Finalists revealed for 2026 Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards

The finalists have been revealed for this year’s Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards.

More than 5,000 nominations were received for this year’s awards, which celebrate the very best places to eat and drink in the city.

The judges have now whittled these down and decided on their shortlists. The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony, which is set to take place at Derby City Council’s Derby Market Hall on Monday 12 October.

The awards are made up of 11 categories, including the coveted Restaurant of the Year title.

Christopher Tebbs, inward investment executive at Marketing Derby and Food and Drink Awards lead, said: “Once again, we received a phenomenal response during the nomination period, with thousands of votes cast.

“This made selecting the finalists a particularly difficult task – but has resulted in yet another high-quality line-up of food and drink establishments.

“Congratulations to those who made the shortlist. The mystery judging now begins – and we wish all of our finalists the very best of luck.”

Nominations were received from members of the public, business leaders and food and drink establishment owners.

Once again, the awards are backed by an enviable line-up of sponsors.

They are: SEGRO plc, Catering24, Derby College Group, trentbarton, Edwards, Flint Bishop, Leonardo, Locally We Do, Royal Crown Derby, HUUB and the University of Derby.

Representatives from each sponsor will judge their category, which involves ‘mystery shopping’ at all three finalists and scoring against defined criteria.

The shortlisted finalists are:

BEST CURRY

Anoki (London Road)

Lotus Indian Kitchen

Hen & Chickens

BEST BAR

Bouquet Wine Cellar (Little Eaton)

Belong Bar

Darley Abbey Wines

BEST PUB

The Exeter Arms

The Silk Mill

The Royal Standard

BEST NEWCOMER

Strutt Bakehouse

The Spirit Run

Bentley’s (Chellaston)

BEST CAFÉ

Nourish at No.44

The Book Café (Derby)

Café BLANC

BEST COUNTRY PUB/RESTAURANT

The Palfrey

The Elephant and Peacock

The Devonshire

BEST INTERNATIONAL

OMOMO

La Burrata

Lorentes (Friar Gate)

BEST OVERALL EXPERIENCE

The Engine Room

Yassou Greek (Little Eaton)

Dovecote Restaurant at Morley Hayes

MARKETING DERBY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 2026

Lorentes (Darley Abbey)

The Pepperpot

Compamigos

MARKETING DERBY INNOVATION AWARD

To be announced on the night.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

To be announced on the night.

Attention now turns to the awards ceremony itself.

To book places for the event e-mail Christopher.tebbs@marketingderby.co.uk.

For more information about the Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards click here.

You can also get all the latest news about the Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards on LinkedIn and Instagram.