Welcome to the Bistro at Fountain House, where our Italian chef Giulia brings the warmth and heart of Italian kitchens to create an intimate, authentic dining experience. Using locally sourced ingredients, she crafts exceptional meals full of seasonal flavours. The Bistro offers an elegant yet welcoming space, the perfect place to unwind, connect, and savour great food in good company. Enjoy seasonal dishes crafted from locally produced ingredients, served with warmth and passion.

Please note: With limited seating and a focus on a calm, intimate atmosphere, we recommend booking in advance.

Meet Giulia, our brilliant chef and the heart of our kitchen. Originally from the Lombardia region in northern Italy, Giulia brings with her a deep love for traditional Italian cooking, shaped by her roots and refined through years of experience working in hotels and restaurants in London.

She lived in London for 11 years, honing her skills, before her passion for the outdoors led her to the Peak District and during a visit, she fell in love with Youlgreave.

Now, alongside her partner and their dog, Giulia is setting down new roots here, and we feel fortunate to have her as part of both our team and our community.

Our Menu

At Fountain House Bistro, we bring the heart of the Italian kitchen to the Peaks, blending traditional flavours with the best of local Derbyshire produce. Our menu celebrates authenticity, comfort, and connection—crafted to share and savoured slowly. From Antipasti to Primi, Secondi, Desserts, and Drinks, each dish reflects our commitment to quality, local suppliers, and seasonal ingredients.

We change our menu regularly to make the most of what’s fresh, in season, and at its peak of flavour. Every plate tells a story of care, craft, and community, bringing together Italian warmth, local character, and the simple joy of sharing a meal.

  • Ferragosto evening

    Friday 15th August 5:45 PM to 9:00 PM

    Join us for Ferragosto at the bistro, a summer evening of Italian food, wine and good company. Book now to save your place.

    Not available

  • Season’s End Evening

    Friday 19th September 5:45 PM to 9:00 PM

    A special night to celebrate the close of the summer season and thank our wonderful guests for their support. Expect a warm Italian welcome, a carefully curated set menu, and a glass of wine on us as we toast to the season gone by.

    Not available

  • Chef’s Table Collaboration

    Dates to be confirmed

    An exclusive dining experience featuring a collaboration between our head chef and a guest chef. Together they’ll create a unique Italian-inspired menu, blending tradition with creativity. Limited seats will be available — details coming soon.

    Not available

  • "What a gem in the heart of the Peak District! The moment you step inside, it feels like being welcomed into someone’s Italian home. Delicious food, warm service, and situated in a wonderful village full of charm and character"

    Nina

  • "A real community hub, it’s more than just a restaurant. You can tell everything is cooked with care, and the heritage building makes the experience even more special."

    Sophie

  • "Fantastic atmosphere! The staff treat you like old friends, the wine list is brilliant, and the Rigatoni is to die for. Couldn’t ask for more."

    Clare

  • "Authentic and atmospheric, I could have been in Italy!"

    Rachel

  • "It’s rare to find a place that feels this genuine. The whole village is lucky to have such a warm and authentic Italian bistro on its doorstep."

    Tom

  • "Dining here is an intimate experience, small, friendly, and personal. You’re not just another table; you feel truly looked after."

    Gary

Get in touch.

We’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re booking a table, planning a special gathering, or simply have a question about our menu, our team is here to help. Call us, send us a message, or drop by and say ciao, we’re always happy to welcome you to our Bistro.

FAQs

  • We’re open Friday to Sunday from 5:45 PM to 9:00 PM. To make the most of our intimate dining space, we work with two sittings: the first at 5:45 PM and the second at 7:45 PM.

  • You’ll find us in the Old Cooperative Building on Fountain Square, Youlgreave, DE45 1UR, right in the heart of the village, opposite the fountain.

  • We have a 10-minute drop-off point just outside the building for your convenience. The nearest parking is available on the street within the village. We kindly ask guests to be considerate and avoid parking directly outside other businesses during their opening hours.

  • Our menu changes frequently to make the most of fresh, seasonal produce. We always offer a selection of vegetarian dishes, though unfortunately we are not able to cater for vegans at this time.