The Druid Inn — Restaurant in Derbyshire Dales

What a cracking pub. Not the cheapest, but considering its remote location, excellent portions and superb food quality, it’s well worth the money. Lots of options for kids and dietary requirements. We will be back.

EDIT. We did come back, the following day (30/05/24). Sadly not the same experience, hence the reduction from 5 stars all round to 3 stars now.

What a difference a day makes…

The team working lunchtime 29/05/24 were polite and welcoming despite being a busy lunchtime. Food was excellent too. This evening, we came back based on the experience we enjoyed yesterday, only to be greeted by a very stressed lady. We were advised our booking had been changed from 6:15 to 7:00 (we hadn’t changed anything) and while they tried to accommodate this earlier time, we were made to feel like we were an inconvenience to them despite their mistake.

Food order was rushed with a “right, what are you having?” and the food took a while to come. To be fair, we did say we’d be happy to wait for the adult meals, if the child’s meal came a bit sooner. We were told they would fast track us.

Food was good, but not the excellent standard as the lunchtime before.

When it came to ordering desserts, we asked for a child’s dessert menu. The answer given was a “no, not really.” Really?? I believe the gent serving us realised the error in his answer and came back with a list of options and took an order for an ice cream. My wife and I at this point just wanted to get the boy his ice cream and go. We left having ordered no more drinks and we passed on dessert ourselves.

Disappointed. We said we would be back. We did come back. Not sure we’ll come back again.

My advice is come on a quiet lunchtime, probably out of school holidays. The minute the going gets tough and the pub gets busy, customer service (and let’s face it, manners) drops...

My friend and I ate at The Druid Inn yesterday for lunch. I attach the photo of our lovely food and also a photo of our bill. Although I do not live too far away from this pub/restaurant, this is the first time I have eaten here as I am a non-driver who is unlikely to be able to access this part of Derbyshire easily. Therefore I am not sure when I will eat here again, if ever.

The atmosphere and ambience of the pub was great. As soon as you walk in there is a friendly vibe. The bar staff were all happy to talk or help, and smiley. The decor is really nice and homely, with photos of local landmarks on the wall, such as the Nine Ladies stones. The food came in reasonable time - not too slow, not too quickly - plenty of time for us to chat and enjoy our drinks.

Our waitress was a lady called Anya. She was very helpful and happy to crack the odd joke. She made sure to check in on us to ask how the food was.

As per the attached bill, I think the cost is reasonable for two mains, two puddings and four (mostly small) drinks. Just under £60 for all of that is not too bad going these days; some places would charge more than this.

Toilets clean and well-stocked with loo roll.

I do not always tip to be honest and I am hardly a super generous tipper but Anya was very gracious and grateful about the small tip I gave to her which was sweet. I have definitely been to restaurants where the waiting staff almost seem to expect a tip: it was not like that at all at The Druid Inn.

A small mention also regards their outdoor sign: dogs and muddy boots welcome! :)

A great experience - lovely food, hospitality, atmosphere, and left feeling it was money well spent. An easy 5 out of...

They have usually been quite good, but as like most people, I only tend to go out of the way for a bad review.

I came in last Saturday with a friend and asked if they would serve us food at 5.30pm. The young man said he would ask, disappeared, came back and said they would at 6pm, gave us a menu and served us a drink.

At 6, there was him, another man and three women, one of them a little older who could only be assumed to be their boss. When asking if it was ok to order they refused and said fully booked. We only stayed and ordered a drink because they said they would.

The young man as with all young men, his balls receeded and wasn’t willing to take responsibility that it was his fault or take ownership of the false promise that they would serve us food based on whoever he asked at the time.

I didn’t argue, or point fingers. As I felt intimidated by the several unfriendly faces that seemed to work there.

I’m local too, I live in the next village along. Fully booked had never been a problem when it’s me and my partner. Especially as we usually...