Sour Cow

12 Market Pl, Wirksworth, Matlock DE4 4ET, United Kingdom
+44 7368 842742
$$$ Cafe
(144 Reviews)
Price Range £1–10

Sour Cow is a snug café tucked into the heart of Wirksworth’s Market Place, offering a cozy retreat for breakfast or a casual midday break. With its small, rustic interior and friendly staff who clearly enjoy their work, it’s the kind of place where the smell of fresh cooking wraps around you the moment you step in. It feels like a local spot where regulars and visitors alike drop by for genuinely homemade food without any fuss.

The menu centers around hearty breakfast treats and comforting toasted sandwiches—perfect for starting the day or refueling after exploring the nearby trails. The Full English Breakfast and vegetarian options provide substantial, well-crafted plates while the French toasts, particularly the caramel apple or banana and peanut versions, stand out for those with a sweeter tooth. The toasted sandwiches come served with a fresh side salad and homemade coleslaw, adding a bit of thoughtful, homemade detail to simple fare.

Locals seem to appreciate Sour Cow for its welcoming vibe and approachable pricing. It’s the kind of place where you can pop in for a quick coffee and a scone, or linger over a French press pot of coffee that’s darker and richer than average, at least in the afternoon lull. The layout and size make it feel intimate, less suited for large groups but ideal for solo visitors, dog owners waiting nearby, or pairs catching up. While the café doesn’t have restroom facilities, the attentive service balances that small inconvenience.

Best visited mid-morning or early afternoon, Sour Cow feels a bit like a patch of sunshine during cooler Wirksworth days, with staff who bring warmth and cheer to the experience. It blends subtle indie charm with reliably fresh, homemade food—grounded in its role as a community go-to rather than a flashy destination.

Highlights
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining
Good for working on laptop
What they serve
Coffee
Healthy options
Quick bite
Small plates
Best for
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

10:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Tuesday

10:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Wednesday

Closed

Thursday

10:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Friday

10:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Sunday

Closed

144 Reviews
Hena Ali

26 Dec 2025

What a lovely cozy place. Quaint decor and such friendly cheerful staff. A breath of fresh air & sunshine is the vibe. The food was great. We ordered pancakes with peanuts and vegetarian breakfast, delicious! Coffee, and hot chocolate superb!

Stuart Foster

22 Dec 2025

We popped in while our dog was at the groomers and were given a lovely warm welcome. The food was delicious (definitely try the scones!) and the prices are very reasonable. This is a great place to stop for a quick coffee or stay longer for a bite to eat.

Stig Stig

16 Dec 2025

Used google maps to find the cafe. Only 4 star as sadly no W/C facilities. Everything else was spot on. Great food friendly staff.

Mike Rich

19 Nov 2025

What a lovely cafe! We arrived late in the day, around 4:15. Despite it being the end of the day, Emma (who is a *delight*) cooked us up a tasty, filling, and affordable late lunch! My wife and I split a carafe of French pressed coffee (dark and tasty), a toasted cheese and onion sandwich which came with a little side of salad, and the Vegetarian Breakfast. The veg breakfast is two pieces of thick toast done to a light golden brown topped with scrambled eggs and sauteed mushrooms. The eggs were perfect, still moist and not overly firm, but definitely cooked through. The mushrooms had a light sear on them - delicious, and I don't usually like mushrooms. On the side there were some barbecue beans and a roasted tomato. All of this came to £10.50! We left with full bellies and new knowledge about the area. Did you know there were once 72 pubs in Wirksworth?! We want to come back on a Saturday to try the Full English Breakfast (weekends only). Definitely recommend!

Louise O'Sullivan

21 Oct 2025

It’s only a small cafe so feels nice and cosy. It’s quite rustic looking. The food is made and prepared in the cafe part so you can smell it cooking. The staff were really nice and the food was freshly cooked. The cakes looked and tasted great. The scones were huge! The toasted sandwiches were made with nice bread and came with a lovely side salad and delicious homemade coleslaw. The toasted sandwich was £8 but good value compared to many places and a very good portion size. It was delicious. My friends had the pecan and cinnamon cake as loved it

Rupert Wiltshire

05 Oct 2025

Was greeted by a warm team of staff, lovely food and great atmosphere. Would highly recommend to anyone in the Wirksworth or Derbyshire area, great coffee and even greater food. Amazing experience!

Natalie Dyke

02 Oct 2025

Wonderful small but friendly cafe with friendly and helpful staff. Food was really good and the drink selection was good too. Dog friendly, vegan and vegetarian options available.

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