Darleys Restaurant & Terrace Reviews Summary

Customer Service

Pros:

• "Our experience at Darley's was sublime. Their customer service exceeded expectations by a mile!"
• "Professional, attentive and very informative."
• "Staff were helpful and welcoming."
• "The staff were polite, friendly and attentive."
• "Staff very efficient and friendly."
• "The staff were all lovely and polite and friendly."
• "Staff amazingly attentive."

Cons:

• "Manager was very rude."
• "The service was poor."
• "Terrible, service was awful - food portions were tiny and overpriced and nothing special."
• "Poor attitude from some staff when we complained."
• "Complained to the manager and he didn’t seem to care and was very rude."
• "Not impressed at all the food was nothing special and over priced."
• "We waited some time for our drinks and food order to be taken."

Food Quality

Pros:

• "The food was phenomenal."
• "An absolutely beautiful evening taster menu meal for my wife’s birthday."
• "Food was excellent and service attentive but not overly fussy."
• "The quality of the food and wine was outstanding."
• "The food was excellent the lamb was cooked to perfection."
• "Enjoyed a superb meal today. Good quality cuisine served in picturesque surroundings."
• "Well done Darleys on serving up an amazing meal with amazing flavours."

Cons:

• "Food portions were tiny and overpriced and nothing special."
• "Food was nicely presented but lack a little in flavour in some dishes."
• "The Mains were lack lustre, everyone’s meat was on the tough side."
• "The food was lacking in seasoning and was a touch on the cold side."
• "The food was surprisingly terrible."
• "The vegetarian main was disappointing there was hardly anything to it."
• "The deserts were tasteless and the portions really small."

Ambiance & Decor

Pros:

• "The updated interior since my last visit was a great change."
• "The new decor is beautiful and stylish."
• "Darley’s has a very relaxing atmosphere."
• "Beautiful surroundings and an amazing job on a total transformation inside."
• "Decor is so gorgeous-light & fresh and tables beautifully presented."
• "The restaurant is in a lovely location, overlooking the river, and very comfortable and welcoming."
• "Beautiful setting, lovely modern, clean restaurant."

Cons:

• "Sadly all the construction around the building was a big eyesore."
• "Atmosphere wasn’t the same and there were hardly any people in, which speaks for itself!"
• "Inside was nice although very cold as had air con on too high."
• "It's very traditional, good food, pleasant staff but a little stuck in time, a bit dated and smells a little damp when you first walk in."
• "Not the place I remember, dining area like a canteen."
• "Having lived in darley abbey for many years previously I decided to pop in, as it's in an idyllic spot and what a shock...red and black 80's gawdy decor, bottles and boxes mess on entry."
• "I think the choice of decor and general look of the restaurant seemed very tired and cluttered."

Value for Money

Pros:

• "Can't argue with the lunch time prices though."
• "Sunday lunch represents fantastic value for money. High quality food and service for a fair price."
• "We where made to feel very special by the staff, the food was fabulous and the bill so very reasonable."

Cons:

• "It was quite expensive, £150 for 3 (small) courses, wine and bread."
• "Drinks very overpriced too."
• "Although the food was very tasty the portions were very tiny. I actually came away hungry."
• "Really disappointed, prices were so high, menu was limited."
• "For example two bottles of beer alone £29."
• "Felt it was expensive and then the service charge! Was an expensive lunch!"
• "Not very impressed as when my sister booked she was not made aware that it was a tasting menu only which was at a cost of £70."

Accessibility & Location

Pros:

• "Darley's offers a great view out over the river & the weir."
• "Its location is on the edge of the historic Mill of Darley Abbey and offers a nice stroll after your meal along the Derwent."
• "The picturesque setting by the river Derwent provides a beautiful vista, especially if you get a seat on the terrace when the sun is shining."
• "The hidden gem that is their terrace has an exclusive view of the river, which is the perfect setting for drinks and a lovely summer meal."
• "The location is magnificent overlooking the weir."

Cons:

• "Parking is limited though so allow a few minutes for walking from across the bridge perhaps."
• "Getting to this place is a nightmare."
• "Getting to the opposite side of the river was near impossible too as Derby council have not thought about adding any bridges to walk over!"
• "Also there is a total discrimination towards people who don’t drink alcohol, so anyone who is pregnant or Muslim or just doesn’t drink for their own reasons beware you will be confined to the lower floor with no view of the river."