The Lake District Guide

Your guide to recommended restaurants & gastropubs in the English Lake District.

The Lake District now has many restaurants which among the best anywhere in England, and you can choose from a huge range of styles and prices. We offer a selection of the ones we've especially enjoyed; and, as always, we'd be delighted to hear from you if own a restaurant you'd like included here, or you've visited a Lakes restaurant which is worthy of inclusion. The criteria for inclusion here aren't just about price - they're much more about quality and value for money, so feel free to submit any of your favourite restaurants, whatever and wherever they may be.

We'll check them out in person before we list the review here. And if you want to see if a particular Lake District restaurant is your kind of place, why not check it out by phone or on the internet before you go? Finally - what is a "gastropub"? Well, our definition is this: a high class pub with a relaxed, pleasant environment that offers refined cooking more characteristic of a good (or even a great) restaurant than a traditional pub.

If you've stayed or dined at a hotel or restaurant and you think it should be included in this guide, please send your comments to info@lake-district-guides.co.uk
 

Please confirm all opening hours before you visit the restaurants!
And don't forget to look at the pubs section for many other recommended places to eat!

South Lake District Restaurants and Gastropubs

Ulverston - Rustique

Ulverston is a little market town on the road from Newby Bridge to Barrow. It's not necessarily a place you'd expect to find a restaurant of the quality of Rustique - but then, restaurants of such outstanding quality appear to be spreading all over England these days! Suffice it to say that Rustique is one of that modern breed of restaurant that fuses all the elements of great cooking - skill, flair, imagination, craftsmanship - with selection of excellent ingredients, a wonderful ambience, and attentive but informal service. Highly recommended.
Rustique, Brogden St , Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 7AJ
Phone: 01229 587373 Web: www.eatatrustique.co.uk

Crosthwaite, near Kendal - The Punch Bowl

From the same stable as the Drunken Duck (see below), this is an excellent modern gastropub serving all the specialised and inventive dishes you'd expect. Highly recommended.
The Punch Bowl Inn, Crosthwaite, Lyth Valley, Cumbria, LA8 8HR
Phone: 015395 68237 Web: www.the-punchbowl.co.uk

near Hawkshead - The Drunken Duck Inn & Restaurant

This pub is the epitome of the gastropub, serving the highest quality cuisine in the most delightful setting. There are even bedrooms upstairs to stagger back to when you've sampled the pub's own home brewed beer and the fine food on offer in the charming dining rooms. We've eaten there many times and never been disappointed! You'll be able to try traditional food with a twist and things you'd never find anywhere else (like the scrumptious pigeon with liquorice). Vegetarians are well catered for with many delicious options on the menu. However, the prices are a bit steep: £17.95 for 3 scallops sitting on a little bean salad, however delicious, is a trifle ridiculous.
The Drunken Duck, Barngates, 3 miles from Ambleside. Follow the B5286 to Hawkshead and watch for the direction sign.
Phone: 015394 36347 Web: Drunken Duck Inn

Windermere - Jericho's

A restaurant run by people who care about what they do. Unpretentious, but gaining uniformly excellent reviews, Jericho's provides well-crafted, imaginative and high quality meals in a delightful setting, including a great veggie option. Dinner only. It's pricey, but well worth it.
Jericho's Restaurant, Birch St, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1DS
Phone: 015394 42522 Web: www.jerichos.co.uk

Bowness-On-Windermere - Jintana Thai Restaurant

Nestled in the centre of Bowness-on-Windermere, Jintana Thai Restaurant offers diners a relaxed, friendly environment in which to enjoy our freshly prepared authentic Thai Cuisine. The Restaurant is decorated with imported Thai furniture, artwork and carvings; it's an authentic atmosphere in which to enjoy a wide selection of meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes, each of which is freshly prepared by a team of experienced Thai chefs. The restaurant uses only the finest ingredients, some of which are flown in weekly from Thailand, so the menu encompasses all the flavours of Thailand, from fiery hot curries to milder aromatic dishes. Knowledgeable staff are always at hand to recommend dishes if you’re unaccustomed to Thai food. We think Jintana Thai Restaurant s perfect for couples, families and large parties - they certainly make very one feel welcome! (As soon as you step inside, you are greeted with a warm welcome by staff dressed in traditional Thai costumes!)
A special two course Early Evening Menu is available daily between 5pm-6pm @ £11.95.
Most items on our menu are also available for Takeaway.
Jintana Thai Restaurant, Lake Road, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3BJ
Phone: 015394 45002 Email: eat@jintanathaicuisine.com Web: www.jintanathaicuisine.com

Windermere - The Magic Wok

Outstanding Chinese restaurants are a bit thin on the ground. This one comes recommended by its many regular visitors.
The Magic Wok, 2 Crescent Rd, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1EA
Phone: 015394 88668

Central Lake District Restaurants and Gastropubs

Ambleside - Rothay Manor

Rothay Manor is renowned for excellent food and wine and has a reputation stretching back through 40 years' ownership by the Nixon family. It continues to go from strength to strength and has been listed in the Good Food Guide consistently for 38 years.
Part of this success is down to consistency, for head chef Jane Binns has been at the hotel for 30 years. In that time she has built up a network of local suppliers from whom she sources fresh produce of the highest quality. The comfortable lounges and classical-style dining room create the perfect environment to turn any meal into a special occasion.

Rothay Manor Hotel and Restaurant, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0EH
Phone: 015394 33605 Fax: 015394 33607
Email: hotel@rothaymanor.co.uk Web: www.rothaymanor.co.uk

Ambleside - Zefferelli's

Almost an Ambleside legend - it's been there for 15 years, and over that time it's never lost its high standards and its interesting approach to fresh food. And guess what? It's all veggie, though you might never notice! Booking is advisable for the evenings, because they do a great trade in combined cinema and dinner reservations which eats up the tables in the early evening.
Zefferelli's, Compston Road, Ambleside (on left of one-way street coming into town centre from Windermere).
Phone: 015394 33845 Web: www.zeffirellis.com

Grasmere - Jumble Room

A very jolly little place with a tempting range of delicious dishes from around the world with a local touch - try the Herdwick lamb kofta, for example! The proprietors make it relaxed and welcoming, and they've succeeded in producing a fairly sophisticated eating house with a varied menu, an extensive wine and beer list, and a touch of the exotic.
Jumble Room, Langdale Road, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9SU
Phone:015394 35188 Web: www.thejumbleroom.co.uk

Northern Lake District Restaurants and Gastropubs

Keswick - Luca's

An upmarket bistro, specialising in pastas and pizzas with some more sophisticated main courses such as monkfish wrapped in pancetta and roast lamb on olive oil mash. To quote one customer: "A fabulous restaurant. Highly recommended. We went there 2 evenings running - on both occasions the service and food could not have been any better."
Luca's Restaurant, Greta Bridge, Keswick
Phone: 017687 74621

Penrith - Costa's

A Tapas bar and restaurant where you can enjoy charcoal grills, both meat and fish.
Costa's, 9 Queen Street, Penrith, Cumbria
Phone: 01768 895550 Web: www.costastapasbar.co.uk