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.
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