The Best Restaurants in Smisby, Derbyshire, United Kingdom (2025)

amazing service was greeted with a smile the hot chocolate was gorgeous and i liked my chicken and mushroom garlic sauce when i asked for gravy they got me some oh tho they didn’t get me enough but that was all sorted when i asked for more (highly recommend booking in advance)

Excellent breakfast, I had a ham and tomato omelette, the ham was thick and chunky, none of this processed meat. Service was very good, as always. Beautiful setting, next to the fishing lake, we sat outside with our coffee after we had eaten. Everywhere is spotlessly clean. Good amenities. I do recommend booking a table, especially during the summer months.

Delightful. Took my bestie for a birthday afternoon tea. Delicious food. Superb staff and a lovely view of the lake.

This is a lovely little find. Inside it looks like a beautiful tearoom overlooking a small very picturesque lake with waterfowl and irises. The staff were all super friendly and seem like a wonderful happy team. The food was very tasty and there was a huge selection, all cooked fresh with generous portion sizes. The cakes were incredible - if I lived closer I’d go everyday for a month to sample every cake.

We had fabulous Cocktails. Five star. The guy that served us and made our cocktails. Made our day. As he made us do welcome with his lovely personality.

A Hidden Gem in Ashby – The Orchid of Ashby Tucked away in the heart of the picturesque town of Ashby de la Zouche, The Orchid of Ashby is a true delight. From the moment you arrive, you're welcomed not just by the inviting atmosphere but by the warm smiles of the incredible staff – Ethan, Becki, and Darcy – who go above and beyond to make every visit feel special. The food is nothing short of amazing – beautifully presented, full of flavour, and clearly made with care. Whether you're popping in for a relaxed brunch or a more indulgent evening meal, there's something for every palate. And don't even get me started on the cocktails – creative, expertly mixed, and the perfect complement to any dish. The decor inside is simply stunning – stylish yet warm and cosy, with thoughtful design touches that make it feel both elegant and welcoming. On sunnier days, it’s an absolute pleasure to sit outside and soak up the charm of the town while enjoying a bite to eat or a drink. Owners Somaia and Paul have created something really special here. Their passion for the place shines through in every detail, and it’s no wonder The Orchid of Ashby has quickly become a favourite for locals and visitors alike. Highly recommended – a five-star experience all around.

Fabulous place, such a lovely addition to Ashby! The attention to detail that goes into making your dining experience is excellent, from keeping your wine glass ( btw, wine glasses look very elegant! ) topped up, to ensuring we had everything we wanted. The food was tasty and cooked to perfection, the cocktails were amazing and beautifully presented! Highly recommended!

Wasn’t busy when we went today and was a lovely visit, lots of laughs and talking between the staff so a very welcoming warm happy environment, had a hot chocolate which was amazing, and a egg muffin which tasted very nice, overall a lovely experience with lovely staff and the yummiest food 😋, I really recommend 10/10

Very nice, good food and drinks. Boutique cocktails are expensive, as can be expected, but they are very nice and there are plenty of other drinks on offer. Food is good, haven't tried the pizza yet but hope to soon! Roast dinner and BBQ meals are very nice as well, just need to add some bread I think.

My friends and I visited here recently and it’s a very nice place to go. Firstly, the views from the upstairs seating area are incredible! Absolutely loved sitting at our table and watching the sunset. Also, the staff were excellent. They could not be faulted! They were attentive without being overbearing and I was so impressed that they took our order without the aid of a notepad! I wish I had that type of memory. Overall, the food that we ordered was incredible, however I I have walked down have marked down by one point as the burger I ordered seem to be very different than the one on the menu. I did not receive the pretzel bun as stated, and just got a normal bun, also there was shredded onion on the bottom of the burger which was not listed on the menu and I am not a fan of onion. Also I which that there was some sort of rice on the menu or fries but that is personal preference. On to the cost: for me I found it slightly pricey for a weekday meal out however for special occasions or a great night out with friends this location would be perfect! I would definitely return and look forward to doing so

Tonight, we attended the Smokehouse Event, and it was the first time we had eaten here. We were blown away by the food, the deep south atmosphere, and the incredibly creative drinks. I rarely touch any alcohol much less whiskey, so the fact I drank a few says all it needs to. The restoration of such an old & historically significant building was clearly a labour of love. The staff were amazing. They were attentive efficient, incredibly polite, and nothing was too much trouble. This is a rare gem of a restaurant where we will mostly certainly become regulars.

Super friendly staff. We felt so welcomed, as we were looking for a nice place to have a drink after a dog walk. We will be coming back for food.

We stayed in the pubs carpark in our camper. We had previously booked a table and when we went in, we got seated straight away by a lovely young lady. My partner had the pie carvery which he said, was the best he had ever had! The chef came and asked us if everything was ok and, if we needed anything else to let him know. Very friendly staff and food was really good.

I had the pleasure of Sunday lunch with 3 friends. Absolutely no complaints whatsoever, only compliments. The serving staff were excellent, cheery and helpful. The food itself was delicious, perfectly cooked and served to the table piping hot. The prices were very good and worth every penny. Roger is the perfect host, very informative and justifiably proud of what he does. I look forward to our next visit and have no hesitation in recommending this lovely establishment. Thanks again guys, see you soon.

Four of us had Sunday carvery here today. The whole experience exceeded our expectations in terms of food quality, portion size and service. The price was reasonable too. The young staff were amazing and the pub is so attractive with a large beer garden. We’d travelled from South Yorkshire and Worcester and we will be back. Excellent all round. Phil Kirk.

Visited today and had not booked. We were greeted and enjoyed drink in bar area. Sophie made a lovely table available for us to then eat and sample the menu. Food was delicious, generous portions and very good value for money. Staff made us very welcome on our first visit and will definitely be returning. Thank you for a lovely experience. Tonia and Gary Dean

4 of us went for Sunday lunch today.we had a carvery.burger meal. scampi meal and a black and blue fillet steak.All absolutely delicious.Staff and service was excellent.will definitely go again.would recommend

Excellent food and service as always and very good value and quality food for the money. Been back a few times now and never been disappointed.

My daughter and son treated me to a meal there today, we had a carvery which was absolutely amazing couldn't fault anything apart from eating too much 😉 plus we had a dessert wow.... The service was brilliant from the waitress very knowledgeable about drinks etc, this is our second time at the beaches and it won't be our last. Thank You so much for a lovely time.

I’ve always been curious to try this place and it truly felt like stepping back into the States! From the US memorabilia lining the walls to the classic American tunes playing in the background, the atmosphere was spot-on. My partner and I started with bottomless coffees (a very American touch) and for breakfast, I went all-in with the All American. It came loaded with a sausage patty, crispy smoked streaky bacon, two fried eggs, tater tots, Boston beans and pancakes with maple syrup. I even added a side of mushrooms (for health obviously) My partner opted for pancakes with bacon and maple syrup — simple but generous! The portions were huge, in true American fashion and for the price, it’s fantastic value. We were full for the rest of the day. Both breakfasts were absolutely delicious, and we’re already planning to come back for an evening visit next time. Highly recommend!

Absolutely love this place - everything about it is amazing. Firstly - the food was cooked to perfection - definitely the best burger all of us have ever had, and we’ve tried a lot of places! The kids meals come in a cute car with a free drink, a lovely touch which made my toddler go “wow”. The service was fantastic. There is a unique charm to the place - I felt like we were in America! We can’t wait to return to this gem again soon. I’d definitely recommend booking as it gets very busy :)

We came here for breakfast.... we came back again for dinner! Loved it. Great food and shakes. Staff lovely and hard working. Lovely quirky little place. . Will definitely be back again! Lots of choice for vegan/vegetarians and the lady asked if we had any allergies.

We had a great experience here at the American diner 🇺🇸. It’s best to book a table rather than just turn up. The atmosphere is very good and so is the music. They have done a great job of bringing that American vibe over to the UK. The staff were friendly and the place was clean. The food is absolutely fantastic, I had a Mac stack burger, the wife had a peanut butter and jelly burger and the kids had hotdogs and chips which is served in a cardboard car shape box. The milkshakes are really nice and was and we also had cream soda and root beer. I particularly liked that you can see the 2 chefs cooking all the food. The decor in the place is cool. Parking is free but limited. There is now an outdoor seating area too. I recommend this place as the food is really good and it’s a good experience. Great vibes and food 😀

Re-review Massive appreciation to the manager Cheryl showing me concerns of the quality of my stay, testament to her dedication to the trade! To clarify my original post - the bedding and room had definately been cleaned and changed but the steamer was broken so the wrinkles were not ironed out. Totally understandable and Cheryl considered perhaps tucking the sheets in for a neater look. The faint smell couldn't really be explained, could only put it to being a people smell? But not a reflection of cleanliness of the place. The tea tray was intact super brand new that the residue I found was in fact the glue tack thing for labels(?) Bed and bedding SUPER comfortable. Bottles of water provided as a considerate extra, greatly appreciated Great choice of food from the restaurant and cozy atmosphere with the open fireplace. Overall I chose to change my review from 3 stars to 5 as Cheryl showed me genuine care of my thoughts. It's all about hospitality! Definitely recommend visiting and staying. Original post: Pros: Bed had a nice mattress topper, felt very comfortable. All basic amenities provided. Very friendly staff Cons: I don't think my bedding was changed since the last guest - there was a very slight lingering smell of a person on the pillows, once flipped, it sort of eased. The duvet cover was not ironed or tucked in - making it look used. The tea coffee facility - a little dusty, no real attention to detail there almost bordering on neglectful.

Stumbled upon this place after a walk around Foremark. I'm so glad we did! Proper traditional pub, warm and welcoming. Lady behind the bar was lovely, super friendly and helpful. We both chose Brie to start, decent portion sizes and cooked properly, with melted brie, no lumps on unmelted. I chose the Smisby chicken, but had it made without prawns, on point, so tasty. Chicken cooked properly. Fresh vegetables cooked properly, not mushy. My husband chose the gammon, he also enjoyed his and couldn't believe the decent portion sizes. Sadly, too full for dessert. Lady did advise us that portions are big, but I'd ordered a separate portion of potatoes, not realising the seasonal vegetable side came with them. Prices are very reasonable, especially given the portion sizes and superb service. Can't wait to go back 😊

Fatastic good english restaurant food. Very good portion sizes and a nice relaxed atmosphere