Ostello Lounge — Restaurant in Derbyshire Dales

Unpleasant experience! We visited last Sunday as a young couple looking for somewhere nice to have a meal out together, we had been recommended this place by somebody local as we do not live in the area.

I have pre called the restaurant to check there was space for us to dine in as 3 other restaurants we had been to had stopped serving food already, the gentleman on the phone seemed like he was in a rush and not interested in answering my 2 questions!

Upon arrival, we were very confused as to how it worked and had to ask at the bar whether we seat ourselves or wait for somebody to assign us a table, after being told “if the table is clean, you can sit there”, we found a table and sat down. Every staff member passed us and no recognition made. We finally figured out that we needed to use the QR code to order in which we did!

Drinks came very quickly and were lovely, fresh and no issues. Staff seemed fed up and like they’d had a busy day, supervisor told us it was only her 2nd day in the job and the day had been bad already as they had ran out of many menu items. Already a positive start!

After ordering our food via the QR code, we waited over an hour for our order, watching other tables food come from the kitchen and sit in the hatch for 5-10 minutes before being picked up by a server. Eventually I saw our ‘side dish’ come up to which point we were so hungry I ended up asking to start with that whilst our mains were finishing cooking.

Our meals finally came out. My fried chicken was oily and no flavour or seasoning. My partner ordered a burger with regular fries, this was served with sweet potato fries, when asked the server where the normal fries were she replied we sold out ages ago, this is all we have: which we did not mind but having a partner who has allergies I just advised it would have been nice to be asked/told that this was being swapped and is this ok? The young girl then went to the male on the bar explained her clear frustration which you could see they had both had enough and ready to go home, they were both so lovely! Offered a free drink for the inconvenience!

The manager eventually came over to check on us to which she asked if everything was ok: I explained I had some concerns and wasn’t totally comfortable with the experience we had received and asked if she could take any feedback however I was that frustrated already I just replied I already gave my feedback but I will leave a review, to which she stomped over to the young girl and within ear shot spoke very rudely about us and made me feel extremely uncomfortable! we left our food and drinks and ended up leaving the restaurant! The place needs a clearer instruction for seating, and more...

Ostello Lounge, Matlock – Review

I recently had the pleasure of staying at Ostello Lounge in Matlock, and overall, it was a fantastic experience. The atmosphere is welcoming and relaxed, making it a great place to unwind after a day of exploring the beautiful Derbyshire countryside.

The lounge area is cosy, well-maintained, and equipped with comfortable seating, making it ideal for socializing or simply relaxing with a book. The staff were friendly, approachable, and helpful, providing useful local tips and ensuring a smooth check-in process.

The location is excellent, close to local attractions like Matlock Bath, Chatsworth House, and the Peak District National Park. The facilities were clean and tidy, with good Wi-Fi access, which is a must for travelers.

One of the highlights was the communal vibe — it’s a perfect spot for meeting fellow travelers and sharing stories. Prices were reasonable, and I appreciated the relaxed, laid-back environment.

Overall, I would highly recommend Ostello Lounge to anyone visiting Matlock, whether you're traveling solo, as a couple, or in a group. It’s a cozy, friendly place that offers good value...

The place had a great vibe and the menu looked promising, but the experience didn’t match. The order-from-table app crashed twice, and since there’s no table service, we had to go to the counter. If that’s the system, it really needs to work properly.

At the counter, staff didn’t make eye contact or acknowledge anyone waiting. When I asked for water (after ordering Nasi Goreng, which is quite hot), I was told, “There’s a jug somewhere — you can get it yourself.” Not exactly what you expect after spending nearly £100 for four people.

The food was fine, but service felt careless — food dropped off without follow-up, sauces asked about afterward, and we had to fetch things ourselves. I’ve run a few establishments myself and understand how tough hospitality is, but basic politeness and attentiveness make all the difference.

And just to finish on a funny note — I left without ever getting that water and ended up buying a bottle from the shop next door. Probably not the takeaway experience you want your guests remembering!

Great vibe and good food, but the service really...