Artisan coffee and homemade pies served at these top rated Derby eateries featured in new food and drink guide

A new food and drink guide showcasing the best places to visit in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter has been produced as part of their food focus celebrations during the month of October.

The free guide shines a spotlight on award-winning restaurants, bars, cafes, delis and coffee shops.

It has been compiled by the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID).

Nearly 100 businesses in Derby feature in the new guide, which takes a comprehensive look at where to go to enjoy top notch food and drinks.

From a relaxing brunch to a vibrant evening economy providing people with an eclectic mix of pubs, bars, restaurants and nightclubs, the new guide highlights everything Derby’s Cathedral Quarter has to offer.

The extensive guide is an excellent tool to guide you on your culinary journey through the city of Derby.

We picked out a few coffee shops and eateries that have received excellent ratings on review sites, here they are.

A selection of top rated coffee shops in Derby

Bean Caffe

This is a pretty cafe with chilled out vibes and contemporary decor.

It serves seasonal dishes such as an autumn-ready roasted red pepper soup.

Artisan coffees include gingerbread spiced latte made with beans from a local speciality roaster.

One reviewer was so pleased with their visit, they rated it the “best in Derby.”

They were pleased with “excellent food, value, staff and atmosphere.”

The health conscious reviewer added: “A great choice for vegetarians and others, very healthy, well prepared food served with a smile.”

Milk & Honey

This specialist cheese shop also ‘triples up’ as a cafe and gift shop.

It sells breads, pastries, jarred fine foods and more.

Describing the venue as a “super” deli-coffee shop, one reviewer said: “Truly excellent coffee and a really scrumptious, very ‘cinnamony’ cinnamon bun to go with it.

“The lunches being served up looked delicious too, as did the bread and deli goods.

“Friendly service, friendly prices.”

River Kitchen at Museum of Making

This eatery is located in an award-winning museum that is one of Derby’s leading tourist hotspots.

It uses locally sourced ingredients from farmers and butchers creating dishes such as open steak ciabatta and cream teas.

Reviewer Elisabeth said: “The food at the coffee shop was excellent.

“Every member of staff was friendly and easy to approach, we really loved our visit.”

A selection of top rated restaurants in Derby

Afrikana

When an eatery garners 10 consecutive top five ratings to smash it out of the park, it must be doing something right.

Some reviewers described Afrikana as a “hidden gem” that “consistently delivers” to serve “amazing food.”

One reviewer said: “I had the pleasure of dining at Afrikana and I was absolutely blown away by the food and service.

”The menu was extensive and offered a variety of dishes to choose from, very reasonably priced.

”Food was incredibly flavourful and beautifully presented, the service was top-notch, great atmosphere and really attentive staff.

”The mocktails were delicious, I highly recommend and will soon be returning.”

The Old Silk Mill

This characterful venue has been described as “superb” and “amazing,” with a special mention for the pub’s pies that are hitting the spot with hungry diners.

One reviewer said: “I ordered the selection of pies, one beef, one chicken one veg, all outstanding, great chips too!”

Another happy pub goer rated the pub’s “really nice atmosphere” which made drinking in the garden “relaxing.”

Customer service was also praised, with staff being described as “attentive and friendly.”

Turtle Bay

Making the list of top 10 restaurants in Derby, this eatery serving Caribbean-inspired cuisine is a big hit with locals.

One reviewer who described their dining experience as “awesome” said: “Absolutely fantastic staff, it just keeps getting better and better, will be back before Christmas!”

Other categories covered in the food and drink guide include grab and go, takeaway, pubs and bars, and late night entertainment.

If you are planning a visit with your pet, or if you prefer al fresco dining, the handy guide also shows whether venues are dog friendly, have outdoor areas and which are easily accessible for wheelchair users.

The guide also states whether the venue has any offers as part of the money-saving app, LoyalFree, which is supported and used by local Derby businesses.

How to get deals and discounts in Derby with Cathedral Quarter LoyalFree app

The LoyalFree app complements the food and drink guide by listing discounts and deals.

BID say it has been downloaded hundreds of times, which you can do too from this website here.

Once downloaded onto your smartphone, you will have access to a host of individual offers and discounts by way of a simple QR code scan, allowing you to make the most of your experience.

Brad Worley, BID manager for Cathedral Quarter, is excited that more and more people are downloading LoyalFree.

He said: “With such pressures on household budgets right now, it is good to be able to help visitors make their money go further and if you’re going to work your way through every listing in the new food and drink guide, you’re going to need a few money-off deals.”

Eve Taylor, BID project executive for Derby Cathedral Quarter BID, said: “The Cathedral Quarter has a fantastic array of award-winning establishments with something to suit every palate and budget.”

The new food and drink guide can be viewed online here, or pick up a copy from Cathedral Quarter hospitality businesses.