Food & Drink

A personal choice of pubs and restaurants around Ambleside, Grasmere and Hawkshead.
www.oakapplebarn.com www.rockwood-lakedistrict.comAmbleside
Doi Intanon, Market Place, Tel: 015394 32119 – excellent Thai cuisine, some of the best we have had!
The Jade Garden, Compston Road, Tel: 015394 31888 – Chinese eat in or takeaway
Luigi’s, Kelsick Road, Tel: 015394 33676. Cosy, small excellent Italian bistro, intimate. Nice.
Priesthole, Church Street, Tel: 015394 33332. English and Med food. Haven’t tried it yet, but it looks very good! Supposed to be one of the best in Ambleside.
Spice of Bengal, Kelsick Road. Tel: 015394 31250. Good quality Indian food and takeaway
Stampers, Church Street, Tel: 015394 32775. Cosy candlelit cellar restaurant
Tagore, Compston Road, tel: 015394 34346. Good quality Indian food and takeaway
The Log House, Lake Road, Tel: 015394 31077, elegant, fine dining
Zeffirellis Vegetarian, Compston Road, Tel 015394 33845. Even if you are not vegetarian, this place really is special, with an amazing modern atmosphere and excellent food. Definitely have to book. Well worth it! Impossible to get in without reservation.
Grasmere
Villa Colombina, Keswick Rd, Tel: 015394 35268 (just by Dove Cottage). Our personal favourite. 15 mins walk from Rockwood, reasonable priced, excellent quality Italian food (and lots of it) lovely ambiance and décor. Definitely worth going to.
The Traveller’s Rest, Keswick Road Tel: 015394 35604. 16th century coaching inn, and a beautiful 15 minute walk from Rockwood (turn right out of Rockwood, right at the end of the road, right again on the Keswick Road, 200 metres). Lovely pub winter and summer, big log fire, good beer. Food a bit bland, beers excellent, overall an excellent pub.
The Lamb Inn, Red Lion Square Tel: 015394 35456. The pub attached to the Red Lion Hotel, very much a local’s pub, with quick basic food. Really nice buzzing atmosphere.
The Swan Inn & Hotel, Keswick Road Tel: 0870 400 8132. Easy walk from the village centre. Really excellent food in the main restaurant, lacking a bit in atmosphere as a pub. Quite up-market.
The Jumble Rooms, Langdale Road, Tel 015394 35188. Open Wed- Sun. Highly commended but tiny restaurant. Well worth going to for a special occasion.
The Wordsworth Hotel Tel: 015394 35592. 4 star hotel and restaurant, with food and prices to match! AA 2 Rosettes for food.
The Britannia Inn, Elterwater. Although not in Grasmere, it’s only 10 minute drive away (if you cut across Red Bank, instead of driving through Ambleside). Worth a mention, as it’s a really lovely pub for lunches. If you’re feeling energetic, it’s a 3 mile walk each way – about 1hr 15 mins. Good beers, excellent hot roll sandwiches, good restaurant with loads of character.
Hawkshead
The Drunken Duck Inn, Barngates, Hawkshead Tel: 015394 36347. 400 year old pub, with award winning restaurant and a location to die for. 15 minute walk from Oak Apple Barn, again, a restaurant for a special occasion.
The Kings Arms, Main Square, Tel: 015394 36372. 500 year old pub for locals and tourists, very comfortable atmosphere, good food and beer, lovely place. 15 minute stroll.
The Queens Head Hotel, Main Square. Tel: 015394 36271 The pub dates back to the 16th century, and has really good British food. Very much a traditional English pub, just as they used to be! Wonderful. 15 minutes stroll from Oak Apple Barn.
The Outgate Inn, Outgate. Tel: 015394 36413. Friendly, elegant pub with live music, good food and drinks. Nice long walk from the Barn!