The best restaurants serving British food in Derbyshire Dales East Midlands

Visited for dinner with family for my wife's birthday on 24.08.23. I have never posted a bad review before. These are tough times for the hospitality industry. But I am compelled to warn anyone else thinking of eating here. It was the worst restaurant experience we have had for nearly 20 years. The service was initially mercenary - the first question from the oleaginous but thereafter invisible Maitre d' was 'would you like sparkling wine', and when I requested a drinks menu I got a wine list which was simply bottles of wine, no wines by the glass, other alcoholic / non-alcoholic drinks. Which, if nothing else rather overlooked my 8 y.o. and 12 y.o. We ordered 2x glass champagne, 2 x red wine, 1 beer, 2 x kids drinks, 4 starters and 4 mains including (for the kids!) a lobster and muscle risotto at £32 each, and lamb and beef also around the £30 mark. We are plainly not millionaires, but equally plainly we were intending to spend a decent amount... Thereafter service was slow to non-existent. The starters were mediocre at best. A soup of the day was beetroot soup. Literally a pureed beetroot, no seasoning, cream, nothing else bar an already buttered slice of bread balancing on the side of the (admittedly v. tasteful) crockery. I can't put into words the audacity of the pricing of this bowl of soup. I thought the bowl ought to have been included. It was a sign of things to come. The sirloin of local beef I ordered had a glaring rind of unrendered fat, like one of the early rounds in Masterchef. The meat was, extraordinarily, simultaneously underdone and tough. The waitress assured me that the chips had not been reheated but prepared freshly as she had seen it done. What can I say? When you eat something, you know when you know, right? Forgive the already TLDR nature of this review, but the kicker was the lobster risotto. I am frankly incandescent that I was stung for this. They were bland mush. I can't comprehend how a seafood risotto for which premium prices are charged can be (a) noticeably lacking lobster, and (b) not taste of seafood but rather like tuna from a tin mashed in with boiled American white rice. My wife and kids left after the mains; just walked out leaving me to pay. Still took the waitress 5 mins to come over. I was civil as she is just an employee doing a tough job. But I told her it was really poor, and it was obvious I was extremely dissatisfied. 5 mins still passed, no bill, no more senior employee. Left to me to walk to the reception, bite my tongue at bit but not enough to conceal that I was on the cusp of Gordon Ramsey-like language at being so mugged-off and paying £265 (without even getting to dessert and coffee, and with half the family walking out during the meal). Avoid, avoid, avoid, and do not be mislead by any platitudes posted by this place if they deign to post a reply.

We were going to eat but typical Marstons ridiculous beer pricing so didn't bother and won't be returning. Shame as we used to like it here

Did not stay for Sunday lunch which I have heard is excellent. I am disabled. No toilets other than up steps. Restaurant up steps. They did offer to set a table downstairs but seemed cold. But would not beable to get to toilets. So take note if you have mobility issues.

Poor value for money ! Lunch menu 2 courses for £15-50 more like a snack. Very small portions and nothing special. Would not recommend if you are hungry !

Had a wonderful early evening meal with my partner and another couple. The food was excellent ( steak pie - generous portions and reasonably priced), atmosphere convivial ( we sat by the fireside) and the service first rate. Really friendly, welcoming staff. In short dining here was the perfect end to a perfect date having enjoyed a 5 hours wander earlier. I seldom go 5* in the few reviews I do leave, but to go less would be churlish of me. Thank you Devonshire Arms and the staff. Oh, btw we also enjoyed the beer.

We was on a 3 day walking stopping off at campsits on the way. This looked the perfect place to stop for food and drinks. Walked in and 4 other customers told me knowbody was here. I waited about 20 minutes shouting behind the bar. Walk around the back of the place to the back door knowbody there ever. I eventually left with 8 others customers empty handed. I've had bad service before now but NO service at all is shocking. We walked all day with intentions of eating here and camping just around the corner. Also noted card only no cash. Its time to WAKE UP. Also based of your own posts. The Covid virus is an agenda to stop from running your own businesses and force you in to a cashless society taking total control of everybody. There is no virus .

First time we have Booked the lounge. This will not be the last. We were friendly welcomed at reception explained how it worked. The breakfast there was cereals, porridge, cold and hot fresh food you can go back as many times as you wish. The drinks there was a good selection alcohol or non alcohol, along with a coffee machine. There were no toilet in the lounge area which is a shame. Overall a good experience

Stopped for a quick pint while looking round Ashbourne beer was ok for a standard pub not a great choice of ale . I did notice people having a beer outside with food they'd bought elsewhere which was good

Called in for a quick drink and maybe some lunch ,found the atmosphere to be a little bit lacking and the drinks where quite expensive , there is a good outdoor seating area overlooking the river we decided not to eat there and left , it was ok but a bit disappointing, we probably wouldn’t go back in a hurry

The food and drink were very tasty, but I'd like to praise the staff. We went on a Saturday morning, and there were four young girls working. They were all so friendly, whilst being good at their work, and very efficient. They made the place a really happy place. Well done girls!