What's New On The Sticky Beak Blog


House Boat
Derby, Derbyshire
07341 612522
View The Full Profile
A Recent Dining In Review


Dinner At Olive, Belper After A Couple Of Cocktails At Gatsby's
This Review | All Reviews

Sticky Beaks' Hot Wings Award



Like Us On Facebook


Derby's newest Indian restaurant thanks the city after a thousand diners flock to try it out


Published On Monday 4 Nov 2024 by Sticky Beak
See Recent News Articles


Management at Derby’s newest Indian restaurant say more than a thousand diners have visited since it opened. Johns Geo and his friends are the brains behind House Boat, a South Indian tapas-style restaurant on St Peters Street in Derby.



Since it launched in August, Johns says the restaurant has been “regularly packed” and weekend business is “wonderful”.

He said: "We’re thrilled by the warm welcome in Derby and grateful to everyone who’s visited us. Many have said we should have opened here years ago, and we’re humbled by the positive Google and Tripadvisor reviews. It’s encouraging to be busy every day, and we appreciate Derby’s kindness as we establish ourselves in the city.”



House Boat specialises in food from Kerala – a region in South India, and every dish is unique and bursting with authentic tastes and flavours. On the menu are traditional dosas (thin, savoury pancakes), thalis, and unique seafood dishes that showcase typical South Indian food – cooked by chefs from Kerala.


Among the vibrant traditional dishes, there’s also a selection of rich beef, chicken and lamb on the menu, popular aromatic biriyanis and a range of South Indian starters.


To celebrate the launch, House Boat is still offering diners a lunch and dinner menu. Right now, the lunch deal price is £10.99 with a pint, and £8.99 with a soft drink.The new 60-seater restaurant is based where the Swiss Cottage Café used to be.

It has been fully transformed by the management team into a vibrant fusion of colour. Hand painted murals, which blend the cultures of Kerala and Derby, decorate the walls after street artists were commissioned from London. Inside, giant painted tigers and elephants sit alongside images of a Derby Ram and a Rolls-Royce motor car. 



To add to the décor, the restaurant’s unique anchor lights have been sourced from India and shipped to the UK, and on each of the tables you’ll find small wooden house boats filled with cutlery and napkins.


It is not just the interior that is eye-catching to customers, House Boat has a stunning beer garden which can cater for a further 30 diners. Plans are in place to open it next year, but enquiries are already flooding in from people wanting to hire the space for private functions.


Vinod Payyoor Manghat, said: “This restaurant was a long time in the making, and we wanted the interior to feel special, featuring traditional items from Kerala. We’re thrilled with the results, and the outdoor dining area made St. Peters Street the perfect location.


“There are not that many Indian restaurants that offer guests the opportunity to sit outside, and we know that our beer garden will be such a popular spot in the better weather.”


The House Boat team scoured the UK to find the perfect place to open their restaurant and eventually decided on Derby. The plan was to get established ahead of Derby’s new entertainment venue opening next year and spend time introducing new diners to the restaurant. But following the launch, hundreds of people rushed to try its fine offering of authentic food – turning it into a busy and popular place to eat. Full of excitement about the food on offer, customers also left dozens of five-star reviews.


Johns said: “We can’t actually believe that we have had a thousand people through the door. I thought business would be very slow at the beginning - but that has not been the case. There are a couple of north Indian restaurants in the Derby, but no south Indian ones and we think this could be the reason for diners coming through the door.”


The House Boat Restaurant is open seven days a week, from 12 noon to 10pm. For more details, call 07341 612522.



Read Some Of Our Recent News Articles

The Bakewell Tart Shop Reopens with Fresh Look, New Features, and Big Ambitions
The Bakewell Tart Shop Reopens with Fresh Look, New Features, and Big Ambitions After a three-week closure and major refurbishment, The Bakewell Tart Shop has officially reopened - unveiling a fresh new look, exciting Read The Article

Hoar Cross Hall Celebrates One Year of the Spa Terrace with Summer DJ Event Featuring Nathan Dawe
Hoar Cross Hall Celebrates One Year of the Spa Terrace with Summer DJ Event Featuring Nathan Dawe Hoar Cross Hall Hotel & Spa has marked the first anniversary of its Spa Terrace with a sun-drenched celebration and special Read The Article

Opening date announced for The Spirit Run Distillery and Bar at Derby Market Hall
Opening date announced for The Spirit Run Distillery and Bar at Derby Market Hall Get ready for an exciting new addition to Derby Market Hall! The Spirit Run Distillery and Bar will launch on Saturday 19 July. The venue is the latest venture Read The Article

Casa Hotel and Peak Edge Toast a Derbyshire First with Premium Alcohol-Free Offerings
Casa Hotel and Peak Edge Toast a Derbyshire First with Premium Alcohol-Free Offerings Two of Derbyshires leading four-star hotels - Casa Hotel in Chesterfield and Peak Edge Hotel in the Peak District - are raising the bar for mindful Read The Article

The Cupola Kitchen and Rooms in Stoney Middleton launches 'The Cupawla' - a menu just for dogs
The Cupola Kitchen and Rooms in Stoney Middleton launches 'The Cupawla' - a menu just for dogs A stylish new cafe and visitor centre in one of the Peak District's most scenic walking destinations has gone to the dogs - in the best Read The Article

BEAR named finalist in the 2025 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards
BEAR named finalist in the 2025 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards Midlands, UK - BEAR has been named a finalist in the 2025 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards, shortlisted in the Equity-Backed Entrepreneur Read The Article

Celebrate The Summer Season At Award-Winning Fischer's Baslow Hall
Celebrate The Summer Season At Award-Winning Fischer's Baslow Hall What better way to enjoy summer than an experience at Fischers Baslow Hall. Whether you're venturing for a long-earned getaway or simply calling for Read The Article

The Ashford Arms Shortlisted For Best Country Pub In The Great British Pub Awards 2025
The Ashford Arms Shortlisted For Best Country Pub In The Great British Pub Awards 2025 The Ashford Arms, a beautifully restored country pub with rooms in Ashford-in-the-Water, has been shortlisted in the Best Country Pub category at the Read The Article

The Cavendish Hotel at Baslow Wins Gold at the Visit England Awards for Excellence 2025
The Cavendish Hotel at Baslow Wins Gold at the Visit England Awards for Excellence 2025 The Cavendish Hotel at Baslow has been awarded Gold in the Taste of England category in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025 Read The Article

Top Nottingham chef celebrates one year with star collaborations
Top Nottingham chef celebrates one year with star collaborations The highly successful first year in business of a popular restaurant in Nottingham’s Bridlesmith Gate is being celebrated with a unique series of guest chef collaborations. Read The Article

Read More