Viva Restaurant in Derbyshire Dales

This is a nice place. The food was hot and very tasty, everyone was very attentive, it could have done with some Italian music playing to give it a more authentic atmosphere, only down side was the restuarant was on the cold side, needs more heating in there, overall experience was pretty good.

We were excited about visiting Viva but unfortunately the food was really disappointing. We ordered two authentic Italian pasta dishes which both had far too much dried herbs that overpowered any other flavours.

Cum here for a exstra spacial ocazion, food was mint, did pay top dollar for it tho. Maybe next time I should wear less gold chains as everyone was looking at me.

Firstly, I have Italian family so I am pretty clued up in the cuisine. I am always honest for the benefit of the business not just to complain. Service - Mostly good. However, maybe at least poor the first drink from a bottle of wine instead of just putting it at the end of the table and walking off. No tip based on that. Food - Ragu had no depth of flavour, therefore, it tasted a little watery. Reduce down your sauce or add more seasoning. Maybe it's better for Pizza?

My partner and myself came here for a meal on our one night get away. I honestly couldn't fault the service or the food super friendly and polite staff, the food came out hot and it was really nice and great value for money. We will deffo visit again. Thank you for a great evening 😊

After having a bad meal year many years ago we decided to give it another shot. Thankfully this time we weren't disappointed. Really good food and nice staff. Will definitely be returning again soon!

Lovely friendly restaurant fabulous food cannot fault it service very good and good value.Highly recommended.

We had a really good Italian meal, freshly cooked for a reasonable price and with great service, highly recommended

The food is... OK... Actual Italians would be very disappointed with it.

We always make sure when we are in Matlock to visit for a delicious meal at Viva. We've been several times and the food never disappoints.

Visited at opening time on a Weds evening and within an hour the restaurant was virtually full. Service quick and friendly and only a sort wait for food. Meals superb. Freshly prepared and piping hot and extremely tasty. Prices very reasonable and will visit again when in the area.

Nice but to be honest, slightly underwhelmed.

Maybe we chose the wrong food. Positives - Sea bass was brilliant. Pizza's were uninspiring. The prawn starter was fine - thousand island dressing with some small prawns on lettuce. Very 1980's, but tasty. Was a bit under par to get drinks after our mains. I am sure there are things on the menu which are really great.

Very nice but was a bit noisy, but the food was very good and the service was excellent, will be going again soon.

Realy nice food and nice atmosphere

Popped in by chance to see if a table was available for 4 people. Although it was busy, the waitress was able to find a table for us. We ordered our food and were not disappointed. Busy restaurant with open views in the kitchen. The chefs were non-stop all evening. Lovely atmosphere with a mixture of couples and families. I would definitely recommend a visit if you are in the area.

We were in town for a wedding, and walked by thinking this looked like a charming Italian restaurant. Do not be fooled by the generally positive reviews, this is anything but authentic Italian food. My travel partner and I both agreed that our pasta was bland and likely boxed, and the sauce was overly sweet and probably jarred. The waitress seemed annoyed with our presence and took quite a while to take our order even though we were only one of two tables there. At least our food was ready (suspiciously) fast, and was served soon after ordered. If this is authentic Italian, I hope you don't bring anyone from Italy here.

Great place to meet up with friends, the music was subtle and not intrusive. The food was fantastic

What a great location and the staff were very helpful the service was brilliant. The food....I don't like giving negative feedback but they seriously need to do some work here. The starter, bruscetta wasn't toasted and the bread was stale. The main meat dish was awful. They'd be a great candidate for a Ramsey kitchen as they could make it such a great place. Paid£70 for a starter and 2 mains plus wine(well priced) which if it had been nice wouldn't be complaining

That Carbonara Classico was absolutely fantastic! Great find in Matlock for authentic Italian food. The staff was nice and accommodated my group of 4 despite being almost packed. We ordered mains straightway and the portions were good and each dish was well appreciated by all. I ordered the Carbonara and it was sooooo good!! The sauce was just perfect- so light yet perfectly creamy! And the food came out piping hot. Only wished they had not taken that long to bring the food out. But if you crave for authentic Italian food while being in Peak District, must visit Viva!!

Fabulous restaurant, staff are lovely and food is amazing, will definitely be back.

I took a group of 18 to Viva, the food was excellent, all arriving together, staff polite and helpful and I received excellent quality of service from Steve throughout the organisation of our meal.

Great place to eat . Food and service excellent . Staff friendly and attentive . Highly recommend.

This is far from fine dining and authentic Italian food. I would not visit again.

5 start because food is excellent and service was good, shame one male waiter spoil it for the rest, he is rude and arrogant he thinks clients can not see him being rude!

Starter = very good. Calzone (main) = probably the best I have had. Sweet = excellent.

Great food, great service, a little bit noisy but the food was so yummy so was worth coming here!!!!

Service appalling, house red horrible, got sore eyes from the constant the extractor as had open plan kitchen. Food very average. Would not recommend

Waited an hour for food to come. No apology other than a meaningless” sorry for the delay”. Food was tasty, but wine spoiled by sediment. Disappointing.

Viva Matlock: A Modern Italian Gem in the Peak District Viva Matlock is a consistently well-reviewed restaurant offering a taste of Italy in the heart of Derbyshire. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect: Ambiance: Modern and stylish decor with an open kitchen. Lively and friendly atmosphere, perfect for various occasions. Positive reviews mention a welcoming and enjoyable dining experience. Food: Traditional Italian cuisine with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Extensive menu featuring pizzas, pastas, steaks, and seafood dishes. Particularly praised dishes include fillet steak with black pepper sauce and creamy pasta dishes. Overall: Viva Matlock boasts a 4.5-star rating on Tripadvisor, ranking it among the top restaurants in Matlock. Diners rave about the delicious food, friendly service, and overall value for money. Keep in mind: Reservations might be recommended, especially on weekends, due to its popularity. In conclusion, Viva Matlock seems like a fantastic option for anyone looking for a delicious and enjoyable Italian dining experience in the Peak District. With its modern ambiance, friendly service, and extensive menu, it caters to a variety of tastes and occasions. Whether you're a local or just visiting Matlock, Viva is definitely worth a try!

Great food cooked fresh to order lovely staff thankyou x

Great food, good price, good service. 👍

Thank you for a lovely meal, me and my family really enjoyed it!!

The food was excellent. A good choice on the menu . Plus friendly waiting staff .

Great food, we had viva filleto speciale steak and polo formaggio, a true delicacy, and staff very friendly. Take in consideration the restaurant was fully booked

The food was really nice and good portions. The service was nice and friendly. The place is correct. I would certainly visit this restaurant again if I were in the area.

Great food & atmosphere with spot on service, definetly worth a visit

Excellent service and food, staff couldn't have been more helpful.

Friendly efficient staff, tasty food with generous portions. Highly recommended.

Our first time here and we loved it! Food was fabulous and great service.

The worst Italian restaurant I have ever eaten in. I’m shocked. Avoid don’t waste your money if you’re a lover of authentically cooked food made by a chef who is passionate about the food they serve. You’ve got it all wrong! Bring Gordon Ramsey!

Really good quality food and large portions, service was attentive but relaxed. Highly recommend

Very disappointing. Chicken pasta only had 5 tiny pieces of chicken in it & the salmon came with an awful tasting sauce. Staff pleasant but definitely won’t return.

Disappointed. Not authentic Italian. Bland flavors and cheap ingredients. Ordered a salami pizza, but the toppings used were not authentic, possibly halal. As someone who was born and raised in Italy, I find this restaurant to be an insult to Italian cuisine.

Fantastic food wonderful staff 1st class service 5stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Well to start my review king prawns in Bisto is not Italian, no idea what kind of cuisine that is?! The mushrooms looked like a science experiment and I only hope I survive until the morning. Contemplating ending it all now! Needless to say we won’t be going back

The food and service were excellent, ashame about the group using speaker phones chatting to family/friends

Nice meal. House wine not very nice and certainly overpriced for the quality. Pleasant staff. Unhurried service. I think there weren't enough cooks for the number of diners. Very fancy plates, garnished with swirls and wiggles of decorative condiment.

The food is incredible, cooked to perfection and beautifully displayed. The decor was lovely and oozed Italian vibes. Unfortunately we weren't greeted at the door and stood in the empty restaurant for a minute. We didn't receive a check back about our food and the staff weren't too cheery, as a waitress this did bug me. There were around 6 songs on the playlist and we heard That's Amore 3 times. I love Deano as much as the next person but it was annoying. I'd come back for the food but I wouldn't if the service was at the same level.

Delicious food and very interesting menu options

So disappointing. Nothing about the food was italian or interesting. Utterly dead atmosphere and it felt like £50 wasted. Example: Sea Bass on a bed of Rocket. 2 very bland, under seasoned fillets on 3 bits of Rocket. If you like Italian food, please avoid.

Excellent service and food. Would eat there often if we lived in the area.

Might have been an off night but me and my partner ordered two medium rare steaks. Both were medium/well done. As we cut into them blood completely drained into our sauces and it ended up looking like a scene out of the shining. Service was decent but I can't say I would recommend an evening here.

Large portions, but calzone was under cooked, pastry was doughy

Disappointed by the Motzorella and tomato starter, use of salad tomato rather than beefsteak tomatoes with poor Mozzorella. The mains were very nice though.

Visited for a meal out. Dried pasta and chicken. Very very very bland taste like a microwave meal.

Called in without reservation and was greeted warmly and given a choice of tables. Service very friendly and attentive and not hurried. Food was delicious and delivered within an acceptable time and was lovely and hot and tasty. In all very happy and price very reasonable.

Not bad for a reasonably priced meal.Bog standard italien but done fairly well.very quiet mid week out of season.friendly staff.

We booked in for dinner. The restaurant was busy but the service was not affected. The food was superb. We had a tagliatelle bolognaise and the manzo cacciatore, with a side of ciabatta bread. The food was delicious and was generously portioned. We paid £38 for two main courses, a side and two sift drinks. All in all, we could not fault Viva and will definitely return.

Food was nice actually very nice. Considering no Italians work there. The service was OK. Price was on the medium to high side. I would go back.

Lovely restaurant, excellent food and friendly , attentive staff.

Very disappointed with the standards here, the service was ok, but the food very average. The coffee, a cappuccino, was very poor indeed...very weak and poor flavour. But worst of all was the lack of extraction of burning cooking smells that get into your eyes, and clothing. My jacket needs to go to the cleaners, and everything else needs washing. We are visitors to the area, and we've been in some nice places, but this was dreadful.

Excellent food, good and experienced staff.

Absolutely amazing Italian cuisine! Portions are incredible. Great vaule for money.

Great survive just pizza a bit greecy

Really good portion sizes. The calzone was massive! Very good service as well.

Upon arriving, we got seen within seconds and seated in a lovely spot next to the window. After seating, the service was very fast and we got our food within 20 minutes of arriving as did the other customers there. The manager and waiters were ever so polite and even let us take the meal home! The restaurant has such a creative menu and the decorations around the restaurant are outstanding. Very unique style and it feels so magical in the environment. Not to mention, the food prices were fabulous and portion size was excellent! Will definitely be coming back here, amazing business!!

Our favourite 'go to' restaurant for special meals. Been going there since 2017 and always excellent food and service. FYI need to book at weekends to ensure a table.

Lovely, friendly atmosphere. Lovely food and staff.

Food was ok, decor tired and needs updating, toilets definitely need a spruce up, not the warmest place either, no complaints on the food or service, but for the price paid would go somewhere else to have a more comfortable experience, just need to update your premise.

My fiancé and I have been here on numerous occasions and every experience is better than the last. The staff are lovely, the food is exquisite and the atmosphere is homely. If you are in the Matlock area and fancy Italian cuisine, I highly recommend this place.

Amazing food and great staff. Couldn't have asked for more.

Dropped by early on a Saturday evening to be greeted by lovely staff who were attentive and polite. Ordered drinks and informed that we would not have to pay for them due to a lack of gas on the pumps, in fairness they were fine. On ordering we were informed to show restraint on the starters as they were large, as a result I only ordered a main (wife had a starter!) and we were really impressed with the honesty. The food was piping hot, well presented and best of all really tasty. Pricing for main meals was also very reasonable. All in all, fantastic spontaneous visit. Can't recommend Viva enough. Brilliant. First of many visits.

We had pizzas and it was very disappointing. The cheese just slid off the pizza it was full of oil. We showed this to the waiter which gave us a refund for our mains. As we left if looks could kill. The manager wasn’t impressed and he glared us out of the restaurant which made us feel very uncomfortable. Take it he didn’t like criticism. We would never return now because how the management reacted.

Terrible service and very mediocre food at best.

All the staff were excellent and the food was excellent thanks

Tasty food, good price and great service!

The food was good if a little pricy. But what really let the visit down was the 1.5 hour wait for two pizzas which is just ridiculous

Excellent selection of Italian food including beautiful fillet steak, through to pizzas and pasta dishes. Reasonable priced excellent quality food

The young waiter was so good with our 6 year old granddaughter and our meals were beautifully presented and very tasty 😋

A good Italian restaurant, with a menu much as you might expect.

Fantastic food. Great choice. Friendly and polite staff.

Very nice food, decent portion sizes.

A fabulous restaurant. Good choice on the menu. Would definitely go back.

Lovely garlic bread and sea food pasta dish but pizza was a little disappointing

Lots of potential here but just missed the mark for us. I think there's 3 bits of constructed criticism I could give to make 5 stars. 1. Season the food better, it came out a bit bland for us. That includes the tortellini filling. Just taste it yourself and adjust. 2. Al dente pasta is good, but there's a sweet spot and if not careful you'll be serving uncooked pasta. Same for the potatoes. In our experience the texture felt undercooked. This is bordering on preference a little bit so why not just ask how the guest wants it? 3. Open concept into the kitchen gimmick... you don't see it that often in Italy so not sure where its came from... we just left smelling of a kitchen. It's a good job we wasn't heading to the bar afterwards. Other than that, great menu variety, meals came out visually appealing. Staff and service fine for a busy restaurant. Pizzas looked great. Fairly reasonable wait times on food and drink. Price would be worth it if blandness was fixed.

Good food and service! Reasonable prices too.

Great food and friendly service.

Booked on off chance as working on area. Comfortable place, friendly and efficient team and most excellent meal at an acceptable price. Definitely good value for money. Will use again when in area.

Great meal very good service too in lovely surroundings

Lovely Italian, food was beyond amazing … great presentation and friendly service. Would recommend. Very reasonably priced as well.

Great affordable food, especially enjoyed the pizzas. No rush experience, allowing plenty of time to relax

We had great time for Mt birthday food was amazing !!

Very disappointed. We booked Viva for my wife's birthday last Tuesday (2/8). Having been seated we waited 20 mins for our drinks order to be taken and a further 20 before we got our starter. 15 minutes after finishing our starter, we were asked by the waiting staff if we still waiting for our starter, to which we replied that we were waiting for our main course. Some 20 minutes later, we were asked whether we were still waiting for our main course. Meanwhile, other diners were coming in, being served drinks, starters and mains, while we still waited! A family of four who arrived well after us had their drinks and starters finished and were being served their main course (pizzas) when we decided enough was enough and paid for what we had eaten! I'm sure if we had ordered pizzas we would have been served, but as this was a birthday occasion we chose a pork dish and a chicken dish which clearly wasn't as quick to prepare as a pizza! Whilst we were paying for what we had eaten, the waitress asked if we would wait a further 15 minutes whilst they cooked our meals! We declined and left. We will not be going again.

Lovely food and great surroundings, very popular Italian restaurant with a large menu selection. I would have given this a full five stars but the only thing that let it down slightly is the service which one member off staff in particular appeared very inexperienced.

Great meal but the waiting staff really pleasant, very chatty and worked hard to make us happy, good value too, special thanks to Louis who definitely deserves a raise!

Excellent quality food and service.

Great way to keep customers, turned up for a meal was told its full and go to another restaurant, didn't even ask us if we wanted to have a drink.

tasteless overcooked dry pork with cream, an unforgettable experience

Very good experience. Fitted 3 of us in with no booking on a surprisingly busy Sunday evening. Only negative was we had to actually do a bank transfer for the bill as they were only taking cash payments. We weren't told this on arrival and who carries £90 cash around these days!?