Eating out: Imaginative food at The Green Way Cafe, Matlock

Meat-free diners’ are no longer restricted to soggy salad or something with goats cheese and venues all over the country are dedicated to hearty herbivores.

In Derbyshire one such gem is The Green Way Cafe.

I’ve eaten in many vegetarian eateries across the UK and I’d go as far as saying this is one of the best.

The cafe supports local producers and uses ingredients sourced through ethical standards. All very worthy so far but what about the taste?

The menu is small but changes regularly and everything is homemade.

As the weather turns more autumnal I wanted something warming and chose shepherd’s pie with sweet potato mash and double Gloucester. My companion opted for mushroom and aduki bean parcels.

We were given tasty nibbles - hummus, vegetable sticks and tortilla chips - while waiting for our meals.

My overflowing plate arrived with a delicious pie full of lentils and vegetables tucked beneath a thick cheese layer. It was a generous portion but I polished it off. My friend’s mushrooms and beans were encased in a light puff pastry

Both dishes were served with salad and by that I don’t just mean ‘salad’. Green Way’s salads are legendary. They contain a bit of everything, a medley of flavours - fruit, veg, beans, seeds and pulses.

If you decide to visit Green Way one thing I can’t stress highly enough is to try the cakes. From a tempting selection we plumped for blueberry and lemon and chocolate fudge to share. The two rich, moist hunks of cake were truly treats for the tastebuds.

Imaginative, tasty food served by friendly staff. I’ve visited several times and have never been disappointed. I urge even the most committed carnivore to give Green Way a go!

Star ratings out of six:

Food 6

Atmosphere 5

Service 5

Value 5

The Green Way Cafe

Snitterton Road

Matlock DE4 3LZ