Best Cafes in the Lake District
Which are the best cafes in the Lake District? Where’s the best place to go for a coffee and cake after a walk in the hills?
We are taking you to some of our favourites. See if you agree that these are indeed the best cafes in the Lake District.
Chesters by the River, Skelwith Bridge
Chesters by the River at Skelwith Bridge
Here’s the place to come after a vigorous hike over Loughrigg, or a gentle stroll to see the magnificent waterfalls at Skelwith Force. It’s the most perfect setting, literally on the River Brathay. There's a terrace alongside the water if you wrap up warm. Inside it’s bright and modern, with a vegetarian menu that includes wood fired pizza, salads, and famously large cakes.
The café links through to a lovely, tasteful gift shop, and you can order takeaway food at a separate entrance around the corner. No bookings, just turn up. And if you have to wait, we promise the wait will be worthwhile. Café, shop and take away open every day: 9am – 4pm. Hot food: 11am – 3:30pm
The Lingholm Kitchen, Portinscale
The Lingholm Kitchen, Portinscale
We head for Lingholm after a walk up everyone’s favourite mountain, Catbells. The kitchen cafe and Victorian walled garden were re-built in 2016 in this country estate on the western shore of Derwentwater. The café is light and spacious. It serves stunningly different brunch and lunch dishes, terrific afternoon teas, and all of it home made. There’s a 30m long glass wall looking down onto the octagonal walled garden and up to Skiddaw mountain. In the garden itself there’s an outdoor gallery dedicated to the work of Beatrix Potter who used to stay here. And it's where she wrote some of her best-known stories. Open Monday to Sunday 9am till 4.30pm. Hot food finishes at 3.30pm.
Mathildes, Grasmere
Mathildes, Grasmere
Here’s the place to head after a hike up Helm Crag. It’s also a favourite stopping place for cyclists with plenty of bike racks in the front garden. Another bright and spacious café with a full-length glass wall that opens out in the summer onto a paved terrace. There's a great view of the mountains here. The food is Scandi in style, influenced by the family of Mathilde herself. She came from Norway with her artist husband Alfred Heaton Cooper, the founder of this family dynasty of landscape painters. Their work is next door in the beautiful gallery. But in the café you’ll find warming fruit punches, delicate salads, substantial soups and sandwiches, and fabulous home made cakes and scones. The gallery next door is open daily 9.30 till 4 but the café closes on Mondays and Tuesdays in the winter.
Little Chamonix, Keswick
Little Chamonix, Keswick
The chalet-style café is named after both the famous climbing town in the Alps, and the equally famous classic rock climb on Shepherds’ Crag in nearby Borrowdale. Here you’ll find hard-core climbers and walkers, maybe down from a hike over Blencathra. Or the less energetic who’ve just enjoyed a stroll through the town’s fascinating shops and open market. It’s laid-back and friendly, just the place for morning coffee with a freshly baked scone, leisurely afternoon lunch or an end of the day hot chocolate.
Lake Road, Keswick. Open Wednesday till Sunday, 10am till 4pm in the winter.
Copper Pot, Ambleside
Copper Pot, Ambleside
This is where to head after a brisk climb up Wansfell Pike or a gentle wander to the waterfalls at Stock Ghyll. It’s a cosy little hub in the centre of the village with a garden at the back for when the weather’s dry, and a warm welcome whatever the weather. Great coffee, terrific home-made cakes, sourdough toast and waffles for breakfast, and a wild boar burger on the menu for lunch. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday, open from 9.30 other days (10 on Sunday) and serving drinks till 5pm (4pm on Sundays), though the kitchen closes an hour earlier.
Homeground, Windermere
Homeground, Windermere
We’re on Home Territory at Homeground, just a short stroll from us here at the Cedar Manor. It’s the perfect place to aim for after you’ve been up Orrest Head, the best little viewpoint for miles around. The café has built up a great reputation and a dedicated following over the past few years. So you might have to wait for a table, but we promise you won’t be disappointed once you get inside. It’s open 9-5, seven days a week, with the kitchen open till 2.30 on weekdays, till 3pm at weekends. They do wonderful things with eggs and avocados, but for something completely different try their tandoori buttermilk chicken.
More Information & Afternoon Tea at Cedar Manor
If you would like more information on Windermere's Restaurants and Cafes see our local places to eat page. And finally, if it's afternoon tea you're after, here at Cedar Manor we serve a traditional, luxury Afternoon Tea from 1.30 to 4.00 pm, Thursday to Monday inclusive.