Within the Lake District you can find something for every type of meal and budget – from fish’n’chips to a surprising number of Michelin-starred restaurants. Here are a few of our favourites, all of which are not far from Fornside:
- For the best pub food for many miles around, book The Horse and Farrier Inn, in Threlkeld. It’s a must for many of our guests and has plenty of parking.
- Merienda, in Keswick, serves absolutely delicious lunches – don’t be fooled that it’s full as there is a spacious and attractive dining space upstairs. Or just stop for a coffee … and see if you have the willpower to resist their cakes!
- Emma’s Dell in Grasmere is a delightful creperie with a Cumbrian warmth. The restaurant has a full menu of sweet and savoury crepes and can rustle up a gluten free version just as quickly. It’s twin, with a more café-like feel, is The Wild Strawberry in Keswick.
- For a super coffee in a dog-friendly café in Keswick, Jasper’s is great. They have offer homemade cakes as well and the staff are always chatty.
- Jasper’s also have a sister café in Braithwaite village.
- Also in Braithwaite, you will find the Village Shop which has been operating for nearly 200 years! It has recently opened a Tea Room which is also delightful … and we can attest to the very high quality of Daphne’s afternoon tea (you’d need to book a full afternoon tea in advance). She put together a marvellous tea for a party of six of us, hungry from a day of the fells, and even catered for various dietary preferences.
- Treeby and Bolton also do a great coffee and cake, and lovely lunches – dogs are only allowed at the outside tables. Be sure to spend some time in their gallery upstairs, it is a treat for the eyes.
- The Fellpack attracts a lot of walkers and fell runners and invented the ‘Walla Dash’ tradition. Whether or not you have spent time on the fells, you’re bound to find their warm welcome and wonderful hearty food very welcome.
- If you’re celebrating an occasion with a small group or large family gathering, Lyzzick Hall would be a fabulous venue. The food and service are wonderful, as is the setting – in summer don’t forget to arrive early enough to enjoy a glass of something overlooking Derwentwater and the fells beyond.
- For a special dining experience in the vein of the French Table d’Hôte, book a table at Woodlands at Ireby. Darryl and Naomi are great hosts whose British/European-influenced menu changes daily according to the freshest seasonal and local produce. They also have a great selection of wines, and that’s not to mention over 100 different whiskys, which you can sample whilst sitting by the fire after dinner!
- For fine dining in a unique location, try The Cottage in the Wood, nestled in Whinlatter Forest and offering award winning dishes based on local and often wild foods. Recently awarded a Michelin star!
- The other nearby Michelin-starred restaurant is The Forest Side in Grasmere, another award-winning restaurant which uses its own garden produce as well as locally-sourced ingredients. We took Matt’s mum here to celebrate her 80th birthday and it was definitely all it was cracked up to be. The food was incredible and the staff warm and attentive.
