the stress Unicorn Inn for last minute having to find another hotel.

Another delicious Sunday lunch.I had a change this time and had the pork.It was equally as tasty as the beef. It wasnt just the meat,all that accompanied it was well cooked and presented. The only minor suggestion I would make is the white 11% Australian Chardonnay does not mirror the quality of the food. It would be lovely to have a choice of a 13% Chilean or Australian white Chardonnay. If you could trial it,I am sure it would be popular. Chris & Karen

Lovely Sunday dinner whilst we were away, would definitely recommend it if you’re in the area. Beef very tasty and the best Yorkshire pudding

I stayed here whilst in the area for work. The room and bathroom were really well appointed, and the bed was comfortable. The staff were really friendly and accommodating. I had an evening meal and breakfast, I'm gluten intolerant they made alterations to the menu to meet my needs. The food was stunning, and the service was superb. I recommend the Unicorn highly for accommodation, food, and service.

Went for Mother’s Day Sunday lunch The menu is great 5 Starters, mains and desserts 2 courses £24 3 courses £30 Brilliant service. Very cosy, great background music I had the roast beef, perfectly cooked, great selection of veg and potatoes Amazing Yorkies and gravy Others had the pork loin and nut roast We had crumble and custard got dessert and that was great but too big a portion really Can’t wait to go again Really good food and service, not cheap but good value👍👍

I just stopped at The Unicorn Inn by chance today as we were passing through the area. We were given a very warm welcome. As vegans I’m always a bit worried about stopping at random places for food but I needn’t have worried. We had a delicious lunch and I was very impressed with how immaculately clean the place was. Lovely decor and atmosphere and the toilets spotless. Will definitely return if I am in the area again. We also loved the resident sausage dog who was a real cutie.

This was our first visit; the food was superb! We weren’t expecting it to be that nice if I’m honest, but everything was very tasty and the staff were so friendly and welcoming. We will definitely return.

stayed for 1 night, fantastic clean comfortable room, excellent breakfast & very welcoming staff. Reasonable priced great ales too!

Great place excellent staff especially alara for organising free food. 65 people for drinks. Definitely would recommend.

Lovely meal, friendly and efficient service. Very clean and bright venue with a very good menu choice.

Cannot rate this pub highly enough rooms excellent food excellent . Owner and staff very friendly and helpful. Would highly recommend a visit if in the area.

Hannah and team .. thankyou so much for your hospitality.. stayed here as three couples to attend family party at confessions .. also highly recommend as a venue .. managed also by hannah .. our evening meal was amazing as was breakfast .. hannah was on hand to help with the sore heads from previous evening .. rooms were very comfortable and had everything you needed for a comfortable.. would definately stay again and hope to do a return visit .. again thankyou hannah

First visit for several years and a pleasant surprise. We went for lunch midweek, sparkling clean and lovely welcoming atmosphere, lovely people and very tasty food which was well served. Will definitely visit again.

Stopped for lunch today and was not disappointed - enjoyed a lovely roast ham, smoked cheddar and piccalilli sandwich everything was so fresh and tasty - will definitely be back!

Really nice food and service, can’t fault it, loved that banana split! Chicken schnitzel and perfect slaw, lovely, enough choice without massive menu, food cooked with real commitment in my humble opinion.

Great service, lovely people. Super food but the portions are far too big. Pointed this out to staff. Limited children’s menu. Will definitely continue to go but will probably just have a starter.

After years of being badly managed the new proprietors have finally started to put this worthy site well and truly on the map. With refurbished spaces and a warm welcome, it’s a great place to drink. I’ve only eaten once (Sunday lunch) but the sights and smells of the week day offerings I need to try them very soon. Sunday roast was amazing, all fresh, great portions and so tasty. Not a cheap meal, but you do have to pay for quality, don’t be tempted by poor imitations. Will I dine here again? Absolutely I will.

Fabulous roast beef Sunday lunch 10 out of 10 followed by sticky toffe pudding the staff were very helpful and attentive will definitely be going again soon

We all enjoyed a delicious Sunday Roast this afternoon. The service was first class - all members of staff were very friendly and efficient. The food was well cooked, nicely presented and tasted delicious. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.

First time we have tried the Unicorn for food, Sunday lunch was absolutely superb, beef was sublime, Bass was good and the service was attentive.

We ate twice at The Unicorn, although we were not staying there. Home-cooked pies were excellent, and are well recommended; the treacle sponge was delicious! A few pints of Pedigree went down the proverbial hatch and well received they were, too. Interesting selection of gins...

We had a meal here as we were staying here asa family for the weekend. 4 adults and 2 children. The inn were able to accommodate us at short notice. The kids menu was perfect for our fussy eaters, good range of food which was...

Bear with me. Due to Covid, we finally got around to getting out for our Christmas lunch in June. We had booked the local chain hotel in Newton Solney. On arrival at that hotel, they denied receiving any booking and they were not doing lunches...

I can not recommend this pub enough. The staff are amazing and went over and above to make our visit a great experience. When we arrived the landlord got us a towel and some water for our dog as we Had walked there. They even...

Room was spacious and clean with nice big bathroom and shower. Staff very friendly and helpful.Downside was , we live in Spain and had booked by phone, the manager knew we would be travelling long hours and when we got there we were told no...

Really great pub, lovely staff who make you feel very welcome. I live locally and my friends stayed at the B&B and couldn't praise Gavin and Sue enough. Thank you 😊

We live locally and used to go there for a quick drink eventhough the place smelled of dog wee. But this recent time we went the landlord was very offensive to my husband who had brought in his own glass with less than a quarter...

Me and my partner didn't visit the unicorn for a long time following a bad experience a few years back. We received very poor service and was made to feel very unwelcome . It then changed hands and the welcome got a little warmer ........

Set in the heart of a beautiful little village. Ample car parking and a grassed area for children to play safely. The bar staff and owners were very friendly and really attentive. The room we stayed in was spacious and clean. The tea and coffee...

Having been out for a family walk we booked in for lunch as a group of six. (grandparents, us and kids) we were served drinks and asked if we wanted to find a seat while they sorted our table - in the end we choose...

dined at the unicorn yesterday evening fantastic meal very well presented and very good portions ,the barmaid/ waitress [Debbie] was very friendly and really knew her job 10 out of 10, and the landlord[Gavin ] is so welcoming he is like a best friend to...

Really good menu with delicious dishes to choose from. Presented attentively, and extremely efficiently.

My partner and I are staying up the road in a different hotel but I wish we had booked to stay here. We only popped in to The Unicorn for a bite to eat and a couple of beers but the new owner (moved in...

Took my sister here for a bite to eat. Ordered the homemade pies with chips and peas. Heard the pinging of a microwave whilst waiting for our food and was hoping that our homemade pie was not in it. Unfortunately when it came to the...

Good home cooked food and great beer. All t reasonable prices. Eight people, lot's of beer and wine. Lots of f0od. £120 including tip!

Nos alojamos por 2 noches para una boda, una cálida bienvenida, habitación limpia, buen desayuno. un grupo de boda disfrutamos de una buena media hora de bebidas antes de la ceremonia. La proximidad a la carretera que conduce a un poco de ruido de tráfico...

Lovely meal only spoiled by noisy locals screaming at each other, making it difficult to hear ourselves - much improved though from several years ago

I've marked this for our food experience.This pub used to be our favourite a few years ago but then it changed hands numerous times and after several poor experiences, we just gave up and found somewhere else.We've visited a couple times in last few weeks and there's signs of progress.My review is based on my experience BUT I really do want this place to work and be successful again as its a nice pub. The service has been very good in our latest visits, the beer (Pedigree or Bass) has been 'spot on' and the white wines been nice and well chilled too. Add to that the décor being facelifted abit, we're half way there.Now to the downside, we tried food for first time and the experience was not a good one.I simply couldn't eat my 'cheeseburger' meal. It was made with 'cheap' burgers', the bottom of the bap was overheated and bone dry/hard. On talking to chef I was offered another meal and I chose the fishfinger sandwich which was better but not great. Add to this the tartare sauce in the sachets provided were not too good either, I had to satisfy myself via the very nicely cooked chips and the side salad provided.My wife had a very nice looking lasagne and although she ate it, she admitted it was extremely salty. She doe'snt like 'fuss'...Credit to the waitress serving us as she bore the brunt of my disappointment.So I guess if the landlord is looking at this, then I hope he ups the game re the food quality as if he can get this to a good level, then I'm game for trying again. As it stands, we will be back for drinks but I'll give the food amiss until such time as I see the quality is better.

Very impressed. I was a lone diner from out of town but felt quite at home thanks to staff and locals. Food was great. Beer was greater. Steak slightly over cooked but couldn't grumble at the portions. Recommended to all. Will visit again if near. Cheers guys.

On arrival we had a few drinks, which was nice. We also had a meal which was good, although we were told that everything was freshly cooked including the chips which is why the meal would take longer to arrive, however, we see a frozen extra crispy chip wrapper in top of the open bins on the way to our room. The room was small. the bathroom was not clean, the bed was a very small double. The room was boiling and we were unable to turn the heating down, which meant that we had to open the window, by 4am the room was then freezing. Every time one of the toilets in the other rooms was flushed it sent a loud noise around all the rooms which woke us up about 3 times. The lady at breakfast was miserable and her personal hygiene was lacking. We had already paid for two English breakfast, when they arrived there was hairs in the breakfasts. I was not offered a replacement breakfast when I pointed out the hairs, instead I was given two pieces of toast. So after a bad nights sleep and a very poor breakfast I left very unsatisfied. I would not re-visit or recommend this B&B to anyone.

As soon as we walked in to the Unicorn Inn we were greeted by the big smiles of Glenn & Lynne, the new owners of the Unicorn. These two have recently taken over the place. For the 3 days we stayed there in April, they made sure everything was great and that we were comfortable. Nice location. Delicious food. Wide variety of drinks One night we stayed up with them, just sitting at the bar with a few extra pints past closing time - a thoroughly enjoyable experience! Would highly recommend staying/drinking/socializing here! Thanks Glenn & Lynne!

We were recommended this restaurant for our Friday night meal. We weren't expecting too much... a bit of pub grub perhaps.We were amazed at just how good the food was. My chicken stuffed with black pudding was very tasty and presented nicely too. My husband had the double.cheeseburger and really enjoyed it.We left feeling very full and very satisfied. Thanks Unicorn, we'll be back when we're next down this way.

We popped in here for a drink and a meal. We were all bowled over with the food, the ambience and Glen and the team. It was a really enjoyable experience. The recommendations were spot on, the food was amazing and the friendliness of the staff made us feel very welcome.Value and portion sizes were spot on and I look forward to my next visit. I am happy to recommend this fabulous restaurant and I wish them well.

We went with friends on Friday night. The Chicken with Black pudding was exceptional. It's so easy to dry out chicken but this was really tasty, well cooked and we really enjoyed it. All praise as well to the lady behind the bar who was attentive and gave great customer service. I have been to many restaurants who fail to realise that good food is not enough you have to employ the right people to serve that food and drink. Well Done - keep it up and it will only get busier.

We popped in for a pint and we were please to see the place was busier than the last time we were in. The new management have sorted the beer out and the customers are coming back. We will certainly be returning.

I wrote a review on the Unicorn Inn Hotel TripAdvisor site BEFORE I saw this site and read the previous review, which simply cannot be correct! - We thought the meal was excellent value for money and served by a very pleasant young lady in a courteous manner. My wife also had the steak and it was cooked rare, exactly as requested and I had the chicken, which was different (chicken diane? - sounds wrong but it works!) but, certainly could not be described as dry and, was EXACTLY what was stated on the menu.As for the comments about the landlord and landlady, Glenn and Lynne were nothing but charming and accommodating. Turning to the gents toilets, there are three or four Pirelli prints in frames on the walls. They are far from offensive and I would point out/emphasise that they are in the gents and the vast majority of the passing trade are adults!The previous reviewer by particularly mentioning that "we are not yobs or drunkards" makes me believe that they were the party that was asked to tone down their language, which was not appropriate and, I would respectfully suggest that they refrain from making defamatory comments relating to any other pubs/restaurants they may visit, until such time as they can step back and look at their own behaviour. TripAdvisor is meant to be a site where customers can give honest opinions and include constructive critisism, not a medium that tries to destroy the livelihoods of hard working people doing their best to please everyone.

Where to begin:On the face of it the pub from the outside hasn't changed over the years but the inside was a pleasant surprise with all the modernisation the inside was a complete contrast.The staff:The bar lady was very pleasant and freindly and joined in the conversation however in came the landlord and landlady i asked a simple question are you the new owners expecting yes we are for me to reply you have done nice things to the place, unfortunately the answer i got was a very stern "we are " and then continued to walk away. now with us being the only patrons in the pub and obviously new i would of expected a more friendly response.The Food:Price not bad for a valentine meal three coarse meal £30 per couple but as soon as you get the meal you realise why: My friend had Steak which was overdone and if like we did explain that is not was ordered we'd have expected it to be taken away and replaced NO just a shrug of shoulder and moved away i had what can only be described as rice with a bit of dry chicken in it not what it said on the menu, the wife had the fish but could not eat it as it had been cooked into submission and i can't remeber what my friends wife had. because we complained it seemed to annoy the landlady and as we were chatting she came right up in my face and asked us to keep the noise down. We got up to leave but my friend and i needed the toilet, I am no prude but what they have hanging in the gents toilets is in bad taste all of the posters are of women breasts not what i would like to see if I and my grandkids with me. As we left i just mentioned that we would not be returning when the landlady said we expected this from you lot. My friends and I are all in our early 50s we are not yobs or drunkards and do not cause issues but this landlady and landlord were the most obnoxious pair I have ever had the mis fortune to come across.If you decide to go please be warned, smile do not complain about anything and say nothing about the soft porn in the toilets

The Unicorn Inn is under new management and Lynne and Glenn welcome all our customers. Why not pop in and have a meal or even just a drink, we also have rooms available with breakfast. Anybody they had disappointed in the past please come and have a look x

We didn't eat but the food we saw looked good. Popped in for a few drinks. It's a nice pub. Friendly enough staff but not as busy as it should be.

The place is traditional, so was not expecting to be blown away. Just as well really. The food was not inspiring, the starter was okay, the main course was abundant but the veg was overcooked - soggy even. The pork was well cooked but didn't do it for me, whilst my partner enjoyed it.Won't rush back.

been there with my wife,first for sunday meal,then for friday evening meal,we both agree the best meals for taste,presentation and quality of food we have had in the area,also served pipeing hot and by very friendly and helpfull staff,based on 2 recent visits we would be booking again.

called in this pub for sunday lunch. we both had the pork lunch..veg was under cooked pork (if it was a joint of pork) was over cooked; two roast potatoes (frozen) were not cooked no other potatoes Yorkshire pudding was cold (again this was a frozen Yorkshire) and to top it all roast pork with no stuffing(not on).when I complained about the meal nobody seemed to give a damn all they wanted was our money.DO NOT EAT AT THIS ESTABLISHMENT.

Friendly welcome only had one drink in this village pub but nice greeting from the landlord and pleasant conversation with the locals unlike some village pubs where you treated as a Romanian Gypsy and snubbed

Visited for lunch last week, daughter son-in-law and the grandchildren had been before but my wife and I had not. Excellent food, lovely friendly atmosphere and great service, the children (age 9 & 6) were especially well catered for. Will certainly go again.

Beers on offer not great (tied house), food rather average. I always distrust places that have laminated menus with pictures of what the food is supposed to look like. Mostly standard fare - pies, steaks etc. I had steak pie, which looked really nice, but the meat was chewy, peas like bullets and so-so chips. Best feature was the gravy. Staff a bit feckless. When I asked for brown sauce, the lad came back to say they had none. Whilst paying the bill, saw two bottles of HP on top of fridge in kitchen. Not impressed.

Had lunch here this week which was excellent. We had fish pie and lasagne. Both served piping hot with appropriate side dishes. Service was good and nothing appeared to be too much trouble for them. Every request was dealt with promptly and politely. John the "new" landlord and chef does a super job and deserves all the support the villagers can give him. It was a pity that there were only two other people eating there for lunch. The pub is ideally situated out of Burton and has in addition to ensuite accommodation a reasonably sized car park.It also has excellent beers and very welcoming bar staff

Ate at the Unicorn last night for the first time in a while. The earlier review dated 13th December was correct, in every way but, since John arrived and he took over the cooking, WOW! I had a starter of black pudding which was very pleasant and my wife and another diner had prawn cocktail and duck liver pâté. Both thoroughly enjoyed their starters. However, there are very few chefs that can deliver a fillet steak, blue but warm right through and no "leakage" into the superb sauce! John can! I can honestly say that it was one of the best steaks I have had for some time! It was served with some magnificently crispy chips and perfectly cooked vegetables.My fellow diners had fish and chips and two had duck, both prepared exactly as requested by fussy friends and, again, their meals were apparently delicious.Curiously, last Friday I was treated to a meal out at another local pub/restaurant which everyone raves about in Repton. There I had a "megaburger" which had two VERY small beef burgers, a bit if lettuce, tomato, bacon and an egg between a bap. This was accompanied by undercooked chips in a flower pot! Even more curiously, both meals cost about the same. In terms of value for money, there is no comparison and I know which I would return to, every time!In my view, John deserves every bit of support from locals!

Sadly when the Brewery decided that they would let Paul leave they also decided to put a management company in until they could find a permanent tenant. management companies don't work and they are not working here.

Friendly and relaxing place. Tradition pub menu of hot fresh foods. Nice place for drinks with friends or family, or couples night out.

Visited this friendly pub for a meal whilst travelling through the area. You are welcomed as you enter and I was offered a table straight away and the waitress went to get my beer, one of four real ales which were in top condition. The food cooked by chef Mark and served by his waitress daughter was excellent. The staff were very attentive and with accomodation avaiable a no brainer for any CAMRA member visiting the National Brewery Museum in nearby Burton upon Trent.Well worth a visit!