The Little John serves locally sourced British classics in the centre of Hathersage. Peak District pies are handmade daily, and the menu runs from the butcher, the fishmonger and the garden. Sandwiches are served Monday to Saturday from noon until 4pm and bar snacks all day. On Sundays the kitchen switches to a carvery.
The kitchen is not trying to be a restaurant that happens to have a bar attached. It is trying to cook pub food properly: pastry made here, chips cooked three times, gravy that took a day rather than a kettle. That is harder than it sounds and it is the whole point.
Kitchen
Mon to Sat
12pm – 9pm
Afternoons
No break
Straight through from lunch to dinner.
Sunday
12pm – 8pm
Carvery day. Booking recommended.
Sandwiches
12pm – 4pm
Monday to Saturday.
Sunday
The carvery
Every Sunday from noon until 8pm we serve a carvery: a selection of locally reared meats with homemade gravy, Yorkshire pudding, seasonal vegetables, roast potatoes, creamy mash and cauliflower cheese, at £16.95. Add pigs in blankets for £3.95.
It is the busiest service of the week and it does sell out, so a table is worth booking rather than chancing.
Lunchtime
Sandwiches and bar snacks
For when a main course is more than you came in for.
Sandwiches
Mon to Sat, 12pm to 4pm
All sandwiches are served on thick-cut white or granary bloomer, with our house salad.
Ploughman's Sandwich Vo Gfo £7.95
Hartington cheddar, thick-cut ham, and homemade piccalilli
Pastrami Sandwich Gfo £7.95
Pastrami, mustard mayonnaise, and sliced pickles
Scampi Sandwich £7.95
Beer-battered wholetail scampi, Marie Rose sauce and baby gem lettuce
Hot Roast Sandwich of the Day Gfo £7.95
Chef's selected roasted meat of the day, sage stuffing, and homemade gravy
Vegan Feta Sandwich Ve £7.95
Baba ghanoush, vegan feta, rocket, and cucumber
Add a mug of soup £3.95
Add triple-cooked chips £2.95
Bar Snacks
Choose any 3 for £17
Served Monday to Saturday, 12pm to 9pm, and Sunday, 12pm to 8pm.
Handmade Pork Pie £6.95
Wholegrain mustard mayonnaise
Halloumi & Hot-Honey Fries V £6.95
Grilled cheese with Peak District honey glaze
Calamari £6.95
Crispy calamari with sweet chilli sauce
Breaded Mushrooms V £6.95
Black pepper and truffle mayonnaise, mushroom seasoning
Beef & Chianti Croquette £6.95
Truffle and black pepper aioli, parmesan
Bourbon Maple Pork Belly Bites Gf £6.95
Sticky and smoky bourbon glaze
Baba Ghanoush Ve £6.95
Chilli oil, pine nuts and toasted pitta
Pea, Spinach & Ricotta Arancini V £6.95
Arrabiatta sauce
From around here
Sourced from the valley
Beef and pork from Harrington's. Eggs, milk and cream from Middleton Dairies and Watson's Farm at Hope. Bread from Peveril Stores in Castleton and Roses in Sheffield.
The cod comes out of the fryer in batter made with our own Peak District Pale Ale, which is about as short as a supply chain gets.
Asked often
Eating with us
What food does The Little John serve?
The Little John serves locally sourced British classics: handmade Peak District pies, dishes from the butcher and the fishmonger, salads and vegetarian and vegan options. Sandwiches are served Monday to Saturday from noon until 4pm, and bar snacks all day. On Sundays the kitchen switches to a carvery.
What time is food served?
The kitchen serves Monday to Saturday from noon until 9pm, and Sunday from noon until 8pm, straight through with no afternoon break.
Are the pies really homemade?
Yes. The pies are made by our chefs here every day, and there is a different Chef's Pie of the Week using whatever is best from around the Peak District that week.
Do you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes. There are vegetarian and vegan dishes on every menu, including a butternut squash and pearl onion tart tatin, a vegan aubergine Parmigiana and a vegan feta sandwich. Dietary markings are shown against every dish.
Do I need to book a table?
You are welcome to walk in, and there is usually room in the bar. Booking is sensible for dinner at a weekend and strongly recommended for Sunday lunch, which regularly sells out.
Can I bring my dog while I eat?
Dogs are welcome in the bar, so you can eat with your dog beside you. There are water bowls as standard and biscuits behind the bar.
