Here’s the best restaurants in Buxton and nearby
Updated for April 2026: If you’re searching for the best restaurants in Buxton, you’re in the right place. From cosy cafés and relaxed bistros to fine dining and international cuisine, Buxton’s food scene is full of variety.
Whether you’re visiting for the day or planning a longer stay, these are some of the top restaurants in Buxton to try – each offering something a little different.
And if you fancy going further a field, we’ve also rounded up If you want to try some exceptional gastronomy, we’ve also rounded up 14 superstar restaurants within 30 miles of Buxton – all listed in MICHELIN – the ultimate foody guide.
Top 14 best restaurants in Buxton
The Restaurant at Champneys Buxton Crescent
Cuisine: Modern British Fine Dining
For a truly special occasion, this is one of the most elegant restaurants in Buxton. Located inside the iconic Champneys Buxton Crescent Hotel, it offers refined British cuisine with beautifully presented dishes using seasonal ingredients.
Why it stands out: Historic setting + fine dining experience
📍 The Crescent, Buxton, SK17 6BH
📞 01298 808999
Simply Thai
Cuisine: Thai
A favourite among locals, Simply Thai serves authentic Thai dishes packed with flavour. From fragrant curries to stir-fries, it’s one of the best spots for Asian cuisine in Buxton. The generous portions and consistently high-quality food make it a reliable go-to for both dine-in and takeaway.
Why it stands out: Authentic flavours + cosy atmosphere
📍 2-3 Cavendish Circus, Buxton SK17 6AT
📞 01298 24471
Go Fish Seafood Bar & Grill
Cuisine: Seafood
A standout seafood restaurant offering fresh fish and flexible dining options. With breakfast, light bites and a fish counter on-site, it’s a versatile venue that suits everything from quick visits to full meals.
📍 Unit B3, Altar Way, Ashbourne Road, Buxton, SK17 9UT
📞 T: 01298 72458 (option 3)
The Merchant’s Yard
Cuisine: Modern British
Just a short drive from Buxton, this award-winning restaurant offers seasonal British dishes in a stylish setting. It’s particularly popular for special occasions, with a menu that highlights locally sourced ingredients and creative presentation.
Why it stands out: High-end dining + locally sourced produce
📍 St John’s Road, Tideswell SK17 8NY
📞 01298 872442
Lubens
Cuisine: European / British
A relaxed bar / restaurant near the Opera House, Lubens is perfect for pre-theatre dining or a casual evening meal. The menu strikes a great balance between classic dishes and modern twists, making it appealing to a wide range of diners. They offer amazing Sunday roasts and tasty sharing boards.
Why it stands out: Great atmosphere + varied menu
📍 8A Hall Bank, Buxton, SK17 6EW
📞 01298 384394
La Gaby Pizzeria
Cuisine: Italian / Pizza
Serving authentic Neapolitan-style pizza, La Gaby is one of the most popular casual restaurants in Buxton. The light, airy bases and quality ingredients make it a standout choice for pizza lovers looking for something authentic. Don’t the lovely cocktails too! All pizzas are also available to take away.
Why it stands out: Wood-fired pizzas + relaxed vibe
📍 3 Spring Gardens, Buxton, SK17 6BJ
📞 01298 72577
St Moritz Restaurant
Cuisine: Swiss / European
A unique dining experience in Buxton, St Moritz offers Swiss/Italian dishes with pasta classic such as lasagne, tagliatelle and carbonara as well as more adventurous dishes. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for something a little different from the usual restaurants in Buxton.
Why it stands out: Something different + alpine atmosphere
📍 7 Cavendish Circus, Buxton, SK17 6AT
📞 01298 22225
Sacro Lounge
Cuisine: Café Bar / International
Sacro Lounge is a vibrant café-bar on Spring Gardens known for its all-day menu and relaxed social atmosphere. With plenty of seating and a varied menu, it’s ideal for groups, families or casual catch-ups at any time of day. They have extensive Gluten Free and Vegetarian options. The all day breakfast is a must-try!
Why it stands out: All-day dining + great for groups
📍 22-23, Spring Gardens Shopping Centre, Buxton, SK17 6DF
📞 01298 214066
The Old Hall Hotel Restaurant
Cuisine: Traditional British
One of Buxton’s most historic dining spots, offering classic British dishes in a charming setting right opposite Buxton Opera House and Pavilion Gardens. Dining here gives you a real sense of the town’s heritage, with a menu that focuses on comforting, traditional favourites. Mary Queens of Scots famously stayed here under house arrest in the 1500s.
Why it stands out: Historic location + traditional menu
📍 The Square, Buxton SK17 6BD
📞 01298 22841
Pizza Express
Why it stands out: Very family friendly + central location
📍 14 Cavendish Arcade, Buxton, SK17 6BQ
📞 01298 24922
Located in the Cavendish Shopping Arcade, Pizza Express is one of the most recognisable restaurants in Buxton. It’s a reliable choice for classic Italian favourites, including its famous pizzas, pasta and lighter options, all served in a spacious and very family friendly setting. The airy interior and central location make it a great spot for families, groups or a relaxed meal after exploring the town.
Lone Star Bar & Grill Tex-Mex Restaurant
Why it stands out: Big flavours + lively, casual dining
📍 The Old Courthouse, George Street, Buxton, SK17 6AY
📞 01298 73301
Lone Star brings bold American flavours to Buxton, serving up everything from sizzling fajitas, hearty burritos, juicy steaks, and their famous Bottomless Fiesta. It’s one of the more lively and casual restaurants in Buxton, perfect for a fun night out. Known for generous portions and a laid-back vibe, it’s also a great choice if you’re looking for pre-theatre, being just minutes from the Opera House.
Santiago’s
Cuisine: Tapas / Spanish
Santiago’s offers a cosy and intimate dining experience with a menu full of Spanish-inspired tapas dishes. From classic patatas bravas to seafood and meat options, it’s a great place to enjoy a relaxed evening sharing plates. Among the more unique restaurants in Buxton, it’s ideal for those who enjoy a sociable dining style with plenty of variety.
Why it stands out: Tapas dining + great for sharing
📍 The Old Pump House, George St, Buxton SK17 6AY
📞 01298 3984577
Harpur’s Bistro
Why it stands out: Top quality dining experience for a fraction of the usual price
📍 1 Devonshire Rd, Buxton, SK17 6RY
📞 0800 074 0099
Harpur’s Bistro offers a unique dining experience as part of University of Derby Buxton, where hospitality students prepare and serve high-quality dishes as part of their training. It’s one of the most interesting hidden gem restaurants in Buxton. With changing menus and impressive presentation, it delivers a fine dining experience at excellent value while supporting the next generation of chefs.
The Old Sun Inn
Cuisine: Traditional British / Pub Food
Why it stands out: Traditional pub charm + hearty British classics
📍 33 High St, Buxton, SK17 6HA
📞 01298 937986
The Old Sun Inn is one of the most characterful restaurants in Buxton, offering a traditional pub setting with a strong focus on hearty, home-cooked food. Located in Higher Buxton, it’s a popular spot for both locals and visitors looking for a relaxed meal. The menu features classic British favourites, generous portions and a welcoming atmosphere, making it a great choice for casual dining or a Sunday roast.
14 Best MICHELIN Listed Restaurants near Buxton
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.
The Peacock, Rowsley
📍15 miles from Buxton
⭐️ TIP Understated elegance in a historic setting (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.
Lovage, Bakewell
📍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.
Stones Restaurant, Matlock
📍 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.
Old Vicarage, Sheffield
📍 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.
Fischer’s at Baslow Hall, Bakewell
📍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.
The Lighthouse Restaurant, Ashbourne
📍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.
The Blind Bull, Hucklow
📍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.
Where The Light Gets In, Stockport
📍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.
The Flintlock, Leek
📍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.
Deacon’s Bank, Chapel-en-le-Frith
📍 6 miles from Buxton
⭐️ TIP: Imaginative dishes – try the tasting menu
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.
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.
The Spärrows
📍 29 miles from Buxton
⭐️ TIP: Do try the pierogi!
Tucked beneath the railway arches in Manchester’s Green Quarter, this hidden gem of a restaurant requires a doorbell ring for entry. Its name is a near-English translation of ‘spätzle,’ hinting at the Eastern European-inspired cuisine served inside. The menu features handmade dumplings and pasta dishes, including outstanding pierogi. This regional focus extends to the thoughtfully curated wine list, which highlights selections from Poland.
El Gato Negro
📍 29 miles from Buxton
⭐️ TIP: Make sure you save room for a desert, they’re amazing!
‘The Black Cat’ is a lively tapas spot spread across three levels. The ground floor houses a bustling bar and outdoor seating along a pedestrian street, while the first floor offers prime counter seats overlooking the open kitchen. At the top, a stunning roof terrace provides the perfect setting for private events. The menu matches the vibrant atmosphere, delivering great value with a variety of classic Spanish dishes, including expertly grilled meats from the Josper. Be sure to save room for dessert—the chefs excel at the classics, especially the indulgent crèma catalana.
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!
Updated 8th April 2026
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