Penrith is a historic market town and agricultural hotspot wedged between the Eden Valley, the North Pennines and the Lake District National Park. One of the UK’s most bountiful regions, it’s well-known for its wide variety of food producers who yield all kinds of mouth-watering offerings, from Cumberland sausages to sticky toffee pudding. And, making the most of this incredible foodie haul are a range of great cafés and restaurants in Penrith, each using local ingredients to create their own classic and unique dishes to tease the eye and tempt the tongue.
If you’re enjoying a holiday in Cumbria, you’ll undoubtedly want to try out some of the best restaurants in Penrith. From the cosiest bistros to Michelin-star restaurants, we’ve put together a list of the best places to eat.
The Top Restaurants in Penrith
Allium at Askham Hall, Askham - Michelin Star
A Michelin Star restaurant just 15 minutes from Penrith, Allium at Askham Hall is one for all seasons. With menus dictated by the cycle of life in the estate’s gardens and fields, each dish is a product of the ingredients sourced, grown and preserved from the surrounding land. Dinner is available Tuesday to Sunday and served in the form of a six-course tasting menu plus amuse-bouches, petit fours and coffee.
Dog and Gun Inn, Skelton - Michelin Star
The Michelin star Dog and Gun Inn can be found in the village of Skelton, just 15 minutes from Penrith. A cosy Cumbrian pub at heart, it has all the warmth and atmosphere of a welcoming village hub with the finely attuned menu of a Michelin establishment. Dishes here are renowned for showcasing local ingredients purely and unpretentiously, full of depth and flavour.
Four & Twenty, Penrith
Found at 42 King Street in Penrith, Four and Twenty is a relaxed bistro with modern interiors blended with stylistically rustic undertones. Specialising in British and European dishes, it offers seasonal à la carte and fixed price menus that comprise unfussy and flavourful meals. To accompany each dish is a carefully curated list of wines and cocktails too.
Grants of Castlegate, Penrith
Grants of Castlegate is a modern bistro and wine bar in Penrith housed in an attractive Victorian building. Serving fine food inspired by the owner and head chef’s work and travels around the world, it’s a great option for those looking to sample local fodder with international flare. It’s open for dinner Wednesday to Sunday, while lunch and the occasional bottomless brunch are served at weekends.
La Casita, Penrith
Offering an authentic Spanish experience in the heart of Penrith, La Casita is a restaurant and tapas bar serving Spanish cuisine comprised of the best Cumbrian ingredients and Spanish herbs and spices. Delve into the menu and pick out a number of dishes to savour alongside a glass of your favourite tipple or choose a few “para compartir” and share with your favourite people.
Foundry 34, Penrith
A relaxed venue in which to enjoy a drink with friends or a hearty meal, Foundry 34 is a popular bar and restaurant in Penrith market town. Offering takeaway services during the week and Sunday roasts and live entertainment on the weekend, along with regularly updated weekly specials, it is somewhere that all generations can enjoy.
The Clickham Inn, Blencow
The Clickham Inn is a traditional country pub located in the little village of Blencow just outside of Penrith. The ideal place to rest your feet and replenish your stomach, this dog-friendly pub serves up hearty, feel-good dishes – all homemade with locally-sourced produce. In winter, the warm atmosphere is made all the cosier here with the crackle of open fires.
1863 Restaurant, Pooley Bridge
Just 15 minutes from Penrith is the Michelin-recommended 1863 Restaurant which offers lunches at the weekends and dinners from Thursday to Monday. For dinner, choose from a three-course menu with select, seasonal dishes locally sourced and foraged by the Head Chef and team. Or, try the seven-course tasting menu to surprise and thrill your gastronomic senses with the full ensemble.
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