Out For Breakfast At S42 Cafe In Tupton, Chesterfield
Published On Sunday 7 Sep 2025 by Sticky Beak
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Hot on the heels of its recent win in Derbyshire Times’ ‘What’s your favourite Café across Chesterfield and Derbyshire’ poll, S42 Café in Tupton invited The Man and I along to see what makes them so popular. Unassuming, this little gem is located on a regular residential street (Queen Victoria Road) and was once a farmhouse. Now, it looks like it’s been made into a semi-detached property, sharing the other side with a hair salon.
S42 Café does have a few spots of its own for car parking, but there’s plenty on the road, so don’t panic if it’s full – which it probably will be, given its appeal! A lovely, typically warm Chesterfield welcome was given to us both and we were seated close to the counter at the back of the space, so we got to people-watch at every one coming and going.
S42 Café is dog-friendly and also welcomes all diners, whatever their age; in fact, so community-minded are the team, they host a ‘Natter and Chatter’ table every Tuesday between 10am-Noon. This initiative means that no-one needs to feel isolated; you simply turn up, grab a drink, and get yapping; if you’re shy or lacking confidence, someone’ll start the convo - you’re in the ‘Shire: we aren’t back’ards at coming for’ads!! For those who love to immerse themselves in the written word, love company and/or want to make new friends, why not pop along to the monthly book club at S42 Cafe? This club meets on the last Tuesday of every month,7-9pm, and is literally inclusive of everyone, regardless of age and literary enthusiasm; often, book clubs seem a bit snobby/elitist, but this one isn’t at all.
Now, it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere in the world, but we resisted the urge to grab a bevvie (S42 Café is licensed), opting instead for a Black Coffee (£2) and a Hot Chocolate (£3.50, £4.50 if you want all the gubbins; I just had plain). There’re all the faves on offer at Breakfast, so His Nibs had the Full English (£10) and I chose the Avo and Poached Eggs on Sourdough, adding Mushrooms on the side (80p). Lighter options, such as toast, Bacon and/or Sausage Cobs are also available…and even American-style Pancakes.
Whilst we waited for our brekkies, plenty of folks were receiving theirs, and they did look good. The phone was also ringing and takeaway orders being placed for pick-up; the orders weren’t just for breakfast either, some were for the Salad Boxes, Jacket Spuds and Loaded Fries. As I was nosing around, I spotted the fresh cakes in the counter near the till, too, making a note to myself to take a fresh Cream and Jam Scone home for me and Mummy! His Maj had got his eyes on the Rocky Road, so that was our afternoon treats sorted out.
Seating about 18-20 folks inside and probably another half-dozen outside, S42 Café might not be the largest, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in an all-encompassing homely feel. Pale wood floors and sturdy wood tables set with sprays of fresh flowers are warm-tones, and the padded, high-back chairs in a shade of nut brown are some of the comfiest I’ve parked my derriere in! I loved the modern lighting: a combination of spider pendant, and glass spheres with those trendy bulbs in. Faux foliage, quirky animal prints and a large wicker heart all ‘pop’ against the forest green walls, and there’s some rather snazzy yellow background wallpaper on one wall featuring Zebras, Lions and Giraffes.
Hayley was busy in the kitchen, and it wasn’t long before our cooked-fresh-to-order breakfasts were being placed in front of us, steam coming from His Nibs’ Full English, especially! My Avocado and Eggs were garnished beautifully with Pea Shoots, a trio of whole Cherry Tomatoes and Balsamic Glaze and I couldn’t wait to tuck in. My Mushrooms came in a separate pot, and there was a good amount of them; they weren’t sliding in oil either, so their sweet earthy flavour came through clearly on my palate. The thick slice of toasted Sourdough was topped with Avocado that was smashed and perfectly seasoned, a gentle warmth from Chilli flakes at its periphery. Both poached Eggs were done perfectly - no ‘snot’ here, thank you very much - and the jammy yolks were gorgeously rich-tasting. The Cherry Tomatoes were so incredibly sweet and juicy, as they popped in my mouth, and the Balsamic added that extra finesse to the dish with its tangy/sweet/fruity complexity.
The Man was a very happy chow-hound with his plateful of yumminess, not least the thick rashers of ‘proper’ bacon - they dunna muck abarht in Tupton, tha knows! I tried a piece of one of the Sausages, and was pleasantly surprised; the Pork was plain (so many are herbed and/or overly seasoned) and this one had no ‘repeat factor’. You all know what a picky cow I am when it comes to Sausages, so when I say that I’d be tempted to have a Full English at S42 Café, that should tell you summat! The grilled, fresh tomato halves were that fab texture of being comfortingly soft without being soggy, and the crisp-edged fried eggs had lovely runny yolks that begged to be dunked into with the toast accompanying the cooked items. Baked Beans also got mop-up duties, a task that escaped the large field Mushroom; that beauty got passed over to me.
Sauces had been offered when our breakfasts had been put down in front of us, and check-backs were done at a timely interval. Seriously, this team could teach some ‘fancier’ establishments a thing or two in customer care. Tupton, you’ve got yourselves a bloody treasure here, I hope you know that! If you’re a bit snobby when it comes to Cafés, (pronounced ‘Caffy’ not Cafay by the way, in Tupton), then you are missing out big-time. So, ditch the Hyacinth Bucket ‘tude and get yersens down to S42 Café, pronto-Tonto – you won’t regret it. Hot Wings more than happily given here.
P.S I can confirm that the Rocky Road and Scones were bangin’ anorl!
To book a table, ring 07380 956325; if you want to view the takeout menu, pop ‘S42 Café Tupton’ into Google and click on ‘Chesterfield Eats’, then ring to place your order. S42 Café is open Mon-Fri 9am-3pm, Saturday 9am-1pm, closed Sunday.
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