The best restaurants in Derby revealed as top cafés and pubs crowned winners in glittering ceremony
Explore the top eateries in Derby as the 2025 Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards reveal the city's finest.
Derby’s finest eateries have been revealed at the 2025 Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards.
A total of 12 awards were handed out on the night, with The Pepperpot carrying off the prestigious Restaurant of the Year title.
The very best places to eat and drink in the city were honoured at an awards ceremony, which took place at The Chocolate Factory.
Christopher Tebbs, inward investment executive and Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards lead, said: “We would like to say a huge congratulations to all our winners and runners-up.
“We received over 5,000 nominations this year, demonstrating the high regard in which these awards are held.
“This year, we were particularly delighted to recognise a number of first-time winners, alongside some familiar names who consistently deliver excellence.”
Designed to shine a light on Derby’s brilliant food and drink businesses, the awards aim to recognise and celebrate the very best places to eat and drink across the city.
Thousands of nominations were received from members of the public, business leaders and food and drink establishment owners.
These were then whittled down to the lucky finalists, who were then visited by the judges so they could decide on a winner.
Here is the full list of all winners on the night.
Best Derby restaurants and eateries, winners of Marketing Derby Food & Drink Awards
Marketing Derby Restaurant of the Year 2025
- Winner The Pepperpot
- Runners-up: Darleys, Nicco Restaurant & Bar
Best Café
- Winner: Nourish at no.44
- Runners-up: River Kitchen, The Bookcafe
Best Curry
- Winner: Anoki
- Runners-up: The Spice Lounge, Lotus Indian Kitchen
Best Newcomer
- Winner: Glamberry
- Runners-up: Bouquet (Little Eaton), Compamigos
Best International
- Winner: Lorentes (Darley Abbey)
- Runners-up: Omomo, Boa
Best Country Pub / Restaurant outside the city
- Winner: The Coopers Arms
- Runners-up: The Devonshire, Elephant & Peacock
Best Overall Experience
- Winner: Bistro Pierre
- Runners-up: Dovecote (Morley Hayes), Kedleston Country House
Best Bar
- Winner: Belong Bar
- Runners-up: Darley Abbey Wines, Amalfi White
Best Pub
- Winner: The Exeter Arms
- Runners-up: The Old Silk Mill, The Dragon at Willington
Bustler’s Best Bite
- Winner: Bah Bah Mezze
- Runners-up: Portobello, Let’s Taco ‘bout it
Marketing Derby Innovation Award
- Winner: Electric Daisy
Outstanding Achievement Award
- Winner: Ebi Sushi