An award-winning restaurant

About our awards

Darleys has won several awards and accolades:

  • Included in the Michelin Guide 2023
  • AA Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence 2023
  • The Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Local Restaurants 2024
  • Muddy Stilettos Award 2024 for Best Restaurant (Notts/Derby)

But what do these awards actually mean?

The Michelin Guide

Michelin keeps much of its approach under wraps, but does outline five main criteria it uses to decide whether an establishment should be included in the guide:

  1. Quality of the products
  2. Mastery of flavour and cooking techniques
  3. The personality of the chef in the cuisine
  4. Value for money
  5. Consistency between visits.

AA Rosette Award

Introduced in 1956, the AA Rosette Award is the longest running nationwide scheme for assessing the quality of food served in restaurants and hotels. Rosettes are a clear indicator of culinary excellence.

AA says on its website that of all the restaurants across the UK, around 10% are of a standard worthy of one Rosette or above. At Darleys, we have two Rosettes.

Awards are made solely on the basis of a visit or visits by one or more AA inspectors who have extensive experience in assessing quality. For the inspectors, the top and bottom line is the food. The taste of the dish is what counts, and whether it successfully delivers what is promised on the menu.

Good Food Guide

We’re one of only 100 restaurants in the country to be listed in The Good Food Guide’s list of the best local restaurants. To compile the list, they rely on nominations from their readers and then further research by their team of editors and inspectors. To make the cut, each restaurant must meet the following criteria:

  1. Independently run; owned by the chef or a hands-on proprietor
  2. Offers regularly changing, seasonal menus at affordable prices
  3. Demonstrates strong relationships with local suppliers
  4. Rooted in the local community
  5. Offers at least two dinner services a week
  6. Gives customers a genuine, warm welcome.

 

Muddy Stilettos Award

These awards are given by the lifestyle website, Muddy Stilettos, which provides an insider’s guide to the very best food, walks, boutiques, day trips, hotels, interiors and events for smart, fun-loving women living outside London.

It holds regional awards in 19 areas, as well as national awards. We picked up the Best Restaurant Award 2024 for Notts and Derby!

Visit Muddy Stilettos

Awards

Listed in the Michelin Guide 2023
AA Rosette award for culinary excellence 2023
The Good Food Guide: 100 Best Local Restaurants 2024
OpenTable Diners' Choice Award 2024
Listed in the Michelin Guide 2023
AA Rosette award for culinary excellence 2023
The Good Food Guide: 100 Best Local Restaurants 2024
OpenTable Diners' Choice Award 2024