Places to eat in Windermere

A family-run bistro and coffee house that has long served Windermere locals. With a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, the regular a la carte menu is supplemented by a daily additions board. Good honest food that is backed up by an impressive wine list and a large choice of speciality ales.

Tuesday - Sunday, opens 6pm

Just a few minutes walk from Cedar Manor, this fabulous seafood restaurant focuses on the finest line-caught fresh fish & seafood. The cosy atmosphere with low lighting and soothing coastal sounds makes it a great choice for a romantic evening.

Monday - Sunday, 5pm - 9pm

Popular with locals and visitors, San Pietro is a family-run Italian restaurant in the heart of Windermere. Run by former Marco Pierre White Chef Jason Turner and his amazing wife Yui, this is an absolute gem with lovely, rustic decor and some standout dishes and delectable desserts.

Tuesday - Saturday, 5pm - 9pm

If you’re looking for Sunday lunch, this is the place to go. The Lamplighter is a firm favourite with locals and our guests with a wonderful atmosphere and locally sourced food and drink. A great spot for a four-course meal - just make sure you book ahead.

Monday - Sunday, 8am - 10pm

A delicious spot for tapas. It’s all homemade and authentic with carefully sourced ingredients and complemented with Spanish beers, ciders and wines. If you love a red wine sangria, this is the place for you.

Tuesday to Saturday, 5pm - 9pm

If you’re partial to a craft beer, you’ll want to head to Crafty Baa. A wonderfully quirky and welcoming place built from materials that were almost all recycled or upcycled. 100s of beers from all over the world line the bar alongside some great sharing platters and bar snacks.

Monday - Sunday, 11am - 11pm

A lively and atmospheric corner café with a range of classic Italian fare - think sandwiches, pasta, pizzas and salads. The patio seating is heated for chillier days and evenings. A great spot for coffee and to watch the world go by.

Monday - Sunday, 9am - 9.30pm, closed Wednesdays

A deservedly popular coffee shop and gastro-café. Homeground has a lovely atmosphere and some exquisite breakfast, brunch and lunch options. Always friendly, welcoming and efficient with excellent coffee. Just be aware that the kitchen closes at 3pm.

Monday - Sunday, 8.30am (weekday) or 9am (weekend) - 5pm. 

A cosy and welcoming bar and restaurant in the heart of Windermere. There’s a large casual dining menu with a great selection of food, from nibbles and snacks to pizzas and sharing platters, making it an easy crowd-pleaser. There’s a great choice of local ales on tap too.

Monday - Sunday, 11am - 9.30pm

Our pick of the two Chinese restaurants in Windermere village - you can often find us stopping by for a takeaway! You’ll get generous portions and friendly staff, making it very popular with locals.

Monday - Sunday, 5.30pm - 9.30pm, closed Tuesdays

One of our absolute favourites. A family-run fine restaurant in the heart of Bowness offering a modern British fine dining experience. It’s a vibrant and popular spot with an easy-going vibe and incredible food. Don’t miss the roof terrace on a sunny day - pure bliss!

Monday – Sunday, 12pm-3pm and 5pm-9pm

This firm favourite with locals and visitors alike is one of Lake Windermere’s longest-serving restaurants. An intimate and vibrant restaurant serving traditional Italian food, you can expect generous portions and friendly staff in an eye-catching interior. There’s an impressive wine list too!

Tuesday - Saturday, 5pm - 8.30pm

Stylish and tasty food in a relaxed and cosy atmosphere, Jackson’s is a great place for hearty, home-cooked food. There’s a wide range of choice on the menu, including fish and vegetarian options making it an easy crowd-pleaser.

Monday - Saturday, 5pm -  9.30pm

Our top recommendation for a pub in our local area. A bustling and popular spot with a lovely outside area to enjoy a drink and watch the world go by. The hearty pub grub and delicious drinks enjoy the best tastes of Cumbria in a glorious setting.

Monday - Sunday, 7.30am-9pm

Bringing the lightly industrial, ‘bare bricks’ style to Bowness, there’s a warm, relaxed and dog-friendly atmosphere to be found at Urban Food House. The classic main dishes and pizzas are very tasty and use local produce. The wine list is excellent too.

Monday - Sunday, 9am - 10pm (weekday) or 11pm (weekend). Kitchen closes at 9pm.

Our top pick for Italian in the local area. The menu is full of authentic food that are full of flavour with great pizza and pasta dishes on offer. A vibrant atmosphere and a range of delicious drinks complete the meal. Takeaway options are also available.

Monday - Sunday, 4.30pm - 8.30pm, closed Tuesdays

Exceptional fine dining using delicious Lake District produce and classic textures to deliver unbelievable textures and flavours. The Michelin-starred Source at Gilpin serves modern British cuisine with a twist, emphasising seasonal ingredients and sustainability with meticulous detail.

Holding three Michelin stars and a Green Star for sustainability, this is one of the best restaurants and dining experiences in the country. Ingredients change with the seasons reflecting a true farm-to-table philosophy. L’Enclume is found in Cartmel, a 30 minute drive from Cedar Manor. Advance booking is essential.

Also in Cartmel, and headed by the same team, Rogan & Co holds a Michelin star but with a more relaxed and informal atmosphere. The menu changes with the seasons, depending on what’s being harvested at Simon Rogan’s local regenerative farm.

The third Simon Rogan restaurant in the area is just outside Bowness. This is also seasonally minded and uses deliciously fresh produce from the local regenerative farm. Dishes are inspired by flavours around the world but especially Hong Kong, Malta and Thailand.

A Michelin-starred restaurant in the heart of Ambleside. Chef Ryan Blackburn is passionate about showcasing Cumbrian produce and heritage. Every meal we’ve had here has been no less than fantastic. The wine list is exceptional too.

The laid-back Gilpin Spice has an open kitchen serving tapas-style pan-Asian dishes inspired by countries along the spice trail – spanning the Philippines, the Indian sub-continent, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan and China.

Michelin Star dining with a view. The Samling is a modern restaurant overlooking Lake Windermere serving bold, locally sourced dishes filled with flavour. The seasonal menu takes ingredients from their greenhouse, gardens and local suppliers with an extensive wine list.

Welcoming lake explorers and Windermere walkers, this is a cosy, dog-friendly pub on the side of fells in the iconic Troutbeck Valley.

Home to Barngates Brewery, the Drunken Duck Inn is an old farmhouse turned pub, sat in an unlikely spot outside Ambleside with a cosy yet sophisticated interior.

In the heart of the Lyth Valley countryside with endless views of orchards, cosy up by a roaring log fire or stretch out on the sunny patio.

An old Georgian coaching inn looking out over the Winster Valley. A family-run pub with a family-friendly feel and some tasty food to go alongside a delicious local drink.

A warm Cumbrian welcome awaits at this idyllic 16th century pub. Masons Arms does some delicious pub grub alongside tasty local drinks.

Just how an old quaint pub should be. A traditional inn dating all the back to 1624 with log fires, real ales, good food and a great atmosphere.

Set in the beautiful Langdale Valley, you’ll find scenic views and delicious rustic seasonal pub dining. Hide away in cosy nooks or revel in the sunshine on the terrace.

A first rate spot for brunch and lunch. This is considered the ‘new kid in the black’ in Ambleside and well worth a visit.

Not far from Ambleside on the banks of the River Brathay, this is a vibrant pro-vegan bakery. A great refreshment spot at the end of a lovely path from Elterwater.

On the shores of Coniston Water, this is truly a café with a view. Find a spot on the sunny terrace for freshly prepared food, homemade cakes and delicious smoothies.

Not far from Keswick, you’ll find a hearty breakfast and lunch at Lingholm Kitchen. There’s also a walled garden to explore here too.

Found within Heaton Cooper Studio, this bright and spacious café is named after Heaton Cooper’s wife, Mathilde, and serves food inspired by her Norwegian heritage.

For more information on these and other cafés, take a peek on our blog: The Best Cafes in the Lake District