The best restaurants in East Midlands

Pleasant staff and great food. What else do you need ?

best jacket potato I've ever had. fresh and lovely prawn filling. went down a treat quick friendly service

Super cosy jewel in the centre of Higham Ferrers. Very busy and great staff made me welcome. Ordered an omelette and was I impressed. Best I've eaten in many years. Taste buds were going crazy

Been here twice recently and the food and service is fab. Working our way through the galette menu - just like being in France.

If you go or stay in Eyam you must pay this tea room a visit. Tucked away - just off the village green/centre. Run by a lovely lady. Had homemade lamb soup which was hearty and delicious. Followed by homemade fruit pie and cream which was again delicious. The tea room is full of old ornaments and tea sets - so quirky. Seating inside and out. Booking may be advisable,

Had brilliant birthday meal at Smoke & Ice Retford. Delicious food great atmosphere staff couldn’t have been more helpful and friendly if they tried. All the staff were great at helping my mum who is a wheelchair user and took time explain menu and sauces ect. Thanks again for the happy birthday song all 10 of us really enjoyed it and would definitely be back. 🥳🥳🥳🥳

The detail of Lewis Carroll's Alice was amazing and we loved the murals and decoration from the chequered floor to the clocks and heart shaped everything it took me back to my childhood. The staff are lovely and really quick service and great food in taste and price. First visit but not the last.

Wow i visited the beginning of August and since then i’ve been 3 times! The generous portions, tasty food and good value for money are outstanding. The side salad and coleslaw that come with the sandwiches are delicious (I would buy the coleslaw to take home). I love it! I just worry that when the winter season approaches there won’t be enough space inside to sit down even more so with its increasing popularity. Just look at these huge sandwiches with a generous filling!

I came here for lunch with my daughter one sunny Saturday in August. It was a lovely day so all the front was open with views of the river. A great menu of small open sandwiches and a few other options. We went for the open sandwiches and they were great. There was a good choice and the bread was soft and the toppings plentiful. Very nice laidback vibe. Service was good and efficient

Unfortunately this has now closed, and is a home. SAD to say as was a fantastic tea room. I believe it has been closed for a year or so and property was sold.

Knockout shop - perfect place to get what’s needed to cook up a storm. Invaluable to have the expertise on hand of the team for advice too!

WOW seriously nice We love this place (been 3 time now) the lady of the house is so Friendly : ) and the food is so good!.. The food is not big and over fancy, simply “simple” straight forward BUT to its best! BEST rice ever so light and “fluffy” and the home made ice cream- stunning! the meat is so tasty. Go there! the place is really not fancy but you will have a great meal

we are regular visitors and always welcomed in a very friendly manner and always feel welcome, however busy the cafe is. there is always a good selection of food and drink available and is always served at a high quality from the friendly staff. Would recommend calling in if you are in the area

What a lovely traditional pub with a great friendly welcome. The Buttcomes beer well worth trying, I had the 5G pint, very good. We all had food which was very nice traditional food. Totally recommend looking the pub out.

I happened upon this wonderful coffee shop by chance, I was cycling in the area and needed calories, I am so glad I found it. The service was excellent the varied choices superb I went for the overnight oats which were delicious. I will always use local independent cafes whenever I am visiting anywhere, I am not a chain regular. The cakes all looked home made as did the all the fare on offer, I spoke to a lovely gentleman who served my food and told him I loved his place. I managed to complete my ride before they closed so popped in for some cake before returning home, suffice to say it was outstanding the carrot cake did not disappoint, it will be my go to now should I return to Ashbourne, I just wish I had it on my doorstep, it is that good. I loved the decor and the ambiance it is a place you feel at home in, which is a difficult quality to acquire in establishments nowadays. The staff and all concerned facilitate this, I so hope this is still here when I next visit.