There are some great restaurants in Buxton but none yet that have been listed in the MICHELIN guide, so in the meantime, if you want to try some exceptional gastronomy, there are plenty of superstar restaurants within 30 miles of Buxton. Here’s our pick of those places you should check out:
The Pack Horse Hayfield
📍10 miles from Buxton
⭐️ TIP: Try the Sunday lunch
Perhaps most well-known to residents of Buxton is the legendary pub The Pack Horse. Unfussy and unpretentious, their pub grub is a cut above, and not in danger of bankrupting you. In the shadow of Kinder Scout, the highest point in the Peak District, the village of Hayfield is a worthy destination in itself.
Website: thepackhorsehayfield.uk
The Peacock at Rowsley
📍15 miles from Buxton
⭐️ TIP Understated elegance in a historic setting (it’s also part of the Haddon Hall Estate, so if you stay overnight, you can gain free entry to Haddon during your stay.)
Looking like something from a finer age, The Peacock sells itself as an elegant 4-star boutique hotel with excellent service but it’s the restaurant that’s most celebrated. Not only does it appear in the MICHELIN guide but it’s also bagged three AA rosettes. You could go overboard and book a room to stumble to after the outstanding cuisine.
Website: thepeacockatrowsley.com
Lovage
📍12 miles from Buxton
⭐️ TIP: Modern British flavours at its best
Owned by Great British Menu finalist Lee Smith, Lovage declares a modern British restaurant with a casual country vibe. Nestled in the traditional town of Bakewell, famed for its market and pudding, Lovage’s mission to use seasonal local ingredients has found a natural base. Tom Cruise (yes the man himself!) suprised restaurant staff when he popped in for dinner in March 2024. The actor was filming in the Peak District for Mission Impossible’s eighth installment and he dined with the movie’s cast and crew after wrapping up for the day.
Website: restaurantlovage.co.uk
Stones Restaurant
📍 22 miles from Buxton
⭐️ TIP: Lovely views over the River Derwent
This cosy little restaurant not only offers British food with the occasional Mediterranean twist but also a spectacular view of the river Derwent. If you want to get out and explore afterwards, Matlock and nearby Matlock Bath offer plenty to do, especially if you’re out with the family. Heights of Abraham in particular is also well worth a visit if you have time.
Website: stones-restaurant.co.uk
Old Vicarage
📍 30 miles from Buxton
⭐️ TIP: Not just great food but incredibly presented
This side of Sheffield offers a quaint former vicarage as a destination. Far away enough from the city to maintain a rural vibe, the restaurant draws on three decades of awards and has established itself as a place where chefs can show off, along with a warm Yorkshire welcome.
Website: theoldvicarage.co.uk
Fischer’s at Baslow Hall
📍17 miles from Buxton
⭐️ TIP: The stunning house and grounds are part of the experience
This beautiful Edwardian manor house confidently boasts “the ultimate fine dining experience” and that they have “perfected the art of food and wine harmony”. They proudly hold a string accolades: 2024 Three AA Rosette Award as well as 2024 AA Breakfast Award. If you really want to posh it up, you could combine it with a visit to Chatsworth House, the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, just a mile away.
Website: fischers-baslowhall.co.uk/the-restaurant
The Lighthouse Restaurant
📍30 miles from Buxton
⭐️ TIP: Imaginative food offering a different dining experience
Not an actual lighthouse (that would be weird in landlocked Derbyshire) but so-called because it’s a restaurant that shines brightly. The tasting menu doesn’t hold back and they also offer some incredibly good wines. The average review of 5/5 on both TripAdvisor and Google would concur, with many reporting on its award-winning combo of top food and service to match.
Website: the-lighthouse-restaurant.co.uk
The Blind Bull
📍9 miles from Buxton
⭐️ TIP: A countryside setting with glorious views
If you don’t want to stray too far and feel a tad more comfortable in a pub setting, this could be the one for you. Not just any pub but a 12th century inn no less, The Blind Bull in Little Hucklow (not to be confused with Greater Hucklow) guarantees Derbyshire produce in “a home from home”. They won Pub of the Year at the Visit Peak District & Derbyshire Tourism Awards in 2023.
Website: theblindbull.co.uk
Where The Light Gets In
📍18 miles from Buxton
⭐️ TIP: A short walk away from Stockport’s Great / Little Underbanks
It seems that many leading restaurants these days have a unique location to accentuate their individuality and Where the Light Gets In is no exception. An old coffee warehouse in Stockport is the surprise location for what they promise is a surprise menu. It’s also a short walk from the Great/Little Underbanks; an enclave that’s the town’s best kept (or not perhaps lately) secret. A day out in Stockport could combine lunch here and an exploration of another side of the town that can be easily overlooked. There’s only one way to satisfy your curiosity.
Website: wtlgi.co
The Flintlock
📍16 miles from Buxton
⭐️ TIP: A tranquil setting by the canal
Crossing over into the Staffordshire Moorlands will reward you with an exciting and informal dining experience. Like most other Michelin joints, there are claims of local ingredients with an exclusive treatment from the chef. However, the Flintlock can also offer you a tranquil view of the Caldon Canal.
Website: theflintlockcheddleton.co.uk
Deacon’s Bank
Housed in a thoughtfully restored former bank, this restaurant has found its home in Chapel-en-le-Frith. Now a relaxed, inviting spot, it’s a source of pride for the local community, offering innovative dishes with a touch of flair. For those who struggle to choose, the tasting menu is a perfect option, while the lunch menu caters to a more casual crowd with comforting, pub-style favourites like fish pie and grilled pork chop. Above the restaurant, two elegantly designed apartments provide cozy accommodation.
Website: deaconsbank.co.uk
Rafter’s
📍 25 miles from Buxton
⭐️ TIP: Explore the wine menu
With its exposed brick and beams, this sleek first-floor restaurant radiates charm and warmth. Guests can choose between fixed 4 or 6-course menus, featuring modern, flavour-packed dishes, clearly prepared with passion and presented with care. The wine selection is thoughtfully categorised by style and tasting notes for easy pairing. For a real treat, consider reserving the chef’s table for an up-close culinary journey.
Website: raftersrestaurant.co.uk
So there we have it: Tantalising your tastebuds is only a short journey away from Buxton. If you’ve been to any of these establishments or if you think there’s one we’ve missed, feel free to leave a comment on our socials or get in touch via email here. We’d love to hear from anyone who’s done all twelve!
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