England’s fourth-largest city has transformed in the past few years. Once best known for its steel and the Arctic Monkeys, the city was voted the country’s ‘capital of cool’ in 2018 and declared the Northern Food Capital of 2022. Little wonder why, Sheffield is home to some brilliant restaurants, from Michelin-starred fine dining to beloved curry houses to centuries-old pubs. And, with the Peak District and Derbyshire Dales on its doorstep, the city offers the perfect base for exploring the region’s best fresh produce and ingredients. If you’ve sampled all Sheffield has to offer and fancy taking to four wheels to see what the rest of the region has to offer, you’re in the right place. From a 15th-century inn to an oil painting-filled hotel, we’ve rounded up seven restaurants that are worth the drive from Sheffield.
1. Lovage by Lee Smith, Bakewell
Bath St, Bakewell DE45 1DS
Lovage by Lee Smith is located in Bakewell, home of the eponymous pudding and one of the Peak District’s prettiest towns. Housed in a historic building right in the town centre, this Michelin-recommended restaurant is run by a friendly and passionate team, headed up by Lee Smith. Smith was previously Head Chef at Michelin-starred Samphire in Jersey, worked at the legendary Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and was a regional finalist in the 2019 series of Great British Menu. Billed as ‘a modern restaurant with a casual country vibe’, menus change regularly and focus on seasonal, local ingredients. Guests can order a la carte or opt for a more luxurious seven-course evening tasting menu.
Distance from Sheffield: 40 mins
2. Amber Valley Wines, Wessington
Amber Valley Vineyards, Back Ln, Wessington, Alfreton DE55 6DL
Less a restaurant, more a gourmet experience, Amber Valley Wines is well worth the 50-minute-or-so drive from Sheffield. This small family-run vineyard is set close to the edge of the Peak District in the heart of the Amber Valley. The estate has won a string of awards for its premium wines and is fast gaining a reputation for its quality offering. The winery currently produces four wines. The Amber Wine – a white wine made in the same way as a red wine with contact on the skins – is their signature offering. They also produce a dry white and pink wine, with uniquely floral and fruity flavours. The team here will be happy to arrange a private tour, picnic lunch or afternoon tea with a tasting.
Distance from Sheffield: 50 mins
3. Home, Leeds
3 Brewery Pl, Leeds LS10 1NE
Leeds isn’t short of good restaurants, but for a special occasion try Home. Hidden along the River Aire, this light-filled, Scandi-inspired restaurant offers mouthwatering menus that change monthly. Homegrown Yorkshire produce takes centre stage here – think fresh bread slathered with beef butter, local caviar and truffle-topped cauliflower cheese – with much of it sourced from Harewood House. The team offers a 10-12 tasting menu, a short tasting menu served as a collection of eight dishes and a chef’s table experience. Or, you could book one of the Secret Sunday Sessions, where chefs create a collection of experimental dishes each week to sample as a six or eight-dish menu.
Distance from Sheffield: 50 mins
4. Bank House, Hathersage
Main Rd, Hathersage, Hope Valley S32 1BB
Bank House is a spectacular former banking building built in 1910, nestled in the Hope Valley in the picturesque village of Hathersage. Split across three levels, the building features a cocktail bar, restaurant and private dining area. Dishes are inspired by the Mediterranean but proudly local, with an emphasis on rustic, seasonal and sustainable ingredients. The menu is made up of a wide range of small plates like the 12-hour braised pork croquettes and cod cheeks with crispy prosciutto, sharing platters and larger main courses. Customers rave about the Sunday Roasts here too, which include proper Yorkshire puddings with all the trimmings.
Distance from Sheffield: 30 mins
5. The Fleece Inn, Halifax
Holme, Holmfirth HD9 2QG
The traditional inn dates back to the 1700s, and it’s managed to retain all of its old worldly charm and character. Inside, there are roaring fires and thick pile carpets to keep you toasty in the winter, while outside there’s a thatched crook barn and pretty gardens. The food here is every bit as good as you'd expect from a traditional country pub, with two AA rosettes to boot. Dishes are prepared with fresh produce sourced from local suppliers and served with an excellent selection of cask-conditioned beers and wines.
Distance from Sheffield: 1 hour 10 minutes
6. The Blind Bull, Little Hucklow
Little Hucklow, Buxton SK17 8RT
Set high in the hills of the Derbyshire Peak District is Little Hucklow’s youngest independent pub with a long history. It’s housed in a restored 12th-century inn, which encompasses a unique dining space and taproom, as well as six renovated rooms in the cottage. Downstairs you’ll find hearty pub grub and refined classics using ingredients sourced by local farmers in Derbyshire. Grab a seat upstairs for a view of the open hearth and kitchen, where you can see the creative team hard at work. Vegetarians are well catered for too.
Distance from Sheffield: 40 minutes
7. The Gallery Restaurant at The Cavendish Hotel, Bakewell
Church Ln, Baslow, Bakewell DE45 1SP
The Gallery Restaurant is the perfect pit stop for a day out at Chatsworth House, the Derbyshire Dales’ most exquisite stately home. Situated right on the fringes of the estate in an upmarket hotel, The Gallery Restaurant offers sweeping views over the parks. Inside, the walls are festooned with eclectic artworks and canvasses – and the food is just as colourful. The focus here is on modern flavours based on local ingredients, like char-grilled sea bass with crab and sweetbreads with warm ceps. For an extra special occasion, book the ‘kitchen table for two’, the restaurant’s spin on a chef’s table.
Distance from Sheffield: 30 mins
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