Kate W
30 March 2021
Keswick is a popular town for walkers, climbers, families and couples and offers a wonderful place to eat for everyone.
The town caters well for a wide range of tastes, with ample places to eat and drink; you'll find a good mix of modern bars, traditional pet-friendly pubs, and cafes that have excellent reputations.
Here are some of our favourite places to eat in Keswick, each perfect to visit if you're staying at one of our Keswick cottages!
Traditional pubs
The Market Square is lined with pubs and The Dog & Gun is possibly the best known dog-friendly pub in the Lake District. On a typical night, you can expect to be outnumbered on the dog to people ratio. The pub's speciality is Hungarian goulash, a legendary dish that is deservedly popular. This pub is frequented by local Cumbrians and holidaymakers alike and has a warm welcoming atmosphere.
The George is another local favourite and is renowned for its ‘cow pie’, a huge slab of pie that should only be taken on after a full day out on the fells! The Pheasant Inn is a hidden gem, a 15-minute stroll out of the town centre but certainly worth the walk. It has a traditional cosy feel, with great food and a good selection of ales, not to mention a particularly delicious fish pie! Other recommend pubs are The Royal Oak and The Bank Tavern.
Contemporary bars
If you are looking for something a bit more modern and contemporary, try the Lakes Bar and Bistro on Station Street. They serve an interesting menu that strikes a balance between pub and restaurant. There is also Bar 26 on Lake Road, which has the feel of a wine bar with comfortable, relaxed seating and a delicious tapas menu. If you enjoy a more formal dining experience and like an opportunity to dress up, there is Morrells on Lake Road or Inn on the Square in the Town Centre.
For an upmarket burger and chips and an exciting range of cocktails, you can try The Round. This hip bar embraces the mountain culture of the town and is located next to the start/finish point of the legendary Bob Graeme Round, a 24-hour running challenge in the Lake District Mountains.
Healthy meals
For those wanting to extend the Lake District's spirit of adventure and healthy living into their eating choices, you may want to try Merienda or Kat's Kitchen.
Merienda has a relaxed café vibe but offers an exciting menu packed full of superfoods. Kat’s Kitchen is a vegan café, which is great for all, with lots of healthy choices and a constantly changing menu as well as an eco-friendly approach to everything. The opening hours for each day can vary, so check their website before going.
A taste of Italy
The town has an excellent pizzeria, the Woodstone Pizza and Flamegrill. It's a wonderful pizza joint and is particularly popular, with its open-plan kitchen, stone-fired oven and extensive menu, well-worth a visit for sharing a pizza or picking out a favourite for yourself. Italian at Casa Bella is another wonderful Italian eatery with a delicious range of cuisine to enjoy.
A British classic
Fancy some traditional fish and chips? There are two top chippies in Keswick town: The Old Keswickian in the market square and The Kingfisher on Main Street.
World cuisine
As well as the more traditional establishments, Keswick offers a good mix of world cuisine including Indian at Lakeland Spice or Sultan of Keswick, Chinese at Golden Hills and Thai cuisine at Asaya Thai Restaurant.
Quick bites
Keswick is also full of coffee shops for those looking for a quick bite to eat. There is Java (featuring a chocolate fountain, which is used to drizzle chocolate on drinks and deserts alike!), The Wild Strawberry (great breakfasts) and Treeby and Bolton (part of a contemporary art gallery and shop). There is also the Square Orange Café that serves excellent tapas and thin-crust pizza as well as hosting regular live music evenings.
Picnicking
The Lake District is a beautiful place for exploration on foot and there are many stunning picnic spots for those wishing to eat on the go. A picnic is not complete without some local produce, such as a Cranston’s pork pie, Hawkshead Cumbrian Relish or a slice of cheese from the Cheese Deli in Packhorse Court!
Here are some of our recommendations for picnic supplies:
Booth’s supermarket is part of a small regional chain selling eclectic local foods. The Keswick branch has a cosmopolitan deli counter and a great selection of self-service salad items.
Bryson’s supply a vast selection of local cakes, bread and pastries. Try the Lakeland Plum Bread, simply divine with lashings of butter!
The Cheese Shop in Packhorse Court is well stocked with every variety of cheese available plus imaginative local pâtés, olives, garlic and continental dried meats.
Keswick Market (Thursdays and Saturdays) has a number of food stalls offering fresh fruit, homemade pies, cheese, baked goods and fabulous Indian food.
Thomasons Butchers and Deli on Station Street has a great selection of pies that they make in-house, as well as a legendary scotch egg. They also make home-cooked food, such as lasagne and quiche for those wanting to take food back to their self-catering apartment.
…and finally, we have to mention Keswick’s famous sweet emporium, Ye Olde Friar’s! This is very much a local family business, established in 1927 and remaining in the same family to this day.
Don't forget to browse through our full selection of Lake District cottages or find your perfect Keswick holiday cottage.
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Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.