Stones

We visited the restaurant for a birthday celebration and decided to try the tasting menu. We drove nearly two hours to get there. Overall, the food was acceptable, but at this price, expectations are naturally higher. Unfortunately, the service was quite disappointing, and the overall experience didn’t feel worth the cost. When we made the reservation, we specifically mentioned that it was for a birthday celebration. However, even until we received the bill, we noticed that every other table celebrating a birthday received a surprise plate — except us. I truly hope this wasn’t a form of discrimination, but it certainly left that impression, which is very disappointing after traveling such a long way to dine there. ⸻ 🍽️ Tasting Menu Review 1) Leek & Potato Soup 👎 The soup was not served hot — not even warm. The flavor was fine, but the texture wasn’t creamy enough. 2) Slow-Cooked Lamb Shoulder 👎 The flavor was pleasant, but the texture was rough and not as tender as expected. It lacked the softness you would normally expect from slow-cooked meat. 3) Seared Scallops 👍 Perfectly cooked with excellent timing. The scallops were tender, and the pumpkin purée paired beautifully with them. 4) Breast of Gressingham Duck 👍 Cooked to a perfect texture, and the purée complemented the duck very well. A nicely balanced dish. 5) Coffee Crèmeux 😐 Nothing particularly special — it felt rather ordinary as a dessert to end the meal.

Absolutely delicious fine dining. Loved every dish. Worth every penny including the excellent wine pairing. Worked out to be 11 courses if you include the amuse-bouche dishes! Book in advance to avoid disappointment as this is the best place and only fine dining restaurant in Matlock. Highly recommended!

Perfect tasting menu. Great wines to pair with. Couldn’t fault the food etc. only thing is if you don’t get a conservatory table to feel a little hemmed in. Definitely visit again.

Was in the area for a long weekend away and booked Stones to celebrate my partners birthday. What a great choice. Food was fantastic and reasonably priced for the quality. The service was great and the location was lovely too. Would highly recommend if you’re visiting the area.

This was a recommendation from a friend and it was worth the hour and a half drive! The story I was told was that the chef was a Michelin star chef working in London, who was sick of the rat race and relocated to Matlock in Derbyshire. My partner and I opted for the 7 course taster menu and what a sensation that was. EVERY dish was an explosion in the mouth of complimentary flavours and textures. With the appetisers, the sour dough bread and the mous bouches , it turned out to be almost 10 courses. Just look at the photos! Unbelievable! The location is beautiful too. The outside terrace overlooks the river and the sounds of the water creates at truly romantic setting. The staff were excellent too and I’m surprised that Stones doesn’t already have a Michelin star! Out of this world and I would recommend everyone that likes food to try it! @ £80 per person, it is an absolute bargain. For food like this you would pay double that in London!

Stones is the perfect spot for a nice meal, whether it be for a special occasion or a date night. The food is always perfectly cooked and involves different flavours or presentations making it a special meal. The staff are friendly and the service is quick. The restaurant is always clean and tidy, and beautifully decorated. Stones offer vouchers for their three course meal offers which are a great gift for Christmas or birthdays.

From the start we were warmly welcomed and the serving team were the most attentive I have ever known in a restaurant. Nothing was too much trouble.We can't believe it hasn't got a Michelin star - this was better than 2 of the 10 Michelin star restaurants we have been to. I think they like to cater for the locals and why not keep it a wonderful secret. By the way the Sea Bass was the best I have ever eaten - perfect!! Thank you Stones for a memorable evening 🙏.

Great restaurant, absolutely delicious food and very professional and friendly staff,could not fault it at all

An Oasis! A veritable feast for the eyes, and the soul! Not one for folk you like an all-you-can-eat buffet, but the menu was to die for. I sat outside in the corner by the river and the back of the house, and while I waited for my meal, a little trough containing assorted olives and nuts was placed in front of me. I ordered a nice red, and it came suitably warm. The starter was braised fennel with Mango andmixed leaves. The main was salmon fillet on crushed new potatoes with creamy leeks, capers and tomato, and with my Espresso came 6 handmade petit fours including caramel swirl, truffle, and orange chocolate. Utterly, utterly yum :-)

Saw a review in the Evening Standard for Stones, so as we were in the area decided to take a look. I think it has changed hands since the previous reviews. Anyhow we were really impressed and very much enjoyed the lunch 3 courses for £20 in a very clean and classic dining room on sunny saturday afternoon. The bream and the steak were superb. Pleasant service and reasonable priced. I would recommend if you are in the area. Also Matlock is beautiful.

We were the first customers into the restaurant, but nonetheless received a great level of service. Our waitress, who I presume to be the manager, was polite and helpful. Nibbles were olives and slightly peppery cashew nuts, which went down well. We selected the house Merlot and enjoyed a rich, fruity flavour which was full of character and worthy of the £15 a bottle price tag. For starters, I had a terrine of chicken and ham served with a little truffle oil. This went down well and the flavours were well complemented. My mother's King Prawn dish was well-executed but a bit stingy in size. Braised blade of beef represented a much more satisfying portion and was a great success. The use of red cabbage, intertwined with the blade was intelligent cooking and provided a richness that contrasted with the vegetables and fondant potato. I feel this course was overpriced at £19.95, though. £15-17 would be the very most I feel it should be valued at. As a dish replacing the duo of beef that included fillet, offering no drop in price was ambitious to say the least. Whilst the first two courses presented a pleasant experience, they didn't really provide the kind of stratospheric triumph one might hope for from other comments. Then, of course, came the dessert. A magically designed and constructed Prune and Pressed Apple dish, served with an Armagnac Ice Cream Quinelle was an absolutely inspired combination that would likely be worthy of a star from the Michelin inspectors. Original and complimentary flavours combined well with contrasting textures and flawless presentation to culminate in an exceptional dish. This course was light years ahead of the rest of the food and a real stand-out dish from anything I've seen served in the area. Whilst I'd like to see the prices toned down a touch (I feel that they're a little excessive for the food served, except for dessert, which was worth every penny), there is no doubt that Stones is the best restaurant in Matlock right now and has a bright future ahead of it. A planned conservatory extension this summer will bring much-needed extra space. I understand that work is to be carried out over lunchtimes this summer and that consequently Kevin Stone will be working at the nearby '2010 Restaurant', on a slightly lower-priced menu. This will be an exciting time to follow his work.

Very nice location on river by bridge,we had drinks/olives /nuts outside before returning inside to eat (small point but it would be nice to lose/hide the bins from outside area). The home made mediterranean bread was exceptional as was the rest of the meal.The wine we selected was excellent. Place was a little quiet to begin with as we arranged to eat very early but soon filled up and the atmoshere was good-staff were pleasant and helpful. Not the cheapest of places but I can strongly recommend it. In my current top 10