Suggestions
Explore the featured selections!
The Farmers Breakfast
Homemade Scone
Earl Grey
Spirit & Mixer
About
The Cowshed
Welcome to The Cowshed, a charming eatery nestled in the serene countryside of Dale Abbey, Ilkeston. Known for its delightful ambiance and exquisite food offerings, this café is a hidden gem that invites both locals and visitors alike to indulge in a memorable dining experience.
As you step inside, the breathtaking views through the floor-to-ceiling windows set the stage for a cozy yet vibrant atmosphere. The Cowshed boasts a diverse menu featuring scrumptious paninis, hearty toasted sandwiches, and tantalizing quiches. Each dish is crafted with care, with options such as the Philly Stack and American paninis that promise to deliver on flavor and satisfaction.
One standout dish that has captured the hearts of customers is the quiche of the day. One diner described their experience, saying, "a door wedge size of quiche" was served alongside a generous portion of salad and pasta, echoing the sentiment that quality far outweighs the price.
The Cowshed also caters to a variety of preferences, offering artisanal soups, delightful salad bowls, and indulgent jacket potatoes. The café is mindful of families, presenting kids’ meals and options like a half panini/sandwich paired with a slice of cake, making it an excellent spot for visitors of all ages.
What’s a great meal without a lovely drink? Guests can choose from an array of beverages, including loose-leaf teas that impress with their quality, or unwind with a glass of wine from their extensive selection, which includes white, red, and rosé wines available at reasonable prices.
- Customer reviews highlight:
- Exceptional service that enhances the overall experience.
- Delicious cakes that are both tempting and pleasing to the palate.
- A cozy, dog-friendly environment that ensures everyone feels at home.
In essence, The Cowshed is more than just a café; it's a community hub where food enthusiasts can gather to enjoy quality meals in a picturesque setting. Whether you’re craving a filling breakfast or a casual lunch with friends, The Cowshed promises delightful dishes and a warm welcome. Your next visit could very well be the start of a new culinary tradition, where the splendid flavors and friendly service speak for themselves—just as satisfied patrons like Kim Ebbern and Natalia Greed have echoed in their glowing reviews.
Join us at The Cowshed and experience a true taste of countryside cuisine!
Book a table
Make A Reservation
“ Went for lunch. The cafe was busy but managed to get a table for 3 of us. Lovely views infront of the glass floor to ceiling windows of the surrounding area. Prices are quite high, however this outweighed by the quality and selection of the food. I had quiche of the day which came with a plate full off salad and pasta with a door wedge size of quiche. Well worth the money! Good selection of drinks available with a promot service. The selection of cakes are definitely tempting as well. Will definitely pay another visit l. ”
“ Came for the first time over the weekend. The cafe was relatively busy, but we were accommodated with no issues. Staff were attentive and food arrived promptly. I was very impressed with the peppermint tea, which was loose-leaf and the teapot filled three cups! The paninis were well-filled and the member of our party who ordered a full English commented on the high-quality produce. The price was fair for the quantity and quality. Great little spot, we will be back! ”
“ Ive visited here a few times before & the staff are always pleasant, with this time being the same. I chose to go for the full English breakfast, changing the eggs for halloumi, which tasted lovely. Everything on the plate was cooked on point having no complaints. For drinks, I went for the flat white & a caramel milkshake both tasting great! ”
“ Wonderful brunch at the Cowshed. Beautiful rooms in the countryside. Delicious food and the cakes look great. Very busy, but they seem to be coping without too much delay. Update: Service was much faster on our last 2 visits, they seem to have improved a lot. ”
“ It was a very nice place to visit , dog friendly. Food as you can see by pictures, food was a real treat, service very good. I have to add the cakes to die for. Great outdoor seating area plus nice cosy inside restaurant area. Would recommend a visit, pricing reasonable. Cowshed as you can see, we very much enjoyed our visit with the family. Keep up the good work thanks M&J ”
“ Unique breakfast and lunch heaven between Nottingham and Derby. 5 stars, all around. ”
“ What a fab place for lunch. Obviously, they can be very busy. Fortunately we went for a late lunch around 1:30-1:45 and got seated in the conservatory which had a nice view out into the garden and included a big heater to keep the place warm. The staff were lovely and very helpful giving clear guidance on how to order and what's on the menu. The decaf tea was well presented, a good quantity and hot. The quiche meals were of very generous portions, with a good measure of mixed salad. There was a wide selection of cakes. The cornflake tart caught my eye and when it came it was a generous portion. I can recommend it! We moved into the main seating area after a short time as it was quite cool in the conservatory for us. The big heater couldn’t quite cope with the outside sliding doors opening for customers coming and going. The main seating area was a better area to sit, and was a good bit warmer. It was good to see the staff set to cleaning the tables and floors after customers had left. There are a couple of toilets on the ground floor, both clean and tidy with good facilities. The couple of things that would have made our experience even better was. 1. Fix the sliding outside door and stop it being left open or sliding open. On a cold day it is noticeable. 2. Both of our quiche meals were only just warm. They would have been much nicer a lot hotter. Overall, the staff were excellent, the food very good and the place was clean and tidy. Prices were a little more then we would have paid else where. There appears to be two car parks. We parked in the one off the main road and ended walking along it just around the corner to find the closer carpark and the entrance. We will definitely go again, perhaps when the weather improves or ask for a seat inside the main cafe. ”
“ This place is amazing, really nice food and lovely service from the friendly staff. We sat out on the decking and had a bite to eat in the sunshine one afternoon. The food is really good and the coffee (and biscuit) was great. Highly recommend a visit here, we will certainly be regularly visiting. The carpark is quite small but there is extra parking just around the corner. ”