Nestled in the beautiful Peak District, the picturesque town of Bakewell is adored for its stunning location and appetising attractions. The home of the Bakewell Pudding and Bakewell Tart, this charming market town has long been a centre of culinary prestige. Today, Bakewell’s delectable offerings continue in countless eateries with expertly spun menus of locally sourced produce. From traditional gastropubs to cute cafés to fine-dining restaurants, each one promises gastronomic excellence to be enjoyed throughout luxury staycations.
To uncover the finest places to eat in Bakewell, explore our curated guide and seek a divine retreat to reset your life balance in style.
Lovage by Lee Smith
Recommended by the Michelin Guide, Lovage by Lee Smith can be found in the heart of Bakewell and is a must for those seeking epicurean delights. Extending an irresistible invitation, it proposes menus of contemporary British cuisine crafted with local produce. Take a seat within this former stable block and relish the romantically rustic interiors with exposed stone walls and painted wainscoting. On select days, a choice of à la carte menus, multi-course tasting options, and drop-in market menus await, along with a wide selection of accompanying tipples.
Piedaniel's Restaurant
Wander past the beautiful honey-coloured stone buildings of Bath Street in Bakewell to find the Tudor façade of Piedaniel’s Restaurant. Welcoming diners for over 30 years, this adored establishment is a favourite amongst locals and visitors alike and tempts palates with refined French and British dishes. Take a seat below its vaulted beams and enjoy the relaxed ambience as you explore the menus du jour, accented with European influences. With both regular favourites and flavoursome specials, you are sure to find something to pique your appetite.
The Gallery at Cavendish Hotel
Residing within The Cavendish Hotel, the 3 AA Rosette Gallery Restaurant is one of the finest places to eat in the Peak District. Paying culinary homage to the pastoral landscapes around, the menus enjoy a focus on provenance, with meat from the family-run Moss Valley Farm, fish from Ladybower Fisheries, and local greens. Meanwhile, the walls of the dining suite are adorned in artworks celebrating the manicured beauty of the surrounding Chatsworth Estate. Savour heavenly moments for lunch or dinner and anticipate classic and innovative dishes, from signature and vegetarian menus to Sunday lunches and afternoon teas.
The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop
The town of Bakewell is renowned as the home of the Bakewell Pudding and Bakewell Tart, making a trip to The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop on The Square a must to sample these beloved bakes. For a leisurely experience, relax in the shop’s restaurant and select a satiating savoury course before opting for a serving of Bakewell deliciousness. Or, for treats on the go, explore the shop and its array of award-winning creations, from classic Bakewell Puddings to unique twists, such as Bakewell Tarts with lemon or chocolate icing, as well as seasonal inspirations.
You can also visit the welcoming Bakewell Pudding Parlour, a family-run bakery and café on Water Street, for more delectable treats. This pretty parlour is open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea and serves a plethora of sweet and savoury bites honed to perfection over 20 years of artisan baking.
Cavendish Restaurant at Chatsworth Estate
Located within 18th-century, Grade I-listed stables, Cavendish Restaurant within the Chatsworth Estate is a dream destination. One of the most idyllic places to dine in Bakewell for high-quality lunches and luxurious afternoon teas, it promises a range of repasts expertly prepared by its skilful team. Settle in for a leisurely lunch of two or three courses from the set menu, indulging in a selection of freshly baked bread rolls to start. Or treat yourself to an afternoon tea, with sandwich platters, warm homemade scones, delicate cakes, and palate-cleansing sorbets – complemented by a signature cocktail or glass of bubbles. For a more relaxed experience, venture to Chatsworth Estate’s Farm Shop Café nearby for wholesome repasts.
The Old Eyre Arms
Just outside the town of Bakewell in Hassop, The Old Eyre Arms is a picture of charm. Within a few minutes’ drive of the town centre, this centuries-old pub entwines history, character, and fine dining for a quintessential pub experience with a sophisticated edge. Arrive outside and greet the grand stone façade, clad in luscious layers of Boston Ivy that turn fiery red in autumn. Inside, a curving bar, black ceiling timbers, and assorted antiques exudes timeless appeal. In summer, you can head to the pub’s suntrap beer garden, decorated with circular picnic benches and framed by verdant greenery. Or, you can stay inside to absorb the ambience and plates of traditional feel-good fare.
Rutland Arms
The family-run Rutland Arms in Bakewell is celebrated as the birthplace of the Bakewell Pudding. Originally opening in 1804, it was run by Ann Greaves for many years, who, along with her cook, was believed to have unintentionally created the first Bakewell Pudding. Today, the restaurant continues to welcome diners with its culinary creations and beckons with a grand dining room garlanded with chandeliers and historic portraits. Sip an aperitif as you await your meal and enjoy the friendly table service as conversation fills the air and heavenly aromas waft from the kitchen. Depending on your appetite and occasion, the restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The Woodyard
The Woodyard in Bakewell started life as a marble works in 1810. To this day, it still retains many of its original features and there is even a glass floor near the bar showing the old millstream flowing below. Later becoming a woodyard, the pub is now one of the best places to eat in Bakewell and promises indoor, dog-friendly, and riverside dining. Select a pew by the fire in winter or head outside to the waterfront garden in the balmy months and admire the views over the River Wye as your meals are served. With seasonal mains, regularly updated specials, a dedicated children’s menu and more, all appetites are deliciously catered for.
Aisseford Tea Room
Head to the country to uncover this idyllic tearoom surrounded by golden-stone cottages and rolling countryside. Residing next door to the beloved, 17th-century coaching inn, The Bulls Head, Aisseford Tea Room is perfectly placed for pick-me-ups after pastoral strolls and rural reveries. Cherish a waterside walk beside the Wye before finding a table and casting your gaze over the menus. For those with a sweet tooth, this tea room is a particular favourite, with moreish offerings such as freshly-baked croissants, light and fluffy cakes, fruit-filled scones, tantalising tray bakes, chocolate-coated eclairs, and traditional Bakewell Puddings.
The Ashford Arms
Whether you are seeking a breakfast to refuel and revive, a laid-back lunch, or a memorable supper to celebrate a special occasion, turn your attention to The Ashford Arms in Bakewell. Working with an established network of Peak District producers, this restaurant’s team weave menus with local delicacies and delights, sourced from local farmers, brewers, and suppliers wherever possible. Reserve a table and look forward to sampling some of the field-to-fork flavours for lunch or dinner on certain days, with dishes such as wild mushroom and truffle pâté, homemade Derbyshire pies, and pheasant with blackberry and blue cheese mousse.
Fischer’s Baslow Hall, Baslow
Located within a stunning country manor, the award-winning Fischer’s at Baslow Hall is a wonderful place to dine near Bakewell. Arrive in style and settle into a plump armchair in the lounge with a tipple of choice, before making way to the classically set dining room with tables swathed in pearly white cloths and laid with sparkling silver cutlery. In winter, enjoy the warmth of open log fires and in summer, step out onto the terrace to bask in the glorious setting and the backdrop of landscaped gardens and distant hills beyond. Ensuring the finest experience, the restaurant’s menus present thoughtful compositions of local and homegrown ingredients, paired with a handpicked selection of wines.
Feeling inspired for a delectable sojourn? Take a look at our luxury cottages in Derbyshire.
