Top 10 Great Places to Eat in the Lake District
The Sun Inn, Kirkby Lonsdale
The Sun Inn’s AA two rosette rated restaurant is called ‘Carter at the Sun Inn’, after Head Chef Sam Carter, an experienced chef with a passion for local produce from the Lake District, North Yorkshire and wider Kirkby Lonsdale area. Sam and his team are proud the restaurant has been named as a “local gem” in the Good Food Guide 2015, the authoritative guide to eating out in the UK. The Sun Inn has also been shortlisted for the Cumbria Life Food & Drink Pub of the Year 2015 and has been given an AA Breakfast Award 2015. So whether you prefer dining in The Sun Inn’s intimate restaurant or the cosy bar area, there is something to suit all tastes. Lunch: Served Tuesday to Sunday, 12.00pm-3.00pm Dinner: Served every evening, 6.30pm-9.00pm The Sun Inn also has a few nibbles to fill the gap from 3pm-6.30pm. Sunday lunch is a special menu of our fabulous roast beef, pork and lamb with all the trimmings (12.00pm–3.00pm).
Askham Hall Restaurant, Askham
Askham Hall, not far from Penrith, opened in spring 2014 with a restaurant spread through three unique rooms, 12 bedrooms with a spa and outdoor heated pool, gardens and café open to the public and a converted party barn. Its style? A luxurious, intimate, unpretentious home from home which is up-to-date, full of charm and somewhere you can kick off your wellies at the front door. Askham Hall offers guests two dining possibilities: Dining in smaller groups (six or less): A menu for £50 to include nibbles, three courses, coffee and after dinner treats or a set tasting menu including nibbles, five courses, coffee and after dinner treats for £65 per person. Larger parties of six or more: A special set menu based on the above two options which will be set close to the day depending on what produce is at it’s very best at that moment. If you have any particular preferences these can also be taken into consideration in preparing your special set menu subject to price confirmation. **Please note that from 15 – 21 June and also 5 – 11 October 2015 our Consulant Chef, internationally acclaimed Steven Doherty will be taking charge of the restaurant at Askham Hall. Steven was the first chef to head up a British 3 Michelin Star restaurant, Le Gavroche in London.** Restaurant open to non-residents: 7pm-9.30pm. Booking essential.
George and Dragon, Clifton
The George and Dragon is an 18th century coaching inn. It has been lovingly restored by local craftsmen who have reused stone, slate flags, design and colours sympathetic to the Georgian period. Comfy sofas, bare wooden tables and intimate alcoves make it a perfect place to relax and unwind. Photographs, paintings, old prints and archive images tell stories of the Lowther Estate’s unique heritage. And over time, more stories will be added. When you visit the George and Dragon in Cumbria, you can enjoy a pint of local ale, relax with a glass of fine wine and indulge in the Lowther produce, feeling that you’re somewhere rather unique. We recommend you always reserve a table in advance in order to avoid disappointment. Breakfast 8:00 to 9:30am, Lunch 12:00 to 2.30pm, Dinner 6:00 to 9:00pm
Four and Twenty, Penrith
Four and Twenty is located in the beautiful market town of Penrith Cumbria (just up the road from John Norris of Penrith). Four and Twenty serves great locally sourced food in welcoming surroundings.... Lunch is served five days a week Tuesday through to Saturday from 12:00pm to 2:30pm (last orders). Dinner is served five days a week Tuesday through to Thursday 6:30pm until 9pm, Friday and Saturday 6:30 until 9:30.
The Punchbowl Inn, Crosthwaite
Punch Bowl Inn is a luxury Lake District hotel which offers a unique blend of old and new, providing a relaxed mixture of excellent food, comfortable interiors, good beers and wines in a stunning rural location. The Punch Bowl Inn is situated in the heart of the delightfully unspoilt Lyth Valley at Crosthwaite in Cumbria, alongside the Parish Church of St Mary's. We offer a classic, contemporary style, formal restaurant and a traditional pub atmosphere in our bar with the same menu served throughout.
Sharrow Bay, Ullswater
Sharrow Bay holds the culinary crown when it comes to serving award-winning cuisine in the most magnificent settings, with views to die for. The 2AA Rosette fine dining restaurant, open every day to non-residents and hotel guests, is regarded as one of the best restaurants in the Lake District, attracting diners from far and wide for special occasions, family celebrations and gourmet dining experiences. Despite the many claims and counter-claims, the original Sticky Toffee Pudding recipe was created by Francis Coulson at Sharrow Bay in the 1970s and it is said that the sweet, sticky sponge served in the lakeside restaurant is 'still the finest you will find anywhere in the world'. Francis Coulson's original, secret recipe is the stuff of culinary legend, so much so that every member of staff at Sharrow Bay has signed a secrecy agreement to not disclose the secret recipe that is held in the hotel's vaults. In 2007, an anonymous bidder paid £32,000 to the Children in Need charity in order to stay at Sharrow Bay and be allowed to make the pudding alongside the pastry chef. Open every day to non-residents for morning coffee, lunch and light snacks, traditional afternoon tea and dinner. Morning Coffee - served daily from 10am to 12noon Lunch - served daily from 12noon to 2pm Afternoon Tea - served daily at 4pm Dinner - served daily from 7pm to 9pm
Rampsbeck, Watermillock on the shores of Ullswater
Rampsbeck has welcomed guests as a Hotel since 1947 when the Grundy Family first opened her doors. From the word 'go', Rampsbeck was the best of Hotels, spoiling guests with the finest of decoration and luxury. The building itself dates back to the 1700's and during its time as a Country House has had some distinguished owners, notably Francis Baring Atkinson of Baring Bank fame. The food at the Rampsbeck is - like other aspects of the hotel - a great antidote to the stresses of modern life. Dishes are classically-inspired, with touches of intelligent modernity, approachable and comforting. Local and international produce is simply prepared to ensure maximum flavour. The seasons dictate to us what will be featured on our menus and we are constantly working to source the best of what is available now. In short you can expect a real gastronomic experience at the Rampsbeck without the overwrought styling that so often disappoints. For a lighter bite, the lounge serves bar meals and afternoon tea all day. Choose from the Drawing Room, Hallway or Bar Lounge, all of which boast squashy sofas, real log fires and traditional quality service.
The Sun Inn, Newton Reigny
The Jakeman family took over in 2015 and are breathing life back into this popular 17th century coaching inn. It is located in a picturesque village bang on the route, just before Penrith. Warm and welcoming atmosphere. Good traditional cask ales, great dining facilities, excellent home cooked food. Accommodation will be back on tap towards the end of the season, in time for the spring start to 2016. Meals served lunch and dinner, plus afternoon tea, cakes and coffee.
The Lounge Hotel and Bar, Penrith
All our food is homemade and freshly prepared by our in house chef’s and made from the finest local ingredients. Dining at The Lounge with its extensive wine list makes for a memorable occasion. Serving a menu of Meze style dishes and sides, including grazing section, platters to share, hot sandwiches, cakes, and scones. As the name suggests, The Lounge Hotel and Bar offers relaxed drinking and dining with a social atmosphere in modern, chic surroundings.
Mrs Miller’s, Culgaith
Mrs Miller's at Hazel Dene garden centre, Culgaith, is open seven days a week serving the kind of food you wouldn't expect to find at your local garden centre. The café has recently been listed in the 2015 Good Food guide and have been runners up at the Cumbria life Magazine food awards Café/Tearoom of the year 2014. The food is honest and simple with a respect for tradition using old and modern techniques. On offer is a selection of freshly prepared sandwiches, jacket potatoes, and other lunch time favourites. The dinner menu is served every Friday and Saturday evening 7pm until late. Full Sunday lunch every week with Roast Beef coming from Low Howgill Farm just down the road. Breakfast is served from 9am Mon-Sat, Sun 10:30 including the Westmorland breakfast for only £2.50.
