Olivine at Chocolat: A new look for an old Matlock favourite

Anyone familiar with Matlock will remember Zinc, the popular café and gift shop that was something of a fixture in town. It's now in the hands of sisters Lizzie and Trisha, who have reopened it as Olivine at Chocolat, complete with a rather striking refurbishment.

The refurbishment is immediately apparent, beginning with the restoration of the building's original brass exterior, a gorgeous architectural detail that deserves to be celebrated.

Step inside and the transformation continues. The interiors have taken on an earthy, Mediterranean-inspired aesthetic, with warm, natural tones, bold botanical leaves adorning the walls and a delightful mix of Art Deco influences and contemporary flora and fauna. There are a lot of plants too, which I love, and it has that calming biophilic effect on you.

There is a real sense of considered design here. Rather than simply filling the space with tables, the new layout accommodates up to 92 guests while retaining a feeling of intimacy. Tucked-away corners with plush sofas offer somewhere to settle in for a leisurely coffee or a catch-up with friends.

One particularly welcome addition is the dedicated coffee bar and waiting area. As someone who regularly popped into Zinc for a takeaway coffee, I always felt slightly in the way hovering around the restaurant while waiting for my order. Now there's a designated space to perch, collect a drink or even open a laptop and get some work done. It's a small change, but one that makes a surprisingly big difference.

Outside, the charming terrace has retained its character, with thoughtful enhancements that should make it a wonderful place to spend a sunny spring morning or a lazy summer afternoon. The seating out at the front feels more welcoming too.

The Coffee Still Has My Heart

Now, let's talk about the coffee.

Anyone who knows me will know that I take my coffee rather seriously. I've sampled countless cups during my luxury hospitality career and across my travels, yet Zinc consistently served my favourite. It’s like liquid nectar – the perfect blend of skill, good beans and a decent machine.

Its much-loved barista, Brett, has since moved on - and I fully intend to track down where he's gone next - but I'm delighted to say that his legacy lives on. The team behind the machine have clearly been well trained and the coffee at Olivine remains exceptional.

There's also a rather pleasing new addition: a coffee loyalty card, with every ninth coffee free. Better still, those of us who prefer oat milk or other milk alternatives aren't charged extra for the privilege. With some cafés still adding around 50p for a plant-based alternative, it's a welcome gesture that makes regular visits even more appealing.

Breakfast Worth Getting Out of Bed For

During the Zinc years, I'd never actually tried breakfast. As a predominantly plant-based eater, I found the previous menu rather limited in that department.

So I was particularly pleased to discover that Olivine has embraced plant-based dining with genuine enthusiasm.

There are vegan breakfast options, plant-based breakfast rolls and plenty of choice for those of us who don't eat meat. It's refreshing to see a local independent café recognising that plant-based dining is no longer a niche request, but an increasingly important part of the hospitality landscape.

I opted for the lighter vegan breakfast, priced at a very reasonable £6.95, requesting mine without tomatoes, while my guest chose the traditional full English.

Our breakfasts arrived promptly, beautifully presented and, most importantly, cooked with care.

Vegan sausages can be notoriously disappointing. Too often they're served pale, soft or insufficiently cooked, but these were quite the opposite - beautifully browned, with a satisfying texture and plenty of flavour.

The mushrooms were delicious, the toast was excellent and the hash brown achieved that all-important balance of a crisp exterior and fluffy centre.

I particularly liked the beans served in a charming little pot, which kept everything looking neat on the plate. It's a small presentation detail, but one I always appreciate.

Across the table, my guest was equally complimentary about the full English, particularly the sausages, which again, were cooked beautifully. Everything worked well together, and both breakfasts represented excellent value for money.

Sweet Temptations

One of the most noticeable additions is a dedicated chocolate counter, alongside a greater emphasis on homemade cakes and sweet treats.

Thankfully, my beloved coffee and walnut cake has survived the transition. Some things are simply too good to lose.

The café has also been getting creative with seasonal baking. Its recent Halloween creations were wonderfully imaginative, and I'm already looking forward to seeing what appears in the run-up to Christmas.

With the chocolate offering continuing to develop, Olivine looks set to become just as appealing for an afternoon indulgence as it is for breakfast or coffee.

Friendly Faces and Familiar Charm

Service during our visit was friendly and relaxed, with some familiar faces from the Zinc days still part of the team.

It wasn't an especially remarkable service experience, but neither was it disappointing. Our food arrived quickly, everyone was welcoming and the atmosphere felt reassuringly local.

If I were to be particularly critical, our empty plates could perhaps have been cleared a little sooner. But this was a minor observation rather than anything that detracted from the visit.

There's a comfortable, unpretentious quality to the hospitality here, which I hope remains as the business continues to grow.

More Than Just a Café

What I find especially encouraging about Olivine is the sisters' apparent ambition to create something that extends beyond food and drink.

Zinc was always more than a café. Its gift shop and welcoming atmosphere made it a familiar part of Matlock's independent shopping scene, and I'm delighted that Olivine intends to revive that element.

A new gift section is planned, with what looks set to be a greater emphasis on locally sourced products.

The café is also embracing community events, creative sessions and collaborations with local businesses.

Among its forthcoming events is a book signing with Lili Myers, author of Dave & Me - Life With and Without My Hairy Biker, on Sunday 13 December. It's a deeply personal story exploring love, loss and the experience of navigating grief following the death of her husband.

Events like this suggest that Lizzie and Trisha are interested in creating a genuine gathering place, rather than simply another stop for coffee. And that, for me, is what makes independent hospitality so special.

The Verdict

Olivine at Chocolat has managed something that isn't always easy when taking over a much-loved local business: introducing a fresh identity without losing the qualities that made people love the original.

The refurbishment is beautiful, the coffee remains exceptional, the breakfast offering is thoughtful and excellent value, and the welcome is as friendly as ever.

There are still exciting additions to come, from the expanded chocolate counter to the return of the gift shop and a growing calendar of community events.

I haven't yet worked my way through the lunch menu, although I have fond memories of Zinc's sandwiches, so a return visit is certainly on the cards.

For now, Olivine feels like a confident new chapter for a familiar Matlock favourite. To find out more, call: 01629 385452