Business Details
Cool River Cafe - Matlock's Independent Caf & Bistro
Established as an independent caf in the heart of Matlock, Derbyshire, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional quality food and beverages in a welcoming environment. Our menu features homemade cakes, pastries, and barista coffee, complemented by all-day breakfast and lunch options. With a contemporary open kitchen, we host regular Bistro Nights offering seasonal dishes and private dining experiences. Our dedicated team provides bespoke catering services for special occasions, including afternoon teas, festive buffets, and celebratory dinners at clients' venues.We accommodate dietary requirements with care and maintain rigorous hygiene standards, ensuring every guest enjoys a memorable experience. Customer feedback consistently highlights our attentive service, creative menus, and the warm, flexible atmosphere of our venue. Through initiatives like our loyalty programme and retail book hub, we strive to be a community-focused destination that combines culinary excellence with cultural enrichment.
Services
Afternoon Tea
Bistro Nights
Catering Services
Private Chef
Retail Sales
Event Venue
Gift Vouchers
Highlights and features
- We offer award-winning Bistro Night experiences with seasonal menus
- Our team provides bespoke private chef services for special occasions
- We accommodate dietary requirements with dedicated preparation processes
- Our venue combines flexible event space with professional catering
- We maintain a 5-star hygiene rating and positive customer reviews
What people say
Lovely food
Great service
Spotlessly clean
Highly recommend
Friendly atmosphere
Services
Afternoon Tea
Our renowned Afternoon Tea features homemade cakes, scones with clotted cream, and savoury delicacies. Available Tuesday-Sunday with 24-hour notice, we accommodate dietary requirements and offer private hire options for special occasions. Upgrade to Sparkling Afternoon Tea with Prosecco.
Bistro Nights
Seasonal Bistro Nights include freshly baked bread, three-course meals, and coffee with petit fours. Menus change with available ingredients, with dietary adaptations available. Bookings require a 10 deposit per person and can be reserved by phone or in-person.
Private Chef
Professional private chef services for special events at clients' venues, including 40th birthdays and golden weddings. Full menu customization with advance planning, featuring professional service and post-event cleaning. Available for celebrations in holiday cottages and private homes.
Catering Services
Flexible catering for corporate events, hen dos, and baby showers. We provide venue-specific menus with dietary adaptations, including gluten-free and vegan options. Our team handles setup, service, and cleanup for private events at our caf or client locations.
Retail Sales
Our retail area includes the Cool River Book Hub with local interest books, maps, and works by regional authors. We offer branded merchandise and gift vouchers valid for six months, redeemable against any menu item or service.
Questions
What are your opening hours?
We're open Tuesday-Sunday 9:30am-5pm. Closed Mondays. Bistro Nights may have extended hours on specific dates.
Do you cater for dietary requirements?
Yes, we accommodate gluten-free, vegan, and other dietary needs with dedicated preparation processes to minimize cross-contact.
Can I book private events at the cafe?
Yes, we offer private hire for afternoon events and can cater for special occasions with customized menus and venue arrangements.
How do I book a Bistro Night?
Reserve your place by calling 01629 580467 or visiting in person. A £10 deposit per person is required to secure bookings.
Are gift vouchers available?
Yes, we offer flexible gift vouchers valid for six months, redeemable against any menu item, service, or specific packages like Afternoon Tea for 2.
Reviews (4)
Esther Allen
Jan 24, 2022
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Had an excellent lunch - managed to seat 8 of us and two children with no reservation and were very helpful. Had lots of vegan options and all 5 vegans were catered for! Even had two vegan cake/brownie options. Multiple milk options too. Plenty for none vegans too and couldn't fault service! Would definitely recommend.
Micah Davis
Jan 18, 2022
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Cosy cafe with tasty food and hot drinks. Staff were very lovely and accommodating to our large group of 7. Only disappointment was there was no kids menu.
Ian Podmore
Jan 14, 2022
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Great cafe. Awesome scrambled egg, really the best. Place is perfectly clean as well. Would definitely come back here again.
Mike Cartwright
Jan 08, 2022
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Great food but service was a little slow, especially the ten minute wait for a takeaway coffee after we had enjoyed our lunch.
