The best restaurants in East Midlands

What a find! We have been to Matlock Bath a few times over the years, and whilst we’re not a million miles away, there was nothing really pulling us back there. We’d go for lunch as a family, or I’d ride my motorbike over for a coffee, but sometimes it’s a bit busy and hard to get seated comfortably and nowhere really that made you feel welcome. Outkast Company absolutely changed that. Not only was I made up as a biker to find a proper bike destination, but taking the kids somewhere that they are actually welcomed and treated as if they are present. The place was busy with every seat filled and there were people standing and enjoying a good chat too. The atmosphere was buzzing. Despite all that a couple of guys (customers) cleared a table for us and stood so we could sit down and eat, the owner welcomed the kids and introduced himself, as did a lady working there. The sense of community as a biker made me feel kind of proud that places like this still exist, but as a family man, I can’t remember the last time anywhere gave us a genuine welcome. The food is great value and those with a sweet tooth can forget going anywhere else. The coffee is insanely good too. If that’s not all, they even have their own beer which I took a bottle away and now I have to go back and get more! The food is hearty, fresh and delicious. For what you get, the prices are cheap compared to everywhere else in Matlock Bath. I genuinely can’t say there is another place that I can think of where all of this lives under one roof. There were a lot of small groups of bikers and a few couples that came and went. A massive mix of a crowd clearly enjoy coming here so the place obviously has a great reputation. It sounds a bit extreme but in this day and age it’s hard to find a genuine atmosphere rather than the usual places you go were everybody sits separately and doesn’t engage with anyone. You must pay a visit when in town, particularly if you ride. Avoid the usual struggle to park your bike to be rewarded with expensive fish and chips, come here instead.

Thank you to Coghlans for our superb day creating sweet treats! We booked a family afternoon tea course with Masterchef Simon and he was the perfect tutor, keeping us engaged and teaching us some new skills. Simon taught us how to make macarons which were much more simple than expected!! We also had a mini chocolate skills demonstration from Simon which was very impressive, the chocolate course would be my choice on the next visit!! Thanks again and we look forward to visiting again in the future.

Missed satnav turning and needed a comfort break so we stopped here. Shared a sandwich and salad and I could not resist a cream eclair, all very reasonably priced. The sandwich was delicious, the salad beautifully fresh and probably the best eclair ever! The staff were really friendly and corrected our directions. Shame we don’t live near!

I saw a post regarding new marzipan truffles …. Happened to be ‘passing’ so popped in to buy some and try! Well i never … Pina Colada … nom nom … tastes like the drink and not marzipan! The chocolates from Trish are always top notch … in flavour, texture and I can’t recommend enough … the marzipan chocs were not what i was expecting… there was no overpowering marzipan (almond) taste and they were melt in the mouth! What more can i say …. Dont take my word ….. go buy some!

Really love going to occupation road bakery.fantastic selection of fresh cream cakes and savourys.well priced too.staff very helpfull and friendly and all items purchased packed for me in takeaway boxes with care for onward transportation.will defiantly recommended to family and friends this lovely clean and well stocked bakery and will make this our family treat on a regular basis

Lovely owner, happy to have a laugh with you. Lovely food, great prices. Roast pork dinner a must, pudding vary each week. Portion size is great.

It's one of the best subways i have ever been to. The staff are friendly and make delicious subs. Personally, I had an italian BMT as it is my usual order, and it was wonderful. I thoroughly recommend this Subway.

Discovered this place today and what a nice find! Good food, well cooked, reasonable prices and, best of all, very helpful and friendly staff that all work voluntarily. Will be sure to visit again.

Amazing cheese board and red wine. Great value lovely setting and lovely owners and staff great value for money. Recommend 100. Ask for helen and lauren both will look after you!!!

Ordered a takeaway on New Year’s Eve and it was the best curry I’ve had on my visit to family in derby Superb cannot go wrong, I strongly recommend you to try the king prawn + chicken Masala

Very disappointing. Ordered jacket potato with ham. When I asked if they could change it for one without butter the response was a sharp “did you order it without butter”. Doesn’t say anything about butter on the menu but apparently it’s the customers fault for not second guessing that they’d put it on. Took a long time to change it. Ham was horrible processed slimy and unappetising. They also used smoked streaky bacon in the toasties which is also unappetising. Salad garnish was sliced so thinly it was transparent.

Staff were brilliant , even had a lollipop for my kid , food is delicious and the chips are easily the best in Loughborough, highly recommend

I love love love my fishy fishy fingers from grange fish bar my cute kitten flicky loves the sausages too especially mine ;) 5 STAR REVIEW FOR THE FISHY FISHY FINGERS

Visited several times over the last couple of weeks. Very friendly team, and a lovely clean bar/restaurant with views over the various fishing lakes. Very dog friendly outdoors. All meals have been excellent and are homemade. Superb breakfast, and very good sandwiches and a decent choice at dinner. Will be back soon