Home to one of the greatest collections of Michelin Star restaurants outside of London, the Lake District and Cumbria promise some of the UK’s most delicious destinations. Renowned for majestic landscapes painted with vast glacial lakes and fells gilded with bracken and wildflowers, the region calls for year-round escapes filled with wild romance and flavoured with the finest, freshest fare.
If you are seeking a magical staycation with a gourmet twist, there’s ample to tempt you. Making the most of the swathes of rugged farmland and glistening coast are a huge array of restaurants residing in picturesque valleys and lakeside idylls. Of the most delectable, the Lake District and Cumbria’s Michelin Star restaurants curate dishes with ingredients foraged, farmed, and produced locally and crafted by the country’s leading chefs.
For epicurean experiences of dreams, uncover the region’s Michelin Star restaurants…
Three Michelin Stars
L’Enclume, Cartmel
L’Enclume by Simon Rogan MBE is one of the best places to eat in the Lake District and one of the country’s most celebrated Michelin restaurants. Decorated with three Michelin Stars, its exquisite culinary offerings are defined by exceptional standards and a commitment to sustainability and traceability. Earning the restaurant a Michelin Green Star, many of the kitchen’s ingredients are also grown on L’Enclume’s own twelve-acre farm. To sample some of the restaurant’s gourmet creations, secure a reservation within the restaurant itself or enjoy a unique feast at Aulis. Residing next door to L’Enclume, Aulis offers a behind-the-scenes chef’s table dining experience for up to six guests, perfect for lunch or dinner.
Michelin Star
Allium at Askham Hall, Askham
Set in the darling village of Askham, Allium at Askham Hall is one of the top restaurants in Penrith and one of Cumbria’s leading foodie establishments. Set within a 12th century manor surrounded by 40 acres of country estate and kitchen gardens, it sets a regal scene for candlelit dinners throughout the year. The culinary heartbeat of Allium, Head Chef Richard Swale has led the kitchen team since the restaurant first opened and uses his local knowledge and passion for fine cuisine to craft well-balanced and flavourful food. Peruse the farm-to-fork menus and anticipate dishes of modern British cuisine led by the seasons, all presented in the form of six-course tasting menus by Richard and his team.
Cedar Tree by Hrishikesh Desai, Brampton
Taking its name from an ancient tree that sits within its grounds, Cedar Tree by Hrishikesh Desai can be found inside the resplendent Farlam Hall. Taking pride of place within the striking country house, this Michelin Star restaurant beckons diners with spice-infused dishes inspired by Chef Patron Hrishikesh’s birth country of India. Influenced by global flavours and tuned by local culture, each dish is a product of artisan skill, culinary innovation, and the best regional produce. Take a seat in the garden-view dining room overlooking the ornamental lake and choose from either the à la carte menu or tasting menu for enticing gourmet discovery. For a drop of something special, you can also enjoy a botanical-infused drink in the form of Farlam Hall’s very own gin.
The Samling, Ambleside
Soak up the scenery and relish the finest quality repasts at The Samling. Residing in the foodie haven of Ambleside, this adored restaurant is encompassed by nearly seventy acres of private grounds and features stunning views over Windermere and the Coniston Old Man mountain range. For the best vantage point, take a seat in the glass-fronted restaurant and bask in the panoramas from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Or in the warmer months, head outside to the suntrap terrace for alfresco feasts. Vying for your attention, the restaurant’s menus combine ingredients from The Samling’s greenhouse, garden, and woodlands and deliver bold, simple flavours for mouth-watering impact. For a novel twist, The Chef’s Table, The Gathering, and The Reverie Bar each promise unique places to dine, all complemented by vintages from the restaurant’s award-winning wine cellar.
Cottage in the Wood, Braithwaite
Residing within a fairytale location along Whinlatter Pass in the Lake District, Cottage in the Wood is renowned for its heaven-sent views and divine foodie offerings. A treat to visit throughout the year, it is particularly enchanting in autumn, when the trees framing the restaurant change hues with gold and bronze notes. Drive along the picturesque pass to reach the restaurant and relax in a choice of dining areas. For the best views, the conservatory is especially inviting with an unrivalled aspect across the treetops and Skiddaw mountain range. Tempting your gaze away, find an array of meals gracing the award-winning menus prepared with local produce, from West Coast fish and shellfish to freshly foraged greens.
Forest Side, Grasmere
Both the interiors and menus of Forest Side are designed to reflect the magical landscapes in which the restaurant resides. Inside the country mansion, the dining spaces feature soothing and natural inflections, as well as large windows that overlook the grounds. Outside, the manicured Victorian kitchen garden yields a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables that transform with each season and offer an array of delights to add vibrant tastes and textures to each dish. Complementing the sublime menus of modern British cuisine, Forest Side also offers an extensive wine list from which handpicked wines can be paired with each plate. These include exclusive vintages produced by organic and biodynamic winemakers.
Dog & Gun Inn, Skelton
If you are seeking the best dog-friendly pubs in the Lake District, the Dog & Gun Inn is sure to capture your interest. A Michelin Star gastropub in the Cumbrian village of Skelton, it resides on the fringes of the National Park and extends a warm welcome to all diners. Beloved by locals and visitors alike, it is adored by those looking for an authentic pub experience combined with the highest quality food. Established by Chef and Owner, Ben Queen-Fryer, its menus combine seasonal produce with local inspiration to create repasts that are elegant in composition and profound in flavour. Head over for a romantic dinner date for two or group meal with your closest coterie and savour the tranquil atmosphere and friendly service.
heft, Newton in Cartmel
Head to heft in Newton in Cartmel to uncover a gourmet gastropub offering a unique dining journey. Bestowed with a Michelin Star, heft is run by husband-and-wife Nicola and Kevin Tickle who use their local expertise to create dishes deeply in tune with the surroundings. Especially rooted to the area, Nicola’s family have farmed the valleys and fells of the Lake District since the seventeenth century, while Cumbrian-born Kevin was taught to fish and forage from the land from a young age and trained at L’Enclume. Combining their love of the Lake District with their passion for great food, they invite diners to try tasting menus in their dedicated restaurant, as well as seasonal lunches and drinks in their cosy bar. Weekends are topped by the delicious Sunday service with irresistible mains, sides, and puddings.
Lake Road Kitchen, Ambleside
One of three Michelin Star restaurants serving flavoursome dishes in Ambleside is Lake Road Kitchen. Set within the village at the tip of Windermere, this foodie sanctuary takes its inspiration from Cumbrian and Japandi styles with interiors framed by natural materials and softened with comfortable touches. On the menu, elegantly sophisticated dishes showcase technical precision and mastery of flavour to create endlessly moreish offerings. Settle into one of the sheepskin-hugged seats and peruse the standard, pescatarian or vegetarian menus, comprising set five, eight, or twelve courses. To complement each dish are a handpicked selection of wines and a well-stocked bar.
Pentonbridge Inn, Penton
The Pentonbridge Inn proposes irresistibly fine dining in Cumbria. Set in an eighteenth-century inn, it lies within the verdant realms of Cumbria close to the Scottish border and is one of the country’s most northerly Michelin Star restaurants. Arrive along flowing country lanes to uncover the inn, surrounded by a patchwork of fields. Inside, contemporary design infused with period features sets an inviting scene for intricate repasts. On select days, a four-course set menu is available for lunch, as well as an eight-course set tasting menu for dinner. With each dish a reflection of the season and locale, diners can anticipate modern British cuisine served with tasteful Cumbrian nuances. For something a little different, special wine tasting evenings are also hosted on occasion throughout the year and led by the restaurant’s inhouse sommelier.
Rogan & Co, Cartmel
A gourmet gem, Rogan & Co can be found in the heart of the village of Cartmel close to its sister restaurant, L’Enclume. A relaxed, laidback pairing to L’Enclume, this characterful gastropub lends a magical invitation, set beside a stream and decorated in dark woods and warming tones – all the more magical in winter with a crackling wood fire. Venture out to explore the surroundings with a relaxed walk, before retreating into the pub’s welcome embrace and choosing a comfortable pew to peruse the menu. Curated with ingredients from Rogan’s own farm and the finest ingredients from local producers, it proudly presents clean flavours rich with depth. As part of the restaurant’s bespoke approach, diners are invited to savour set three-course menus, served alongside tasty hors d'œuvres, a pre-dessert, and petit fours to end.
SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel, Bowness-on-Windermere
Head to SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel for delicious Michelin Star cuisine. Arranged around a number of intimate dining rooms, this restaurant awaits for moreish foodie moments inspired by Lakeland and Pan-Asian fare. To begin your culinary journey, relax in the bar with your tipple of choice and absorb the tantalising aromas drifting from the kitchen. At your table, a set lunch menu is presented on select days, followed by two different evening tasting menus. For heavenly dinners, the ‘Origin’ set menu offers a refined selection of courses for a flavour-infused introduction. Meanwhile, the ‘Source’ set menu proposes a longer experience filled with fresh, innovative dishes.
Old Stamp House, Ambleside
After a day exploring the attractions and natural beauty spots of the Lake District, there’s no better way to satiate the appetite than with a plate of Michelin cuisine. In the heart of the Lake District National Park, The Old Stamp House in Ambleside beckons with an abundance of character and award-winning cuisine for lunch and dinner. Located in the lovingly transformed cellars of a former stamp house – where William Wordsworth once used to work – it promises a novel way to dine in style. Secure a reservation at the restaurant, now run by Cumbrian-born brothers Ryan and Craig Blackburn, and savour the ambience and menus inspired by the Cumbrian natural larder. Local specialities include Herdwick hogget, Allerdale cheese, beer bread and locally-plucked mushrooms.
Seeking a delicious escape? Take a look at our luxury cottages in the Lake District and Cumbria.
