The Lake District's food and drink scene has improved enormously in recent decades. What was once a landscape of mediocre pub grub and cream teas now offers Michelin-starred restaurants, outstanding gastropubs, artisan breweries, and some of the finest local produce in England. Cumberland sausage, Herdwick lamb, damson gin, and sticky toffee pudding all have deep roots here.
This guide covers the best places to eat and drink across the Lake District, from wallet-friendly pub lunches to special-occasion dining.
L'Enclume, Cartmel
Simon Rogan's L'Enclume in the village of Cartmel is the Lake District's culinary flagship and holds three Michelin stars. The restaurant occupies a converted 13th-century smithy, and the tasting menu showcases hyper-local and foraged ingredients — many grown in Rogan's own farm at Our Farm, a few miles away.
This is destination dining of the highest order. The flavours are complex and occasionally challenging, the presentation is beautiful, and the setting in this tiny medieval village feels a world away from the tourist bustle of Windermere. Expect to spend a full evening and a significant amount of money.
Prices: The tasting menu is around £265 per person. Wine pairing additional. A seasonal lunch menu is available at a lower price point. Booking: Essential, often weeks in advance. Book via their website. Address: Cavendish Street, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria LA11 6PZ
The Drunken Duck Inn, Ambleside
Perched on a quiet hill between Ambleside and Hawkshead, The Drunken Duck is one of the Lake District's finest pub-restaurants. The setting is superb — rolling countryside views from the terrace — and the food is a cut above standard pub fare. The menu changes seasonally and leans heavily on local produce: Herdwick lamb, Morecambe Bay shrimps, and game in autumn.
The pub brews its own beer under the Barngates Brewery label, with Tag Lag and Cracker Ale being reliable choices. The atmosphere strikes a good balance between smart dining and traditional pub warmth.
Practical tip: Book for dinner, especially at weekends. Lunch is more relaxed and walk-ins are sometimes possible. Address: Barngates, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0NG
The Punch Bowl Inn, Crosthwaite
Tucked away in the Lyth Valley east of Windermere, The Punch Bowl is a beautifully restored 17th-century inn with rooms. The restaurant serves refined but unfussy food — think pan-roasted duck breast with damson sauce, or slow-cooked Herdwick hogget with root vegetables. The wine list is carefully chosen and fairly priced by Lake District standards.
Crosthwaite is in the heart of the Lyth Valley's damson orchards, and in spring the valley is a sea of white blossom. The pub makes the most of the local damsons in season.
Address: Lyth Valley, Crosthwaite, Kendal, Cumbria LA8 8HR
The Strickland Arms, Sizergh
Just south of Kendal on the A591, The Strickland Arms sits beside the entrance to Sizergh Castle (National Trust). This is a proper all-rounder — good real ales from local breweries, a menu of well-executed pub classics, and a warm, unpretentious atmosphere. The beer garden is pleasant on sunny days.
It is a convenient stop if you are arriving in the Lake District from the south, or combining a visit to Sizergh Castle with lunch.
Address: Sizergh, Kendal, Cumbria LA8 8DZ
Fellpack, Keswick
Fellpack on Lake Road in Keswick serves excellent hot dogs, loaded fries, and craft beer in a stripped-back setting. It is not fine dining, but the quality is high, the portions are generous, and the prices are reasonable by Lake District standards. The Cumberland sausage hot dog is the obvious choice.
There is a second Fellpack in Ambleside. Both are good for a quick, satisfying lunch between walks.
Address: 19 Lake Road, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5BS
Chesters by the River, Skelwith Bridge
Chesters occupies a beautiful spot beside the River Brathay near Skelwith Bridge, between Ambleside and Coniston. The café serves excellent cakes, coffee, and light lunches, with outdoor seating overlooking the river. It is a popular stop for walkers and cyclists, particularly those heading to or from the Langdale Valley.
The homemade cakes are the highlight — the carrot cake and brownies are consistently good.
Address: Skelwith Bridge, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 9NJ
The Old Dungeon Ghyll, Langdale
The Old Dungeon Ghyll (known universally as the ODG) at the head of the Langdale Valley is the Lake District's most famous walkers' pub. The Hikers' Bar is a flagstone-floored room with wooden benches and a fireplace, where muddy boots and waterproofs are welcome. After a day on the fells, a pint of Cumbrian ale in the ODG is one of the great Lake District rituals.
The food is honest and filling rather than refined — think pies, stews, and Cumberland sausage. It is exactly what you want after six hours on the Langdale Pikes.
Address: Great Langdale, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 9JY
Hawkshead Relish Company
Based in Hawkshead village, this artisan producer makes outstanding chutneys, relishes, and preserves using local ingredients. The shop in the village is worth a visit for tastings and to pick up gifts. Their Cumberland Sauce and Westmorland Chutney are excellent with local cheeses.
Address: The Square, Hawkshead, Cumbria LA22 0NZ
The Hazelmere Café, Grange-over-Sands
The Hazelmere on the promenade in Grange-over-Sands is a long-established bakery and its afternoon teas are legendary in the southern Lakes. The scones are made fresh daily, the cakes are spectacular, and the setting overlooking Morecambe Bay is lovely. It is a proper traditional café — no pretension, just excellent baking.
Address: 1-2 Yewbarrow Terrace, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria LA11 6ED
Local Produce to Look For
- Herdwick lamb: The native fell breed, reared on the open fells. The meat is lean, richly flavoured, and appears on menus throughout the Lakes.
- Cumberland sausage: A long, coiled pork sausage seasoned with herbs and pepper. Best from a local butcher.
- Damson gin: Made from the wild damsons of the Lyth Valley. Several local producers offer it.
- Kendal Mint Cake: Not a cake but a hard mint-flavoured sugar confection, famously carried by Everest expeditions. Romney's in Kendal is the best-known producer.
- Sticky toffee pudding: Claimed by several Lake District establishments, but the Cartmel Village Shop's version is the most famous.
