5 Eateries to Enjoy in the Staffordshire Peak District

The food and drink scene in the Staffordshire Peak District is really flourishing at the moment, with a great choice of award-winning pubs, cafes and restaurants, as well as events like the Sunday Supplement market showcasing our best artisan producers every month.

Here are five mouth-watering menus to tuck into on your next visit.

1. The Three Horseshoes Country Inn

Where else could we start other than the Taste of Staffordshire Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year, The Three Horseshoes Country Inn?

Combining culinary excellence with great value for money and the beautiful Roaches backdrop, this recently refurbished eaterie on the outskirts of Leek guarantees a menu of modern dishes and traditional favourites, made with the very best locally-sourced ingredients.

Their themed nights offer tasty treats which won't break the bank.

Every Thursday, Steak Night gives you a choice of sirloin, rump and rib eye steaks at two for £29.99, with a bottle of house wine thrown in. And the Senior Citizen Meny, available lunchtime Monday to Friday, has a small roast and dessert for just £7.80!

There's also a lovely afternoon tea on the terrace too, overlooking the rocky Peak District outcrops, if you're after something a bit lighter.

2. The Cottage Kitchen Country Cafe

Talking of afternoon tea and light bites, The Cottage Kitchen Country Cafe, Winkhill, is home to another selection to savour.

Our current Tea Room/Coffee Shop of the Year, The Cottage Kitchen is a stone's throw away from top attractions like Alton Towers Resort, Peak Wildlife Park and Churnet Valley Railway, not to mention the great walking and cycling of the Manifold Valley.

So it's the perfect place to stop, whether you need to build up energy reserves for the challenges ahead, or refuel after an action-packed day out.

The menu just shouts Staffordshire, with produce from the Staffordshire Cheese Company and the Staffordshire Brewery, and of course the mighty Staffordshire oatcake, all featuring prominently.

Once you've polished off your meal, head next door to the Cottage Delight outlet, and browse the delicious jams, chutneys, sauces and other tasty treats from the 700-strong product range, made just down the road in Leek.

Why not grab a taste of Staffordshire to enjoy at home? 

3. The Roebuck

In the heart of Leek is another of our favourites, The Roebuck.

Winner of the Taste of Staffordshire Pub of the Year award in 2018, this historic hostelry, which was built in 1626, is known for its traditional homemade dishes, like the Totally Locally Leek Burger, created entirely from local ingredients.

Find real value in their meal deals, like Pie Night, which every Monday to Wednesday offers a pie and a pint for a tenner, and Steaks & Cheesecakes on Fridays, where everyone who orders a steak gets a free cheesecake!

Wash down your meal with a great pint - this Titanic Brewery-owned pub has 13 cask ales and six craft ales to choose from, including Titanic's legendary Plum Porter, Iceberg and Steerage.

And there's a friendly welcome for four-legged friends too, with a well-stocked treat jar to ensure they aren't forgotten.

4. The Alton Bridge Hotel

A newly-refurbished country pub and restaurant on Alton Towers' doorstep, The Alton Bridge Hotel is a great place to unwind after a day of exertions.

With a reputation for a warm welcome and ravishing Sunday roasts, it's a popular destination for walkers and cyclists too, with plenty of countryside paths to choose from, including routes into the wonderful Dimmings Dale and along the River Churnet.

All ingredients are sourced as locally as possible, with a great selection of sandwiches and sharing platters, as well as pub classics if you've worked up an appetite.

Why not create your own pie, choosing from the wide range of fillings, toppings and sides on offer?

Boasting scores of excellent TripAdvisor reviews, with an average of 4.5 out of 5, The Alton Bridge has a great ambience, friendly service and gorgeous fayre, and fully deserved its top three slot in the Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year category at the 2018 Good Food Awards.

5. The Stafford Arms

Nestling in the pretty village of Bagnall, The Stafford Arms is full of all the charm and character you would expect from a 16th Century Inn, combined with the contemporary luxury of the 2018 extension.

Enjoy the rustic features of the Stables Dining Rooms, with its oak beams and roaring log fires, or relax in the modern, airy conservatory.

The main a la carte menu is packed with traditional favourites at bargain prices, with two courses for £12.95 throughout the week, and Sunday lunch at £16.95 for starter and main course.

The membership scheme offers even better value, with a 10% discount for card holders.

And there's an extensive drinks menu too, with wines from around the world, Prosecco cocktails, and a gin bar with eight tipples to work your way through.

Other great places to eat in Staffordshire

The Staffordshire Peak District is blessed with plenty of great places to eat. The restaurant at Greenway Hall Golf Club, The Ramblers Retreat, and Roaches Tea Rooms are all well worth a visit too.

Taste of Staffordshire

For details of Staffordshire's best food and drink businesses, head to our Taste of Staffordshire section.

It's packed with information on restaurants, pubs, tea rooms, farm shops and other great businesses who have passed an independent inspection on the quality of their fayre, hygiene and customer service, and demonstrated their commitment to using local produce wherever possible.

There, you can also find out who won at our Good Food Awards in October.