Chesterfield has a vibrant food scene. We have a wonderful array of independent cafés and restaurants, lots of pop up foodie events and a thriving artisan market that’s good enough to eat, literally!
Now, more than ever, it’s crucial that we support our local businesses. Those lovely independents need our help - whether that’s dining in, takeaways or buying a gift voucher for future use.
If you’re not quite ready to get out and about just yet, all the below options are available for delivery or collection.
Cruffin from Qoozies
Have you ever had a cruffin? These muffins made from croissant dough have become a firm favourite in our household. Baked daily by the Welbeck Bakehouse in Worksop and available from Qoozies (including through their delivery service on the City Grab app). The flavour currently available is Kinder Bueno and features roasted hazlenut praline mixed with white chocolate ganache, inside beautiful layers of expertly laminated pastry, topped with a chunk of the cult chocolate bar. A perfect, if rather decadent, morning pastry option.
Rate Good Brownies
The aptly named Rate Good Brownies started as a home run business in the summer of 2017. If you’re a brownie lover, you may well have enjoyed one of Amy’s slabs of deliciousness as they are stocked by various cafés and restaurants around town.
Rate Good Brownies are the most delicious brownies I have ever tasted. Dense, goey, chocolatey loveliness with indulgent, creative toppings.
Brownies, blondies (including vegan and gluten free options), double stacked celebration brownies (as an alternative to a sponge birthday cake) and cookies can be ordered for collection from her home in the outskirts of Chesterfield.
Turkish barbecue from Afat’s Grill
This unassuming family restaurant in Whittington is a real gem. The food is simple, and the menu is limited but it is a joy to eat. Marinated meat, expertly grilled over charcoal, served with fresh, vibrant salads and the most beautiful rice I have ever eaten. Simple, fresh and healthy. And very reminiscent of sun filled holidays.
I’ve only eaten here once, just after they opened and at lunchtime. We were the only ones there, our very own private restaurant. They’ve since enjoyed rave reviews everywhere from Trip Advisor to the local paper so hopefully the atmosphere is a bit more buzzing. When ordering delivery via the City Grab app. Be sure to add your free bread and olives from the ‘extras’ section of the menu.
Sharing platters from Bottle & Thyme
One of Chesterfield’s favourite venues have boxed up their much-loved sharing platters as a delicious treat to enjoy at home, or as a readymade picnic!
There are three options: a night at the local (featuring black pudding scotch egg, pork pie, cheeses, focaccia, peanuts, crisps and various chutneys); tapas board (featuring various cheeses, cold cured meats, houmous, stuffed peppers, olives etc) and the English picnic (a selection of finger sandwiches and sweet treats).
All beautifully presented in an eco-friendly cardboard box, tied with string and decorated with fresh thyme. Sharing boxes serve two at a cost of £20 per box.
Pizza
Is there anything better than a good pizza?
Pizza is probably my all-time favourite food and I have extensively researched the best local options. I can’t possibly narrow this down to just one option, so here’s my top three:
Lombardi's, Pizza Pi & Tickled Trout
For truly authentic Neapolitan style pizza - thin, stone baked crust topped with the most delicious tomato sauce, not overloaded with toppings or excessively cheesy - go to an authentic Italian restaurant. We adore Lombardi’s, a family run, bustling restaurant nestled off ‘The Doughnut’ roundabout, priding themselves on original Italian dishes cooked by Italians, served by Italians.
If you are dining out, be reassured that Lombardi’s has invested in various measures to keep diners safe including screens between each booth. Or use their collection or delivery service and enjoy at home.
I also love Pizza Pi, a relative newcomer to the Chesterfield food scene. Nestled on Beetwell Street, this bijou pizzeria has an attractive courtyard studded with fairy lights.
Pizza Pi prides itself on its authentically wood fired bases, but I think the genius is the creative toppings. In addition to the usual classics, Pizza Pi’s regularly updated menu, features flavours that are a little bit special.
One of my favourites is Pizza Valentino's with goats cheese, sundried tomatoes, asparagus tips and a splash of garlic oil. There’s even a bacon and egg pizza! Vegans can delight in a dedicated menu. And if you’re dining in a party of six or more, check out their ‘buffet’ option, a selection of pizzas, garlic breads and loaded fries served to your table for a very reasonable £12 per head.
Just outside Chesterfield, in the picturesque village of Barlow, is the delightful gastro pub, The Tickled Trout. This is one of my favourite places to eat locally. It does everything well - from coffees and cocktails to gourmet options...
but I’m a sucker for a pizza and so I really struggle not to order one of their sourdough pizzas. I invariably chose the Pollo Piccante featuring chilli marinated chicken, red onion, garlic, chilli, Roquito peppers and goats’ cheese. It is truly sublime. I would also strongly recommend you try their arancini. It’s the best I have eaten outside Italy
the stuff of dreams!
And not forgetting the Vintage Tea Rooms, who have recently installed a woodfired pizza oven, are selling fabulous Pizza kits to cook and enjoy at home plus offer 2 for 1 pizzas - see page 13.
Words & Images: Molly Scott
IG: @girlaboutderbyshire