When you think of Derbyshire, you probably picture rolling hills, Peak District hikes, and charming stone villages. But behind the postcard-perfect views, there’s a new kind of landscape emerging—one filled with smokehouses, street food trucks, and pitmasters serving up seriously good brisket.
That’s right—Derbyshire is going low and slow, and if you love BBQ brisket that’s smoky, tender, and packed with flavour, you’re in for a meaty adventure.
🐂 1. Smoke & Ice – Shirebrook
This hidden gem is part BBQ smokehouse, part ice cream parlour (yes, really), and 100% dedicated to big flavour. Their slow-smoked brisket is a house speciality, cooked for hours over wood and served up with homemade sauces and smoky sides.
It’s relaxed, family-friendly, and a total curveball in the best way possible.
📍 Market Close, Shirebrook
🔥 Pro tip: Save room for dessert—their smoked salted caramel ice cream is legendary.
🛻 2. Smokin’ Bull BBQ – Chesterfield (Street Food & Events)
One of Derbyshire’s street food heroes, the Smokin’ Bull BBQ crew serves up award-winning brisket from their mobile smoker, often seen at food festivals, pub takeovers, and private events. Their brisket is juicy, bark-crusted, and unapologetically bold—exactly how it should be.
📍 Various locations – follow their social media for event updates
🔥 Pro tip: Order the brisket-loaded nachos if they’re on the menu—smoky, cheesy bliss.
🍖 3. The Bull I’ Th’ Thorn – Buxton (BBQ Nights)
This historic coaching inn on the edge of the Peaks mixes country charm with modern BBQ magic. On select weekends and during summer events, they fire up their outdoor smoker and serve brisket platters with all the trimmings—think pickles, cornbread, slaw, and sauces made in-house.
📍 Ashbourne Road, Buxton
🔥 Pro tip: Combine your visit with a walk in the Peaks and finish with brisket by the fire pit. Bliss.
🍺 4. The Brisket Joint – Derby (Pop-Up Concept)
As the name suggests, these folks take their brisket seriously. Often popping up at Derby street food nights and brewery taprooms, The Brisket Joint specialises in Texas-style smoked beef served up in trays or stacked high in buttery brioche buns.
It’s rustic, messy, and unforgettable.
📍 Derby area – check local event listings
🔥 Pro tip: Grab a pint of local craft beer to wash it down—many of their pop-ups are brewery collabs.
🧡 Honourable Mention: Derbyshire’s Backyard Pitmasters
Some of the best brisket in Derbyshire never makes it onto a menu. The county has a growing number of backyard BBQ legends and small-batch smokers who sell brisket boxes at weekends or appear at farmers markets.
Look out for:
- Pop-ups at craft beer festivals
- Village fetes with food trucks
- BBQ collabs at taprooms in Matlock, Bakewell, and Belper
Ask around—you never know when someone’s running a low-key smokehouse from their garden shed.
🥩 What Makes Derbyshire Brisket Special?
The best brisket is about balance—a crunchy bark, deep smoky flavour, and a tender inside that pulls apart with a nudge of the fork. In Derbyshire, the local love of quality ingredients and slow food meets smoky American tradition in the most delicious way possible.
You’ll find brisket here that’s smoked with care, seasoned with soul, and served with a side of Northern charm.
✨ Final Thoughts: The Brisket Trail Through the Peaks
Derbyshire may be famous for its hills, pies, and historic pubs—but don’t overlook its rising BBQ scene. Whether you’re exploring the market towns or hiking across the moors, there’s a smoky surprise never too far away.
So grab your appetite and follow the scent of wood smoke. Derbyshire’s brisket game is strong, and it’s only getting stronger.
Got a secret brisket spot or backyard BBQ hero we need to feature? Let us know—our brisket radar is always on.