Restaurant Lovage by Lee Smith

Hidden behind an unassuming shopfront, this intimate 32-seat restaurant features beautiful panelling sourced from a nearby country house. Chef Owner Lee Smith’s Michelin-starred knowledge and Great British Menu finalist status delivers superb modern British cooking using seasonal local produce. His beef fillet with peppercorn sauce and English asparagus with herb gnocchi showcase technical skill, while personal narratives woven through each dish create memorable experiences for locals and visitors alike.

Possibly the most famous town in the Peak District, Bakewell is renowned for its signature tarts and puddings – a gloriously sweet combination of almond, cherry and pastry. In between sugary treats, it’s well worth your time having a more nourishing meal at this charming restaurant situated inside a rustically converted former barn. The genial team ensure you’ll have a good time, while the cooking makes fine use of the area’s many top-quality ingredients.

This maverick Peak District restaurant counts Tom Cruise as a former customer, with the Hollywood star dining here while filming Mission Impossible 8 in March 2024. Occupying a prime position on Bakewell’s Bath Street — Bakewell being the birthplace of Britain’s most famous frangipane tart — Lovage by Lee Smith has a laid-back vibe, with stripped-back decor and chatty wait staff. This unassuming restaurant crafts inventive dishes that see cauliflower soup paired with curry granola and venison with date ketchup.

This is the restaurant the Peak District has been waiting for” – a “chilled and unfussy” four-year-old, in a former stable block, which Lee Smith (ex-of the acclaimed Samphire on Jersey) opened after a crowdfunding drive. The staff’s “enthusiasm for the place makes for a happy experience, but most of all it’s the modern English cooking done very well in a lovely room… I’m lucky it’s my local”. Some reporters feel we rate it too conservatively, but to go further: more reports please!

Recommended by the Michelin Guide, Lovage by Lee Smith can be found in the heart of Bakewell and is a must for those seeking epicurean delights. Extending an irresistible invitation, it proposes menus of contemporary British cuisine crafted with local produce. Take a seat within this former stable block and relish the romantically rustic interiors with exposed stone walls and painted wainscoting.

Lee Smith’s Lovage in Bakewell charms with its “chatty, informative team” and “top-quality, modern menu,” while The Pack Horse in Hayfield tempts with its “hearty pub dishes” elevated by a “refined edge.” Finally, The Blind Bull in Little Hucklow wins praise for its “concise menu,” featuring “refined classics with a focus on flavour” and catering to vegetarian preferences.

Michelin-listed, Lovage offers creative, modern British cuisine courtesy of celebrity chef, Lee Smith in the heart of Bakewell. The gastro equivalent of “quiet luxury”, both the venue and food exude stylish, refined elegance, whilst the service is attentive, professional and unfailing friendly.

If you’re looking for somewhere for a special celebration, book a table at Michelin guide-featured Lovage, where modern British cuisine is served in a laid-back country atmosphere. Or when you’re after a taste of the exotic, why not try The Chakra Lounge for mouthwatering Indian flavours.

We had such a nice evening - gorgeous food, great wine and lovely people. I am gluten and dairy free and they altered the menu for me so I didn’t feel like I was missing out. Will definitely come back.

Nestled in the charming town of Bakewell, you’ll discover a hidden culinary gem that offers a unique and unforgettable dining experience: Restaurant Lovage by Lee Smith. view more information

Stand-out dishes include slow-roasted duck and English cheese platters, with premium wine pairings. Photo by: Restaurant Lovage. Location: Peak District