The Restaurant Guide for Wine Lovers
The Maynard
We assessed The Maynard in October 2026 and this review is based on the food menu and wine list at the time of the review. As menus and wine lists change, we name styles in order for the information to remain more useful as menus change. If things have slipped you can use the Vinealto Dining app including accessing an up to date reading using 'At the Table' from the wine list in front of you in the restaurant. How we assess
The Maynard is a Peak District country hotel whose restaurant cooks a broad seasonal menu from local produce. Its wine list is far more ambitious than a village setting suggests, generous by the glass and unusually strong in sparkling, fortified and dessert wines. It will suit hotel guests, visitors exploring the Peak District and locals who want a good glass with dinner, and anyone who likes to finish with a sweet wine or a Port.
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The Peacock at Rowsley
Rowsley, Derbyshire
Modern British fine dining
The Peacock at Rowsley is a historic Peak District hotel with a seasonal, carefully cooked restaurant menu and a Saturday tasting menu. Its wine list is broad and well bought, with good glasses, real bottle age at fair prices and a strong range of sweet wines for the puddings. It will reward diners who like to explore a serious list and those who want a tasting menu with wines chosen for each course.
Read the assessmentLorentes
Derby, Derbyshire
Spanish tapas and wine bar
Lorentes on Friar Gate is a Derby tapas bar serving Spanish classics, from cured ham and boquerones to paella. Its all Spanish list is fairly priced, well described and offers every wine by the small glass, with a Fino and sweet wines to start and finish. It will suit groups and anyone who wants an easy, affordable Spanish meal with wines that suit the food.
Read the assessmentThe Plough Inn
Hathersage, Derbyshire
Modern British gastropub
The Plough Inn is a Hope Valley pub with rooms serving a broad, comforting British menu from bar snacks to aged steak. Its wine list is clearly arranged by taste, generous by the glass and unusually fair at the top, with fine Burgundy and Champagne priced to be drunk. It will suit walkers and locals who want an easy glass after a day out, and anyone happy to open a serious bottle without a city markup.
Read the assessmentRafters at Riverside House
Ashford-in-the-Water, Derbyshire
Modern British fine dining, tasting menu
Rafters at Riverside House is a Peak District hotel restaurant serving a seasonal modern British menu. Its concise list is friendly and well organised, with every still wine by the glass in three sizes and a good choice of Port and sweet wine to finish. It suits couples and overnight guests who want sound, unfussy guidance rather than a long list.
Read the assessmentThe Pepperpot
Derby, Derbyshire
Modern British bistro
The Pepperpot is a modern British restaurant in a restored Derby landmark, cooking seasonal food from breakfast to dinner. Its short, familiar list is strongest on Champagne and covers the puddings well, though fewer than half its wines come by the glass and there is no dry Sherry. It will suit diners who want a reliable glass of white with the fish or a well priced bottle of Champagne for an occasion.
Read the assessmentStones Restaurant
Matlock, Derbyshire
Modern British
Stones is a family run modern British restaurant by the River Derwent in Matlock, with set menus and tasting menus that change with the seasons. Its short list is fairly priced, explains itself well and comes with matched wine flights and a good after dinner selection, though the buying is safe rather than adventurous. It suits diners who want a relaxed, well judged meal with honest wine prices.
Read the assessmentBelong Bar
Derby, Derbyshire
World tapas and cocktail bar
Belong is a Derby cocktail bar serving world tapas, from Korean calamari to picanha steak, in small plates built for sharing. Its short wine list is fairly priced, with 15 wines by the glass and a note on each, though it was not chosen with the spiced food in mind. It suits a group out for cocktails and plates who want an easy glass of wine on the side.
Read the assessmentThe Engine Room
Derby, Derbyshire
Modern British grill and pizza
The Engine Room is a relaxed modern-British grill and pizza room in Derby with a seasonal menu built on spice, smoke and char. Its short wine list is generous by the glass (a Champagne among them) and carries sound, oak-aware answers to the smoked fish and the fermented heat, though it offers nothing to close a meal. It will suit a diner after a good, unfussy glass rather than a deep cellar.
Read the assessment