Places to eat in Keswick
Places to eat:
There are lots of places to eat in Keswick including a large number of modern bars and cafes. Places that have stood the test of time include:
The Dog and Gun - dog friendly traditional food and good beer in a low-beamed, slate-floored, atmospheric setting. Memorable. Renowned for the goulash - delicious and just the thing after a day's walking on the fells. Gets very busy in the evenings.
The Old Keswickian - for fish and chips and home-made, traditional pies to eat in or take away. Fuel for life! Other fish and chip shops include The Windybrowe Chippy the chippie on Bank Street and the Kingfisher on the main street.
The Loose Box - tasty pizzas in a wide variety of flavours. Popular with kids and recently refurbished. Seating in the former stalls for the horses whose owners were staying at the Skiddaw Hotel!
Abraham’s Tea Room - in the rafters of George Fisher the outdoor gear shop. The tea room offers simple homemade lunches and is very popular.
The Lakeland Pedlar - Keswick’s only vegetarian place with a wholefood healthy menu with a wide appeal. Gets very busy at lunchtimes, but is worth the wait.
The Lakeside Gardens café - next to the Theatre by the Lake (which also has it's own cafe and theatre bar) has straightforward menu. Lots of outdoor seating with fabulous lake views.
Bryson’s - the café is above the bakery shop. Traditional, honest, no-argument grub. Good value. On Thursday over 60s can claim a 10% discount on purchases from the bakery!
Keswick has an eclectic mix of restaurants including Italian at Casa Bella and Luca's. Indian at The Red Fort Tandoori, Lakeland Spice or Royal Bengal, Chinese at Golden Hills and Silk Road and Thai at the Star of Siam. For a more formal dining experience in contemporary surroundings head for Morrell's on Lake Road (especially if you are a Man United fan!)
There are plentiful coffee shops including Costa's, Java (serving the most delicious hot chocolate and having internet access) The Wild Strawberry and Treeby and Bolton (having contemporary art gallery and shop above). The Square Orange Cafe also has internet access and serves lovely food and arguably some of the best coffee in town.
The Market Square is lined with pubs, we recommend the Bank Tavern and The George. Oddfellows is worth a visit if you are interested in horses - the interior is decorated in racing silks, photos and memorabilia.
Have a look at our Review of pet friendly pubs in the Lake District.
For picnics:
Booth’s supermarket is one of a small regional chain, and surprisingly useful, with eclectic local foods and more cosmopolitan offerings.
Bryson’s can supply a range of sandwiches, pastries and cakes. Once you’ve sampled their bread, you won’t go back to any other!
The Cheese Shop in Packhorse Court is well stocked with every variety of cheese available plus local imaginative pates, olives, garlic and continental meats.
Keswick market (Saturdays) has a number of food stalls offering fresh fruit, homemade pies, cheese, baked goods and, curiously, fabulous hot Indian food.
Have a look at our article about The Great Lake District Picnic.
…and finally, I know we’re not supposed to eat sweets these days but we have to mention Keswick’s old and famous sweet emporium, Ye Olde Friar’s.
