Winners of the 2025 Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards crowned

The winners of the 2025 Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards have been crowned.

Last night, the very best places to eat and drink in the city were honoured at an awards ceremony, which took place at The Chocolate Factory.

A total of 12 awards were handed out on the night, with The Pepperpot carrying off the prestigious Restaurant of the Year title.

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.

The winners and runners-up are:

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 of 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

Marketing Derby would like to congratulate all the winners and finalists and thank all who were involved in the 2025 Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards.

Particular thanks go to our sponsors: Bustler, The Chocolate Factory, Denby Pottery, Royal Crown Derby, Catering24, Rothera Bray, Derby College Group, Ocean King, NK Motors, trentbarton, Q Branch Consultancy and Matthew Montague Architects.