Kate A
01 April 2021
There are so many fabulous restaurants, food pubs and cafes in the Lake District that you're spoiled for choice in where to eat. Do you pick an exclusive Michelin-starred restaurant, a cosy gastropub with an open fire, or a friendly tearoom that serves delectable cake? Or, if you're staying in one of our self-catering cottages, you can even order in restaurant-quality dining with local produce and prepared meals delivered right to the door!
There really is an amazing amount of foodie offerings in Cumbria and we have all the guides to help you find the best places to eat in the Lake District.
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Lake District places to eat and pubs by location
Wherever you're staying in the national park, you'll want to know where you can get a delicious meal. From international restaurants in Keswick to chic bars in Windermere, and welcoming pubs in Eskdale, pick your location to discover where to eat in the Lake District.
Eat out in Bowness and Windermere
Awash with independent delis, artisan bakeries and award-winning pubs with breweries, there are plenty of opportunities to get your tastebuds tingling with the wealth of places to eat in Bowness and Windermere . Dine with a view amid spectacular mountain scenery and the sparkling waters of Lake Windermere.
The best pubs in Eskdale
After a wonderful day treading the national park’s scenic trails, you’ll be sure to have worked up an appetite for some high-quality fare in one of Eskdale’s inns.
The best pubs in Ambleside
Whether you’re seeking Lake District pubs that are traditional and atmospheric with live local music, or sleek and modern with fancy food, Ambleside has them all.
Eat out in Keswick
Making the most of the area’s rich larder, you’ll find some of the best restaurants in the Lake District within the charming town of Keswick. Why not tuck into flavoursome Cumbrian sausages before indulging in a hearty bowl of sticky toffee pudding topped with lashings of warm custard or cream?
Eat out in Patterdale and Glenridding
From some of the best pubs in the Lake District serving local Herdwick hogget from the surrounding fells for Sunday lunch, to the finest Lake District restaurants with tantalising à la carte menus, it doesn’t get much better than the extraordinary eateries on offer in Patterdale and Glenridding.
Eat out in Coniston
After scaling soaring peaks, rambling through rolling fells, and wild swimming in crystal-clear lakes, nothing beats the feeling of uncovering one of Coniston’s top-notch dining places with homecooked food and real ales to quench your thirst.
Places to eat in Borrowdale
Ancient coaching inns, characterful country gastropubs and some of the top restaurants in the Lake District can be found in Borrowdale, many with breathtaking views and real log fires.
Places to eat in Bassenthwaite
Celebrated for its beautiful lake and lying beneath the shadow of mighty Skiddaw, the quaint village of Bassenthwaite is a key foodie destination on the Lake District’s culinary map.
Dog-friendly places to eat
If you're on holiday in the Lake District with your dog then you'll probably want your four-legged pals to join you wherever you go, and that includes when you're eating out. Fortunately, the national park has an amazing selection of dog-friendly pubs, pet-friendly cafes and even restaurants where you can enjoy delicious food and drink with your pup by your side.
Whether you fancy a drink or two in a beer garden on a sunny day, a slap-up breakfast in the morning, or a hearty meal after a day hiking the fells, there are some excellent dog-friendly places to eat in Bowness-on-Windermere.
Dog-friendly pubs in Keswick
Doggie diners are warmly welcomed to many of Keswick’s relaxing pubs. Let Fido enjoy a snooze by the fire or soak up the sunshine in the beer garden while you sip a refreshing pint of local ale.
Dog-friendly cafes in Keswick
When it comes to Lake District cafes and restaurants that are dog friendly, Keswick pulls out all the stops. Expect brimming bowls of water, plenty of fuss behind the ears and even canine menus!
Lake District places to eat by type
Whether you're looking for a specific kind of restaurant, have certain dietary needs, or like to sample only the very best food in the country, then these guides will help you find something to whet your appetite.
Sometimes you want restaurant-quality meals without the effort of making a reservation or heading out into the cold. So why not have the ingredients delivered to your door? Hunker down in your perfect holiday cottage and wait for that exciting knock on your door that means ‘dinner's here!’
If you have an appetite for a foodie break in the Lakes, our collection of self-catering holiday cottages in the Lake District are the perfect choice to make the most of the national park’s culinary delights.
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.