Top 6 places to eat in the Lake District
A selection of my favourite places to eat after a busy day in the mountains
The Lake District is famed for its stunning fells, lakes and tarns, among other things. But there are also many fantastic places to eat and drink after a busy day hiking in the fells, or just when the weather isn’t its best. This guide covers some of my favourite places to grab brunch, dinner and sweet treats in the Lake District, including Windermere and Ambleside.
Breakfast/ Brunch
Let’s start with my favourite meal of the day, brunch. There are several great places to grab both sweet and savoury brunch in the Lakes. Windermere has the most on offer with many cafes to choose from.
Homeground Cafe, Windermere
Homeground Cafe is a charming and inviting haven for locals and visitors alike. Boasting a warm and welcoming atmosphere, the cosy cafe is a popular place and serves incredible food. Homeground offers a diverse menu that caters to various tastes and dietary preferences. From artisanal coffees and freshly baked pastries to hearty brunch options and delectable sweet treats. The friendly staff and rustic ambience make Homeground an ideal spot to relax, unwind, and savour delicious treats.
Top tip: IT GETS BUSY! Long queues can start from 9 am. Make sure to get there early for a good seat.
Opening times: 8:30-5 weekdays, 9-5 weekends
No bookings - walk-ins only
Instagram: @homegroundcafe
Address: Homeground, Main Road, Windermere, LA23 1BL
Brew Room, Windermere
The Brew Room is a fantastic artisan cafe that makes affordable coffee and serves up fresh, locally sourced food that will delight your taste buds. The staff are super friendly and very welcoming, offering a relaxing place to chill.
Opening times:
9-6 weekdays
9-4:30 weekends
No bookings - walk-ins only
Address: Brew Room Cafe, 31 Crescent Road, Windermere, LA23 1BL
Lunch
Whether it’s a pub lunch, a quick bite or something a little more fancy, there is plenty on offer. We’ll be heading into the central Lakes for this part of the blog and will cover some of my favourite places on the way.
Chesters By The River, Skelwith Bridge
Chesters is my family’s favourite place to eat in the entire lakes for lunch and serves the most amazing vegetarian food, sweet treats, pizzas and coffee. It is a popular place with walkers coming from Elterwater (a great short, low-level walk). It is also a great starting place for those walking over Loughrigg Fell to explore Rydal Caves or those wanting to explore Cathedral Caves in Little Langdale.
100m away from Chesters, you’ll find Skelwith Force, a powerful waterfall that is worth a visit and a photo.
Opening times: 9-4 everyday
No bookings - walk-ins only
Instagram: @chestersbytheriver
Address: Chesters By The River, Skelwith Bridge, LA22 9NJ
The Britannia Inn, Elterwater
Another family favourite and I think the best pub food in the Lake District - The Britannia Inn - a hearty pub in the beautiful village of Elterwater. They offer a proper pub lunch with a daily special and a separate lunch and dinner menu. They have a great outdoor seating area, perfect for the summer days.
Lunch is served from 12-2, Soup and Sandwiches 2-4 and Dinner 5:30-8:30
Indoor bookings for the evening only. Outside Seating is not bookable
Instagram: @thebritanniainn
Address: The Britannia Inn, Main Street, Elterwater, LA229HP
Chesters By The River offer fantastic assortment of yummy foods and drinks
My favourite view looking out over Elter Water towards the Langdales. This is part of the walk from Elterwater to Chesters.
Dinner
After a long day walking in the fells, exploring caves or just ambling around the towns, you’ll want a decent dinner to end the day. Windermere, Grasmere, Ambleside, Keswick and Kendal all have great options for food. Here are some of my favourite.
Base Pizza, Bowness-on-Windermere
Base is our go-to place after a busy day in the mountains. The pizza dough is made from slow-rising sourdough that undergoes 48-hour fermentation and is then cooked at high temperatures in a Gozney wood-fired oven, which results in a delicious and easily digestible base. They also do takeaway which is perfect for a grab-and-go as the sun starts to set at the hidden jetty by Lake Windermere.
Open from 5 pm. Closed Sunday and Monday
Don’t take bookings. This place is popular so make sure to get their early
Instagram: @base_pizza
Address: Base Pizza, 97 Lake Road, Bowness-on-Windermere, LA23 3BJ
Druken Duck Inn, Barngate
Finally, a slightly more fine dining experience at the Drunken Duck Inn. A short drive from Ambleside and hidden away in the wilderness of the Lakes, the Drunken Duck is a perfect place to come for a relaxed evening. Rated 9/10 in the Telegraph's restaurant review, they do an incredible venison loin and have a great range of puddings.
Lunch Monday to Saturday, 12 - 2
Dinner everyday, 6 - 8
Instagram: @drunkenduckinn
Address: Drunken Duck Inn, Barngates, Ambleside, LA220NG
These are just some of my favourite places to eat in the Lakes, but sometimes all you need to do is a little exploring to come across a hidden village pub full of walkers, climbers and alike. Let me know in the comments below where your favourite place to eat in the Lake District is.
Kit list for when out walking in the Lake District
As mentioned, it's essential to bring appropriate clothing and footwear for your hike. Here's a list of essential items to bring:
Sturdy walking boots and socks with good ankle support
You can get a decent pair of boots from Cotswold Outdoors, Mountain Warehouse or Blacks. You don’t need to spend a load of money, but anything with ankle support should do the job. I have the Scarpa Rush TRK Gore-Tex boots and they are fantastic!
Hiking socks: I personally use Smartwool merino wool socks which are incredibly comfy, help keep my feet dry
Daypack: when out walking in the Lakes, I always take my Osprey Talon 44L bag. I recommend the Osprey daypacks such as the Talon range for men and Tempest range for woman.
Waterproof jacket and trousers - even in the summer, taking a waterproof jacket that offers protection from the wind is key
You don’t need to spend a lot of money, but if you are going to be hiking often then investing in a good waterproof may be a good idea
Warm layers
Fleece - My go-to warm layer - Patagonia R1 Fleece
Warm gloves or mittens: I personally use the Rab Mens Pivot GTX Gloves and these worked well on my recent winter hiking trips.
Lightweight Gloves: For lower hills I recommend lightweight, fleece or quick drying fabric gloves. I personally use the Sealskinz unisex waterproof gloves if it is raining and the Montane Prism gloves if it is dry but windy (they are lighter and a little more comfy.
Neck bandana or scarf: For the chilly days on the mountain, I recommend bringing a neck gaiter or bandana. I recommend the Buff unisex bandana.
Map and compass (and the ability to use them)
Trekking poles: Trekking poles can reduce the impact on your joints by up to 20%. I recommend adjustable Black Diamond or Leki trekking poles
Food and water
Kendal Mint Cake is my favourite snack for any walk and is a famous snack still made in the Lake District
Water bladder / bottles: When out in the fells, I aim to drink at least 1L of water. I recommend the Osprey 2 litre water badder which can be used in most backpacks.
Sunscreen and Bug Spray
First aid kit - a small mix of plasters, Savalon (for bites and stings) and antiseptic wipes will do
Head torch: You will need a head torch with a decent power for any trips to the loo and more importantly the summit hike. I personally use a Petzl ACTIK® 600 CORE which is affordable and has a decent battery life. You’ll also need spare batteries as the cold will drain them quicker.
Mobile phone (with a full battery) + portable charger.
I recommend any Anker Power Bank as they are reliable and well made. I use the USB-C 10,000 maH with 20W model. It charges my phone and watch when wild camping and is a great lightweight option
