This Derbyshire restaurant is the most fascinating in Peak District with unique offering celebrating heritage

A Peak District restaurant is going above and beyond by creating a unique dining experience.

The Cupola in Stoney Middleton may be a self-styled café, bar, pizza and grill.

Yes the food is well cooked, hearty and filling.

However it is one key element that catapults it above any other restaurant in the area.

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Based just 32-miles and an approximate one-hour’s drive from Derby city centre, The Cupola is an eatery - that also shares space with a Visitor Centre.

It is like dining in a museum that makes eating at The Cupola such a fascinating experience.

Educational videos near the entrance and toward the right side of the eatery provide an insight into the heritage-rich Stoney Middleton.

Weave your way around the rear and your attention will be taken up by the shelves crammed with local produce, Cupola beer and Cupola gin.

It appears there is nothing The Cupola can’t do.

My hot-from-the-wood-fired-oven pizza had a pillowy soft crust and was laden with punchy 'nduja.

Dining partner’s chicken marinara consisted of succulent chicken with a piquant tomato sauce.

The cherry Bakewell slice with a good, short crumb was a nice end to a hearty supper.

Breakfast the day after was also very good, along with strong coffee that blew away the cobwebs.

It’s the little things that count and I was so pleased to see my favourite butter from Netherend Farm served with a hot toasted teacake.

The best part? The butter was room temperature (stone cold butter that butchers the bread when you try to spread it is my pet peeve).

While there I had a look at some leaflets in the Visitor Centre to get a lie of the land, browsed some foodie treats then went on my merry way to plan a day out.

My day would have looked markedly different if I had not visited Cupola Visitor Centre.

I wouldn’t have known there were so many tourist attractions so close to where we were staying.

The Cupola is a place that should be on people’s bucket list. Go for the food, stay to explore heritage, enjoy the stellar customer service and if you’re in luck, you’ll see dynamic duo Colin and Alison whose presence brings a joie de vivre to the ambiance.

Location: The Cupola, The Dale, Stoney Middleton, Hope Valley S32 4TF

For more information click here: thecupola.uk

Here are a selection of photos of The Cupola.